Enjoy classic films and help Fresno's Warnors Theatre at the same time

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- In its heyday, Warnors Theatre in Downtown Fresno saw its fair share of Hollywood stars as they traveled through the state. Now, the nonprofit is trying to fill the seats by offering vintage films.

The heartwarming sounds of music are flowing from an organ filling Warnors Theatre. For decades, the instrument has helped acts come to life.

"It's possible to do all kinds of music on it that can emotionally reach people in a way that nothing else does," organist Dick Cencibaugh said.

Cencibaugh is a true artist, and these days he's taken center stage, playing in this landmark theatre, built in 1928.

"It's a place you cannot walk into without falling in love with it," Warnors Theatre General Manager Linda Day said.

Warnors Theatre operates as a nonprofit now.

"So it's very acoustically sound for people who really want to pay attention to what they're hearing. You can talk on the stage and hear it in the audience without microphones, which is pretty amazing," Day said.

The nonprofit wants to extend that experience to Valley residents and has been showing classic movies on the third Thursday of every month. Since then, they've noticed a growing audience and also a need.

"It is very difficult to keep up with the demand for popcorn because that's one of the favorite things people always want when they come to the theatre," Day said, "So we keep this thing going. We usually start about an hour or two in advance to create the popcorn and get it going."

The group is trying to raise $2,000 to buy a new popcorn machine. It's next movie -- "The Wizard of Oz" -- will play July 16. It's $5 a ticket, and kids in costume get in for free.

And for Cencibaugh, he can't wait to put on a show for future audiences. "It's an experience that you get no other place," he said.

Organizers hope the community will continue to support Warnors Theatre so they can keep this Fresno landmark around for generations to come.