A night at the movies

By Staff Reports

The old drive-in movies are largely a thing of the past. But Rock Hill residents still have a way to watch a movie outdoors.

With the "Wait Until Dark" movie series, the City Hall amph-theater in downtown Rock Hill will be transformed into an outdoor movie pavilion for the next five Friday nights. Starting at 8:45 tonight, weather permitting, fans can catch "Singin' in the Rain," the 1952 classic that some critics call the best musical of all time.

Folding chairs are provided, but guests can bring chairs of their own. Beer and wine will be sold.

While tickets are $3, moviegoers can get in free by showing a receipt from a downtown merchant from the day of the movie. That, we think, is a clever marketing gimmick to encourage more people to explore the shops and restaurants downtown.

Some have faulted the movie lineup for being a little dated. But all the scheduled movies are classics that rank among the American Film Institute's list of top 100 movies. After tonight's "Singin' in the Rain," the movies, in order, are: "To Kill a Mockingbird"; "E.T. -- The Extraterrestrial"; "Some Like it Hot"; and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

This series offers not only the opportunity to see some great flicks but also to see a movie under the stars, which is rare these days. And it's a communal experience, also something of a rarity in the era of big-screen TVs and "home theaters."

And if you haven't seen "Singin' in the Rain," you need to check it out. You'll be pleasantly surprised.