Miracle on 17360 Lahser Rd.
By: Dan Jones
**The answer to last week’s trivia question regarding “Wingding” is pending. Stay tuned.**
THE REDFORD THEATRE, the miracle located in Detroit, Michigan, is the perfect palace for cinema lovers – especially those who love the classics. All tickets $4 dollars, supervised free parking, organ music a half hour before the show, popcorn and candy costing no more than an at-home movie night, intermissions for films as short as 90 minutes, and a simulated night sky of stars and clouds.
For information on theatre restoration, which cartoon is showing before the movie, and volunteering; you’ll have to check out their site (redfordtheatre.com) or go there and find out for yourself.
The Redford Theatre audience isn’t too proud to giggle at the first cutaway of a scrawny Frank Sinatra (as they did on the Nov. 4th showing of “From Here to Eternity”) nor are they an uneducated group who’d disrespect the traditions of “Fiddler on the Roof” (shown Nov. 18th and 19th). There’s a respect for the location, the projectionist, and there’s a balcony!
As you return to your seat after intermission and hear the numbers of a brief 50/50 raffle, a sense of participation will swell in your chest. That’s your heart, and it’s excited for the second half of the film to begin.
This month of December, the Redford Theatre will be showing two of the most significant Christmas films ever made: “Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET” (1947)
(Starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne)
Showing Dec. 2 – 8p.m., Dec. 3 – 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. at The Redford Theatre
Not so much a children’s Christmas film as it is one for the mature audience. There aren’t vulgarities or scenes of violence (apart from a department store’s psychologist being bopped on the noggin by a crazy Kris Kringle), but kids may hear more of a debate on Santa’s existence rather than why they should be on their best holiday behavior.
We adults hustle through Macy’s between our busy work schedule, teach our kids to be respectful and responsible throughout the season, maybe find time for love to fill a heart or a stocking, but … what else is Christmas about? Santa? Do we fly through malls for bargains and scroll through website pages of merchandise just to be visited by a generous Santa who’s going to outdo us? Santa adds a smirk to the mayhem, but he surely doesn’t slow us down or fill our pockets with joy (or money).
Why does Santa have to be nosing around all Christmas season anyway? Why does he exist?
We could just as well ask ourselves why we tell stories of giants to our children. Why do we ever stop making monkey faces for a laugh? Why haven’t we ever placed a crucifix of Jesus at the top of the Christmas tree? Would that be having too much freedom to believe in such stories, or maybe blasphemous toward … Santa? (No, these references do not appear in the film. Well, the monkey faces do.)
Santa Claus (AKA Kris Kringle) has to fight for his right to be named, to be mentioned and understood, for the miracle to come true. And the “Miracle on 34th Street” isn’t merely reminding adults to believe in Christmas, but asking why adults have to grow up and stop preserving the spirit of Christmas.
There truly can be magic in a world that’s worth fighting for.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”
(starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore)
Showing Dec. 16 – 8 p.m., Dec. 17 – 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. at The Redford Theatre
What is having freedom? What does it mean to be rich? Why do we get married or have families? Why do we have dreams?
The hell if I know. George Bailey (Stewart) isn’t having much help figuring out life either. It seems God’s going to lend a hand, as they lead on in the first scene, but how realistic is that? The Big Guy answering prayers on Christmas Eve? Bah, humbug!
In other words, be prepared. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is about pain, suffering, not having enough time, not having enough money, missed opportunities, … life sucking! Nothing is ever going to go your way. Christmas is going to intrude as well. If angels truly have wings, they’d fly away from this planet of misery.
Or maybe they’d land to see what they could do. That’s a nice thought and even better to watch it played out for you.
The selling-point premise of this classic I’m not going to spill, just in case you’re one of those who’s “never sat down to watch the entire movie straight through” as most proudly announce at Christmas parties.
The ordeal one must go through to see why life is wonderful is not to turn this movie off. Go to the show, cuddle close to anyone nearby, and watch the entire film. See if you don’t weep for joy.
“From Here to Eternity”
“Fiddler on the Roof”
Dan,
Thanks for the nice article about the Redford Theatre.
We are all volunteers and we are a grass roots organization who decided to occupy the Redford Theatre by the old-fashioned method of earning the money to buy the old barn rather than looking for hand-outs.
By volunteering to write the article, you are now part of the movement to preserve the theatre and its rare original theatre organization.
This article is exceptional – not only regarding the Redford Theater as a venue to be admired and appreciated – but also with respect to the insight that Dan has into the movies that are discussed. At a time when all people do is worry about presents and parties, it is refreshing to see comments about what the Chritmas spirit is all about. It is about love, family, joy, and hope. This article was excellent.