Tlie Pendulum
November 16, 1989
Photo by Rob Whiteside
The courthouse is another feature of the town of
Graham, home of the Cinema Theatre.
Theater
From Page 7
pattern for the movies he shows.
The owner avoids horror films
and "B" movies because they tend
to draw rowdy audiences. "I'd
rather not make any money than
to have to contend with them,"
he says.
"I want a family theater,"
Matthews says. Despite his
support of families, however,
the owner doesn't allow babies in
the theater. All it takes is "one
baby in there hollerin'," says
Matthews, to destroy the movie
for the rest of the audience. The
owner also frowns upon talking.
"I'm real funny about people be
having," he says, "I guess that's
the old school teacher in me."
In his five years as owner-
manager, Matthews has thrown
out an estimated 1000 customers
for talking and other problems.
He always gives them their
money back, though. And he
hasn’t had to call the law in two
or three years. "I don't want any
body here unless they're here to
watch a movie," Matthews says.
Unique messages successful
But Matthews isn't above
having a little fun. To find out,
just call the Cinema Theatre and
listen to the recorded message.
Matthews started lightening up
his recordings on Chrisunas Eve
one year.
In a special message telling
customers that the theater was
going to be closed December 24,
Matthews joked that Santa Claus
was using the facility to store
some of his toys. The message
was a hit; and the rest, as they
say, is history.
Now he's in a bind. "I rack
my brains," says Matthews, who
often has trouble coming up with
an entertaining message. His
daughter says he sits forever
trying to come up with some
thing funny. Usually, though,
he produces a classic. Conse
quently, Matthews has gathered
quite a following. In fact, he
says a man in Nebraska calls each
week to hear the new message.
Other repairs planned
Matthews doesn't have any
really big plans for the theater,
although he will continue
making repairs. He wants to put
new seats in the balcony, where
he'll remove every other row of
chairs to allow for additional leg-
room.
He also wants to add a new
heating system. Eventually, the
admission price probably will be
raised to $2 for every movie.
Already Matthews has raised the
prices for select shows so he can
get them sooner. He's also raised
the price of concessions,
although he provides free drink
refills to try to make things
easier on the customers.
Most of all, though,
Matthews wants to continue to
put on a 5good presentation at a
good price. It seems his
philosophy is working just fine:
"Give people quality at a bargain
and you'll do alright.".
$500
REWARD
FOR INFORMATION LEADING
TO THE ARREST
AND CONVICTION OF
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THEFT OF OR
DESTRUCTION OF
CAMPUS PROPERTY
SUCH AS SIGNS, ARTWORK, EQUIPMENT, PLANTS
AND TREES
INFORMATION MAY BE GIVEN TO:
CAPT. DAN INGLE, ELON POLICE DEPARTMENT
584-1301
Bob Poindexter, Alamance Buildlna
Room 118
584-2434
Terry Creech, Elon College Security
584-2407