The Varsity Twin Cinema had become a faded, musty relic of the Great Depression, but for years it served as a comfort zone for loyal fans of foreign films and art-house movies.

After tomorrow, all that will fade to black.

Consolidated Theatres, owners of the 1.7-acre property on University Avenue in Mo'ili'ili, announced yesterday it will close the twin theaters, built in 1939.

Consolidated did not reveal plans for the property, but said it is not selling it at this time.

The 15 Varsity employees were told they could transfer to other Consolidated theaters, but some decided to retire or quit.

"It is common practice in the movie theater industry to close older locations that have seen a dramatic decline in attendance," the theater chain said in a written release. The Hawai'i theater chain giant said it remains committed to screening "a diverse slate of movies."

Scott Brazwell, vice president of operations for Consolidated Theatres, said art-house films drew large audiences in April to the chain's Ward and Kahala multiscreen theaters.

The recently remodeled Kahala theaters will be screening many of the films that would have shown at the Varsity, Brazwell said.

"We didn't want to take something away from the community until we had a viable way to play that kind of product," he said. "With Kahala reopening, it gave us a vehicle to play more art and independent films there."

The Varsity theaters were "not financially viable," Brazwell said, but he did not release specific information about attendance or revenue.

The closing raised questions about what will happen to the property. Yesterday, Kamehameha Schools, which owns property in the area, said it couldn't comment on a purchase of the land.

"The closing creates an interesting opportunity for us," said Kekoa Paulsen, Kamehameha Schools spokesman.

Varsity regulars were stunned by the announcement. Ann Brandman, a former film curator at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, said a weekend movie at the Varsity was always a good antidote for a hard week.

"I like to go to the Varsity because even though the sound system is not the greatest, and you can hear the movie next door and the seats aren't great, there was something comforting about going there," Brandman said. "I even liked their popcorn. It was a mom-and-pop store feeling, and we are losing that."

The Varsity provided everything Sharon Sussman needed in a theater.

"It's my favorite theater," said Sussman, who teaches animation at Kapi'olani Community College. "It is close. It is easy to park there. It's low key. There are only two screens. And I'm 6 feet tall, and the leg room is great."

With the University of Hawai'i-Manoa as a neighbor, the Varsity had long contributed to the institution's college town atmosphere, but in the 1960s and '70s, it also served as a lecture hall for introductory freshman courses. Noted professors Gavan Daws and Duane Preble taught crowds of up to 842 students.

But the air-conditioned theater also drew regulars from a nearby pool hall who would sit in the back rows during lectures to cool down.

The Varsity was originally built with a single screen. Consolidated could not say for sure when it divided the theater into two screens, except that it happened in the 1980s. It officially became an art-house theater, however, in February 1988.

Outside the Varsity yesterday, as patrons prepared to buy tickets for afternoon screenings of the French comedy "The Valet" or the Canadian indie drama "Away From Her," the thought of losing the venue left them wistful and even a little angry.

Henry and Jane DeMello, both 52, said they first met at the theater and went on their first date there more than 20 years ago.

"I just saw the ad in today's paper," Henry DeMello said. "I am very sad to see it go — especially because if it wasn't for the theater, I wouldn't have met Jane."

Jeff Seitz, 26, a UH-Manoa graduate, had been in the habit of going to the Varsity every weekend. Seitz said he'd grown to love the faded feel of the theater.

"This theater just can't compare to the Kahala theater. This theater is way better because it's so old-fashioned," he said. "I like old. Kahala is way too upscale. Poor college students can't afford Kahala."

Meghan Anderson, 79, was going to watch a movie with her daughter Janet.

"Varsity is a landmark for our community, but for my family, it's a pastime," Meghan Anderson said. "Even though it's usually empty, that's what I like about this place. I hate crowds.

"The theater is like a second home to us. Ward and Kahala are so crowded. They are more for the teens, but what about the older generations?"

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.