I had to update my review because SNF Parkway is a perfect example of a place that just oozes unfulfilled potential. Let me explain.
SNF Parkway is a movie theater (kind of - more on that below) located within an incredible space! The theater opened in 1915, supposedly making the original Parkway one of the oldest movie theaters on the East Coast. (For context, that means it was showing silent movies, possibly with live music played on a piano in the theater - this is all before sound, before color.) The movie theater closed in 1978 and sat empty until it reopened in 2017 after an amazing restoration.
I've seen two movies at the Parkway (most recently, a screening of Texas Chain Saw Massacre around Halloween). The theater is stunning. It's hard to explain, but the theater was sort of perfectly "partially restored" - it's been restored, but it's history is visible in every detail (you can see some of the theater's original paint on the walls and on the dome of the theater - an intentional choice). When walking into our screening recently, I took several pictures. It's that stunning. And it makes for an incredible space for older movies in particular, in my opinion.
So what's my rub with the place? It's completely underutilized. They spent millions of dollars (reportedly $18.2 million) to restore it just so it can stand empty most of the time. On a regular day, there might not be a screening at the theater. Their calendar is unpredictable; their schedule chaotic. For example, this weekend: nothing on the schedule for Friday, a holiday market (no screenings) on Saturday; and a screening of old Christmas movie shorts on Sunday. The following weekend, however, they're showing three movies each day - all 2024/2025 releases of the extreme independent variety and that don't appear to have any connection to each other.
They've had problems. In 2023, the theater cancelled all screenings and events and laid off almost all staff. It has reopened, but ... as what? Is it just a home for the Maryland Film Festival? It would be wild and sad to me that this building remain unused most of the year and basically serve as a rental space except for the few days a year it's needed for the film festival!
I love movies. I love going to the movies. I really hope that the new executive director (who started in 2024) has more success with the space and the festival. I would love to be able to see more movies at SNF Parkway. And I'd love to see it be a little more alive - full of people and movies and events. Because it makes me a little sad now. read more