http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-991895.mp3
Macomb, IL – The curtain has come down on a long-standing cultural tradition in Macomb.
The International Film Series ran for more than two decades at the Carmike Cinemas. That theater was closed when the Rialto Cinemas came to town a couple years ago and took over the series.
Rialto owner Melody McGrath said she was led to believe the IFS would draw more people than what her attendance figures showed.
McGrath, who declined to be recorded for this story, said she is sorry to disappoint people but added she cannot continue running something for such a small audience.
"I'm sorry it did not work out. If someone brings me a better idea, I'm willing to look at it," McGrath said.
She said less than 1% of Macomb's population was interested in attending the film series. She said in contrast, Paranormal Activity drew 10% of the population this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The IFS movies were shown only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. When asked for a comparison of how regular run films performed on those days, McGrath referred back to the 1% figure for the IFS and did not provide an "apples to apples" comparison.
McGrath also said the IFS movies averaged a total of 120 people per week this fall. She said three of the films drew less than 100 people this fall.
The decision to drop the IFS means the final two films on the schedule for this fall will not be shown. She said showing them would not be a wise business decision.
"I don't want to go another week losing money on it," McGrath said. "I brought a large business to the community and I have to make payroll."
Mayor Mike Inman hopes the decision to end the series is not set in stone.
"If it's strictly a business decision -- bottom line driven -- we would respect that, but would hold the door open that if we can change anybody's mind we'd like that opportunity," Inman said.