www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 21 The crowd filing through the doors of Golden State Theatre for one April show had an unusual look. Among those dressed for a night out were people with rumpled bathrobes or old sweaters tossed loosely over their shoulders and others sporting shirts representing bowling teams. Yet such casual attire suited the occasion. Playing on the big screen that night was the 1998 film The Big Lebowski, an eccentric comedy in which robes, bowling and even a throw rug are essential to the story. Following the show, The Dude himself—Jeff Bridges—sat with a moderator on tattered armchairs, similar to the one from his character’s apartment in the movie, taking questions from fans. His appearance on stage in Monterey is part of a trend. According to the audience evaluation company Comscore, around 100 re-release movies will have returned to the big screen by the end of 2025, almost double the number in 2019. Meanwhile new movies continue to struggle at the box office. Increasingly, the stars of some re-release or anniversary films are tagging along. “The Wrath of Khan is arguably the best Star Trek film we’ve done,” observes William Shatner, who visits Golden State Theatre with the 1982 hit on Nov. 15. It certainly features one of the most charismatic movie villains of the era. And the original television series cast is in fine form. But there is another character involved. “I come out and join the audience for an hour or more,” says Shatner, whose role as Captain James T. Kirk in the sci-fi 1960s television series helped make the Star Trek brand iconic. “When I get them talking, it becomes an interesting dialogue, not a monologue.” Over the past year, such nostalgia tours have become a regular feature at Golden State. In February, John Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries—all from the cast of the film—appeared on stage with the 2004 cult classic Napoleon Dynamite. In September, John Cleese chatted with the audience after a showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, marking its 50th anniversary. Organizers were forced to postpone Chevy Chase’s Fletch, but Cary Elwes accompanies The Princess Bride to the theater in January 2026. “We’re in conversation for shows next year,” says Simone Gianfrancesco, president of Mills Entertainment, the company that scheduled both Cleese and Shatner. “There is more in the mix.” The format—a screening followed by memories from one or more of the film’s stars and questions from those in attendance—has resonated with audiences, even in smaller markets. Last December, Chevy Chase and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation drew a packed house of 4,000 to Fox Theater in St. Louis. Bridges’ show at Golden State sold out. Shatner’s visit is on pace to fill the room, as well—over 1,000 people for each event in an auditorium of 1,300 seats. “We’re always looking for the next combination, we’re always finding new markets,” says Steve Lisciani of Standing Ovations Live, an entertainment company that works with Chase and Mel Brooks, among others. “You can’t judge by the size of the market.” Built in 1926 as a movie palace, Golden State in its current iteration hosts concerts, standup comedy and theatrical productions. When films have featured on the schedule—a rarity in the past—they tended to be documentaries or shorts. Presentations by actors and Q&A sessions have been part of the repertory theater model, as well as film festivals for decades. During Hollywood’s golden era, the debut of grand new theaters or much anticipated premieres would see the likes of Douglas Fairbanks or Judy Garland waving to an adoring public. But many see the popularity of the current tours—which can include real-time cell phone trivia, videos and other activities—as an antidote to social media isolation. Writing in The Conversation, Sarah Bay-Cheng, dean of the school of arts, media, performance and design at Canada’s York University, noted that “You’ll see the terms ‘experience’ and ‘immersive’ proliferating across media platforms.” Both Gianfrancesco and Lisciani say that interest in the tours began to increase around 2015 and shot up again after the pandemic. “How often do you get the opportunity to spend an evening with John Cleese or William Shatner?” Gianfrancesco asks. “Especially in an age of streaming, it offers something you can’t replicate at home.” Some of the films are seasonal. Chase is back on tour this fall with Christmas Vacation, as is Macaulay Culkin and Home Alone. But the appeal extends to all genres. David Arquette is currently screening Scream, for example, and Mills Entertainment is giving Airplane and Robert Hays a test run. Chase has toured periodically through Standing Ovation Live for seven years. According to Lisciani, the comic actor’s feedback settles on audience response. “I go to add interest and get paid,” Shatner says with a laugh. Turning more thoughtful, he shares Chase’s enthusiasm. “It’s a kick, a real joy to be in front of an audience and entertain them,” he adds. “I think it’s equally fascinating for the audience.” For Gianfrancesco, matching a movie, an actor or actors and a tour schedule is more feel than formula. There are hundreds of films with nostalgic appeal to choose from. A company must secure screening rights, which can be an insurmountable hurdle in some cases. John Cleese speaks with an audience in Spokane, Washington earlier this year. His “Not Dead Yet” tour of Monty Python and the Holy Grail visited Monterey in September, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the classic comedy. REBECCA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY
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