Classic Summer Nights in Downtown Ambler

The small town, two-screen theater in Ambler shows great independent films you wouldn’t normally get a chance to see at bigger and pricier theatres. Places like (which opened on New Year’s Eve in 1938) also have the ability to show movies that have been around for ages.

Each summer, Ambler residents make an appearance to relax in the air conditioning, have a sweet treat (The theater carries products like Toblerone and Izze soda.), and check out classic films as part of the Hollywood Summer Nights series.

Hollywood classics like The Searchers, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Modern Times have already played at the theatre this summer. But from now until Aug.31, (when the final film to be shown will be Gone With The Wind), you can come check out classic favorites such as Casablanca, Duck Soup, On The Waterfront, Rear Window, Jurassic Park and more.

Bring the whole family, and let the kids experience the big screen the way it used to be—no special effects, no 3-D, and especially no talking animals (well, except for the theater’s classic cartoons event, but that already took place).

Patrons 18 and younger get in free. If you can get your little ones into the theme of the movie by wearing a costume, they get a free popcorn. Don’t worry, adults can dress up for any film in the series and get the popcorn, too.

While Goodfellas is definitely a classic (and it’s playing on June 27), it crosses over to be part of the theater's Menacing Summer Nights. These may not be the classics you grew up with—they are certainly edgier and not all family friendly—but the movies in this series could be considered the next timeless films. Fight Club, Aliens and Pulp Fiction are some of the films playing in the menacing series. You’re still encouraged to dress up for these.

Speaking of throwing on a costume, the theater's fifth annual , which celebrates The Big Lebowski, is certainly a classic event (and movie) in the making. There will be trivia, a costume contest and prizes. Stay for a screening of the movie after the festival. For a few dollars more than the price of the theater‘s general admission, you can purchase a “Lebowski achiever ticket” and receive a T-shirt and a White Russian.

If this summer turns out to be as hot as the past few weeks have been, come to the theater often for a cool down, and earn free movie passes and more. Be sure to pick up a “Hollywood Insider” card the next time you see a movie. For each one that you watch, whether it’s part of the Classic or Menacing series of films,  you'll get a stamp on your card. Five stamps earn you a free pass and snack voucher. See all the great classic films because if you get 10 stamps, the theater will give you a restaurant coupon, and maybe something else, as well.

Seeing an old film, heading outside to a warm summer night and wandering down the street for some wine or ice cream really seems like a classic evening in itself. It only happens during the summer, and something like this will definitely be missed during the cold winter months.

Check out the theater’s website for a complete list of screenings, and plan accordingly (which means it would be a good idea to start researching movie costumes worthy of a free popcorn).