A little bit of Dryden history found in the box office
It is interesting to note that in 1951, when the Dryden Theatre first opened, movie theaters were undergoing the heavy threat of television stealing away their audiences (Ironically, today theaters continue this competition with streaming services).
Despite these fears today and then, the Dryden has continued to be a haven for film lovers, and I believe one of the many reasons is its focus on education from the very beginning.
The Dryden Theatre’s first feature film screening was Wednesday, March 14, 1951. This was what began the first film series,
Series A
titled
‘The Transition from Silence to Sound 1925-1933’
. The series was sold as a subscription program called the Dryden Film Society. Series membership included 8 films, and was sold for $2 (including .33 tax) per person. Films were screened every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.