SALLY’S SODA SHOP
CONSTRUCTION & GRAND OPENING
A M E N I C S U A H E I N O M HAR
PRESENTS...
O T T E K C I T A T S A P THE E POSEY UR LIFE • TH
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oviegoers to Harmonie Haus Cinema step back in time when they purchase their tickets for $5 anytime. Concession prices hearken to days gone by also: a medium combo (popcorn and soda pop) costs only $6; large, only $2 more. In spite of the reasonable ble prices, however, the cinema struggles to keep its doors open. Certainly, it falls below the standard put in place by its original owner, Bob Menke of Huntingburg, in February 2003. Located on the corner of Main and Tavern streets in New Harmony, Harmonie Haus Cinema occupies the space vacated by Sally’s Soda Shop before its fiery destruction. Menke built the cinema to provide family entertainment to the town he came to love from visits here with Boy Scout troops. Menke brought in only first run films and featured hand scooped ice cream and cheesecake in concessions every day, seven days a
week. Films were shown to sell-out crowds in the double theater—one holding 89 seats and one 56 seats. Indeed, according to cinema manager Christine Laughbaum, Menke purchased several properties in New Harmony. When he passed away, his children decided sell, and Harmonie Haus to s Cinema C became the property of Kent Parker, Jim Sanders and Dr. George Rapp in August 2007. Until a couple of years ago, a the new owners continued tinu to see sell-out crowds for first run movies, especially for such big kid titles as “Spiderman.” Unfortunately, by March of this year, declining attendance—typically, 15 moviegoers per showing—forced cinema owners to close the 89-seat theater and to show second-run films (four to six weeks out from the release date) on weekends only. Laughbaum admits the Mom and Pop’s cinema can’t compete with the digital and 3D offerings at more modern theaters. What Har-
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monie Haus Cinema lacks in technology, however, it makes up for in atmosphere. Moviegoers are treated with friendly service in a cozy setting. This coming weekend, for example, “Madagascar 3” is showing for the second weekend. Next weekend, “Brave” will start its two-weekend run. Laughbaum says she’s intentionally billed more kids’ movies during the summer, and will bring in movies, such as “Hope Springs,” this fall to appeal to an older crowd. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. According to Laughbaum, Harmonie Haus Cinema depends on New Harmony, Mount Vernon and Poseyville for its audiences. It’s counting on the Posey County community to see it doesn’t go the way of cinemas in other small towns. Surely, the cinema provides a link to the past no one wants to lose. Story by Pam Robinson. Photo above and ones below by Zach Straw, other photos submitted. Design by Zach Straw.
NOW SHOWING: MADAGASCAR 3
AUGUST 4TH & 5TH SATURDAY 2:00PM & 7:00PM SUNDAY 6:00PM
TICKETS ONLY $5
515 S MAIN ST. NEW HARMONY IN 812-682-4611 FOR MOVIE INFO COMING SOON: PIXAR’S BRAVE AUG. 11 & 12, 18 & 19