A Reel Relic

It is a wonderful life at the Newtown Theatre.

By: Jessica Loughery
   Eric Johnson can remember what it felt like walking through downtown Newtown, Pa., with his older brother, buying tickets at the box office window and finding a seat in the auditorium. He can even remember being scared of the witch — the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, that is. Now part of the "old classic" canon, Victor Fleming’s 1939 production is the first movie Mr. Johnson remembers seeing at Newtown Theatre.
   "I was born and raised in Newtown," Mr. Johnson says. "I used to go (to the theater) as a kid and even as an adult, but I never really paid that much attention to it. I would just go to the theater and pay my ticket and leave."
   Built in 1831 as Newtown Hall and renovated in 1883, the structure screened its first film in 1906. Because it has been screening films continuously since then, it is the oldest movie theater in the United States.
   The Community Welfare Council of Newtown acquired Newtown Theatre in 1953. In 1972, movie buff and licensed projectionist Amos Farruggio began renting the building from the council, taking over its management and improving the interior. When Mr. Farruggio died in 1980, his wife, Marjorie, took over until her own death in June 2005. Today, their son, John, sees to many of the 300-seat, single-screen theater’s affairs, while Trenton resident Eric Silverman serves as general manager.
   When asked if his work there is full-time, Mr. Silverman says, "It’s not really a job. It’s more like I promised (Mrs. Farruggio) on her deathbed. I said, ‘Marge, the theater will stay open.’ We were even open the night of her funeral. Everybody was saying, ‘Why are we open?’ And I said, ‘You want her to reach out of that coffin?’ "
   The Farruggios were far from the only people devoted to a theater that’s been delivering action, drama, comedy and romance to the community of Newtown for generations.
   Having lived in Newtown all his life, Mr. Johnson has seen dozens of films since The Wizard of Oz and is now chairman of the Newtown Theatre Restoration Committee, formed in 2000 by the Community Welfare Council.
   "The original goals were to fix things up a little bit and try to create an endowment to keep the theater funded and keep things in good shape," he says. "A lot of it in the beginning was cosmetic. The windows in the front had BB gun holes in them and were broken. The Venetian blinds in front were worn out and falling apart. The lobby needed painting and new carpeting. The shutters are very large and they were starting to fall apart. Sidewalks were bad, bricks needed pointing. Visually, it was decrepit."
   In addition to interior and exterior improvements, the theater has been brought up to date technologically. A new xenon-lamp projection system was added in 1999, air conditioning in 2002, and even more recently, Sony SDDS and DTS sound, as well as a DVD player.
   "We wanted to give back to the community," Mr. Johnson says. "(We also wanted) to encourage people to come to the theater. We call ourselves the best kept secret in Bucks County. It’s amazing (how many) people don’t know we’re there."
   One way the Restoration Committee has found to encourage attendance, develop appreciation for the theater in the community and raise funds at the same time is with benefit screenings, an effort started just this year. Benefit holiday events for this month include Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express (2004) on Dec. 9 and Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 16 and 17. All profits from the nostalgic $1 admission fee go to the restoration.
   "Initially, we did it to say thank you and also because this year is our 100th anniversary of showing films," Mr. Johnson says. "But we’ve already decided it’s gone over so well, we’re bringing it back next year."
   Newtown Theatre may not have the ultimate in surround sound. It may not boast 15 screens and a plethora of films to choose from, but when you set out for the theater on a Friday night, at least you know you won’t be stuck parking two miles away and standing at the end of a line the length of a football field waiting to see if you’ll even get in. Instead, you’ll leisurely stroll down State Street, up the stairs and through the doors of a homey community space deeply rooted in Newtown’s history.
   "(The theater) is a cinematic relic," Mr. Johnson says. "And Newtown, in a lot of ways, is a relic because we are so old and historic. People are coming back around to the small town from surrounding areas that have grown. (Here), you can walk to the theater and walk home. You can go to dinner beforehand or after and just go there in a very relaxed atmosphere.
   (Newtown Theatre) is important to the town," he continues. "Keeping it here is important to the town."
The Polar Express will be screened Dec. 9, 2 p.m., and It’s a Wonderful Life will be screened Dec. 16-17, 1, 3:30 p.m., at Newtown Theatre, 120 N. State St., Newtown, Pa. Tickets cost $1, with all proceeds benefiting the restoration. For information, call (215) 968-3859. Newtown Theatre on the Web: www.newtowntheatre.com