What the Hill? – More Than a Movie: Finding Community at Pleasant Hill’s People’s Theater
By Connie Whitlock
Publishing Editor
Last June, some of my friends heard that Back to the Future was showing at the historic People’s Theater downtown Pleasant Hill and invited me to come along. For those of us who were teenagers in the 1980s, that movie wasn’t just an average movie; it was one you would go back to see several times. Many of us probably still have a DVD tucked away in a cabinet somewhere because some movies are too good to get rid of, even in the age of streaming.
As if showing a classic movie wasn’t enough, admission was free. Popcorn was free. They even had candy. Honestly, how could you pass that up?
So, we gathered a few friends and headed downtown. The theater was nearly full, and from the moment we walked in, it felt like something special. Owner Jennifer Sexton-Rugh greeted everyone with a smile while serving popcorn, and the excitement in the room was contagious. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying not only a classic film but also one of Pleasant Hill’s historic treasures.
As we watched the movie, I couldn’t help but think about all the people who had gone before and had watched movies from where I was sitting. Long before streaming services and even before television, the local theater was where people gathered for entertainment, newsreels, and a bit of relaxation. Sitting there watching Back to the Future again, I just imagined what it was like through the years in that theater.
The Pleasant Hill Republican Club sponsored the evening’s movie. To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed who the sponsor was before we arrived. I saw Back to the Future, “Free Admission,” and decided I was in.
While my friends and I were sitting near the back because we always thought those were the best seats, a man introduced himself as a candidate for the judge’s seat. I laughed and told him I had never met someone running for judge before. We had a nice conversation, and I appreciated finally putting a face with a name that would eventually appear on a ballot.
One of the things I enjoyed most was watching the kids experience the movie probably for the first time. It was fun hearing them laugh at scenes that we have loved for more than 30 years. Meanwhile, many of the adults couldn’t help but quietly recite some of the classic lines before the actors did. By the time the credits rolled, the audience applauded as though they had just watched a live performance. It reminded me that watching a movie together is a completely different experience from watching one alone at home.
The evening was so amazing that we returned in July for The Sandlot. “You’re killing me, Smalls!” echoed through the theater, definitely bringing laughter and nostalgia. During intermission, I wandered over to get some candy and met another candidate running for the same judgeship. We had a great conversation, and once again I left feeling a little more informed than when I arrived.
Regardless of your political views, it was refreshing to see local candidates out meeting people in such a casual setting. It also gave me the chance to learn that the Pleasant Hill Republican Club operates as a Facebook page that keeps the community informed about its interests.
The next classic movie on the schedule is Field of Dreams on August 7th. If you’ve never experienced one of these evenings at the People’s Theater, I encourage you to go. Yes, you’ll enjoy the movie, but you’ll also experience something that’s becoming harder to find these days: a room full of neighbors laughing together, sharing memories, and simply enjoying an evening in one of Pleasant Hill’s most treasured landmarks.