LAMORINDA, CA — The Orinda Theatre, which opened in 1941, has many charms, inside and out.
The landmark, a mix of art deco and modern architecture styles, has weathered financial challenges but remains the physical and spiritual center of Orinda’s charming downtown. Inside there are three theaters, including the 750-seat grand theater with its circular ceiling and distinctive design.
The theater’s programs are eclectic: a mix of first- and second-run movies and a wide range of events that run the gamut from classics to cult favorites to releases that fall somewhere in between. The third Thursday of each month brings a free screening.
This week, it’s the classic “The Godfather,” Francis Ford Coppola’s brilliant adaptation of the Mario Puzo novel about an aging crime lord’s final days and his family’s fitful transfer of power. The film won an Oscar for best picture as well as best actor for Marlon Brando (even though many couldn’t understand what he was saying)! And it turned Al Pacino into a star. While it’s easy to access at home these days, watching “The Godfather” in Orinda’s stately grand theater with its huge screen is much better.
The screening starts at 6:30 p.m. The theater, which also hosts live concerts and other performances, has a wide selection of snacks and drinks, and the surrounding downtown and attached mini mall offer a nice selection of shops and restaurants. More information is at www.orindamovies.com.
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