Purple Rain screening draws Prince fans from across Sask.

Diehard Prince fans, old and new, honoured the late musician by heading to the theatre Monday night.

Cineplex Entertainment paid tribute to the music icon with a special screening of Prince’s 1984 Purple Rain in 54 locations across the country.

The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Musical in 1985.

The one-time showing drew fans from across Saskatchewan, including Ray Bodnarek. He drove in from Watrous to see the showing at Scotiabank Theatre in Saskatoon.

“I grew up listening to this stuff and it meant a lot to me,” he said.

“I grew up in a small town, so I never got to see (Purple Rain) in a theatre.”

Aaron Alberts rushed to leave his job in North Battleford to make sure he secured a ticket.

Alberts said Prince’s music was a big influence on him, and watching the movie again was a chance to reconnect with his childhood.

“I guess an all-time one for me is Purple Rain. It just holds a lot of memories,” Alberts said.

“I actually just recently lost my music collection. I’m just hoping I can gain something by re-listening to some of it.”

Cineplex Entertainment said $1 of every $6.99 ticket sold will be donated to music education charity MusiCounts.