movies

Hayward Residents Enjoy Classic Film Series

By Kaela Robinson
Contributor

Photographer: Kaela Barnes

"Viewers at last weeks screening
of “Mary Poppins.”

“It’s like revisiting history,” said Hayward resident Patricia Serpa. “I was 12 in 1964, and I remember watching this movie with my parents. Now, it’s like visiting that memory, but only better because I get to do it with my grandchildren.”

At Hayward’s Century Theatre, families like the Serpa’s, stand in line to get their tickets, anxious to see the movie of their choice. Yet, last night was unlike most nights when moviegoers are waiting to purchase tickets for the newest action thriller or star-packed romantic-comedy, as handful of local residents were waiting to see the 1964 classic “Mary Poppins.”

The Century Theatre in Hayward is one of 150 Cinemark theatres in the country participating in the “Cinemark Classic Series,” a weekly showing of classic Hollywood films, such as “Mary Poppins,” “African Queen,” “High Noon” and many more.

“When you go see a movie in a theater, you are in it,” said Hayward resident and self-proclaimed film buff Rebecca Donovan, who attended last week’s viewing of “Gone With the Wind.”

At last week’s showing of the classic and beautiful “Gone With the Wind,” a movie filled with color, music and power, each moment seemed to bring audience member to laughter and tears. As the small number of people consumed the theater, there was a feeling of comfort in that viewers were there to experience the magic of cinema. During the 15-minute intermission, individuals chatted with each other between the seats, bonding over their favorite scenes and the great ones to come.

Hayward Century Theatre General Manager Frank Gonzales said the demographics of the attendees are diverse and varied, ranging from school-aged children to elderly citizens.

Serpa’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Lily Metcaffe, said she enjoys watching classic films because it provides an escape from the “ordinary” to the “extraordinary.”

“It was my grandma’s idea for me and my sister to come because she said she knew we loved anything different,” said Lily Metcaffe as she looked to her 13-year-old sister Brittney for approval. “I’m happy we have the chance to try something else instead of the regular stuff that is playing now. I think most people like a chance to do something out of the ordinary, like watch a movie from 1964 in 2012.”

According to Gonzales, last week’s showing of “Gone with the Wind” brought in nearly 15 people, which makes it one of their biggest showings during the series.

“This is the first time I’ve been to the classic film series, but I will probably go see most of them now that I know about it,” said Donovan.

Only available on Wednesday’s, classic films are screened at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the latter time being the most popular.

Gonzales said the series continues, “as long as there is interest in the program,” and even with a small following, the series has shown great success in Hayward.

“Last week when grandma brought us to see ‘Gone With the Wind,’ it was my first time seeing that movie ever and I really liked it,” said Brittney. “I closed my eyes and pretended it was when my grandma was my age and what it would be like to watch the movie. I think that because I traveled in time it made it better.”

Natalia Aldana contributed to this report.

This entry was published in The Pioneer Online on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 12:33 pm.