Rand
Thornsley, a longtime member of NATO’s board of directors,
is the director of film programming and special events
coordinator for the Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Anchorage,
Alaska.
What about you would most surprise the majority of your
fellow exhibitors?
That I have lived in Alaska for 33 years and I don’t
hunt game or regularly go fishing.
What’s
the best thing about living in Alaska?
The midnight sun.
Leaving aside family members, who was your first role
model?
Two brothers, Bud and Bill Rawlings – they were the
guys that gave me the opportunity to get into the exhibition
business at the age of 14.
What would you
wish for if a djinn offered to grant one wish (assuming
you couldn’t
wish for more wishes)?
That hate, greed and ego would be eliminated from our world.
What would you
be if you weren’t
a cinema operator?
A law enforcement officer or journalist.
Who is your favorite filmmaker and why?
Classic – John Ford; contemporary – Steven
Spielberg – both for their consistency in making
quality entertaining films.
What was your favorite movie last year?
“The Emperor’s Club.”
Which movie or movies are you most looking forward to?
“Seabiscuit,” “The Order” and “Secondhand
Lions.”
Who is the most talented actor most people have never
heard of?
Shawn Hatosy: although he’s appeared in nearly 25
films he hasn’t quite become a household name.
Which book would you most want to see adapted into a motion
picture?
Augusten Burroughs’ “Running with Scissors.”
Which TV show do you hate to miss?
Not much into “must-see TV,” but I do enjoy “Sex
and the City.”
What’s
your favorite movie theatre in which you and/or your
partners have absolutely no
investment?
Seattle’s Cinerama.
Which sacred cow would you most like to barbecue?
That the studios can mandate how we operate our theatres.
What’s
the best thing about working for a cinema company?
You get to see a lot of movies, and it’s always good
fodder for conversations. Also, receiving our patrons’ appreciation
for providing excellent entertainment.
What’s
the worst?
Seeing many of the old time traditions of exhibition fading
into the sunset.
What do you wish someone had told you earlier?
Bank the cash and don’t expand beyond your means.
What was the single best piece of advice you ever got?
Live everyday as if it was your last, and be truly grateful
when the sun comes up in the morning! 
