Buskirk-Chumley adds films to roster

Film lovers and connoisseurs will soon be treated to a nostalgic film experience unrivaled by today's corporate theater. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater, a historic establishment in downtown Bloomington known for its concentration on visual arts, has announced a new regular film series to begin this fall. The series marks the first permanent series presented by the theater since 1995.\nThe new film series, which will take place Monday and Tuesday nights, is the result of a collaboration between the Buskirk-Chumley and the IU Department of Communication and Culture. Two classes of approximately 100 students, History of Hollywood and Introduction to Media, will view the films as an extension of the class. The showings will be open to the public for $4. \nOriginally built in 1922 as the Indiana Theater, the venue was a site for silent movies and vaudeville performances, drawing large crowds from Bloomington. In the last 30 years, though, interest in the theater declined, and after a series of ownership changes, the Buskirk-Chumley was sold to the Bloomington Area Arts Council in 1995 and turned into a live performance venue. \nIn 2001, the theater was sold to Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management, Inc., a non-profit organization. Though the theater has been used to host festivities like the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour and the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour, until recently, the ownership restricted regular film screenings, a ban that will be lifted this fall.\nThe film series will feature a wide array of cinema, ranging from the works of D.W. Griffith to Golden Age staples such as "Casablanca" and "Singing in the Rain" to modern blockbusters like "Die Hard" and "The Matrix." In addition, documentaries like as Michael Moore's controversial "Bowling for Columbine" and even occasional television series episodes will be shown. BCT Marketing Director Suzanne Strick said she hopes the theater will continue to attract local organizations to hold their own film screenings.\n"As well as bringing weekly film programming to the downtown area, this … will also transform the Buskirk-Chumley Theater into a public access film screening facility," she said. \nThe new film series is being sponsored by Smallwood Plaza, a new downtown development on College Avenue set for completion in the near future. The developers have provided the theater with a state-of-the-art, 30-by-20-foot projector screen, hoping the screenings will provide a nostalgic feel and entertain the community. Danielle McClelland, director of the Buskirk-Chumley said the theater will combine elements particular to Bloomington in order to appeal to the community.\n"Through involvement with the University, as well as Smallwood's sponsorship … we're creating an experience that combines student education with the general public's enjoyment," McClelland said. "We're thrilled to be able to again give viewers a nostalgic and luxurious movie house experience."\nThis fall, the theater is providing popcorn, sodas and candy sold through the venue by Bloomingfoods Theater Café, as well as a modern touch, including short film introductions by IU film experts to enhance the viewers' appreciation of the film. The theater hopes that 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., the location of the theater, will be the place to be Monday and Tuesday nights. Smallwood developer John Jacobs said he hopes it will rival home theater systems\n"Big-screen TVs and home theater systems are booming," Jacobs said "But, to experience the big screen in a classic environment with a large audience, along with a live lecture -- that's hard to match."\n-- Contact staff writer John Kastrinsky at jkastrin@indiana.edu.