You'll soon have the best of both entertainment worlds at Greenwood Little Theatre.
There's a move to show movies in addition to stage plays at W.M. Whittington Jr. Playhouse.
"We probably will make a little money and provide a little community service, since we don't have a movie theater any more," said Don Hummel, one of Little Theatre's board members.
The idea came up after Greenwood's only movie house, Joy Theater, closed in April because of slow business.
A group of potential investors is looking at starting another commercial theater, but those plans are still being reviewed, said Mike Sturdivant Jr., a farmer who lives near Itta Bena.
He and Johnny Jennings, a Greenwood businessman, are among the group's members.
Meanwhile, Jennings, whose businesses include photography, has set up a DVD projector, sound system and big screen inside a building he owns on Howard Street. He and friends gather to watch movies.
"I just want a picture show so bad," said Jennings, who is also a member of the GLT board.
The board has voted to support Jennings' idea that GLT show matinees of film classics at GLT's home, W.M. Whittington Jr. Playhouse.
Jennings wants to show "Miracle on 34th Street" or "It's a Wonderful Life" at Whittington Playhouse close to Christmas, or maybe even after, if he can get the project financed and the equipment installed in time.
He said 18 benefactors have promised to donate $300 each to start the project. Once it is under way, the admission price will be $3 per person, adult or child.
Each benefactor will receive 100 tickets to distribute to friends, family or community organizations, Jennings said.
At showings - likely weekend afternoons - popcorn and fountain drinks will be sold for $1, he said.
"All proceeds will be put into Little Theatre's general fund," he said.
Last week, Jennings worked on on constructing a 12-foot wide screen for the project.
He also plans to extend and enhance GLT's audio system to surround sound. This, he said, will help sound for GLT's stage plays.
Jennings hopes Little Theatre in a year or two will begin holding film festivals and competitions for budding filmmakers.
He said there is much more to watching a movie at the theater rather than at home, and Little Theatre's 200-seat auditorium provides a setting similar to that of an actual movie house.
"It has seating. Close the doors, and it's dark - the perfect situation for a movie," he said.
"It's just going to be neat to go out on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday afternoon and watch a classic movie. A lot of people haven't seen them on a 12- or 25-foot screen. It's a whole different experience, plus it is an afternoon out."
