Step back in time and enjoy movies at The Yuba Theatre this summer as the Movie Night series returns. The Yuba Theatre has been showing movies since it was originally built in 1940 by Verne Shattuck. Anna and Ray Brett purchased the theatre in 1946 and ran the theatre for years, showing movies 7 nights a week in the beginning. When this author was a girl, movies were 35cents and popcorn 10cents, by my recollection. Everyone came out to see the movies and there was a line to get in. Everyone agreed there was nothing like a good western at The Yuba Theatre. I remember sitting in the front row turning with excitement to look above the heads of the teenagers making out in the back row because I knew that when Ray’s head appeared in the projection room the cartoons were going to begin, Hanna Barbera and Looney Tunes. We didn’t have previews or advertisements for concessions, or reminders to turn off our cellphones.
In the 70’s the theatre was purchased by Eben and Betty Smart, and mostly operated by their boys, my friends, Knight and Rett. They showed four screenings a week, and two different movies a week, driving all the way to Marysville to pick up the huge film trays that came from San Francisco. We had a lot of fun in those days. Then came the TV. Then came the VCR. And then the movies stopped.
The Sierra County Arts has revived this community event and are pleased to announce our series will be showing a variety of critically acclaimed and entertaining movies this summer. The series will be enhanced this year by our new bigger, better, mechanical screen installed by technical guru Greg Bostrom. We can’t afford to show first run movies, but our authentic experience is worth the $7 suggested donation to get in. This series preserves Downieville’s historical and cultural vitality. The popcorn is delicious too!
The Arts Council must pay full license fees to show these movies and we are always looking for sponsors who would like to sponsor a show. Our line up this year includes – Mary Poppins Returns(already sponsored by the Riverside Inn), Silverado, Ready Player One, First Man, and On the Basis of Sex. We also will have a movie for the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and Festival sponsored by Santa Cruz and yet to be determined. If you would like to sponsor a movie, please contact B.J. Jordan at 530-289-3673 or email:info@sierracountyartscouncil.org. Sierra County Arts Council is State Local Partner with the California Arts Council.
In the 70’s the theatre was purchased by Eben and Betty Smart, and mostly operated by their boys, my friends, Knight and Rett. They showed four screenings a week, and two different movies a week, driving all the way to Marysville to pick up the huge film trays that came from San Francisco. We had a lot of fun in those days. Then came the TV. Then came the VCR. And then the movies stopped.
The Sierra County Arts has revived this community event and are pleased to announce our series will be showing a variety of critically acclaimed and entertaining movies this summer. The series will be enhanced this year by our new bigger, better, mechanical screen installed by technical guru Greg Bostrom. We can’t afford to show first run movies, but our authentic experience is worth the $7 suggested donation to get in. This series preserves Downieville’s historical and cultural vitality. The popcorn is delicious too!
The Arts Council must pay full license fees to show these movies and we are always looking for sponsors who would like to sponsor a show. Our line up this year includes – Mary Poppins Returns(already sponsored by the Riverside Inn), Silverado, Ready Player One, First Man, and On the Basis of Sex. We also will have a movie for the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and Festival sponsored by Santa Cruz and yet to be determined. If you would like to sponsor a movie, please contact B.J. Jordan at 530-289-3673 or email:info@sierracountyartscouncil.org. Sierra County Arts Council is State Local Partner with the California Arts Council.
