Blog

The last few weeks have been a wild ride for us with all the worldwide love we have gotten for our quarantine messages on our Marquee!

Things really took off when Marty McFly himself, Michael J. Fox, posted our Back to the Future message on his Instagram page which went viral and caught the attention of major newspapers and feeds around the world!

In the past several weeks we have been featured on CNN, Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair and even the New York Times!

Then came this classic from THE PRINCESS BRIDE which got a lot of attention!

 

This week’s message features another family classic. Can you guess the film?

 

We’d like to thank our friends and partners at Film Movement who set up this “virtual screening” series to help indie theaters struggling with the Corona virus shutdowns!

This week’s offerings through the Kiggins include CORPUS CHRISTI, 2020’s Polish Oscar-nominated Best Foreign Language Film, and the thrilling Chinese Neo-Noir THE WILD GOOSE LAKE!

If you rent these films thru our website, the Kiggins gets 50% of the rental, which will really help us during this uncertain closure!

All films have been pre-screened and given a big thumbs up by our programmer Richard Beer, so you can be assured they are worth the virtual ticket price! Rentals are $12 for a 72 hour period so everyone in your quarantine zone can watch them!

More titles will be added soon!

 

Dear friends,

 

In light of the worsening circumstances related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the directives issued today by Governor Inslee, the Kiggins is suspending all screenings and events from March 16th until April 1st, or the until conditions improve sufficiently. We are complying with the state, city, and county in prioritizing the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and our community at large.

 

Our current plans are to reschedule much of our programming at a later date. If you have purchased advance tickets, these tickets will be honored for a rescheduled show, or can be used for another film.

 

Can’t make a later screening? Consider your ticket purchase a donation to help us get thru this closure. You can also email info@kigginstheatre.org to ask about a refund or other options.

 

For the first time ever we are also offering on-line gift certificates in four different amounts which will allow you really support the Kiggins while we are closed! On-line service fees are included in the price so you get the full face value! These will never expire so you are investing in the longterm survival of your local theater!

 

We remain committed to the safety and best interests of our staff and audience members, and we will continue to share updates in the days and weeks ahead via our newsletter and social media.

 

We are deeply grateful to everyone for your ongoing support. Please stay healthy and we will see you at the movies soon!

 

And as the great prophets Bill and Ted once proclaimed “Be excellent to each other!”

Dear Friends,

 

The Kiggins Theatre would like to assure our patrons that we are taking necessary precautions with regard to concerns about the spread of the Corona Virus COVID-19. We are carefully monitoring the recommendations of governmental health agencies such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local health organizations.

 

Here’s what else WE are doing:

 

*Kiggins’ staff are required to stay home if they are ill or suspect they have been exposed.

 

*Our staff has increased our already thorough disinfection of all surfaces, including countertops, door pulls, railings, armrests and other public spaces.

 

*Staff handling cash and credit cards will avoid serving any concession items.

 

*When providing our free refills of our large soda and popcorns we will provide a clean cup and a fresh popcorn bag when you surrender the old ones.

 

Here’s what YOU can do:

 

*If you feel ill, PLEASE STAY HOME. We know our programming is awesome, but it’s not worth making someone else ill over!

 

*Our always-clean restrooms have all the materials you need for thorough hand-washing (20 seconds with soap!) which is the most proven method for keeping your hands virus-free. Wash well and wash often!

 

*Cover up that sneeze or cough! If you do sneeze or cough while you’re out in public, please cover your mouth or nose with your elbow or a single use tissue and wash your hands immediately.

 

*Keep some social distance. Our theater holds 330 which gives you plenty of room to spread out and give yourself some space (six feet is recommended). Avoid any unnecessary physical contact with our staff or other patrons whenever possible. We’ll be happy to give you a high five once this threat is under control!

 

Got questions? Here’s a helpful link to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website that details prevention and treatment strategies.

These films also lack femme fatales. Yes, there’s some shady ladies with bad motives, but they don’t have any real power over anyone or anything. The hero isn’t trapped by them. The female lead in both films is Veronica Lake, who acts acts as Alan Ladd’s guardian angel – stirring him to do right with a side long glance and a pouting of her lips.

 

William Bendix gives memorable performances in each film. In The Glass Key he’s a sadistic thug who finds pleasure in torturing Alan Ladd for his boss. In The Blue Dahlia, he’s a World War II vet with a serious head injury and shell shock. He’s irrationally taunted by loud music and a woman pulling at a blue flower.

 

The Glass Key features an actor not typically connected to dark films – Hugh Beaumont, who became famous playing Ward Cleaver on the tv show Leave It to Beaver. In this film, he tries to counsel and help Bendix’s troubled character, but doesn’t seem to understand the severity of his war buddy’s injuries.

 

Despite a lack of certain noir elements, the use of shadows and shadowy characters places these films in the noir realm. In addition, it always seems to be raining. And both films are associated with titans of noir. The Glass Key is based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel (of the same name) about political corruption. This novel influenced the Coen Brother’s 1990 film, Miller’s Crossing, another slick, sexy film depicting the fine line between political corruption and organized crime. Raymond Chandler wrote the screenplay for The Blue Dahlia which is partly a depiction of the very real difficulties of veterans returning from war and partly a journey into the surreal world of noir.

December is a busy month for the Kiggins and its staff, with our non-stop Christmas programming and dozens of private holiday rentals! For the past several years our annual tradition is to have a fun night out in January, and this year was no different!

This past Wednesday our friends at Vault 31, “Vancouver’s premier video game and geek bar”, treated us like royalty, even concocting a yummy “Kiggins Buttered Popcorn Cocktail” in our honor!

The food was amazing, the cocktails were yummy (Harry Potter fans will enjoy the adult version of the classic Butterbeer) and the staff was super welcoming. Stop by sometime and check them out.

2020 is off to a great start at the Kiggins, with our opening of of the Academy Award nominated JOJO RABBIT tonight, and our annual showing of the Oscar Nominated Short Films starting in just two weeks!

“Make time for a Movie” and stop by and see us soon!