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Although it is better known for its artistic, prestigious and award-winning films, the Salina Art Center Cinema is showing a different type of film this weekend: a “bad” film.
As the start of a hopefully ongoing series, the arthouse cinema is hosting Comedy Night, a screening of a “bad” film with live commentary from local comedians, reminiscent of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and RiffTrax.
On Saturday, August 24th, the Comedy Night film event begins at 8:30 p.m. at the cinema, 150 S. Santa Fe Ave. It will screen “Attack of the Giant Leeches,” a film that – according to the cinema’s website – has a unique and outrageous plot:
“A wilderness ranger and a local doctor discover that giant leeches are responsible for disappearances and deaths in a local swamp, but the local police don’t believe them.”
This plot, production quality, and more make this a perfect film for this type of screening.
“The film is in the public domain,” said Brooks Olivier, theater manager at the Salina Art Center. “It’s from the ’50s, the acting is subpar to say the least, the special effects are rather laughable by today’s standards … and the dialogue is pretty basic.”
Comedians Jordan Long, Luckas Baeza, Noah Beery and Staton Diehl will provide commentary and will also do a stand-up performance before the film begins.
Why bring a “bad” film to the Salina Art Center theater?
Olivier said he and the participating comedians had been thinking about holding such an event for some time.
“We wanted to get something going and (finally) agreed on a date,” said Olivier.
He said he knew this was not the typical kind of film people would expect to see in arthouse cinema, but that this film still had its place in this art form.
“(We have) an appreciation for films of all kinds,” Olivier said. “This is to attract a different audience who can see what we do and what we’re about.”
He said this gives the arthouse cinema a more relaxed tone that many people don’t think of when they pass the box office on Santa Fe Avenue.
“We’re here to celebrate the film and have a good time,” Olivier said. “I think this is a great opportunity to show that.”
Potential for more comedy evenings in the future
Olivier said he hopes to revive the comedy night after this first event.
“(The comedians) have already talked about how they really want to do it with some regularity,” he said.
The future of the event depends largely on how successful this first edition is.
“Hopefully a lot of people will come here, it’s a great success and we can repeat it,” said Olivier.
With other “bad” movies available in the public domain, there are plenty of options for the future if this event is successful.
“There are a lot of them and they would all be great for this,” he said.
Comedy Night begins at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 24. This event is for those ages 21 and older. Tickets, which can be purchased online or at the door, are $8.
