One of the things that makes the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica so popular with Malibu movie fans is the feeling that you are stepping back in time.
The old-fashioned neon movie palace is celebrating its 75th anniversary, much to the delight of film buffs, including Mike Ferris, who has been an avid supporter ever since the American Cinemathique lovingly restored the place several years ago.
The classic theater on Montana reminds this accomplished Hollywood cinematographer of his early childhood. “I really got into movies thanks to my mother,” Mike explained. He got hooked, got in the business and started to work with top pros like John Cassavetes and many of the greats.
The Aero’s cinematic milestone called for a celebration. It may be 2015, but they partied like it was 1940, screening the Disney masterpiece “Fantasia.”
Popcorn and Cracker Jacks were selling for just 15 cents … chichi bottled water was available for a tad more, but, then again, nobody was buying bottled water way back when.
The whole place had a nostalgic feeling, including an usher complete with tasseled, vested jacket and a pillbox hat who could have doubled as the lobby boy in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Guests told favorite tales and spoke lovingly about the Aero being their “neighborhood theater.” Many speakers took delight in that the old-time movie house was saved from becoming “A Gap or a nine-dollar T-shirt shop.”
Santa Monica civic leaders gave a lot of that credit to movie preservation society American Cinemathique. “There are so many ways this could have gone,” said one. “American Cinemathique saved this theater and turned it into what it is now.”
The evening was packed full of historical tidbits that even locals and natives didn’t know. Long before the high tech boom we see now, the area was home to a big aerospace industry. After long hours on the assembly line, shift workers had nowhere to go. Hence, the “Aero” theatre was born and so was a generation devoted to movies.
“The Aero Theatre has always been close to my heart and a treasured experience I hope to enjoy the rest of my film-going life,” Mike explained. “It is a sentiment I am sure is shared by many.” He sums it up by keeping the message very simple:
“To understand the importance and value of the Aero Theatre demands knowing what it means to see a film in a movie house. Briefly, movie theaters are where it all began, so there is a sense of tradition and history that goes with just stepping into one.”