FUNDRAISER CAPTURES INSPIRING PENN THEATRE MARQUEE QUOTES

By Tim Smith

The signs of our lockdown times are on the Penn Theatre marquee, and now Plymouth movie buffs can take one home with them.

A virtual fundraiser is now underway, in which photographs of the Penn Theatre marquee – complete with one of 67 quotes posted on it throughout 2020 – are now available to purchase. The photos were taken by official Friends of the Penn photographer Pete Mundt.

“This plan has been in the works for quite some time and we thought Christmas was a good time to unveil it,” said Ellen Elliott, executive director of Friends of the Penn, in a recent e-mail. “This fundraiser will be ongoing with other items possibly being added in the future – calendars, note cards, etc.”

One of those 67 movie sayings gracing the Penn marquee has been viewed more than 100,000 times on the Friends of the Penn website. It is “happiness can be found even in the darkest of times…if one only remembers to turn on the light.” (Accompanying photo at top)

That quote, Elliott explained, comes from the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Among other popular sayings viewed from anyone taking a stroll around Kellogg Park include “There comes a day when you’re gonna look around…and realize happiness is where you are.” Or, “this is worse than the time…the raccoon got in the copier.”

As of now, Elliott said 23 of Mundt’s marquee photos are available to purchase through www.penntheatre.com. There are three standard sizes available (8x8”, 8x10” and 11x14”) with custom sizes upon request. Prices range from $25 to $50.

Because the Penn has been closed to movie-goers since March (save for a brief autumn respite when the state allowed theaters to re-open), it has been a difficult year generating revenue. Although theaters Dec. 18 got the green light from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to open doors yet again, the need for money to help pay bills remains crucial. The sale of marquee photographs is expected to alleviate any funding difficulties.

According to the recent ruling, movie theaters will reopen but cannot serve food or drink. Customers must wear masks and maintain social distance while in theaters, with attendance to be capped at 100.