On Saturday, Dani and I went to see the original 1933 KING KONG, in glorious black and white, at the Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, as part of their Big Screen Classics series.

I had always liked KING KONG. Liked. Not loved, but definitely really liked. But after seeing it on the big screen, I can't believe what a different experience it was, compared to watching it on a 19 inch television screen, which is how most people my age grew up watching it. I was just blown away by how visually striking it is, not to mention it's entertaining as hell.

Seeing KONG on the big screen in that old movie palace reminded me of what going to the movies should be like. Not to mention that prior to the movie, instead of advertisements on the screen, they have a guy playing an antique Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Stepping through the doors of the Lafayette is like stepping into a time machine. Between the giant chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling, the intricately adorned opera boxes, and the luscious red theater curtain, it's easy to imagine what it must have been like to see KING KONG during its original release in 1933.

Seriously, if you ever get a chance to see a movie at the Lafayette Theatre, do it. You'll never want to go back to a megaplex again.


Official website: http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/indexlafayette.htm