AA TICKET TICKET TOTO

THETHE PAST PAST

HARMONIE HAUS CINEMA

HARMONIE HAUS CINEMA

oviegoers to Harmonie Haus Cinema step back in time when they pur-

chase 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 prices, however, the cin-ema struggles to keep its doors open. Certainly, it falls below the standard put in place by its origi-nal owner, Bob Menke of Huntingburg, in Febru-ary 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 be-fore its fi ery 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 fi rst run fi lms and featured hand scooped ice cream and cheesecake in con-cessions 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 prop-erties in New Harmony. When he passed away, his children decided

to sell, and Harmonie Haus Cinema became the

property of Kent Parker, Jim Sanders and Dr. George Rapp in August 2007.

Until a couple of years ago, the new owners con-

tinued to see sell-out crowds for fi rst 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 fi lms (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-

monie Haus Cinema lacks in tech-nology, however, it makes up for in atmosphere. Moviegoers are treat-ed with friendly service in a cozy setting.

This coming weekend, for exam-ple, “Madagascar 3” is showing for the second weekend. Next week-end, “Brave” will start its two-week-end run. Laughbaum says she’s in-tentionally 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, Har-monie Haus Cinema depends on New Harmony, Mount Vernon and Poseyville for its audiences. It’s counting on the Posey County com-munity 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. Pho-to above and ones below by Zach Straw, other photos submitted. Design by Zach Straw.

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AUGUST 4TH & 5THSATURDAY 2:00PM & 7:00PM

SUNDAY 6:00PMTICKETS ONLY $5

515 S MAIN ST. NEW HARMONY IN812-682-4611 FOR MOVIE INFO

COMING SOON: PIXAR’S BRAVEAUG. 11 & 12, 18 & 19

NOW SHOWING: MADAGASCAR 3

SALLY’S SODA SHOP

CONSTRUCTION &GRAND OPENING

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