There’s still something special about going to a movie.We were fortunate that Marengo Theatre was open when we were growing up.

Marengo Theatre was only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 2 show times- 7 PM and 9 PM. Usually the 9 PM time was a R rated movie or had more adult content. I can remember calling the theatre to wait for the recorded message to determine the movie listings. Thinking on it now, I wonder how many times it took them to get the recording just right. If you have ever tried to record a message on an answering machine then you know what I mean.

I remember when you entered Marengo Theatre, with it’s burgundy interior, there was a stand up front where you paid for your tickets. These tickets were more like raffle tickets with numbers on them (no fancy tickets with the movie listing). The stand also had a picture of the family that owned the theatre. For some reason, I remember this family portrait looking like it was from the 70’s. There was also a phone there that I used when the movie was over to call my mom to pick me up. I also believe there may have been a payphone outside (not sure). When I was a child, it had a bowling alley with 2 lanes. I don’t remember much about the bowling alley but know that my older sister attended birthday parties there. As you moved past the stand, there was a concession stand. I remember a water fountain and a clock above that fountain in that area. After making your purchases, you headed toward the theatre.  There was a door that led you to the balcony. I remember watching My Girl with my mom and wanting to sit in the balcony. Most of the time, I remember sitting in the main theatre area.

The movies was probably the only option you had to if you actually wanted to be alone with your boyfriend and/or girlfriend in Junior High. Of course, your parents had to drop you off but nonetheless, you had freedom! It was always important to have a pack of gum for fresh breath. Yes, I may have been kissed in the movie theatre and held hands, in case you are wondering about the gum.

I also remember going to see My Best Friend’s Wedding with my best friend Beth and us picking out the blue sweetarts (our least favorite sweetart; pink being the best) and throwing the blue ones on the floor. I apologize for whoever had to clean up those blue sweetarts. I would have gotten in trouble if my parents knew I had littered (still might, lol).  I also cannot tell you how many times my best friend Morgan and I went to see Titanic the weekend it came to Marengo Theatre.  I also remember watching the Spice Girl movie when it came out, as well as, some movie with Woody Harrelson about a guy losing his hand and bowling.

It usually took Marengo Theatre awhile to get a new release so it was a big deal when a new movie was showing. These movies were not in digital format. We were fortunate to be able to go to the movies as kids and return home safely.

I don’t remember the last movie I saw at Marengo Theatre and who I went with. I vaguely remember coming home from Tuscaloosa and my mom telling me it was the last showing.  When Marengo Theatre closed, it was though a part of my childhood had ended much like a movie with the credits listing all the people I had to gone to the movies with-family, friends, boyfriends, etc.