Saunders, who is bipolar, said he spent time on the ward himself. “A lot of people, during and after they’re hospitalized, don’t have much of a chance to see well-chosen stuff,” he said. “They were just home channel surfing and watching any old junk that was on TV.” Movie Monday began with patients and ex-patients, but soon “broadened out” to include people in the community, Saunders said. That made for a “healthier and more active” outing for everyone, he said. Over the years, crowds of about 60 in the 100-seat theatre were common, and they sometimes grew to overflow crowds of 120 or more. Saunders said a mention in the Times Colonist would always ensure a full house.