Movie night in Enaville

ENAVILLE - The multi-colored lights of Albert's Landing rose from the black west bank of the Coeur d'Alene River as the car rounded a bend in Old River Road, tearing through a torrential downpour with windshield wipers cranked at full speed.

While a cold, hard rain poured in the pines outside, about 20 people lounged in warm theater seats in front of a large projector screen sipping drinks, eating popcorn and laughing while their attention was firmly on Adam Sandler in "Grown Ups."

Albert's Landing Property Manager Frank Durham's vision was coming to life.

"It gets pretty dead here over the winter," said Durham over the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" after the movie had finished. "I needed to find a way to get people off that road."

When Dave Smith Motors bought out the Rena Theater in Kellogg, the idea to hold movie nights at Albert's sparked in Durham's mind. He immediately approached Ken Smith with the intention of acquiring some of the old theater's equipment. Smith agreed and another piece of Silver Valley history was added to the Landing's century-old cabin and bar.

"It only makes sense to have a part of the Rena out here," said Durham.

He said in the past the bar, at one time called Albert's Place, was known for its "rough crowd" and it is something he has been toiling to change. Durham has based his hopes for the future success of the bar on the implementation of activities he believes will help draw crowds from the Silver Valley.

Movie night is the first step.

Movies will be offered for people 21 and over each Saturday at 7:30 p.m. In addition, Durham recently committed to a Sunday matinee which will begin at 1:30 p.m. and accommodate families. Admittance to either showtime is free and popcorn, wings and pizza will be made available following Durham's "eat, drink, watch" theme.

He said the movie idea is only the first of many potential changes to the Landing atmosphere. Among other ideas, Durham proposed the implementation of a Wii bowling night and a live comedy night featuring local comedians. He also plans to renovate a large space which is connected to the bar area to expand the Landing's indoor space.

"I'd like to develop the area into an upscale resort sometime further down the line," he said.

Tonight's movie is "The Blind Side." A date for the first Sunday matinee has not yet been set.

Information: Durham, 682-4179 or www.albertslanding.com.