Tivoli’s Jerry Harrington Reflects on a Life in Film
October 21, 2019 | John G. McGrath | 1 min read
One suspects Orson Welles would be pleased.
Tonight — six months after the Tivoli Cinemas closed its longtime Westport location — Kansas City’s cornerstone of independent film exhibition reopens in the 500-seat Atkins Auditorium at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
After a special event tonight to thank museum donors — featuring a screening of Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent film “The General” — regular screenings on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday will begin.
“I feel very supported here,” said Tivoli impresario Jerry Harrington during a recent interview conducted on the stage of the Atkins Auditorium. “They’re spending a lot of money to make this a place where movies will look really good.”
A powerful case can be made that no other person has done as much as Harrington to expand the boundaries of local film-goers over the past four decades.
“I love being the guy who premiered all these great movies,” Harrington said.
And now, thanks to the Nelson-Atkins, he can keep doing it.
Harrington discussed his history in Kansas City cinema, and his hopes for the new Tivoli at the Nelson-Atkins in this installment of Flatland Conversations.
Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.
Related Stories
Weekend Possibilities | Kelce Jam, KC Folk Fest and Pete Davidson
A busy weekend around town brings all sorts of live music to the stage – both local artists at KC Folk Fest to major acts at Kelce Jam.
Remembering The Willows: KC’s Adoption Hub of the Nation
The Willows Maternity Sanitarium, on the hill south of Union Station, helped make Kansas City the nation's hub for adoption in the early 20th century.
Weekend Possibilities | Mother’s Day, Beer Fest and the Lenexa Art Fair
Whether it’s creating a handmade gift or having mimosas, the weekend is full of ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. There’s also improv, Heritage Days in the West Bottoms and plenty of beer coming to Arrowhead. Friday, May 10 5 – 8 p.m. All moms are invited to the Mother’s Day Weekend Charcuterie Pop-up at Transport…