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Theaters
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October 25, 2007
San Diego theaters threatened by wildfires
In case you didn’t know, this weekend’s wildfires could pose a serious threat to that area’s movie theaters. If you have a report of a theater that was damaged by those fires, please comment.
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October 19, 2007
Egyptian turns 85
HOLLYWOOD, CA — The Egyptian Theatre (or what many would say what’s left of it) celebrated its 85th yesterday.
The term “Hollywood” conjures myriad images — many of them contradictory. But before Hollywood was a state of mind or a brickbat, it was a place. Not much remains of the original Hollywood now, but a few landmarks still command respect, even reverence. Among the oldest is the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Less storied and glamorous than the Chinese, its younger sibling a few blocks west, it almost didn’t live to celebrate its 85th birthday this month.
Yet about a decade ago, some determined and enterprising folks decided the save the then-bedraggled Egyptian, preserving it as the oldest functioning cinema on Hollywood Boulevard. Not a commercial house, it instead serves as the locus of the American Cinematheque.
Read more in Variety.
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October 18, 2007
Carthay Circle to be rebuilt in Disney’s California Adventure
ANAHEIM, CA — In a move to revamp their theme park, California Adventure, Disney is including a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre.
Read more at L.A. Observed.
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October 12, 2007
Madison Square Garden Entertainment buying Chicago Theatre
CHICAGO, IL — Madison Square Garden Entertainment (which operates Radio City Music Hall) is buying the Chicago Theatre, the 3600 seat former movie palace. Madison Square Garden is owned by Cablevision (which also owns Clearview Cinemas including the Ziegfeld).
“Madison Square Garden has agreed in principle to purchase the Chicago Theatre,” said a statement from a spokesman for Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “However, there remain several additional details that must be worked out before the purchase can be finalized. We look forward to completing the transaction as quickly as possible and will comment further at the appropriate time.”
The 3,600-seat Chicago Theatre—known far and wide for its long history of live entertainment and its famed marquee—is currently owned by Theatre Dreams Chicago, LLC, which bought the theater from the City of Chicago for $3 million in 2003. Prior to that sale, the City of Chicago had written off more than $21 million in publicly funded renovation costs at the long-troubled venue (the theater had reverted to city ownership following a previous owner’s default).
From the October 10, 2007 Chicago Tribune
Thanks to Katie Mac for passing on the news as well.
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Orpheum resurgence in full swing
LOS ANGELES, CA — Broadway may still be years away from regaining its status as a leading entertainment destination in Los Angeles, but the Orpheum is doing quite well. More concerts and events in years will soon be gracing its stage.
About a dozen concerts, awards shows and events are scheduled for the Orpheum in October, including a recent performance by the Black Crowes and a sold-out PJ Harvey gig Oct. 15. More than 10 additional events are lined up through the end of the year, with others to come.
Part of the success was landing Bill Silva Presents as the theater’s in-house promoter. The company books venues large and small, including the Hollywood Bowl. Needleman also scored a coup when mega-promoter Goldenvoice, which is owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, agreed to bring additional business to the venue.
You can read more in the L.A. Downtown News.
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October 10, 2007
Hamilton Movie Theater opens eyes with new digital films
HAMILTON, NY — Now the classic Hamilton Theater will be able to show films digitally. It’ll give the the theater access to a whole new slate of pictures using this technology.
The Hamilton Movie Theater has gone digital, which for lovers of indie films and documentaries, is very good news.
The downtown theater, a short walk from Colgate’s campus, has installed computer equipment and a digital projector that allow it to show new films that historically have been available only in major markets such as Los Angeles and New York City.
“It’s brand new for us and a bit experimental,” said theater manager Chuck Fox ‘70. “It gives us immediate access to art and independent films that we never had before.”
For more, go to the news site for Colgate University.
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October 9, 2007
Lebowsky Center in the running for a state grant
OWOSSO, MI — Owosso is one of eight finalists for a Michigan Vibrant Small Cities Initiative grant of $1 million. Owosso would use the grant to upgrade the city’s entertainment district and rebuild two buildings in the district damaged by arson fires this year including the Lebowsky Center.
More details from the Lansing State Journal.
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October 5, 2007
Academy offers enticing discounts
PASADENA, CA — Regency Theatres is pleased to announce the new policy at the Academy Cinemas in Pasadena, this Friday, October 5th. The theater will feature the best bargain for movies in the San Gabriel Valley with matinee admission of $2 for all showings before 6 o'clock and only $3 for evening performances after. The theater will also offer $1 Hot Dogs (Eisenberg) all the time.
The Regency Academy Cinemas features six auditoriums with plenty of legroom and Digital Sound. Programming will feature a mix of Independent, Foreign and Commercial films with daily matinees.
Guests will also get more munch for their buck with the lowest price theater concessions in the San Gabriel Valley featuring; Kim & Scotts Pretzels, Van Holten Pickles, $1 Eisenberg Hot Dogs and Fresh Hot Popcorn & Ice Cold Pepsi Products with Free Refills on Large Sizes.
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October 4, 2007
Historic Roxy Theatre sold
VICTORIA, BC, CANADA — Its Manhattan namesake may be long gone, but this Quonset hut gem is still running. The Roxy Cinegog has just been sold.
The Roxy Theatre, the little movie house on Quadra Street that was built from an army-surplus Quonset hut in 1949 and has survived the storms of video and big-chain competition with budget ticket pricing, has a new owner today.
But movie-goers who like Roxy’s comfy confines and cheap admission won’t have to worry. The Roxy isn’t changing its $5 double bills or $2.50 Tuesdays – and it’s staying exactly where it is.
Michael Sharpe, a real estate developer who bought the Roxy from well-known Victoria entrepreneur Howie Siegel, said his goal is to preserve and improve the 324-seat theatre. He said the Roxy will undergo a name change, a facelift on the marquee and other improvements to concessions, lobby and washrooms.
Read more at the Times Colonist.
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NCG Trillium Cinemas' IMAX Theater to open November 16
GRAND BLANC, MI — A billboard along I-75 near the NCG Trillium Cinema announces that this megaplex’s IMAX Theater addition will open on November 16. The IMAX theater is the second one built in Genesee County. The first was the since demolished AutoWorld IMAX Theater which was part of the ill-fated AutoWorld theme park in Flint, MI. It briefly operated on its own in the mid-1980’s before it was imploded in 1997.
Nearly a year of planning and construction went into the development of this addition to the two-year-old retro style theater.
Additional details from The Flint Journal.