Cinema Walk 1st: Wakabacho, Yokohama "Cinema Jack & Betty"

I like going to the movies.

In today's world, with its abundance of streaming services, it's easy to enjoy movies at home.
However, there's something irreplaceable about the experience of watching a movie in a movie theater.
A large screen and sound system. A moment when you're completely cut off from everyday life and instantly drawn into the world of the movie.
It makes you want to cry and laugh to your heart's content and think, "I'll do my best again tomorrow."
I love those few hours of escapism.

For many people, a movie theater might be a place to go to see a movie they want to see,
I want people to experience the joy of going to see a movie with the specific theater they want to go to as their destination.
In this column, we will introduce recommended mini-theaters in Kanagawa Prefecture that are perfect for enjoying movies in this way.

For our memorable first installment, we'll be introducing "Cinema Jack & Betty," located a 5-minute walk from Koganecho Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line.

After a ride on a red train, I arrived in Koganecho. Contrary to its glamorous name, it was once strongly associated with a dark, sunless town, partly due to its role as the setting for Kurosawa's film "High and Low." Today, however, it's a charming area where stylish shops and art are scattered amidst the remnants of the Showa era, making it well worth a stroll. Amidst this mix of cultures, "Cinema Jack & Betty" exudes a particularly strong Showa-era atmosphere. It's a legacy from the days when the area flourished as a movie district.

The retro exterior is not just for show; it truly tells the story of this mini-theater's history. It opened as "Yokohama Meigaza" on Christmas Day in 1952 on the site of a former US military airfield. Later, in 1991, it was renovated and renamed "Cinema Jack & Betty," but it closed in 2005, saddening many film fans. Another company reopened it that same year, but continued to face difficult circumstances, so in 2007, it was taken over by the current management. Thanks to the strong will of the current manager to "preserve the movie theater, which is a treasure of the town," and the support of many fans, it has gradually regained its vibrancy and is still loved as a local movie theater.

The building has an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time. For a moment I hesitated, thinking that newcomers might not be welcome, but my curiosity was piqued by the flyers and posters outside, and I was drawn up the stairs. At the top, I was greeted by a warm and inviting lobby with a touch of melancholy, and I breathed a sigh of relief. There was a corner piled high with flyers and a whiteboard displaying screening information. The entire space, including the waiting time, is designed to let you fully enjoy the entertainment of "movies."

While you're free to bring your own food and drinks to this theater, the concession stand is also filled with tempting treats. Of particular note is the bread from "Kameya," a popular bakery in Koganecho! It's a real treat to be able to enjoy local delicacies while watching a movie. It makes you feel like it was well worth the trip, even if you didn't go to your local theater.

Now, let me introduce "Jack" and "Betty," which are also the namesakes of the mini-theater. "Jack" is visible to the right from the lobby, and "Betty" is on the left. That's right, "Jack & Betty" is actually the name of two screens. "Jack" is a classic movie theater with a chic blue theme, while "Betty" is a mini-theater dressed up in red. It's quite rare to find a movie theater where the atmosphere changes so much between the theaters! Initially, it seems that each theater was divided into those for men and those for women, but now they mainly show new releases and high-quality Japanese and foreign films of all genres.

As advertised, this mini-theater is a place to savor films at your own pace, allowing you to spend an entire day immersed in the world of cinema. The carefully curated selection includes films that can only be seen at Jack & Betty in Yokohama, ranging from the debut works of up-and-coming directors to 1990s American love stories, showcasing films from different eras and countries. The number of films screened each day is surprisingly large for a two-screen mini-theater. It truly reflects the theater's desire to introduce as many great films as possible.

In addition, they actively hold special screenings by directors and actors, themed film festivals, talk shows, live performances, and other events. A monthly salon provides a space where people can exchange opinions about films, such as their impressions of the films screened or films they are interested in. It is a space where people can not only "watch" films but also "discover" new works and "interact" with other film fans.

This theater is perfect for discovering hidden gems you might not have known about before. It's the ideal place to choose a theater and then go see a movie that catches your eye, rather than deciding on a movie beforehand and then heading to the theater.

This theater is beloved by many movie fans and regulars. As I mentioned earlier, some people might feel a little hesitant to enter on their first visit. So, finally, let me introduce the logo of the theater, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary on December 21st of this year. Its catchphrase is "Climb the ladder to adulthood."
Please be brave and climb the stairs to Cinema Jack & Betty. At the top, you'll find a collection of films that you can only encounter here, films that could become "the one that changes your life."

 
 
Click here for the second installment of Kinema Stroll: "Cinema Novecento"
Click here for the third installment of Kinema Stroll: "Yokohama Cinemarine"