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Theaters
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November 15, 2006
Clive Owen launches appeal for 1911 Cinema
Hollywood star and Tendring resident Clive Owen last night launched an 85,000 appeal for repairs to the Electric Palace cinema in Harwich (England) with a passionate speech.
Mr Owen leant his support to the cinema’s restoration, which has already attracted the backing of Sir John Betjeman, the Electric Palace’s first patron.
The cinema is currently on the English Heritage ‘At Risk Register’ and Mr Owen said that by raising the 85,000 pounds needed for the current work and carrying out the repairs it could come off the list for good.
He added: “My first duty as patron is to formally launch this appeal. We just have to raise the amount needed.”
For more, visit Suffolk & Essex Online.
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November 14, 2006
Rex Theater is aquired by Chalet Theaters
CLAY CENTER, KS — Chalet Theaters has acquired the Rex Theatre in Clay Center, KS. Jeff Young bought the theater in 1997 and had done extensive work on the beautiful theater.
Chalet Theaters plans extensive renovations. Starting this December, the movie house will be showing double features as well as first run. The town seems very excited about it as even the local newspaper has put in theer comments.
We have posted a story about the theater a recent picture. If you have any more, feel free to send them here. It is nice when people get these older theaters and convert them. This was once a single but was twined in 1997.
(Thanks to Sctheaters for providing the photo and news story.)
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Theater closes, now for sale
The Princess Theatre in LeRoy, Illinois closed recently and has been put on the market (owners are asking $275k). It may be a little pricey but it appears to be turn-key. Check out pics and details at: www.kraftproperties.net/leroy
Bloo
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November 13, 2006
Fire destroys Montana theater
DEER LODGE, MT — The historic Rialto Theatre in Deer Lodge, Montana was destroyed by fire recently.
Officials continue to investigate what caused a Saturday fire that destroyed the historic Rialto Theater, and those results could be available in a week or two.
Steve Owens, president of Rialto Community Theater Inc., said the volunteer board that oversees theater operations won’t speculate on how the fire started. Instead, they’ll wait for the conclusion of an investigation by the state fire marshal.
After that, a community meeting will be held to discuss the investigation’s outcome and talk about the future of the town’s beloved cultural center. It was the only auditorium in Powell County.
For more, visit theMontana Standard.
Also, you can check out the website of the volunteer group that rehabbed and ran the theater. They have posted pics from the blaze and are seeking donations to rebuild.
(Thanks to CT member empinball for also contributing to this story.)
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November 10, 2006
Cerrito Theater returns with new agenda
EL CERRITO, CA — Restored to deco glory, the Cerrito Theater prepares for first screenings in a half century.
The Cerrito Theater is so close to completion you can almost smell the popcorn from San Pablo Avenue. The $5 million restoration project has been underway for more than five years, but soon, very soon, the popcorn will pop, the lights will dim and the Cerrito will open for business again.
On November 1, Casablanca and Pulp Fiction will become the first movies screened in the Cerrito since the mid 1960s, breathing new life into the deco theater that was originally built in 1937.
Unlike most movie theaters, the two theaters at the Cerrito will have couches and cocktail tables as well as the traditional theater seats. Beer is served in the theater, and food, like homemade pizza, can be ordered and delivered to customers during the flick. Two cafes, the It Club and the It Club Too, flank the theaters entrance, so moviegoers can hang out before and after movies.
To read more on this, go to The North Gate News.
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November 8, 2006
Victoria Theatre Documentary
AUCKLAND, NZ — Just a quick note to let you know that I have just completed my documentary about Californian John Leon Benwell and the Victoria Cinema which he built in 1912.The cinema has had a troubled few years and whether it survives or dies, its history and the people and stories surrounding it are now captured on one DVD.
Visit Mosaic Media for details and the promo video.
Many thanks
(Thanks to Steve at Mosaic Media for providing the photo.)
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November 7, 2006
Rheem Theater’s new face
MORAGA, CA — A new corporation has taken over the Rheem Theatre and has brought an enormous change.
The staff is always properly dressed and professional. They have put a great amount of money to enhance consumer experience from walking into the lobby to sound and picture. They have introduced foreign movies, so now you can enjoy a nice cup of Espresso while watching an Italian classic.
They have done miracles with the place and I would urge you to visit it again.
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November 1, 2006
Theatre owner blames employee thefts for closing
RIVERSIDE, OH — According to this report from WHIO-TV, Joe Kinney, the owner of the Page Manor Cinema in Riverside, due to stealing by his employess that was “off the hook”, has shuttered the theater, which first opened in 1967.
Kinney said that over the last two years, he has had to fire over 30 employees due to theft of money and a pinball machine. Kinney has operated the Page Manor for the past two years.
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October 27, 2006
Westwood / Hilliard Square Theatre in Lakewood, Ohio
A story in this week’s Cleveland Free Times describes how a city’s interest in the grand old Westwood Theatre and a performing arts center’s desire to build a new campus in Lakewood Ohio could return the theater to glory — if only everyone were on the same page.
Bob Dobush lives at the theater, and not in any metaphorical sense. The collector and restorer of antique radios keeps an apartment above the long-vacant Hilliard Square theater in Lakewood. He bought the landmark in 1998 to save it from the wrecking ball.
Behind the theater’s Hilliard Avenue door stands the decaying glory of a bygone era, an ornate lobby and staircase.
For more, visit the Cleveland Free Times.
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Malibu Theater reopens
MALIBU, CA — Filling a void created by the theater’s fire last year, the Cross Creek Plaza Theater will reopen next month.
Hollywood Theaters, owner of the Cross Creek Plaza movie theater, announced this week that the facility will reopen on Nov. 17. The theater has been closed since April 2005, when a fire destroyed it and several other businesses in the mall.
An official from the Portland, Ore.-based Hollywood Theaters said she could not disclose anything beyond that the theater would be opening. She said she might have more information next week.
To read more on this story, go to Malibu Times.