How deep into geekdom must I have been to suggest to my fiancˇe that we tie the knot on the stage of the Brattle Theatre? Should I have known that our nuptials would be shortlived when the bride-to-be declared my movie marriage plan complete tomfoolery? What normal person could say "I do" in such a shoddy, depressingly rundown place? It was grim enough to go to an occasional film there.

My long-ago spouse’s dismissal of the Brattle is an attitude shared by many of my friends, who stopped noticing what was playing (though the double bills are often brilliant, the best in town) because they couldn’t tolerate an evening of broken seats, lousy sound, excruciating sightlines, a dirty screen, and a theater in disarray.

That was then, this is today. The non-profit Brattle, under fresh management the last few months, has spruced up for 2001, hoping to attract new viewers to the historic, 1890s-built Cambridge theater, and to lure back disheartened ones. "Why not take a tour?" urged Leslie Brown, the associate director. So I did, meeting up with Ned Hinkle and Ivy Moylan, the new directors, on the Brattle stage.

"Everything from the stage out is at least cosmetically changed," says Hinkle, "beginning with painting the walls — not white but a nice cozy gray. All the floors were resanded and refinished. The carpets were replaced. There are now aisle lights so people won’t trip on the way to the bathrooms, and there’s a little more lighting in the balcony, and new railings. The Brattle is a lot more accessible for handicapped seating, with spaces in both the front and the back."

There’s still no rake at the Brattle, but the sightlines are somewhat better. The seats are — hallelujah!! — NEW. They are the no-frills comfortable seats (purchased from Seating Concepts of San Diego) that are found in the refurbished upstairs at the Coolidge Corner. "We had a test sitting at the Coolidge," Moylan explains. "Ours is the same basic model but a different color, a bright blue. These seats are thicker than before, and a little higher off the ground. There are cupholders! And there’s definitely more space in each row. There’s a building code that requires 32 inches between rows. Ours are 34 inches."

"We rebuilt the front of the stage," Hinkle continues. "And the screen is brand new, gray as a screen should be, as opposed to what was: brown." Sound? "It used to be mono out of two speakers," Moylan admits. "Pretending to be stereo," Hinkle adds. "But our projection is hooked up to our new stereo sound system. Most of the classic films, made in mono, have been remastered in stereo: Touch of Evil, Casablanca, Rear Window. When we play them next, it will be a different experience." They point out a big box at a corner of the stage, and Hinkle says, "That’s Dolby stereo, with a subwoofer, which gives you extra bass."

News to me: the Brattle has negotiated a deal for discounted parking at University Place Parking, across the street from the Charles Hotel. The best deal is a flat rate on Saturdays and Sundays. "Bring your ticket to the Brattle box office and get it stamped," Moylan explains.

What hasn’t altered? The ancient Brattle Theatre sign at the back of the house. The slightly antique New England charm of the place. Moylan: "There are no staffing changes, and it’s the same great popcorn with real butter." As for live performances and readings, the natural acoustics will suffice. Moylan: "We brought in sound engineers, who were freaked out by our balcony and by our arch. But this building was designed for sound before there were microphones, and the acoustics are as good as a century ago."

Hinkle: "We’re not blanking out anything that has real character in this incredible theater. But we needed to bridge the gap between the funky old place that people wouldn’t go to because the seats hurt their butts . . . "

". . . .and new theaters that have no personality," Moylan finishes.

Hinkle continues, "There has been general good will about the changes. Patrons have made a point of saying, ‘We appreciate the changes; the theater looks great’ — which is what we want to hear after spending a lot of money fixing things." The cost? $95,000, which the directors hope can be recouped from Brattle believers. "We sent out an end-of-the-year letter," Hinkle says, "and we are getting responses."

I’m persuaded; back in the Brattle saddle again, I promise to mention that fans of the revitalized theater can make a tax-deductible donation to the Brattle Theatre Renovation Campaign. Check www.brattlefilm.org for details.

Gerald Peary can be reached at gpeary@world.std.com

Issue Date: December 6 - 13, 2001

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