Only in Theaters

(Raphael Sbarge, 2022, USA, 94 minutes)

With locally-owned chain Wehrenberg being sold to Wisconsin-based Marcus in 2016 after 112 years and the high-profile recent sales of the Tivoli to One Family Church in 2021 and the Hi-Pointe to Cinema St. Louis in 2022, the story of new documentary Only in Theaters will resonate with St. Louis audiences. In it, we look at the hugely influential Los Angeles-based Laemmle theatre chain. Giving an early platform to directors from Ingmar Bergman to Tommy Wiseau over the years, in 2019, as losses mounted, owner Greg Laemmle explored the option of selling the beloved chain to someone outside of the family after its 81-year history. Relatives of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, Greg and his family are a likeable cast of characters facing potentially insurmountable challenges. Featuring interviews with many of modern cinema’s most notable faces, including Ava DuVernay, James Ivory, and Cameron Crowe.