This week, the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation had its largest turnout in the history of its Monday Morning Movies fundraising series.
The organization sold 245 tickets to the “The Devil Wears Prada 2” showing on Monday.
“It’s thrilling to me, because it tells me that film is not dead,” said Joanne Talesfore, who chaired LG CineCats, a film festival that closed down before the pandemic. “There’s still a lot of excitement about coming to a theater.”
The film opened to $77 million in North America and $233 million globally last weekend, according to Variety.
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
But for Los Gatos, the hotly anticipated sequel represents a small step towards a new community center.
That’s because, for $10, attendees got a pastry and some coffee, in addition to the feature presentation.
Paul Gunsky, owner and president of CineLux Theatres, noted that, in addition to the N. Santa Cruz Ave. screenings, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is playing at their Campbell, Willow Glen, Morgan Hill, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Gilroy and Watsonville locations. But, he says, their May. 4 local matinee experience is special.
“We donate back 100% of the proceeds to Monday Morning Movies,” he said, noting while the Town of Los Gatos owns the historic theater, they are tasked with running it—and are required to host at least six nonprofit events a year as part of their contract.
“We knew it was going to be popular,” Gunsky said of the fashion-journalism comedy flick. “We projected the attendance to be quite high.”
This is also the site where local broadcaster KCAT holds its student movie spectacle.
Talesfore, who sits on the KCAT board, said about 400 kids enroll in their movie camps during the summer.
“When those kids see their movie on the big screen, the impact to them becomes more meaningful,” she said.
Talesfore wore her stylish red boots to the premiere.
Los Gatos resident Kathleen Chmelir, 75, said she queued up to help support a new community center.
“People just complain there’s nothing to do,” she said, adding a community center would be a great place to go and participate in various activities. “Community is important to me.”
Another Los Gatos resident, Mary Holland, 71, came with her husband on her arm.
“I loved the first movie,” she said. “I think it’s great to have the movie for the seniors.”
Ginger McDonald, the co-chair for the event series, noted this is the 24th show.
Councilmember Matthew Hudes was among the notable Los Gatans in attendance.
Lisa Lenoci, a volunteer with Los Gatos Thrives, was clearly impressed by the turnout.
“That was amazing,” she said, just before the movie began. “The crowds just kept coming.”
There are still spaces available for the KCAT youth summer media camps: kcat.org/camp
