10.11.2024

Today’s Forecast

88º | 1% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 6:44 p.m.

🎥 Adventures in (KC Made) moviegoing

By the 1960s, Mainstreet Theater became “The Empire” under Durwood’s direction. | Photo via MVSC

While streaming may be the most convenient way to watch your shows, there’s no denying the magic of movie-going: surround sound, automatic recliners, unlimited access to the butter dispenser... it’s all part of the experience.

What you may not know is that the modern movie multiplex was invented by KC-made company AMC Theatres.

How AMC came to be

In the era of silent films, traveling tent performers — brothers Edward, Maurice, and Barney Dubinsky — settled down in Kansas City to make their names in entertainment. Dubinsky became Durwood, and with the purchase of a historic KC movie house in 1920, Durwood Theaters was born.

Within two decades, Durwood became a force in the Midwestern movie business — operating 40+ theaters in KS and MO, including well-known locations like the Midland and modern-day Mainstreet Theater.

By 1991, the former Parkway Twin made way for AMC Ward Parkway 14. | Photo by KCtoday

The invention of the multiplex

Fast forward to the 1960s. Color is the new standard and Hollywood productions are getting bigger. Edward’s son, Stan Durwood, takes over as CEO. He renames it “American Multi-cinema” and introduces a revolutionary concept: the world’s first multiplex, the Parkway Twin, at Ward Parkway Shopping Center.

While designing the space, Durwood realized it wouldn’t fit one large screen and split the space into two smaller screens. Upon opening, both showed “The Great Escape” until owners realized playing two different movies drew a larger crowd.

Modern moviegoing

Nowadays, multiplexes are the norm, making massive double-feature events like last year’s “Barbenheimer” possible. Oh, and did we mention they also popularized cup-holders on theater seats.

So, the next time you find yourself settling into screening, remember the Kansas City company that had a lot to do with it. After all, AMC Theatres has never strayed far from its roots — the largest movie theater chain in the world is still headquartered in Leawood, KS.

Asked

Which of these films/TV shows was NOT filmed in Kansas City?

A. American Honey (2016)
B. Kansas City (1996)
C. Bird (1988)
D. The Last of Us (2023)

Lights, camera, answer

Events

Friday, Oct. 11

Lenexa Chili Challenge | Friday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Drive + Pflumm Road | Free | Grab your spoon at the gate to feast on your fill of chili, hot wings, and salsa samples as 200 teams compete for the grand prize.
Haunted Histories: Majors House Paranormal Investigations | Friday, Oct. 11-Thursday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | Alexander Majors House & Barn | $50 | Certified medium Peggy Casper will guide small groups in two-hour long investigations of the pre-Civil War era mansion.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Bicycle Donation | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | 1420 S. Robinson Dr., Olathe | Free | Save your old bike from the landfill and donate it to the Olathe Low Rider Bike Club and Lansing Correctional Facility for rehabilitation + distribution.
Disney 100: A Railroad Runs Through It | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 10 a.m. | Union Station | $10 | Through rare images, artifacts, and first-hand accounts, learn how a passion for railroading influenced the life and work of Walt Disney.
Howl-O-Ween | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Clay County Dog Park, Smithville | Free | No opposable thumbs means you’ll be stuck holding the bag at this trick-or-treat extravaganza for your four-legged bestie.
Sonic Love Block Party | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 5-9 p.m. | Strange Days Brewing Co. | Free entry | Artisans assemble. This block party features three local powerhouses: Sonic Love Collective, Strange Days Brewing + Double Tap KC.

Sunday, Oct. 13

Goat Yoga | Sunday, Oct. 13 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | The Peculiar Winery, Peculiar | $30 | Stretch your baaa-ck at this relaxing yoga sesh featuring some non-traditional teachers.

Monday, Oct. 14

SongLab Music Open Mic | Monday, Oct. 14 | 7-10 p.m. | The Rino, NKC | Free entry | Bring your own music or be a fly on the wall as established local musicians try out new material and up-and-comers polish their craft.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Ranked

Arrowhead is No. 1 — but you already knew that. USA Today readers voted the Chiefs’ home base the “Best NFL Stadium,” which also has the “Best NFL Stadium Food.” Looks like their readers have good taste.

Environment

500 million pickleballs end up in landfills every year... until now. KC-based biz Creative Consumer Concepts has made the world’s first compostable pickleball, aptly named Compost-a-Ball. Composed of rice husk + wheat straw, the ball is able to break down in 100 days. (Kansas City Mag)

Cause

Overland Park’s Monarch Books & Gifts (7713 W. 151st St.) is fighting to recover after having its bank account hacked + drained. Now, the local bookstore is asking for donations to keep it afloat as it turns the page on its next chapter.

Try This

A (pottery) wheel of fortune. On Friday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m., visit EPIC Clay Studio to enter The Epic Pottery Showdown. Adults who’ve never thrown clay compete to see who has the most unbaked talent. Winner walks away with a month-long beginner’s pottery class.

Watch

The Kauffman Center of Performing Arts is our Crossroads beauty — but how did they make that iconic shape? Tune in to “How Did They Build That?” on the Smithsonian Channel this Sunday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. to see how the masterpiece was constructed.

Coming Soon

Westport’s Chick-In Waffle is spreading its wings. The local biz will open a spot at 8667 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS next year. Coming along with are its eight signature waffle flavors including the KC BBQ Waffle, and an array of milkshakes + desserts. (Kansas City Star)

Finance

During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. Here’s how they work (hint: 18 months with 0% interest, plus 2% cash back) and why experts recommend this specific card.*

Pets

Consider this your new hangout spot, Kansas City. This local dog bar and park offers 40,000+-sqft of outdoor and 10,000+-sqft of indoor space for your four-legged friends to roam. The best part? Pet parents can enjoy food and drinks from local vendors. Let’s raise the woof.*

Read

Want unbiased, fact-centric national news delivered to your inbox daily? Subscribe to 1440’s free newsletter for neutral reporting on business, entertainment, sports, culture, and more.*

Job

Hiring? Our new community job board could help you find that perfect candidate. Bonus: For a limited time, you can post your listing for free. Give it a try.

Holiday

🎃 Go big or gourd home

A peek at last year’s finalists. | Graphic by KCtoday

If you’ve been with us for a while, you might remember the frightfully fantastic winners of last year’s KCtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest. Now, we’re back for another round of spooky season fun, so carve some time into your schedule and run to the nearest pumpkin patch or garden store.

Read up on the rules

There’s no right way to make a gourdgeous masterpiece. Whether you plan to carve the classics or bedazzle a painted pumpkin, get creative in a way that is fun for you — bonus points for any original and locally-themed designs. (Think: local landmarks, businesses, and icons.)

When you’re ready to submit:

Share a picture of your pumpkin.
Include a title, short description, your name, and email address.

Entries will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Any submissions with offensive language or artwork will not be allowed.

Timeline + inspo

The Buy

Half Baked Harvest’s “Super Simple Cookbook.” Get inspired by this New York Times best seller with over 125 recipes for hassle-free meals — from spinach and artichoke mac and cheese to slow roasted salmon.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

This job has its perks — exclusive invites, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, meeting KC’s shakers and movers — but becoming my circle’s resident itinerary-maker isn’t one of them.

With friends visiting from out of town this weekend, I’m thinking of keeping it low-key: a few hours exploring Heartland Book Festival before drinks + shuffleboard at Jim’s Alley Bar.

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