In the early days of Whistler, long before the first towropes hoisted skiers up Creekside with the help of a liftie who lived 25 feet away in a trailer, people had to make their own fun.
There were a lot of dancing and community events, often hosted by that pioneer of this town, Myrtle Philip, who first moved to Alta Lake a little over 100 years ago.
And there were a lot of movie nights shown in the old lodges as the skiing began to take hold, with flicks projected onto large white sheets at The Keg at the Mountain, the Mt. Whistler Lodge, the Highland Lodge, L'Apres and Mountain House.
Stephen Vogler wants to kick start screenings at The Old School Movie Night at The Point Artist-Run Centre at its old lodge location on Alta Lake. It takes place on Friday, Nov. 15.
"This is the first time we've done this. We've talked about it. The lodge is so great for movies and a lot of people said we should show films in it. It feels perfect," he said.
Acknowledging that there are a lot of talented filmmakers in the resort, Vogler is showing a cross-section of mainly short films, including this year's winner and people's choice winner of the 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown, films from last month's Heavy Hitting Horror Fest and some quirky archival movies showing the resort's past, courtesy of the Whistler Museum.
Filmmakers involved so far include Angie Nolan and Sharai Rewels, Conrad Shapansky, Rebecca Wood Barrett and Lisa Fernandez, Ace Mackey Smith, Feet Banks and Chili Thom and others.
Best Actress, the movie that won the People's Champion prize at the Heavy Hitting Horror Fest, is Nolan's and Rewels' offering, Banks and Thom's flick is a B-Grade noirish detective movie called The Dick with a Long Face, while Shapansky's movie Catchup is a Charlie Chaplin-style farce.
"I discovered there is a lot of short filmmaking in this town and this is where things are at. I knew I could fit in a lot of different styles," Vogler said.
Another flick, Dusty's Last Stand, made in 2000 shows a younger Vogler playing in his band.
"It was made at the end (of season) party and it was a crazy night. It's a little documentary that my brother-in-law shot and my nephew edited. So I'm going to throw that in there," he laughed.
DJ Foxy Moron plays music after the movies.
Tickets are $10 or $20 includes an organic smokie and salad, with a side of popcorn. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased at www.thepointartists.com, Armchair Books and Hempire. Dinner and bar opens at 7 p.m. Movie starts at 8 p.m.
