New IU Cinema offers 82,000 films

After 2002, the “Little Theatre,” once abuzz with student performances, sat empty.
But after a 15-month restoration project, which included hiring a new director, the IU Cinema is now home to the 82,000 movie reels the University has in its archives.

“I’m very excited,” said IU alumnus Drew Davdelin, who graduated in spring 2010. “It’s great for the city because there is no independent theater here. I traveled here specifically from Franklin to see this.”

The cinema, which is THX certified, has a 16 mm and a 35 mm projector. Located on the northeast side of the IU Auditorium, the cinema is also 3-D and reel-to-reel capable, IU Cinema Director Jon Vickers said.

With state-of-the-art technology, enthusiasts of the new cinema hope it becomes one of the best cinemas in the country.

“I am absolutely delighted,” IU President Michael McRobbie said. “This is a great moment in IU history. It’s a great facility, and now, like the MAC and the art museum, we have a place to see great pieces of cinematic art.”

Under the guidance of former IU President Herman B Wells, the theater officially opened its doors on March 19, 1941, and was traditionally known as the “Little
Theatre.”

Originally used as a performance space, the building opened with an original variety show of music and comedy titled “Take the Day” and the world premiere of William Saroyan’s “Jim Dandy.”

The facility included a proscenium stage, two prop rooms, a scenic design room, a green room, two chorus rooms, four dressing rooms and seven staff offices.

Until the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center opened its doors, the “Little Theatre” was the primary theater in which IU students could act. In December 2001, the theater showed its final performance with the play “Waiting for Godot.”

In 2002, the theater closed its doors. But now, the interior of the theater has been restored to its former glory. Four murals, created by Thomas Hart Benton for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair and also known as the “Indiana Murals,” have been fully restored.

“I had seen when the murals were being restored at the IU Art Museum,” said Chris Meyer, art director for the Offices of Public Affairs.

“I had also seen the building last summer when it was being restored, and the paintings were in boxes. It’s great to see them so opulent.”

The cinema will show a variety of film series from international art house films to underground films. The cinema will also be used for academic purposes.

“I’m extremely excited,” sophomore Seth Mutchler said. “I think it’s going to change the ways people will go to the movies and create a culture in film that has not been seen since the Nickelodeons.”

About 40 percent of the films shown will be used in partnership with other academic departments for lectures and classes.

“I’m delighted for the University and our colleagues,” McRobbie said. “This will ensure the excellence we’ve always had in film and will become one of the best cinemas in the country.”

Originally published in the IDS on Jan. 14, 2011.