Hardscrabble efforts underway to keep Hardacre dreams alive

Like "The Lone Ranger," Tipton's Hardacre Theatre hopes to ride again.

The 2013 remake of the early radio and television adventures seems an appropriate final 35mm film for the historic little cinema on the verge of its own remake.

The Hardacre Theater Preservation Association hopes to breathe new life into the 1914 theater, turning it into a nonprofit venue primarily showing digital films, but also opening the doors for live entertainment.

One of the people on hand for the final showing Wednesday (7/31) has a hand in the theater's future. Will Valet of Tipton is not only vice president of the all-volunteer Hardacre Theater Preservation Association, he's also director of the Hardacre Film Festival, which is keeping the lights on through Saturday (8/3) at the single-screen theater.

He said about 50 or 60 people turned out for Wednesday's bittersweet milestone. After the credits rolled, he stayed behind.

“The current owner (Stuart Clark) had some champagne and cigars for people who had worked there for a long time and some of the family members,” Valet said. “It was kind of a sad night, but at the same time, they were there to commemorate the last 35mm showing at the theater.”

Digital is the wave of the future, bringing crisper and cleaner images and sound. The equipment upgrades for the conversion, however, can run between $80,000 and $100,000, spelling the demise of some small-town single-screen cinemas.

“Digital is just the way the industry is going, and we have to evolve or die, so we're hoping to evolve,” Valet said.

The Hardacre building also needs a significant facelift, to replace battered seating and other features showing their age.

The preservation association is seeking nonprofit status, which will open up many more fundraising and sustaining opportunities and give donors a tax deduction. Valet said more small, one-screen theaters are moving in that direction, being run by volunteers and having any earnings channeled back into the operation.

A purchase agreement of $96,100 for the Hardacre has been in place since last fall, with ownership targeted to change Oct. 1. Even though fundraising has been slowed by a longer nonprofit process than organizers realized, Valet said “a significant amount” has been raised, so the association is still aiming for that purchase date.

“Things are developing,” he said. “We're hoping to get there, but at the same time, we've been in contact with the (owners) and they've been very supportive of our efforts.”

All the past, present and future efforts are worth the toil, Valet said.

“The theater has been part of the Tipton landscape for nearly 100 years,” he said. “It has a lot of support, not only from Tipton, but we get people from all over the region who come to watch movies or come to the film festival. … It's a vital part of the Tipton community – especially the downtown.

“It's worth saving. People really want to see it continue. People also want to see it renewed, and we're really hoping to bring it into the future.”

Potential donors and others interested in following the process can go to thehardacre.org for updates.

FAST TAKE

What: Hardacre Film Festival

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday (8/2) and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday (8/3)

Where: Hardacre Theater, 112 E. Fifth St., Tipton

Tickets: $8 opening night; $8 Saturday day; $8 closing session (includes wrap party); $20 all-festival pass; at the door

Details: Hardacrefilmfestival.com