Save the Regal Beagle!

I don’t want to save the neighborhood bar from the "Three’s Company" sitcom. The Regal Beagle has been my nickname for Regal Hooksett 8 Cinema, because it is one of my favorite hang-outs.

One day Janet, Chrissy and I were all sitting around the table, depressed because we had noticed that there are a lot of empty seats at the Regal Beagle. We were afraid that Jim might have to close down. Janet said, “What if we spread the word about the Regal Beagle and what a great place it is, and then a lot of people would come and like it so much that the Regal Beagle would never have to close down!” Chrissy said, “I’ll make up some signs and put them up around the apartment building!” I said, “That is a super idea, and I can write about it and submit it to The Forum and the New Hampshire Patches!”

Lots of times when I go to the Regal Beagle I don’t have to silence my cell phone, because our family’s the only one in the theater. A few times I have had to wait in a long line, so I am not really sure about how well they are doing, but I will go on about why I like it just in case they need help.

What I like best is the price: $3.50 a ticket means that a great night out is only $7 for Jack Tripper and his date. The popcorn is still expensive, but that is how they can make enough money to keep the doors open. Don’t ask for extra butter on it and you will live long enough to see many more movies. Sign up for the rewards card because it is fun to earn a free prize (small drink, small popcorn, or a free ticket) every once in a while.

You are more likely to see the Ropers there than Paris Hilton, because the movies are sooooo “six months ago.” If you can accept living six months in the past then you will have a lot more fun! By not having to think about the cost, you are able to go see as many movies as you want. There is no stadium seating, so that the seats are only just comfortable enough to make it through the movie, but the staff has always been superb.

Hollywood does need money to make films but I draw the line when it comes to how quickly I have to see a new movie. It might not be healthy for creativity if the motion picture business’s bubble breaks. I wouldn’t want actors to become as lame as today’s musicians ever since Napster made the limos disappear.

Don’t buy a DVD, and don’t go to the full-price movie theaters. Even though “The Three Stooges” never made it there, the Regal Beagle is still one of my favorite hang-outs.

Don Brown (author, columnist, and blogger at TheGreaterReality.com)