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Theaters
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November 10, 2004
Fire At Oakland Fox Theatre
OAKLAND, CA — A blaze Sunday at the Oakland Fox Theatre was believed to have been started by a vagrant, according to this report from the Oakland Tribune.
The fire was kept to the office space of the Fox Building thanks to the work of over 40 firefighters who responded to the two-alarm fire. Damage to the building is estimated at $300,000 from fire, smoke and water.
Plans to turn the 3000-plus seat theater into a cabaret-style venue surrounded by retail space and a charter school proposed by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown are pending the approval of the City Council.
The project is expected to cost about $24 million.
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November 4, 2004
Could Giant Casinos Future Be In England’s Largest London and City Centre Cinemas?
Ian from England asks…
Hello from Ian in England. Over the past few weeks there has been much news in the UK at the arrival of big style usa companies coming to the UK to open giant casinos in major cities and on costal resorts.
This has had much newsprint and television coverage. A football team Leeds has sold space to build a casino on its land amongst other projects been speculated. I’m wondering if anybody else can shed a light on a story I’m certain I heard on TV news about 10 days past (I was half asleep). I’m sure I heard a story on BBC London local news that if the big casinos come to the country a lot of planning consent laws on change of use of existing buildings of leisure would be dramatically reduced and Leicester Square in london home of some of the UK largest cinemas and other large cinemas in the UK could simply be closed as cinemas to become these casinos. The news report continued saying one major UK exhibitor had or was having chats about a such move to one of these casinos in the west end of London?
Has anyone else in UK seen this report? I’ve looked on many news websites trying to confirm what I have written here for a week or two and not had a lot of luck. Video tape in the early eighties took so many UK cinemas away at the birth of videos in homes – could this be the next threat of some of the UK most wonderful movie palaces? Whilst I’m here, does anyone know any further news of the Paramount/Odeon Newcastle — wonderful closed cinema in Newcastle — I heard Selfridges wanted it?
- thanks for reading -
booga aka ian
- thanks for reading -
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October 21, 2004
Capitol Theatre Canopy Gets Paint Test
FLINT, MI — Gary Flinn has sent us another quick update on the status of the Capitol Theatre:
Formal painting has begun on the Capitol Theatre Building’s arcade canopy and I thank all of you for posting the canopy photo with the gold paint sample in your respective web sites. I don’t think this is worth posting publicly as the color being painted is red metal primer. This was the unfortunate color of the canopy before repairs began. I hope it’s just a primer coat. More updates as I see changes. Thanks again.
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Enean Theater Saved
PITTSBURG, CA — The City of Pittsburg is purchasing the Enean Theater to help restore the landmark theater (see previous story).
The owner Jaime Penuela and Paul Warshauer (of Grande Venues) have joined forces to reopen the Enean.
The outlook is very good now.
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October 19, 2004
Capitol Theatre Update
FLINT, MI — We’ve received an update on the Capitol Theatre from Gary Flinn:
Just one minor, but significant update about the Capitol Theatre in Flint MI. The theater’s arcade canopy facing Harrison Street now has a small sample coat of gold paint which could be the final color of the repaired canopy. A pair of photos (apologies as the sky was overcast) are attached to show the gold color.
Gary also wanted us to point out his current Flinn’s Journal column on the Michigan preservation site Water Winter Wonderland. The current column includes photos and a history of the Capitol.
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October 14, 2004
Bryn Mawr Theater Sold
BRYN MAWR, PA — The Bryn Mawr Film Institute has puchased the Bryn Mawr Theater with the intention of showing first-run independent and foreign films, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer [reg. req.]. It will also provide education programs in filmmaking and cinema analysis for students at local colleges and classes for grade schools.
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October 13, 2004
“70mm In NY” Details The Format’s History In NY
The following was sent in by William Kallay about his research project with Michael Coate that details the history of 70mm screenings in NY from 1955 to 2004:
“Dear Cinema Treasures Readers,
After years of research, Michael Coate and I are proud to announce that ‘70mm In NY’ has been posted on our site, www.fromscripttodvd.com.
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October 5, 2004
“Speedy” To Be Screened At Historic Byrd Theatre
RICHMOND, VA — On Sunday, October 10, the Dominion Film Sundays at the Byrd Theatre invites us to take a look at the past, while keeping an eye on the future of film, with the presentation of ‘Speedy.’
The film will start at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 per person and may be purchased at the Byrd Theatre, located at 2908 West Cary Street. For information, please call 1-888-523-1043.
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October 1, 2004
Classic Films Joining Bollywood Features At Des Plaines Theatre
DES PLAINES, IL — A deal struck between the owners of the Des Plaines Theatre and the Des Plaines Theatre Preservation Society recently opens the way for the Society to begin screening classic Hollywood films at the 79 year-old movie palace in downtown Des Plaines. The theater also screens Bollywood fare.
In return, the Society will find volunteer workers to begin renovations on the theater, beginning with the marquee, which is one of the symbols of this Chicago suburb. The group will begin work on the marquee on October 9th, according to Paul H. Saletnik, the vice president of operations for the Preservation Society. The neon lighting of the marquee will also hopefully be repaired as well.
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September 29, 2004
Waukegan Scales Back Plans For Genesee Theatre
WAUKEGAN, IL — The goal to raise $5 million towards the restoration and reopening of the historic Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan was not met, and the city of Waukegan will only be able to contribute $500,000 towards the theater. Therefore, plans for the old movie palace will be scaled back and its opening date is not known.
According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the Philadelphia-based SMG is being chosen by Waukegan to operate the Genesee, which should be made official at a city council meeting today. Brian Kabatznick, vice president of SMG, says that local groups could make the theater their home base, which could increase the usage of the theater once it is reopened.