News and notes from Reston (tm).

Monday, February 24, 2014

Flashback Monday: A Multiplex, Reston Style

Old Reston movie at intl center

Back in Reston's bronze mauve age, many years before an ersatz, yet surprisingly gritty, downtown would rise from the primeval woods, Reston had a movie theater, located in the modern-day Chili's now-demolished building behind at the Reston International Center, complete with a helpful arrow bedecked in dazzling lights pointing to the building's entrance, lest you think it was a vulgar drive-in or something. Just look at the crowds clamoring to take in a movie after a four-course meal at nearby Burger Chef, assuming "soda, fries, burger, and ice cream sammich" count as four courses. (Which they should.)

In a rebuke to old-timey, take-it-or-leave-it "movie houses," Reston's first theater gave crowds a choice of movies. Would you go see the light-hearted romantic comedy "1"? Or, perhaps, the gritty piece of cinema verite, "2"? Only the ticket-taker knows for sure!

All in all, a pretty sweet night on the town, Reston style. EXCEPT. Look at the poster for "2" in more detail:

Closeup
Recognize it?

VonTrapp
Yep, the most boring movie involving Nazis ever made. Apparently, Reston's well-documented love of overblown musicals goes a long way back, the end.

8 comments:

  1. Nazis? In south Reston? Maybe they should rename Dag Hammarskjold Plaza after Kurt Waldheim.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Von Trapped in RestonFebruary 24, 2014 at 12:02 PM

    Mauve, a paint, an ugly paint;
    D, the D in DRB
    RA, the name, we call ourselves
    Far, how long for Metro we'll have to wait...

    Think I'll stop there

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, this is excellent, please continue :)

      Delete
  3. Reston Twin Cinema was actually located in the exact same space now occupied by the Chile's restaurant at the International Center. They were very, very small theaters.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A choice of movies, including a weekend XXX midnight feature. Ah, yes, those were the days.

    Maybe somebody will open a Cabaret venue in Tall Oaks. I can't think of a better place for Reston's Nazis to congregate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What, really? XXX movies in staid Reston?

      Delete
    2. I hear "Behind the Mauve Door" was a huge hit locally.

      Delete
    3. Oh, only the best for Reston: The Story of O, Misty Beethoven, Behind the Green Door. Back in the late '70's or early '80's, you could still get your freak on at the midnight movie.

      Delete

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