Ripon Film Society - 1983

No longer with us in the 21st Century, the Ripon Film Society took it upon themselves to present films in The Pitt at Farr Hall to the members of the campus community for a very modest price. Below is from the 1983 Crimson showing the members of the Ripon Film Society, which includes two Taus (only one is pictured).

Front Row, left: Dave Velk (1984).

Not pictured: Kelly Sallee (1984).

Text from the Crimson: There is no doubt that the Ripon Film Society (RFS) had one of the best film line-ups of their history this year. The schedule included Raiders of the Lost Ark, Taps, Excalibur, Warriors, Brubaker, Arthur, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, American Gigolo, Breaker Morant, Heaven Can Wait, and many other box office hits. The expense of the film package deal got the club off to a shaky financial start in the fall, however, and things did not improve much as the year went on. Student Senate tried to bail us out with a $2000 grant, a Wednesday night show was added, and the admission price was increased (a quarter) to $1.50, but to no avail. Cable TV and video disc players in dorm lounges and the fact that alcohol is not allowed in the Pit both contributed to a consistent lack of audiences. Of 26 films, only three - Warriors, Excalibur, and Rocky Horror - showed any profit. The days of a self-supporting film society are coming to an end.

- Laura Mundschau