NOW SHOWING IN CEDARTOWN, as it has ever since 1941, is the Historic West Cinema now under the ownership/operation of Ken and Teresa Browning. No matter what’s showing there, it is worth the trip and price of a ticket just to soak in the setting and atmosphere.

It was great to hear it was again saved (the previous owners gave up) but a bit distressing to learn that the theater may soon have to abandon its old 35mm film projector and join the go-digital movement because it is becoming increasingly difficult to get new releases in the old format.

“The March of Time” — for those of an age to remember the title of an olden-days movie theater warmup attraction — can’t be stopped but it does cause a thought.

Why not save that old clickety-clacking and sort of flickering film machine and once a week, or month, use it to recreate the olden times experience with movies from that era, perhaps those with strong Southern themes or settings? Toss in free popcorn, soda (and maybe a pea shooter?) as part of the ticket price and make it into an experience recreating times past for those who lived them, and those who need to learn about them, to enjoy?

Not only such films on 35mm as the obvious “Gone With the Wind” could be put into an annual rotation but others like “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (Elizabeth Taylor), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Gregory Peck), “Deliverance” (Burt Reynolds), “Driving Miss Daisy” (Morgan Freeman) and so, so many others.

Sure, all such are available on DVDs nowadays, but those don’t contain the clickety-clack. And popcorn doesn’t taste the same when it comes from a microwave either.