Do you recall an insignificant little movie called "Star Wars"? It debuted in theaters on May 25, 1977. Were you living in Grand Junction back then? Do you happen to recall which theater it was showing at?

I only ask because your services are needed to solve a bet. I had an argument with a friend the other day over which Grand Junction theater showed the original Star Wars. Keep in mind, we're talking about the ORIGINAL Star Wars, as in Episode IV. Of course, back then, it wasn't even designated as Episode IV.

I remember like it were yesterday. Star Wars ran at the Cooper Theatre on Main Street. For those new to town, the Cooper is what we called the Avalon Theatre back in the 70s and 80s (even before that).

Work on Cooper Theater (Avalon)1947 (3)
Robert Grant
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My buddy insists he saw Star Wars in its original run at the Monument Twin Cinemas on Monument Road on the way to the Redlands. The Monument Twin ran some of the biggest movies of the 70s and 80s. Eventually, it closed and the building was reopened as a hard-core gym.

First of all, I was pretty sure the Monument Twin Cinemas weren't even built in 1977. The earliest movie I can recall seeing at the Monument Twin was "Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown." Much to my surprise, that movie came out in 1977. It seems I'm wrong.

Okay, so it's possible the Monument Twin Cinemas were in operation when Star Wars opened. I'm still certain it was shown at the Cooper. Unfortunately, if memory serves, I fell asleep before the movie even started. The only images I remember from that night involve the scene were R2D2 gets zapped by the Jawas.

My buddy is a good 20 years older than me. I was seven when Star Wars came out. He would have been in his mid-20s. Obviously, he has more reliable memories than I do from 1977. Then again, maybe he was REALLY into the 70s and was stoned.

There's no money at stake here, but I would love to put this to bed. I say Star Wars was shown at the Cooper, my buddy says it was the Monument Twin. Help a guy out. Where was it?

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