Very little connects me to my hometown Montrose, Colorado. I feel almost no connection to the town and have to dig deeply to list any redeeming qualities that the town has to offer. One place in town offers a true connections and that is the downtown Fox Theatre. This theatre is a connection to some very specific memories. The grand opening of the Penthouse Theatre watching “9 to 5” while being really sick with Bronchitis. A 1980 school trip to see Tim Conway and Don Knotts in “Private Eyes” and holding hands with Angela McCormick in the right side of the third row. Coming out of the theatre with my buddy Bill Pleau and having his mother tell me that my Grandma was very sick and in the hospital. She would die exactly 10 days later on January 23, 1984. The father of my friend Craig Files attempting to be the “parent” for about six middle schoolers and did everything he could to get us in to see “Porky’s”, an R-rated favorite. To this day, Ralph Files is a hero in my eyes for standing up for us and doing what he could to get us in so we could see a few sets of boobs. These memories and many more make for a great small town connection.

The Fox Theatre has been in the same location since 1929. Its design is highly unique among more mundane looking downtown buildings. The men’s bathroom just off the little theatre still looks exactly the same as it did in 1977. One stand-up, one sit-down, one sink, and one up high small window leading to the alley. The small door on the wall by the door leading outside. Half the size of a normal door and set down low near the floor. Where does it go? The dark office that sits behind the box office. Back in the 1970’s the owner of the theatre was a man named Stan. I wish I could remember his last name. He looked like someone out of a mobster movie. A giant pinkie ring with a huge diamond on his right hand. Slick suits and a hairstyle that was so very not Montrose, Colorado. An intimidating figure no doubt but I remember him with his hand on my shoulder, smiling down at me and asking if I enjoyed “the picture show.” Damn right I did and thanks for asking Stan.

The Fox Theatre has a feel of an old school movie house. A monument to film and to movies. Leading up the ramp to the upstairs Penthouse theatre you will be greeted with posters of old movie greats. Mae West, Laurel and Hardy, Will Rogers, and Abbott and Costello. Halfway up the ramp and to your right you can glance up and see painting of a topless woman. This painting has been in the same place since the Penthouse open and it must always be greeted with a nod of appreciation and a subtle salute.