The State Theatre in Traverse City is one of those vintage movie palaces dear to the hearts of pretty much everyone who grew up in this country, although for a time we thought of them with a certain fond nostalgia and then went off to the mall. The theatre had fallen on hard times before it became a venue for the Traverse City Film Festival back in 2005. People came, people liked, and the next thing you know, with the help of Rotary Charities and a whole lot of other folks, the State was donated to the Festival, which restored the building and the seats and then made it even better with truly excellent sound and projection equipment. Now it’s open all year ’round, seven days a week, and on Monday afternoon I was down there being fitted for a volunteer usher costume. We had a choice of headwear, bowties, pearls and stick-on mustaches to accessorize our tasteful maroon usher jackets.
Betty Jo talked me into it. She promised me I’d get my own box of popcorn for my trouble. She didn’t mention the accessories. Here’s Lois, the volunteer coordinator for the day, modeling one of the fetching 1920s headbands, feathers, glittery dangles and all. Lois is irrepressible.
When the volunteer ushers have taken all the tickets and made sure all the paying customers are happy, they can grab their popcorn and head inside to watch the movie. On Monday the movie was The Artist, which I liked a lot, so I forgave Betty Jo for the accessories. I am very bad at reviewing movies so I will not tell you anything about The Artist except that you should go. You will enjoy the Jack Russell terrier. Also the dancing. Also the imagination involved in the entire production. And if you go see it at the State Theatre in Traverse City you can see this, too.
OK, that is a pretty bad picture, but it’s the best I could do with my skills and my little camera under all the lobby lights. The famous statue looks pretty glamorous when you’re standing right there in front of its museum quality glass case looking at it. That is the honest-to-goodness real Oscar that Michael Moore and Michael Donovan won in 2002 for Bowling for Columbine.
The way I look at it, Michael Moore has made the Oscar Traverse City’s Oscar, the same way the Red Wings have made the Stanley Cup Detroit’s Stanley Cup on many occasions. Back in 1999 I got to touch the Stanley Cup, but that’s another post entirely. I did not get to touch Oscar, but I believe I may have left a noseprint on his glass case. I could touch Oscar, though . . . Here’s the description of this year’s Oscar Party at the State:
Watch the 2012 Academy Awards in high definition on the biggest screen in Northern Michigan! Admission includes gourmet pizza, salad, dessert, and popcorn, plus soda, coffee and tea to keep you awake until Best Picture is announced. Dress in your formal best and walk the red carpet. Enter our Oscar contest for a chance to win prizes including a one-year All Access Pass for two for the State. Fill out your ballot ahead of time and drop it in our lobby ballot box — you need not be present to win. And this year, you can appear on the big screen yourself — stop by the State and record your acceptance speech in the lobby with Michael Moore’s real Oscar (just ask a staff member for help). Keep it to 45 seconds, please!
How cool is that? That is very cool. In case you decide to go, and want to know how you’ll recognize it when you get there, here is what the State looked like four summers ago when Babs Young went down there to hear a historic speech.
Did I mention that besides great movies you can see live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and important community events like Presidential nominating conventions and the Michigan-Michigan State game? Now I think I’m going to go work on my acceptance speech. I want to thank the Members of the Academy, the Cowboy and Miss Sadie . . .
Torch Lake Views 
Ed LaFreniere
February 21, 2012
Great posting about a wonderful Traverse City icon! We will be retiring up north on Torch in a few years and it’s great to know about such outstanding activities! Thanks again, Gerry, and don’t forget to post your Oscar acceptance speech. Be sure to thank Michael Moore — that may entitle you to more than 45 seconds.
Gerry
February 21, 2012
Hi, Ed. I’m glad you liked the post. You’re gonna love TCFF and the State.
I’m pretty sure that Michael, who is, after all, a card-carrying member of the Academy, will be a stickler about the 45 seconds. He’s a guy who knows the importance of timing.
P.j. grath
February 21, 2012
Gerry, are you going to be a regular volunteer usher? What fun! But you’ll have to tell us about the movies, too. I mean, would you, please, please?
Gerry
February 21, 2012
I don’t think so – I was just filling in yesterday. But it was fun.
As for reviews . . . for some reason I don’t generally enjoy telling people about a book or movie. It goes all the way back to first grade when I wouldn’t do book reports. I will cheerfully talk your ears off about a play I’ve seen or read, and happily analyze a movie we’ve just seen together . . . but I’m allergic to book reports and movie reviews beyond “Go read this” or “Go see this.” Go see The Artist. (Please. :))
Joss
February 22, 2012
Ok, yes, it’s on at our local cinema this week. I’ll go with the owner of the Jack Russel I babysit every Wednesday. That sounds like a nice night out. I suppose with it being a silent movie there won’t be any talking animals. I have a particular fondness for them. 🙂
Gerry
February 22, 2012
No talking animals, but a very expressive terrier. You will have a nice time.
Dawn
February 22, 2012
Now see, this is why your part of the world is so cool. You get all that nature, the big lakes, the trees, the animals, the snow AND you get to do great community things with music and film AND you get accessories!
Gerry
February 22, 2012
This is all true. Not sure about the accessories, though. The mustache was really not a good look for me.
kanniduba
February 22, 2012
What a wonderful venue! There are many old, beautiful theatres around here too…some have made a small comeback, but none on the scale of yours. They could take lessons…what a fantastic idea to show speeches, games, and such!
Gerry
February 22, 2012
It helps that one of the prime movers behind the Film Festival and the restoration at the State Theatre is Michael Moore, who is a force of nature–and a very nice human being. There is something to be said for a Jesuit education.
tootlepedal
February 22, 2012
The dog was the best thing in the picture.
Gerry
February 22, 2012
Agreed. Although I did enjoy the cinematography. Also the dancing. I had fun, which is one of my favorite reasons for going to the movies.
Beth Toner
February 22, 2012
Back in the day, when I was going to be an actress (rather than a writer and an RN), I scripted numerous Academy Award acceptance speeches and recited them in front of my mirror clutching my hairbrush like an award… Ah, I can still dream of a best screenplay Oscar, I supposed…..
Gerry
February 22, 2012
You can dream anything you want. How else are you going to figure out a way to get there? Look at all the dreams that have already come true. And one day . . . Torch Lake.
Sybil
February 22, 2012
Loved your glam shot in that sparkly low-cut dress on the red carpet ! Do you never get tired of the paparazzi crowding around you like that ?
Gerry
February 22, 2012
Ah well, one must be grateful for the loyalty of one’s public.