Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Aug. 17 Press Release

Date: Aug. 17, 2016
To: All media for immediate release
Re: First two shows at The Bijou
From: The Bijou Film Center

The Bijou Film Center's program of entertainment for its first weekend of operation in its Arts District location, at 304 E. Broad St., will be as follows:

On Fri., Sept. 2, The Bijou Film Center will be open for First Friday, between 6 p.m. and approximately 10:30 p.m, when we will be selling beer, wine and soft drinks to our thirsty guests. During that time we also hope some of our 400-plus members will stop by to look the place over and pick up their members' T-shirts and mugs. Short silent Charlie Chaplin films (in Super 8) will be projected onto the walls. Until 9 p.m. admission will be free. 

At 9 p.m. the Bopcats, one of Richmond's most enduring rock 'n' roll acts, fronted by Lindy Fralin will perform live. Five dollar donations will be accepted.

Sat., Sept. 3, The Bijou will screen Charlie Chaplin's classic feature film, “Modern Times,” at 7: 15 p.m and again at 9:30 p.m. This beloved classic will be The Bijou's tip of the Little Tramp's hat to Labor Day. Admission will be $5.00.

“Modern Times” (1936): B&W. 87 minutes. Directed by Charlie Chaplin. Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman. Note: Released in the middle of the Great Depression, Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp character is plunged into the daunting world of the assembly line. He can't keep up, so he cracks up. Mishaps ensue. He's hospitalized and later jailed. Although the comedy has lots of sound effects, music as well, it was essentially a silent film, in that it doesn't depend on dialogue to tell the story. However, Chaplin's voice is heard (for what was the first time in a movie). The popular song, “Smile,” which was written by Chaplin, himself, is presented.

About The Bijou's Name: Jake Wells, a former baseball player/manager for the Richmond Bluebirds, opened his original Bijou at 714 E. Broad St. in 1899, about five blocks east of our first home. Writing for the Richmond News Leader in 1952, George W. Rogers credited Wells with having been the “father of Richmond movie houses.”


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