Bring a non-perishable food item and watch free screening of 'White Christmas'

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In celebration of the one-year anniversary since the Revue Film Society revived the Roncesvalles Avenue landmark and assumed operations, the former rep cinema hosts a free screening of the 1954 Oscar nominated movie White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney tomorrow night .

The story of a successful song-and-dance team - played by Crosby and Kaye, who become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general, is a popular film for the season, a fitting gift to the local neighbourhood, said Ellen Moorhouse, a Revue Film Society spokesperson.

"We decided we wanted to give the community something," Moorhouse told The Villager. "There's nothing like a free show. We wanted to make it a holiday show. It's the perfect holiday film."

It'll give people the chance to see the classic movie on the big screen, one that boasts incredible dance sequences, Moorhouse said. "It's a fantastic family film. It's wonderful to be reminded of talent like that," she said.

Re-opened since Oct. 4, Moorhouse credits the theatre's manager Tim Bourgette, a local resident with extensive knowledge of the repertory cinema business, and its strong support base to its success. The Revue Film Society was optimistic from the start, Moorhouse said, making financial projections to ensure it would be viable. The group's initial efforts were rewarded when a local couple, film buffs Danny Mullin and his wife Letty, bought the theatre and decided to leave the responsibility of operating the Roncesvalles Village fixture in its capable hands. Interestingly, the couple had never been to watch a movie at the Revue, even though they've lived on Indian Road since 1996. However, both grew up with an affinity for the theatre.

The Revue's story fittingly has the makings of a summer blockbuster: a little action, drama, intrigue, even a little expense. The fate of the Revue, the area's beloved theatre for more than a century, was unknown when its doors first closed in June of 2006. The news sent shock waves throughout the community and struck a chord with one resident in particular, who couldn't let the cinema go without a fight.

Susan Flanagan admitted to shedding a few tears when she first found out. That's when she sat down at her computer to dash off an e-mail to a few neighbours. That e-mail prompted a meeting, held at nearby Howard Park Public School that attracted 40 people.

"Little did we know we'd be embarking on a journey," said Flanagan, founder of the Revue Film Society, in June of 2007. Since then, a new era has begun for the cinema. Those in the community and beyond rallied to ensure the theatre would be open again. Not only did it re-open, but it has been thriving.

Following the free screening of White Christmas - with the contribution of a non-perishable food item for the Parkdale food bank, there will be a party at River Restaurant across the street, a combination anniversary and holiday party. There will be a cash bar and free hors d'oeuvres. The cinema is healthy financially, quite feat in its first year and a new nine-member board of directors has been elected, Moorhouse said.

"Things can only get better next year. I think the future is rosy," she said.

The free screening takes place at 7:30 p.m.