Going to the movies on a Friday or Saturday night, getting a tub of buttery popcorn and a tall fountain soda is as Americana as it gets. Nowadays, this experience takes place in multiplexes with stadium seating and with larger-than-life portions of concessions tagged with larger-than-life prices. However, there are still those theaters out there that boast a little nostalgia and an old-time cinema experience. The Mar-Va Theater in Pocomoke City, Maryland is one of those still standing.

Driving through the town, it is easy to understand why it was chosen as a finalist for All American City. The buildings, the lawns, the bridges, all seemed to be the reason why the word quaint was brought into existence-- and the movie house is no different.

Stepping inside this place was similar to stepping into a walk-in time capsule. An old-fashioned popcorn dispenser welcomes you even before the box office, which only seats one volunteer. Behind that, you can find the concession stand ran by three young girls divvying out portions of popcorn and Pepsi. Once in the actual theater, only one screen and a modest amount of seating can be found all restored with a 1930s décor.

We had arrived a half hour early to give us some time to explore this vintage place and find its interesting history. We were shown the newly refurbished dressing rooms underneath the stage where the actors dress for their roles; the low ceilings remind you that you are in the basement. The historic timeline was explained by Micheal Day, a theater board member, from inception in 1927 to near condemnation in the 1990's to the reopening nearly two years ago after significant work and help from the community.

Now, this antique movie house, the only one within thirty miles of Pocomoke City, lives on in the tradition of American theater with plays, dinner shows, and, of course, movies. You won't get a gallon of soda, or a newly released movie (since the Mar-Va theater gets movies once they have been out for 3 weekends to offer cheaper entrance), but you definitely get an authentic, unique, and very small-town-America experience for a very small price.