For the first time in 57 years folks gathered at the theater in downtown Clarkesville to watch a movie on the big screen. Two sold out crowds settled into their seats at 3 and 7pm Saturday for the 40th anniversary showing of the Steven Spielberg classic – and beach lover favorite – Jaws. The feature length film was shown at the old movie house on Washington Street which is now home to the Habersham Community Theater. The film was projected onto the original movie screen that brought Hollywood magic to Habersham through the late 1950s.
HCT’s transformation from playhouse to movie house was part of Main Street Clarkesville’s inaugural Dinner & A Movie event. For the price of a ticket movie goers got to enjoy a journey back in time and local culinary delights. Local restaurants offered discounts to ticket holders on certain entrees and some even joined in the act: Midtown Grill offered a “Shark Attack” milkshake. Other participating restaurants included Harvest Habersham, Tuckers Country Cooking, Grant Street Grill, the Copperpot, Hawg Wild BBQ & Catfish House, the Attic and El Jinete Mexican Restaurant.
For those who didn’t get their fill beforehand, concessions, beer and wine were available in the HCT lobby adding to the overall movie house feel. One happy movie goer posted the following message to HCT’s Facebook page:
We had a blast last night at the Jaws movie! Movie, popcorn, candy and WINE! So much fun! Thanks!
Main Street Clarkesville Manager Mary Beth Horton calls Saturday’s event “wildly successful.” She says her only regret is they didn’t think about doing it sooner. “The theater is a perfect venue for second-run movies like this, and I truly believe we have created something very unique for our small town,” Horton says.
“Dinner & A Movie provides a significant boost to downtown Clarkesville’s image as a place in which people not only can enjoy good dining and shopping, but can now also enjoy arts and cultural experiences through this unique event,” said Main Street volunteer Sherry Callahan prior to the event.
If you missed out on it this time, don’t fret, Clarkesville’s next Dinner & A Movie event isn’t too far away. HCT will feature Back to the Future II on May 2. When tickets go on sale they can be purchased online at habershamtheater.org, clarkesvillega.com or by calling 706-839-1315.
About JAWS!
Universal Studios produced Jaws in the summer of 1975 under the direction of world renowned film director, Steven Speilberg. The story centers around a Great White Shark that makes its way into the waters of Amity Island where it kills and spreads terror before locals take it out. The film featured former Hollywood heavyweights Roy Scheider (Martin Brody) and Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper) and British actor/novelist Robert Shaw (Quint).
