Fight for the Von Lee

Last Friday, I was doing one of the things I love, and I was doing it for a good cause. I was outside, eating popcorn and saving the Von Lee Theater.\nFor those readers new to town, the Von Lee Theater was one of the city's "art theaters," situated at the end of Kirkwood near the Sample Gates. Built in 1929, the Von Lee is only one of two historic theaters in the Bloomington area, holding foreign films as well as film festivals for the populace of IU. Local ownership of the majestic building ran out in 1976 where it was purchased by the theater giant Kerasotes Corporation. Kerasotes has a "film monopoly" over all of Bloomington, using this sway to ruin the Von Lee. The maintenance of the theater gradually deteriorated under Kerosotes' ownership, and the films shown also lost their high standard until the corporation decided to close the Von Lee last year.\nThe Von Lee can still be purchased by an outside company. But Kerasotes put one final clause on the sale of the Von Lee: Whoever bought the building could not use it to show films. This historic landmark is still just sitting there, with no one willing to buy a theater that cannot be used as such.\nThe fact that Kerosotes doesn't want any new owners of the Von Lee to show films is a move more associated with ruthless business strategy seen by silent film villains rather than a modern corporation. Kerosotes claimed they shut down the Von Lee because it was unprofitable; yet, if downtown movie theaters are so unprofitable, there wouldn't be a clause preventing future owners from using the Von Lee as such. In fact, downtown movie theaters are enjoying a "renaissance" throughout the country, and I'm positive there are students and faculty members who aren't willing to traverse into the elements to see the latest low-brow Adam Sandler film.\nThe Von Lee is a historic landmark, so Kerosotes doesn't have the option of destroying it and using it as an addition to the nearby parking lot. But money can be made from the Von Lee, and there is a culture of movie buffs, myself included, that would love to have a quality theater so close to the University.\nOn Oct. 5, the Von Lee supporters held an outside movie marathon in the cool night air in support of the historic theater. Lovers of films gathered around on the cement forum of the sidewalk to try and reclaim the theater's old glory. Even though films couldn't be shown inside the Von Lee's historic walls, its supporters projected their favorite classics on a screen in front of the building, showing that a downtown theater in Bloomington would still have local support.\nThis gathering showed film fanatics weren't just out there to enjoy the cool night and a few great films; they were there to raise awareness for the Popcorn Boycott. The Popcorn Boycott is the chance for those who support the Von Lee to get back at Kerosotes where it hurts the most: In its profits. The rising cost of movie tickets is infuriating to most theater-goers, yet ticket prices only cover the cost of showing the film reels. Any profit made for the theater comes directly from the overpriced concession stand. Those upset with Kerosotes practices are encouraged to skip out on buying popcorn or any other food from the theater. \nTo hit them in their wallets could be the only way to get Kerosotes to listen: There are those who want the Von Lee back.