Cary to reopen 1940s movie theater; kids movie series planned

Cary will reopen the town's first indoor movie theater this weekend with a slate of free movies and entertainment.

The Cary was built in 1946 and, over the years, also has been used as a clothing store, auto parts store and recording studio, according to the town. Renovations on the building began about a year ago. After it reopens this weekend, The Cary will host music, live performances, improv, comedy and movies in the 180-seat theater.

The offerings will include a monthly movie series for kids and several summer camps for teenagers and older children, said Joy Ennis, the downtown theater and events supervisor. It will host movie criticism camps for teens in June and July and an improv camp as well, she said.

This weekend's opening festivities begin on Saturday with a "celluloid cutting" ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Movie screenings run all day. Everything is free this weekend.

Here's the schedule:

Seating this weekend is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Going forward, upcoming Kids Movie Mornings will feature the G-rated "Chicken Little," at 10 a.m., March 1, and "Mary Poppins" at a later date. Tickets are $5. A concession stand will have the usual movie snacks and drinks along with beer and wine.

The theater's schedule also includes a Best of the Oscars Weekend with movies like "Out of Africa," "Chicago" and "The English Patient," along with screenings of other classic movies and indie films. While many of the movies might not be appropriate for the youngest kids, there's lots of opportunities here for older, film-loving teens.