I’ve only lived in Kits for over three years but in my short time in the neighbourhood, I’ve come to realize the importance that the family-run Hollywood Theatre had on the community. Having that theatre in my neck of the woods made where I lived the perfect place and as a movie buff it was nirvana.

The very first double header I saw at the Hollywood was when I was home for Christmas visiting from Toronto. It was Vanity Fair with Veronica Guerin. I actually was only interested in Vanity Fair so skipped the second feature but I remember that the house was packed because it was a Monday, when ticket prices were cheaper.

When I moved back to Vancouver in 2008, the very first double header I saw as a resident of the area was Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and In Bruges. Two completely different movies but seems to be the norm of the Hollywood as pointed out by local actor Mackenzie Gray (he played the older Lex Luthor clone in Lazarus, the Season 10 premiere episode of Smallville), who hosted the closing night celebration. One of the oddest double headers that the Hollywood had that Mr. Gray noted was My Left Foot with Rambo.

I don’t remember all of the movies I’ve seen at the Hollywood but some of the good ones that I saw were: The Lucky Ones, The Reader, Last Chance Harvey, The Invention of Lying, Baby Mama, and Ghost Town.

On the final night of the Hollywood, May 29, 2011, the double header was Cinema Paradiso and Faster, two completely different movies and we wouldn’t have any other way. Mr. Gray explained the history of the theatre and how it has been in the Fairleigh family since it opened its doors back in the 30s. Songs were sung and stories shared to pay tribute to the Hollywood and the Fairleigh family and then a classic Buster Keaton silent film was shown with a live and original piano score accompanying it. I had never seen a silent film before and it was a hoot and a treat to have that live piano there.

After the silent movie, we all sang God Save the King, yes King, as apparently when The Hollywood first opened its doors, that was what people sang before the film started.

Then the longtime projectionist of the Hollywood came out to say a few words and mentioned that he was heartened to see a packed house when, as of late, it wasn’t always the case.

Pretty much the full house was there to see Cinema Paradiso, the 1990 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language film, and it was a very appropriate film to close the Hollywood. It is a love letter to the movie going experience. It brought tears to my eyes and the little boy who played Toto was so adorable in the film.

As the lights came up, a picture was taken of the final crowd. Unfortunately, not everyone stayed to see the second half of the double bill. I understand why, it was almost 10pm on a Sunday and people knew that any movie that stars Dwayne Johnson wasn’t going to be quality. I would say about 75% of the audience left. I stayed because it would be the last double header ever I would see at this wonderful movie house.

Faster was a terrible movie, probably the worst movie I have ever seen but it didn’t matter, I got to stay to the end and help close the Hollywood.