Bette's Flicks A Star In Larkspur

She loved Bette Davis so much, she legally changed her name. Bette Wolczanski might be an even more popular movie star among her fans.

"I'm not moving unless I can take Bette with me," said one customer as a casual discussion at the counter of Bette's Flicks turned to real estate.

That's the kind of relationship Wolczanski has with her customers, most of whom are also her close friends.

Bette's Flicks offers movies and television series, old and new, offbeat and popular, on both DVD and the ancient format of video tape. The revived art deco Lark Theater can be seen across Magnolia Avenue from just outside Bette's Flicks, creating a wonderful backdrop for the classic films in Bette's archives.

Bette is the main feature, however.

"It's all about Bette," said Mark Lowe, who founded the Video Droid chain. Bette's Flicks spent most of its existence as a Video Droid, with Wolczanski as the face of the store. She was a video store manager at another store in Mill Valley before she joined Video Droid in Corte Madera and Larkspur.

Lowe named her a partner in the Larkspur store and they changed the name when Video Droid's other stores were closing their doors.

"Her customers are so loyal to the store and to Bette in particular that she does such good business," Lowe said.

Wolczanski treasures her customers and her movies, both of which have long been an important part of her life.

"The first part of my life, I grew up on the East Coast. I lived in a neighborhood that was mostly high-rise apartments and the streets were not always safe. … Most of the activities we did were inside activities," she said. "I watched TV and I watched old movies from the 40s and 50s. … It's the same as (director) Marty Scorcese. It became a passion for him and it became a passion for me."

Wolczanski says she's seen generations of Larkspur families come through her doors.

"I've seen all these kids grow up. I've seen some of them from the day they were born," she said. "It's so funny because once in a while you'll get a little one- or two-year old come in and say 'Hi Bette.' "

The customers keep coming back, despite all the other sources for video rental and download.

"Everybody enjoys coming the video store. It's not like going to a Red Box or NetFlix," Wolczanski said.