Union Station Theater To Close: Does Anybody Care?
I can’t believe that yesterday brought news that Union Station’s infamous movie theater will be closing and we didn’t write about it! This is significant for several reasons:
1) It’s the only District movie theater east of North Cap Street.
2) It was hated.
3) It was one of the major hangout spots for D.C. kids.
4) It will be replaced by more shops.
5) It was loved.
Let’s talk about point No. 2. Yesterday, Fisher fleshed out the issue perfectly:
Opened in 1988 as part of the renovation of the train station into a shopping mall, the Union Station 9’s theaters are named after classic movie palaces that once dotted the District: the Roxy, Palace, Orpheum, Penn and so on. But there was nothing classic about the look or experience of the Union Station multiplex, which, because of its location at the crossroads between affluent and impoverished parts of town, became a symbol of the very different moviegoing cultures in this country.
Some patrons were appalled at how Union Station audiences cheered, jeered and otherwise made noise during the movies, while other patrons felt they were singled out for undue attention from security guards. The divide sometimes turned into a debate about race and class, not exactly what a movie theater operator is hoping for.
I just have one minor problem with his assessment. Union Station always showed really crummy movies. Last year, while on some particularly humbling assignment, I killed time in that theater. I sat through what I thought were my best options: Balls of Fury and a Jet Li action flick, War. Both were bad, inventively bad. They were so bad they were boring. I actually nodded off during War. There were hardly any folks sharing the miserable experience with me. I remember wishing someone would start heckling. Some movies need heckling.
9 Responses to “Union Station Theater To Close: Does Anybody Care?”
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September 16th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
The Chinatown movie theater easily surpassed Union Station as the noisiest movie venue in D.C.
A few months ago I wrote an item for the Voice of the Hill newspaper about how the movie theater and pretty much all the restaurants at Union Station are going to be shitcanned by the new owners. We figured local folks would have this big reaction to the story, lamenting the losses, the convenience of the local cinema, etc.
There was no reaction whatsoever. Nobody gives a darn about poor ol’ Union Station. I think it’s a shame–it’s such a fab building and the movie theater really is fine. I tell you, the jeering and cheering moved to Chinatown.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I think they show Bollywood movies, although they’re not on the ticket windows. The lobby posters all along the exit show the times.
Yeah it sucks, but what else is there? It’s going to be replaced with upscale dining from what I hear.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
As a former teenager and young adult who frequented the theater, it was AND STILL IS the most metro accessible theater in the District. Because of that, it was frequented by teenagers and a younger crowd who would “hang out”. Many a good time was held by my friends and I in this theater before it declined in popularity. I really had no complaints about it except horrible popcorn and it coming into disrepair after the AMC days. It is a shame though. It is in a prime spot that could definitely be utilized for something better than more Retail Shops. With the economy where it is, making more shops amongst the Food Court only adds to the problem. It’s in a niche by itself. The theater at Gallery Place isn’t just noisy, it is conjested, overblown, expensive, and without the history and tranquility of catching a Sunday matinee.
R.I.P. Union Station Theater. Another unique loss of character for DC’s Landscape. Soon it will be only high end retail and million dollar condos.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
When will Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U Street or Columbia Heights get a movie theater or complex?
Is it too much to ask to have a movie theater within walking distance? It’d be great if a cool independent theater opened in the neighborhood. Especially in Adams Morgan, I think it would really help revitalize the neighborhood even more . . .
September 16th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Man that totally sucks! I remember my Grandma taking me to Union Station when I was a kid. We’d take the metro to the theater and catch a movie, she would take me to this toy store they used to have there and then we’d pick up some fancy chocolates or pastries and hail a cab home and have a tea party. Those were the days…
September 16th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I remember the good ole days when I was in college at Catholic U. You didn’t go to Union to see the movies, you went to witness the fights, screaming matches, and constant chatter during the movie. Now Chinatown hold the title for most entertaining movie experience.
I saw 2 scary movies recently at chinatown and the laughing overwhelmed any feelings of terror. Oh, Dc - got to love it
September 16th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I couldn’t get enough of a place such as this. Now it’s gone. What’s left? The Library of Congress? No, thanks. Wild horses will not drug me there. Chinatown all there is.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Chinatown isn’t as awful at Union Station. At one point during college I remember being wand-ed before being allowed to enter.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I’m still lamenting the loss of the Fat Tuesday’s that used to be right next to the theaters - where Johnny Rockets is now. They never carded college kids or if you showed your Hill intern ID you were set….good times.