The term “movie theater” can conjure up many images: buttered popcorn in cardboard boxes the size of Pontiac Catalinas, acres of low-pile carpeting, ushers in maroon polyester tuxedoes, floors like the LeBrae Tarpits, et cetera.

One image rarely associated with this kind of mental jot list is Egyptian decor. In fact, up until recently the only experience this reporter ever had involving Egypt and a movie theater was when Omar Shariff played an Egyptian spy in “The Pink Panther Strikes Again.” However, this is an extremely loose parallel and I promise not to refer to it ever again.

My concept of movie theaters took a pleasant turn when I visited The Egyptian Theater at 132 N. 2nd Street in downtown DeKalb.

The first thing to strike you when viewing the theater from the street will most likely be a car, so get out of the street quickly.

Step back and admire one of the few buildings that stands out with a vibrance usually reserved for large scale movie props or carnival rides. It’s as if the building has been transported from another time (a thousand years ago) and another place (Egypt) when and where Pharaohs and Pharettes took their little Pharlings to see “Tutenkham III: The Boy King Plays Hooky.” It’s a comfortable clash of culture.

Now we move through the double doors to the interior of the building. Well, not all of us—that would probably break several fire codes. Some of you wait out here and stay out of that street. Come to think of it, one of you go get me a Coke. Right, in we go.

The lobby is decorated in pastels and pale maize. It’s large as lobbies go, with pillared walls stretching a full two stories to the ceiling. The floor is carefully littered with scores of colorful mosaic tiles. Straight ahead, across the lobby, sits the large staircase, elegantly winding up to the second floor. Even the ash trays are Egypt-esque (Camel cigarettes only?). Large Egyptian torch statues adorn the walls, but the lighting comes from the much more modern looking fixtures beneath them.

Here’s where I meet Barb Kummerfeldt, the “caretaker” of the theater. She, along with more than one hundred volunteers from the DeKalb County area, run the unique theater with pride, as it is the only theater of its kind actually turning a profit in the Midwest, perhaps the nation.

The theater receives no local or state funding, and that’s how the volunteers like it. Bills are paid through the sale of concessions, movie tickets, and rental fees for parties and receptions in the lobby or upstairs art gallery.

“The Egyptian Theater stands by itself in many ways,” Kummerfeldt tells me.

Preservation of the Egyptian Theater volunteers are in charge of every facet of the theater except the actual presentation of stage shows. PET volunteers do, however, provide technical help for visiting troupes and performers and assist with advertising. The effect is a “workshop” atmosphere that helps the less-experienced performers and fosters a unique bond with veterans.

Kummerfeldt also related some other interesting facts.

The Egyptian Theater has been on the National Historic Register for the last ten years.

It’s the only Egyptian architecture theater in the Midwest and is widely considered the best in the nation.

The theater was originally built in less than a year in 1929 for $300,000, but it was renovated in 1983 for $2.125 million.

The $2.125 million grant came entirely from Horse Race Betting taxes, which is ironic because it was quite a gamble.

The theater itself is easily the most impressive part of the building. Seating 1,450 and housing some truly majestic art, the theater is almost awe-inspiring.

The decor includes ornate columns, huge Egyptian murals, giant “King Tut” sarcophagi sporting huge golden wings and two sentinel Pharaohs atop giant thrones glaring out over the audience. Try dropping your empty popcorn boxes under your seat with these guys staring down your throat.

As for the theater’s history, it was built back in 1929 when, to people’s amazement, movies began talking back. Back then theaters were called “movie palaces.” The idea of the movie palace was to transport the visitor into a new land where they could forget about life’s trivial problems (i.e.The Great Depression). In a movie palace, you could take in a “talkie” and see a live stage act before going out for dessert on the town.

The Egyptian Theater still caters to this kind of amusement and has added a concession stand also. Other additions include the art gallery and outdoor courtyard where visitors can gather before, between and after shows.

The theater still presents both movies and live shows, a rarity these days. Movies are usually picked for their quality, not neccesarily their popularity. Recent movies include Spike Lee’s “School Daze” and Robert Redford’s “The Milagro Beanfield War.” The theater has hosted live acts like Jay Leno and will soon be presenting B.B.King.

With its diversity and beauty, the Egyptian Theater remains one of the finest and most interesting theaters in the country.

“What we do is make people happy,” Kummerfeldt said with a truly dedicated smile.