grand lake theatre bad attitude toward people with disabilities!. I went to see a movie today at Grand Lake Theatre. I have been in there before, and never had a problem. Only half the theatre is accessible so I always have to call ahead to find out which films are being played on the ground floor. I do prefer the older theatres because I HATE STADIUM seating because the only accessible seats are at the very front, and it hurts my neck to look up for two hours.

I had rolled down to the theatre in my power chair, as I do frequently. On my power chair is a tall, very thin pole with an orange bike safety flag at the top. It is always there, and nobody has ever said anything to me about it, but that is probably because the other theatres have more wheelchair accessible seating at the back of the theatre.

The movie HANCOCK had just begun and a person from the Grand Lake Theatre came to ask if my flag was retractable or removeable. I said, No, it's not. The guy came back a few minutes later and said, "Your flag is blocking the view for the people in back of you. I'll let it go this time, but next time the flag has to come down." I looked at the seats in the theatre and saw that there were 200 seats and probably only 60 were filled. I felt like saying, "What's wrong, they don't have legs? They can't find other seats to sit in? I'll gladly trade my wheelchair for their healthy legs."

I refused to budge. I said to my helper "What? They can't move? Where am I supposed to sit?"

For all the owner and management of Grand Lake Theatre spout their liberal viewpoints on the marque, I find this kind of attitude mind-boggling, and inconsiderate. What's next, is somebody going to complain about the headrest on my chair? Get over it. When I used to walk, I would move if somebody was being obnoxious, or if they were so large that they blocked my view. No big deal. But when we only have a choice of four seats in the house, or to god forbid, plunk ourselves in the middle of the aisle, well, too bad. I'm not moving.…

One of the last great independent movie palaces.. In Short
Built in 1926, this movie house was paradise to Depression-era Oaklanders, who gathered nightly to revive flagging spirits with a healthy dose of movies, shows and live concerts. The velvet-bedecked theater has been a mainstay, despite the ever-changing climate of Grand Avenue. Today's moviegoers will delight in relatively low prices, a gorgeous, lighted marquee and nubby red seats with cup holders.

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Great movie house!. I love this theatre especially when going to viewing movies on opening night. Folks forget about this place and go to the bigger, newer places and have to wait in line. Not at the Grandlake theatre, no lines to wait in and the decor is visually interesting. Parking is plenty at the lot across the street (under the 580 freeway) and walking distance to plenty of eateries. And if you attend on Fridays, free organ music before the movie.

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