On Frozen Blog

If you’re like us, once or twice in December you like to take a break from the tsunami sea of shopping mall humanity and spend a couple of hours tucked inside a dark theater for a holiday season movie. Thanks to the supportive management at the Avalon Theater in Northwest D.C., and a partnership with the Washington Capitals and the Canadian Embassy, OFB readers have an opportunity for precisely this next Tuesday, December 18, when they’re invited to gather at the Avalon for a discounted screening of ‘The Rocket, the Legend of Rocket Richard,’ the icon of icons in Canadian athletic lore.

“As a young boy from blue collar Québec, Richard had a dream to play in the National Hockey League. Beneath his soft-spoken, working class exterior burned a passion that transformed this young factory worker into “The Rocket.” In the 1950s pre-helmet days of hockey, facing constant discrimination, The Rocket played with finesse, speed, and the fire that defied all odds and made him a legend.”

On Tuesday evening, December 18 at 8:30, OFB readers will be able to see ‘The Rocket’ for the discounted admission of $7 at the Avalon. Released in limited distribution in 2005, ‘The Rocket’ has played to strong reviews, and its DVD was released in the U.S. just yesterday. Some notable current and former NHLers had on-screen roles in the film: Sean Avery of the Rangers; Pascal Dupuis of the Thrashers; Ian Lapierriere of the Avalanche; Vincent Lecavalier of the Lightning; Stephane Quintal, a former Canadien; and Mike Ricchi, former Shark and Coyote.

One of Washington’s great old movie houses, the Avalon opened in February 1923 — “when patrons could watch a silent film for thirty cents.” By 2001, the Avalon was the oldest continuously operating movie house in Washington. We won’t get in for thirty cents next Tuesday night, but we’ll be seated in a classic cinematic setting for a strong film. Additionally, the Capitals are working hard to secure a few current and former players to attend, and we’ll have a post-movie bit of Q & A about Rocket and the movie with them.

We may even invite Gene Weingarten and Michael Wilbon.

The Avalon will be screening ‘The Rocket’ for us Tuesday night in Theater 1. We have 125 seats reserved at the discounted $7 admission. All OFB readers wishing to attend Tuesday night must email us their names and those in their party. Given our involvement with the Caps and the Canadian Embassy for this event, seats are sure to go fast. We do not want you driving into town on a whim next Tuesday night only to get shut out. So drop us a line with your full name and reserve your seats today: email@onfrozenblog.com

Who doesn’t like taking in a great flick during the holiday season, and in this instance, surrounded by hundreds of fellow hockey lovers? The Avalon will be showing ‘The Rocket’ each day from December 14 through 20, at 3:15 and 8:30.

The Avalon is located at 5612 Connecticut Ave. NW; (202) 966-6000.

Check out ‘The Rocket’s’ YouTube movie trailer: