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Theaters
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October 31, 2008
Vue cancels early morning HSM3 showing
NORWICH, UK — Due to pressure from area teachers, the Vue Cinema decided to cancel its 9 am showing of Disney’s “High School Music 3” last week for fear it would promote truancy.
The theater wanted to be the first in the area to screen it, but caved in to complaints from local schools.
However, some bloggers commented that many schools were off last week and wanted to see the film early.
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Loveland picks up pieces after fire
LOVELAND, OH — The community is trying to grasp the tragedy and look forward after the fire at the Loveland Stage Company’s theatre last week.
This week, members of the Loveland Stage Company are reeling after a fire broke out inside the town’s 1939 theater. No one was hurt in the Oct. 20 blaze, which firefighters say originated from heat lamps used to illuminate brand new stained-glass windows. The building, which has been home to the theater company for the past decade, suffered a collapsed roof and massive damage to the interior, but its facade remains intact.
Despite the damage, the community is optimistic about the theater’s future. At a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, company members will assess the possibility of performances returning to the theater. In the meantime, the Loveland Fire Department has set up a repair fund, and productions continue in a local high school.
Read more at Preservation Nation.
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October 30, 2008
World’s smallest cinema
WEST LONDON, UK — Swedish artist Annika Eriksson has created the world’s smallest cinema.
The theater seats six and measures 16-feet long by eight-feet wide, with a screen measuring five-feet wide and three-feet high. It screens films lasting less than 15 minutes each.
It was on display in Regent’s Park in London during the summer and moved to the Paddington Recreation Ground last weekend.
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Developer wants $6 million city loan to build cinema
ORLANDO, FL — A developer is trying to convince the city to loan him $6 million to turn an unfinished downtown multiplex into a “cinema grill.”
This would be in addition to an already agreed upon $3.5 million paid over 10 years to help keep the theater operating.
City officials are convinced a theater is key to the economic health of the downtown area and are researching the proposal.
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October 27, 2008
MN Small-town theaters in danger
HARMONY, MN — This article in the Post-Bulletin looks at the waning business at small town southeast Minnesota theaters like the Jem.
Not long ago, a line of cars parked on Main Street in Harmony on a Friday night meant a blockbuster movie was playing at the JEM Movie Theatre.
No longer. Attendance is lagging at the family-owned, one-screen theater, owner Paul Haugerud said.
“A lot more families must be going camping or leaving town for the weekend,” Haugerud said.
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October 21, 2008
Old mall cinema reopens
VICKSBURG, MS — Now under the Wilcox chain, the Pemberton Square 4 is coming back.
Lights, cameras and perhaps a little action will return to the Vicksburg entertainment scene after a nearly two-year absence.
A four-screen movie theater will return to Pemberton Square mall, with a grand opening set for mid-November, a statement from Pemberton general manager Renee Williams said Friday.
To be managed by Wilcox Theatres, the new cinema will be housed in the former Pemberton Cinema 4, which closed in December 2006. Renovations to the old theater space will involve the addition of plush seating and wall-to-wall screens projecting films amplified by DTS Surround Sound. The lobby and concession areas are also slated for enhancements, Williams said.
Read more in theVickburg Post.
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Classic Cinemas takes over North Riverside
NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL — In what can be only perceived as good news, Classic Cinemas has taken over the North Riverside Theatre in North Riverside Mall from Village Theaters. Classic Cinemas, a chain well-regarded on this site, will re-open the cinema on October 24, 2008 after doing some renovations. The renovations will include a new box office, remodeled rest rooms, and a new concession stand.
The North Riverside was opened in 1990 by Cineplex-Odeon and overshadowed the nearby General Cinemas' Harlem-Cermak Theatre, causing it to close. In 1998, the North Riverside became a Loews' Theatre because of the Loews-Cineplex Merger. When Loews merged with AMC in 2006, the theatre briefly became an AMC Theatre, but soon was taken over by Village Entertainment. AMC was forced to divest some cinemas because of the merger.
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October 20, 2008
Monarch Theatre update
MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA, CANADA —The Monarch Theatre has be purchased by the City Centre Development Agency (CCDA) and is currently in the process of creating a committee to help with operations, and restoration, and a friends group to help raise funds.
Our current plan will see the Monarch run as a movie theatre 5 days a week, and be available for special bookings – weddings, business presentations, dance recitals, concerts, and so on.
We look forward to the ongoing support of the community to help up bring back a piece of history, and to keep it running for years to come.
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October 16, 2008
Cameo opens again!
ORLANDO, FL — The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has made its home in the old Cameo Theatre in Orlando’s Colonialtown neighborhood. The company is launching its season with Tennesee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire,” using local professional actors. An ambitious season in the new venue is planned.
The Cameo, built and opened by Florida State Theatres in 1940, was only open as a single screen movie theatre for a very few years. The building had been converted to office space, and used for that purpose for many, many years. The beautiful art deco exterior and original marquee remain.
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October 3, 2008
Arcada Theater buys restaurant
ST. CHARLES, IL — The owner of the historic Arcada Theater recently purchased nearby restaurant 18 North Espereienza and renamed it the Onesti Dinner Club so it could offer combined dinner-movie packages.
The dinner club is a church-turned-restaurant which still features stained-glass windows and hardwood floors as well as a castle-like facade.
Patrons have suggested for years that the theater put together some kind of package.
“I hadn’t been looking for a restaurant to buy, said Ron Onesti. "It just kind of happened.
You can read more at theKane County Chronicle.