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CITY (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City movie fans flocked to fill Theaters I & II on Thursday for the final shows after operating on west main for more than 30 years.

Theatre I & II Owner Wayne Loberg says it’s sad but it’s something he had to do. He says the industries mandated upgrade to a digital delivery system for movies would have been costly for him.

Loberg thanked the community and the hundreds of employees who worked at the theatre in Valley City.

And the story behind the picture with him and Charlton Heston’s visit to Vietnam in back of the ticket counter? Loberg said Heston flew into a remote area of Vietnam to visit him and the unit he served under. He said they had a nice visit and served the movie star with a glass of whiskey and water before he flew away. Loberg said it was a very nice gesture for a movie star like Heston to visit troops in the field.

The last two pictures to show at Theater I & II were “War Horse” and Alvin & The Chipmunks “Chipwrecked.”

One lifelong movie patron told newsdakota.com that he remembers seeing the first movie to show at this theater was “Chariots of Fire” in 1981.

Loberg did not charge for the last showing as a gesture of appreciation to the years of community support.

Patrons bought a lot of popcorn, candy and pop before they enjoyed the “Last Picture Shows” in Valley City.