Vancouver's Ridge plays its last picture show

Vancouver-area film buffs are wishing farewell to the Ridge Theatre, which is closing after 63 years in operation.

The projectors shut down for the last time after playing the Woody Allen hit film Midnight in Paris Sunday night.

"I've been coming here for 15, 20 years, having birthday parties at the Bowling Ridge, too, so this is a very emotional night for me," on Ridge fan told CBC News Sunday.

Another said the decision to close the site will be regretted.

"It's always 10 years after something's gone somebody says, We should have kept that building."

The Ridge Theatre has screened movies at its Arbutus Street and 16th Avenue locationsince 1950.The Cressey Development Group plans to demolish bit the theatre and the Varsity Bowling Alley next door to make way for condos.

Last October, a group marched to Vancouver city hall and rallied in vain to save the structures.

Unique features such as the crying room meant for young children will be missed.

"No other theatre has the crying rooms. You can't take our kids to other theatres, so this fantastic. Really sad," said a patron.

The developer plans to incorporate the Ridge's iconic sign into the new four-storey building.