Today’s Newsreel

posted by Ross Melnick on October 22, 2002 at 1:14 pm

ROANOKE, VA — Less than a year after it closed, the Grandin Theatre has reopened to the public, according to a report in the Roanoke Times.

After being sold to the Grandin Theatre Foundation by former owner Julie Hunsaker, the movie house has been renovated and restored thanks to a combination of private donations and $500,000 of taxpayer funds.

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DAYTON, OH — The New Neon Movies is celebrating the one year anniversary of its $325,000 renovation with revenues nearly doubled from its pre-alteration figures. According to the Dayton Business Journal, the theater’s owner attributes the success to the twinning of the theater and the ability to bring in more customers.

The 15-year-old theater gained national notoriety several years ago as a venue for Cinerama screenings. Those showings ended, however, before the renovation of the theater and the New Neon Movies has since stuck to a healthy diet of art house fare.

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TUCSON, AZ — The Fox Tucson Theatre, which is currently in the third year of its renovation, will host a “free evening of Halloween entertainment” this Friday night, according to the Tucson Citizen. Events include live music, tours of the theater, a fashion show, and more. The five hour celebration will begin at 5 p.m.

The theater has already raised $3 million for its renovation efforts with more than 200 volunteers working to resurrect the 1,300-seat movie palace. Total cost of the renovation is expected to be $8.5 million and should be completed by late 2004.

The Fox originally opened in 1929 and has been closed since 1974. The theater has restored its original chandelier while replacing the roof and marquee.