Fleet Space Theater Cancels Showings of Shuttle Movie
The Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater canceled all showings Tuesday of a movie filmed in October, 1984, from the space shuttle Challenger after the explosion that destroyed the craft earlier in the day.
The 37-minute movie, called “The Dream Is Alive,” features spectacular photography from 280 miles in space, with most of the footage taken by astronauts. None were among the seven killed during Tuesday’s accident.
A spokesman for the Balboa Park theater said many tourists came into the facility throughout the day, unaware of the morning’s tragedy and wondering why the usual showings were not scheduled.
“We had to break the news to many of them,” box office employee Marvin Hamilton said. “Even as late as 4 p.m., there were people coming who had not heard about the shuttle.”
Hamilton said that showings of the movie could resume today, although he added that the cancellation would continue if President Reagan declares an official day of mourning for the astronauts.
The film is scheduled to run through March at the theater.
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