An Evening At: The Wildey - Midwest Wide Angle

I'm not someone you would define strictly as a cinephile, nor a real lover of the engineering aspects of architecture, but I do have a deep love for the construction of performance venues. My favorite, despite my travels around the country, is my hometown of Edwardsville's theatre: The Wildey. The old girl was a vaudeville venue back in her early days, an opera house, a movie theatre, and even a meeting place for the Order of Oddfellows of all things. I've written two other articles on the Wildey, one on the renovation of Edwardsville's downtown through her restoration and the other not he interview I had with the two men responsible, Al Canal and Rich Walker. You'd think I'd have nothing left to say on the aging beauty, but I haven't talked about how lively she is at a party. An evening at The Wildey Theatre isn't much most for days of the week, her more energetic days being events booked by Al, but I feel her best cross section is the Three (once upon a time Two) dollar Tuesday films. Usually a classic or thematic for the season film, with that Tuesday's being Sabrina with Hepburn and Bogart from 1954, the low cost brings all sorts into the seats. It's not the Ritz-Carlton in terms of clientele, but it is an honest depiction of the average townie who wants to enjoy a fine night watching a lovely film. I myself have a comfortable sense of admiration for films of that era, and I have to tell you the experience was excellent. As you head into the foyer, you can see a cozy entryway that gives way immediately to the booths and stairways, rubbing elbows with your fellow filmgoers before tucking yourself into the renovated seats. On the upper floors you'll find two wonderful event spaces, not shown here though I assume you they are worth the rental. Spilling back out onto the street after the film, I thought again about how the renovation of this building had such a grand ripple effect on the shape of my town. Streets that, when I was a boy, were unsafe or daunting to walk down, darkened by neglect and aged by indifference. Now they are bustling with lackadaisical packs of strollers enjoying their soft Springtime night, the warm glow of the Wildey's marquee offering a reminder of simpler times.

The Wildey At Night - J.E. Coleman

Later this week I'm taking a look at the contender for my favorite theatre, The Hi Pointe of Saint Louis Cinema fame and its cozy Backlot screen. I hope to see you at the movies soon.