Spring Valley, MN- When the lights dim in the old downtown movie theater, Hollywood's golden era comes alive.

Sitting in the Nostalgia Theater, patrons are treated to cartoons, a serial and a black and white feature film.

"This is the way movies are meant to be seen — on a big screen with other people," said Brian Barnes, 45, who started Nostalgia Theater in hopes of attracting more people to the Pierce County community of 1,189 by offering a "fun family night out."

If things go well, Barnes hopes to add more movie nights, but for now, the theater features classic films from the 1930s through the 1950s on the last Friday of every month.

The first movie to play for decades in the 70-or-so-year-old brick theater was a 1934 British "Scrooge" in December. "His Girl Friday," starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, followed in January, and Bing Crosby and Bob Hope starred in "Road to Bali" in February. This month's movie will star John Wayne in "Angel and the Badman."

Featured cartoons star Felix the Cat, Mickey Mouse and assorted Looney Tunes characters. Serials will include "Flash Gordon."

Only eight people made it to the first show in December, but the turnout rose to 25 in February. Barnes hopes to one day see the 210-seat theater filled.

"I'd love to do more, including foreign films and silent films," said Barnes. "The hardest job is to convince people to leave the house."

Diane Johnson, 47, of Woodville, who works next door to the theater, was delighted to see old movies listed on the marquee.

"I remember my mom and dad talking about some of these movie stars. I haven't seen a lot of old movies, so I've really enjoyed them," said Johnson. "It's a nice option for something to do, and it's good to have something like this downtown."

Like many small-town movie houses, the one-screen theater was closed in the 1970s. It remained dark until two options surfaced: turning it into a warehouse or tearing it down. As its original red and blue seats were about to be removed, a third option emerged about 18 years ago.

Stagehands, a nonprofit local theater group, bought the theater and has used it to stage plays and other performances.

"This is our community arts center. It's really neat and they (Stagehands) are always open to new ideas," said Barnes, who moved from St. Paul to Spring Valley four years ago.

Barnes, a musician, and his wife, Sheralyn, an artist, opened a gallery four years ago.

Movies are $5, popcorn and pop 50 cents each. Half the money goes to Stagehands and the remainder to operating costs, including purchase of equipment and rentals.

Some of the movies are in the public domain, which means they aren't copyrighted and there is no charge for screening them. But for some other movies, fees must be paid each time they're shown.

Barnes said he doesn't expect to cash in on the cinema classics, but he hopes to have a good time. "It's a labor of love," he said.

The theater is at 235 McKay Ave. in downtown Spring Valley. For more information, call the theater at 715-778-4475.

A Web site is expected to be up soon at www.movievaudeville.com. Until then, those interested can e-mail Brian Barnes at info@movievaudeville.com.

orginally published online here: http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/11154948.htm