The inaugural screening in the new Senate coney lot!

In 1990, the Senate Coney Island, located directly to the left of the Senate Theater, burned down and never reopened. Now, it's repurposed as an outside movie venue so we can take the Senate movie going experience to the great outdoors!

In the summer of 2020, local artists Blight Hernandez and Naye-Taye hand painted a 400 square foot mural inside the lot that replicates a movie screen and curtains. We'll be projecting films all summer long into this incredible piece of art.

Director Ida Lupino at the camera.

Our first screening of the summer is Ida Lupino's classic film-noir The Hitch-Hiker (1953), starring Edmond O'Brien and Detroit's own Willam Talman, known for his role as the district attorney who perpetually lost to Perry Mason in the long running series of the same name.

William Tallman in The Hitch-Hiker.

The Hitch-Hiker is about two fishing buddies who pick up a mysterious hitchhiker during a trip to Mexico. Inspired by the crime spree of the psychopathic murderer Billy Cook (1928–1952), the screenplay was written by Robert L. Joseph, Lupino, and her former husband Collier Young, based on a story Daniel Mainwaring who did not receive a screen credit due to then being on the Hollywood blacklist.

The Hitch-Hiker is regarded as the first American mainstream film noir directed by a woman and was selected in 1998 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

Due to COVID-19 and the need to continue safe social distancing practices, we'll be limiting attendance to 50 people. The is a first come first serve event. Only the first 50 people will be admitted, so show up early! Seating will not be provided, so bring your camping chairs or blankets. Face masks are required for entry. If you forget yours, we'll have some available.

Doors - 8:00 PM

Film - 9:00 PM

Tickets - First-come-first-serve (Free) | PG