Cheers, fitzie’s crying.
On Tuesday it was confirmed that the Landmark E Street Cinema in Washington, DC, will be closing this spring. No showtimes are confirmed past March 6 (the film: Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson).
This is a devastating loss for Washington, and a huge loss for your hoddler-in-chief. The Landmark E Street Cinema is one of my favourite places to go to in Washington.
The subterranean cinema has provided ample refuge during the sweltering summer. Oh what a joy it was to climb down into the cinema on a hot summer’s day, cooling off from the oppressive humidity.
Or, how great it was this past weekend to cool off watching Barbie on a hot summer’s day. Or what joy there was to climb down past the pavement to watch Gladiator II the night before Thanksgiving or Pretty Things on a stormy night.
I was there as recently as Monday afternoon for a 12.10pm showing of A Complete Unknown, escaping the bitter cold in the process.
I’m not going to lie, I always felt a little smug walking into the E Street Cinema. While the tourists were confused about the direction they were headed and struggling in whichever weather DC provided them, I deftly tucked into that building for a film.
In a statement given to the Washington Post, Landmark Theatres said it reached the decision due to the cinema struggling to rebound since the Covid-19 pandemic. Most people who go to the cinema, including me, could agree. It was run down and, aside from a few times, only half full at most.
But it’s a huge loss. The small chain frequently independent films, had weekly screenings of The Room and The Rocky Horror Picture Show and frequently brought back classics to the big screen including Planes Trains and Automobiles, A Christmas Story and, most recently, Argo.
Who knows what’ll come in here next. My guess is it’ll remain vacant for a long time. Not that it matters. What does matter is that this is has greatly upset fitzie.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Celluloid Heroes, by The Kinks
And now for your links:
BBC: “Ineos seeks early end to Spurs sponsorship”
Football London: “Jamie Donley set for Tottenham reunion after latest heroics deliver Wrexham promotion blow”