Lights, camera, action at the movies

The proof is in the pudding and those in charge of getting the Villa Theatre back up and running saw their hard work pay off last weekend as the movie house held their grand re-opening last Friday night in Malta after being closed since this summer.

"The turnout took me by surprise, I don't think I was prepared for it," said new Villa manager Christine Riggs after two successful showings of The Addams Family on the night. "I hope people like the new 'new Villa,' I don't know if I had time to hear their thoughts."

While Riggs and the new Villa crew worked away Friday night at the re-opening, Malta's Evelyn and Donald "Rick" Heuscher were the first customers through the turnstile and they happily settled into their seats and took in the remolding efforts of the theatre.

"We are happy," Rick said. "We really like what these guys have done to the place. For one thing, the improvement with the new seats. The place is clean and the whole atmosphere has improved."

Evelyn was born and raised in Malta and has been attending the Villa to watch movies for as long as the business has been in operation. She agreed with her husband

"It is very nice," Evelyn said. "We missed not being able to come here for movies."

Malta's Dwight and Cheyenne Score - owners of Joe's In & Out - were among some of the first people through the Villa's doors on Friday night and while standing in the concession line with their children - Adalee, 6, and Brayden, 8 - talked about the importance of being in attendance at the theatre's grand re-opening.

"It's important to keep our small, local businesses open," Dwight said.

"And we came for the popcorn," Cheyenne said.

"I'm here because they brought me here," Brayden concluded.

Also standing in line for concessions on Friday night was Roan Korman, 5, of Malta. Taking his eyes off the soft pretzel warmer for a second, Korman explained that Friday was his first ever trip to the Villa.

"I am excited because it is the Addams Family because I haven't seen it," he said. "It looks good in here, kind of fixed up, and I could tell how old the building is because of the steps outside. It's good."

All told, the Villa showed The Addams Family a total of eight times over the weekend. Next up this week, Zombieland Double Tap.

The Villa management also announced this weekend that the concessions stand will be open on Monday's when no movie will be shown. The tentatively scheduled hours of the concession stand and movies at the Villa Theatre are: Monday: Noon-to-5 p.m. (concession sales); Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: Movie showing at 7 p.m.; Friday: Movie showings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday: Movie showings 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sunday: movie showings a 2 p.m, 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.

"These are the showings for now we may adjust later depending on success of this schedule," the Villa's Angel Kent said.

"It was a busy weekend and we are thrilled with how things went," Riggs added Monday afternoon. "We hope to continue to see you all at the movies very soon."