“The Karate Kid,” the movie that gave us “wax on, wax off,” is featured on the Towngate Theatre big screen for one night only Friday, November 12. The film is part of Towngate’s popular Dinner and A Movie series.
One of the biggest hits of the blockbuster summer of 1984, “The Karate Kid” is an endearing coming-of-age, underdog story following the friendship of a bullied teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his martial arts trainer Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). Through Miyagi’s teaching, Daniel prepares to take on arch-rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) in a karate tournament. Along the way, he learns life lessons, overcomes adversity and ultimately faces his opponent in an epic match.
The characters have become pop culture icons and the story continues to resonate with generations of movie lovers.
The film spawned a franchise of merchandise, three sequels, an animated television series and a 2010 remake. The series “Cobra Kai,” currently airing on Nexflix, reunites Macchio and Zabka as their rival characters from the original movie. The series has received several Primetime Emmy nominations and has inspired a new generation to rediscover the films. Season 4 of “Cobra Kai” is set to air in December 2021.
“The Karate Kid” has a Wheeling connection. Actor and Wheeling native Rob Garrison played Tommy, an intense member of the Cobra Kai dojo, who shouts the infamous line “Get him a body bag! Yeah!” He also appeared in the 1986 sequel “The Karate Kid II” and the “Cobra Kai” series. Garrison, who died in 2019, starred in several stage productions at Towngate Theatre in the 2000s after he returned to Wheeling.
“The Karate Kid” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 12. The cost of the film only is $8 and no reservations are required.
Dinner and A Movie
Moviegoers have to option to have dinner in The Gallery at Towngate prior to the screening. The cost for the pre-screening dinner is $25 and includes a movie ticket, all food, coffee, tea, water, and a box of popcorn to enjoy during the film. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Dinner guests can also reserve their seats for the film prior to the screening.
The menu features Mr. Miyagi’s soy-marinated sirloin, Cobra Kai lemon chicken, Strike First vegetable stir fry, No Mercy rice, mixed green salad, chopped Asian salad with sesame vinaigrette, bread and honey butter.
Reservations for the dinner must be made by 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 10 and can be made at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-7700.
Upcoming Screenings include:
“The Karate Kid” (1984)
Friday, November 12
One of the biggest hits of the blockbuster summer of 1984, The Karate Kid is an endearing coming-of-age, underdog story following the friendship of a bullied teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his martial arts trainer Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). The characters have become pop culture icons and the story continues to resonate with generations of movie lovers.
“The Big Lebowski”
Friday, January 14
“The Big Lebowski” is a 1998 Cohen brothers crime/comedy starring Jeff Bridges. It tells the story of SoCal slacker Jeffrey Lebowski aka The Dude, His Dudeness and El Duderin, and his unexpected journey from unemployment loafer to kidnapping go-between, rug thief and bowling kingpin.
“To Kill a Mockingbird”
Friday, February 18
Based on Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, “To Kill a Mockingbird” tells the story of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, who fights injustice and racism when he defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge. The 1962 film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 3, including Best Actor for Gregory Peck as Atticus.
“Singin’ in the Rain”
Friday, March 11
Starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, this 1952 American musical-comedy is considered one of the greatest and most successful musicals ever filmed. This lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s is filled with memorable songs, lavish routines and Kelly’s fabulous song-and-dance number performed in the rain.
A church-turned-theater, Towngate is in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District and is part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute. Towngate offers entertainment almost every weekend including theater, improv, live music, children’s theater and more. A variety of acting classes are offered year-round.
As a single-screen cinema, Towngate celebrates the significance of the small-town movie house by bringing classic films back to the big screen.
For more information on Towngate, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.
