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Openings
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January 14, 2009
Vintage Theater opens with slate of old films and new live acts
SCRANTON, PA — Not a full blown reopening but it appears that a small film/performance venue, the Vintage Theatre, is opening within the Ritz building.
When Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” was a hit in movie theaters, Conor O'Brien wasn’t even born. What’s more, neither was his mother, Barbara. However, the mother and son duo share a love of the 1935 Hitchcock movie as well as many other classics.
Their appreciation has led them to open The Vintage Theater at the old Ritz building in downtown Scranton.
“I posed the idea of opening Vintage Theater to my mother and we did a lot of research,” Mr. O'Brien said, noting he had long been impressed by theaters in places like Boston, Los Angeles and other cities that show classic films.
Read the full story in the Scranton Times.
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The Movies on Exchange: the last picture show
PORTLAND, ME — A downtown fixture said goodbye this past weekend as the The Movies on Exchange closed its doors. The owners will now help screen films at the Portland Museum of Art.
Theater owners Steve and Judy Halpert were on hand to greet friends and regular moviegoers who were there for the final screenings. They showed “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” at 1, then had two seatings for “Casablanca,” the movie it opened with 32 years ago.
“I’m very sorry to close,” Steve Halpert said, standing by the door of the theater. “Judy and I are ready for a change.”
Read the full story in the Portland Press Herald.
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January 7, 2009
Kenwood Drive-In goes dark
LOUISVILLE, KY — The last drive-in theater in Louisville is now closed. For 59 years, the south end icon was the place to go to watch movies outdoors. The family favorite and city landmark will be greatly missed.
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January 6, 2009
Emporia Granada Theatre fan Facebook Group celebrates restored theatre
EMPORIA, KS — After a 3M investment using local talents and trades the newly restored (saved from the wrecking ball by the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance) movie palace known as Emporia Granada Theatre has opened to rave reviews. The theatre was officially opened Friday, October 3, 2008 exactly 79 years after it first opened in 1929. The ornate Spanish Colonial Revival theatre is a cultural anchor to down town Emporia leveraging further development, both public and private.
See images and news of the Boller Bros. gem by joining the Facebook group: “Emporia Granada Theatre Fan.”
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December 29, 2008
Kingsway Theatre re-opening January 02, 2009
TORONTO, ON, CANADA — Finally!!…The Kingsway Theatre will re-open on Friday January 02, 2009 with:
Boy In Striped Pajamas-7pm
Rachel Getting Married-9:30pmMinimum run will be one week and we look forward to booking first run films as of mid to late January 2009.
The renovation is nearly complete with a new lobby and continuing upgrades in the auditorium. The Kingsway will soon become, once again, a vital part of Toronto’s west end. There is still lots of work to be done but it will be well worth the effort.
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December 24, 2008
Paterson Cinema News
Unofficial word is that Paterson NJ will have a cinema again soon.
On February 11, 2005, the local Herald News wrote about the City Council’s approving a new downtown development – Center City Paterson. The 320,000 square foot retail and entertainment center fills an entire city block located between Smith, Ward Main and Clark Streets. The article referenced that a cinema would be part of the development. www.centercitypaterson.com
The outside of the building is almost finished and cars are already parking in a well lighted underground lot while interior construction continues. A NJ Exhibitor says its supposed to be an 8-plex (not 10 reported in ‘05 article). Official news is supposed to come in January including name and target opening date.
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December 19, 2008
The Movies reopens
Kingman, AZ has been without any movie theatres for the past year since The Movies closed. Local residents had to drive to Laughlin to see the latest releases.
But now the theatre has gotten new ownership and reopens the old 4-screen theatre on Friday at popular prices (not as popular as they were before the theatre closed, but much lower than big city movie theatres!). Prior to Friday’s opening the owners have opened “The Movies” for benefit screenings of all the top films locals could not see in the past year.
Read more in the Kingman Daily Miner.
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December 4, 2008
Norway’s first all-digital multiplex opens
OSLO, NOWAY — The Oslo Municipal Cinemas opened the first all-digital multiplex in Norway over the weekend. Some 9,000 film fans turned out to see a combination of Norwegian and Hollywood films.
Half of the Ringen Kino’s six screens are 3D capable. The theater seats a total of 925.
Oslo Municipal Cinemas is a state-run organization that uses the profits from its eight multiplexes to fund museums and other arts groups.
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November 26, 2008
Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopens under new management
CONNEAUT, OH — The Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopened under new management last weekend after closing last September. Ironically, the recent closing of the nearby Ashtabula Plaza Theatre laid the foundation for reopening the Plaza.
The new owners of the two-screen mall cinema, a married couple, have installed new carpeting and given the place a new coast of paint. They also put in a new concession stand that offers an extended menu that includes hot dogs, nachos and pizza to be baked on the premises by Pizzi Cafe. They hope that will help them compete with the bigger multiplexes.
The couple has been learning how to run the projectors and other equipment from the former manager.
Read more in the Star Beacon.
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Blair Theatre reopens
BELLEVILLE, KS — The Blair Theatre reopened on November 7, 2008 showing “Madagascar 2”.
The movie “Bolt” in 3D is being shown November 21st- December 4th.