There is no place quite like the hometown theater.

The Emmaus Theatre, 19th S. 4th St., Emmaus, and the Roxy Theatre, 2004 Main St., Northampton, are two such theaters.

Having grown up in Emmaus, I am most familiar with the Emmaus Theatre.

Sure, there are exemplar structures of Emmaus history such as The 1803 House and The Shelter House, and, of course, The Emmaus Moravian Church.

Yes, the frequent trains have been known to, shall we say, enhance the viewing experience at The Emmaus Theatre, especially when earthquakes, airplane crashes, or Death Star-level explosions are featured on screen. Parking can be tricky. And the laundry list of viewing choices might not rival the multiplex offerings in the area.

However, these hometown theaters have much to offer.

I am a fan of the slightly quirky old place in Emmaus, although, admittedly the last movie I saw there was "Skyfall," released in 2012. It might have been 2013 by the time the movie arrived at Emmaus. A "state-of-the-art" venue such as the-then Rave, now Carmike 16, might have been more hip, especially if "Skyfall" was shown in 3-D, if that was offered at the time. But the familiarity of watching "Skyfall" in Emmaus was like watching it in one's living room. Only on a bigger screen and with a few extra friends and Bond fans.

For those readers who may have grown up in the area, your social life may have pivoted on summer Thursday evenings at the theater. You may have handed your ticket to the usher, stepped through those amazing swinging doors and into the slightly disorienting dense blackness created by the dark curtain resembling a magicians cape or otherwise mystical prop hanging to block light from the street. The curtain embellished the theater's air of mystery. The sconces on the wall looked like fanciful popsicles lighted from within. And the best seats were always those where the rows break for the emergency exit door. You can stretch out your legs and still have a clear view of the screen.

I mentioned Thursday because Thursday was the day the movie offerings and marquee changed. You might go in to see "Back To the Future" and find the future had arrived when you exited the theater to see a different film heralded on the giant marquee above your head. And I will never forget the first time I saw the marquee change at the hands of an Emmaus Theatre worker atop a giant ladder seemingly stretching to the moon. It was like witnessing an act from the circus.

In the early 21st century, I had the chance to live in the Pacific Northwest for a time. One night I was invited to a screening of the 1939 "Wizard of Oz" in a small town not far from Seattle. Imagine my delight when the screening was held in a vintage theater. Like watching in your living room, on a bigger screen, with a few extra friends and fans of the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Lion and, of course, Dorothy.

By the way, Dorothy's ruby slippers looked absolutely amazing in the closeup where the Wicked Witch tries to snatch the sparkling shoes from Dorothy's feet soon after she arrives in Munchkinland. The witch's claw-like green hands reach for the shoes and sparks fly. You know the scene, right? Seeing it several stories high was a thrill and almost like being at home, where many of us have seen this version of "The Wizard of Oz," watching a beloved film in a vintage theater in a small town.

Northampton area residents, too, have grown up with memories of viewing movies at an aging hometown theatre. The Roxy was built in 1921, originally named the Lyric Theatre. In 1933, it underwent a major renovation and reopened with a stylish Art Deco decor which has been maintained for generations of theatre patrons.

More than a movie theatre, its stage has been home to vaudeville and minstrel shows as well as local productions, bringing a variety of memories to generations of Lehigh Valley natives and newcomers.

Long, long ago a friend, her kid brother and I went to see a movie at Christmas time at the Emmaus Theatre. We got dropped off early for the movie and sat in the half-darkness, chatting about school and Christmas vacation and other stuff teenaged girls discuss. A lull in the conversation drew our attention to the holiday songs playing over the loud speakers, and suddenly, "The 12 Days of Christmas" was blaring. My friend's brother started performing hand choreography he had learned for his school holiday concert. He showed us how to do it too and soon all three of us were gesturing and giggling ourselves silly. I still remember the motion for 'seven swans a-swimming.' I don't think such a memory could happen in a movie theatre anywhere but somewhere like the Emmaus Theatre or those, sadly, few theaters like it elsewhere.

If you get a chance, please, see a movie at your hometown theater. You can make some lasting memories.

April Peterson

editorial assistant

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press