Movie Theater Ceiling Collapses During ‘Captain America’

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The Washington movie theater screening “Captain America: Brave New World” ended up resembling a scene of chaos, as if the Red Hulk had destroyed it, well before the movie’s conclusion.

The Liberty Cinema in Wenatchee, Washington experienced a collapse during a showing of Brave New World, as depicted in intense videos and photos shared by the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department on Instagram.

At around 8 PM, firefighters from Wenatchee Valley were dispatched due to a reported ceiling collapse at Liberty Cinema. Remarkably, there were two individuals present in the theater at the time, yet thankfully, no one was injured.

Below, you could observe what remained of the theater, with traces of “Captain America: Brave New World” still playing on the screen.

The reason for its fall remains a subject of ongoing inquiry. As per the information on the movie theater site Cinema Treasures, the Liberty Theatre in Wentachee has been standing for more than a century, initially opening its doors in 1920 as part of the Fox theater network.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Fire Department Chief Brian Brett shared additional insights into the sequence of events that unfolded when the two cinema-goers recognized the situation.

The large segment suspended from the roof began to detach and fell onto approximately the first three rows of seating in the antique theater.

One spectator apparently got hit by some pieces of debris, yet managed to be unharmed overall. Considering the situation, it’s quite astonishing. It’s fortunate that this incident didn’t occur during the opening weekend of Brave New World; the movie earned over $88 million in its initial three days at U.S. cinemas.

The Wentachee Fire Department described the current situation quite aptly: ‘It’s like being in an immersive film, but unfortunately, it’s not the enjoyable type of experience we’re aiming for.’

12 Things We Miss in Modern Movie Theaters

Beautiful Marquees

Once upon a time, old movie theaters had an enchanting aura of Hollywood glamour even before stepping inside, due to their elaborate marquees illuminated with neon and twinkling lights. The films shown were promoted with large letters and sometimes gigantic posters that covered entire buildings.

However, in today’s era, most modern theaters lack this charm, even those belonging to the biggest chains. Nowadays, when you go to “the movies,” it feels more like going to see a movie as opposed to a unique cinematic experience, making the whole event seem less magical.

Balconies

In my opinion, those vintage movie theaters were nothing short of majestic and spacious, with many boasting balconies that, for me, always offered the finest vantage points. I’d choose the front row of a balcony over the back of a congested orchestra section any day of the week.

Moreover, these balconies didn’t just provide excellent views and ample room; they added to the sense that the cinema was a unique, luxurious sanctuary that enveloped you in rich elegance. Back then, theaters were truly regal entities. Nowadays, they seem more like the Regal cinemas.

General Seating

It’s convenient to purchase movie tickets in advance, and theoretically, choosing your own seat sounds appealing. However, online ticket booking with a fixed seat selection has its disadvantages.

The primary issue is that you don’t know who will be seated next to you. In an ideal scenario, I might prefer a seat along the outer aisle in the theater. But we all understand that we don’t live in an ideal world. For instance, if I arrive at a general seating theater and head towards an outer aisle, there could be someone eating overpowering food from a nearby restaurant. No problem, I just find another seat far away from them.

If I had pre-booked the seat next to that person online, and the screening turns out to be sold out, I’d be stuck in close proximity for the entire movie, potentially having to endure the smell of their strong-smelling food. That’s definitely not pleasant.

No Phones

In the good old days, cinemas didn’t have cell phones. People went to the movies to immerse themselves in the film, rather than checking their emails or scrolling through TikTok.

I try not to overreact about casual phone usage in theaters, but we’ve all experienced some truly annoying cell phone behavior. Things like live streaming movies or taking flash photos and uploading them to Facebook during a movie are enough to make me question my admiration for Michael Douglas’ film, ‘Falling Down’.

Discount Second-Run Theaters

Back in my day, movie theaters were more diverse than they are now. One type of theater that’s nearly vanished in today’s world is the discount theater, where films outside their initial run would play at a fraction of the usual cost.

Growing up in New Jersey, our local Loews Theatres (now under AMC) transformed their old theater in Freehold into a discount theater after opening their new “Metroplex” at the Freehold Mall. For years, I could catch movies for as little as $1! It was an amazing experience. Sadly, that theater is now a gym. It makes me wonder about the society we used to live in…

Freshly Popped Popcorn With Real Butter

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the change in the popcorn experience over the years. Nowadays, there’s a high chance the popcorn you’re munching on at the theater was popped days ago and simply warmed up from a large plastic container. And let’s not forget about that questionable yellow stuff on top – it might not be the real butter you think it is. If you’re curious about its ingredients, I’d advise against Googling them! However, if you come across a theater that still prepares their popcorn fresh to order and uses genuine liquid butter, consider yourself lucky. Hang onto such places tightly.

Lost Snacks (Like Butterfinger BB’s)

Although many classic candies from movie theaters of old can still be found at the concession stand, some have disappeared, such as the cherished Butterfinger BB’s, which were introduced in the 1990s. These were miniature, bite-sized versions of the traditional Butterfinger candy bar and were simply delightful. However, Nestle discontinued production of these tasty treats by the mid-2000s. In recent times, they’ve launched a similar product called “Butterfinger Bites”, but I maintain that nothing compares to the original. I’m confident that Bart Simpson would concur with my sentiments.

Double Features

Back in the day, an entire movie outing would take up an entire day at the cinema, featuring multiple entertainment pieces such as at least one or even two full-length films, newsreels, and short subjects. Patrons could arrive whenever they preferred and stay for however long they wanted. It’s hard to fathom now, but in the 1980s, it wasn’t unusual for studios to present double features, tempting audiences with a buy-one-get-one-free offer. Alas, those days have also passed, and I can’t remember the last time I managed to watch two movies in one day without buying two separate tickets.

(P.S. I was born much later than that era, but even for me, it’s a thing of the past.)

Cartoons and Shorts Before the Movie

Discussing extended programs, they often featured one or several animated shows as well. Back then, this was how most folks interacted with characters like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and their companions. Sometimes, a movie (often an animated family film) will include a short preview before the main feature, and I absolutely enjoy these. If I were to manage a theater, I would regularly schedule bonus cartoons prior to the films to provide audiences with even more value for their money.

Arcade Games in the Lobby

When you were young, it was essential for you to arrive at the cinema ahead of time so that you could spend some time at the arcade, enjoying the newest collection of video games. Titles like The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Terminator 2 Arcade Game, Time Crisis, Revolution X, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 were among your favorites! Even if the movie wasn’t good, you still had a great time playing those games beforehand.

During the ’80s and ’90s, the arcade business thrived. Unfortunately, that era has passed. If your local cinema still offers arcade games, they are likely old, gathering dust in some neglected corner of the building. It’s a sad state of affairs.

Midnight Movies

In the 1970s and early ’80s, a unique film culture emerged, centered around late-night screenings showcasing unconventional content, surreal visuals, and occasionally puzzling creative decisions. While this phenomenon hasn’t entirely vanished – films like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Room” continue to be played in certain venues – it’s significantly less common, even in bustling cities like New York.

It’s truly unfortunate. There’s nothing quite as special as the electric energy of a densely packed (and perhaps slightly intoxicated) audience connecting over an oddball film at 1 a.m.

Hideous Carpets

In modern multiplex construction, a rule stood: If your cinema exceeded four screens and was erected post-1985, it had to house an eyesore carpet that could rival the ugliest on Earth. Recently, I stumbled upon this stunning California theater, boasting a pool table, lobby adorned with movie posters, and a vibrant orange-and-green carpet.

The nearby cinemas, which once bore such patterns, have been gradually renovated in recent times, swapping the bold designs for more subdued, toned-down alternatives. I detest this change. Let’s restore those eye-catching movie theater carpets!

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2025-02-28 19:24