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The latest movie theater news and updates
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July 6, 2006
Theaters with lobby waterfalls ?????
Other than my beloved Central Plaza Cinema in Yonkers, NY, did any other theaters have rock waterfalls in their lobbies ?
The waterfall was an incredibly beautiful amenity that made movie going so very memorable and special in this wonderful theater that I grew up to, so I am most curious to know if any of their other George Riseman designed theaters had lobby waterfalls.
It fell into disrepair and was covered over in the late 1980’s when the theater was converted to a fourplex.
Thank you.
9 comments -
July 5, 2006
Cinerama Dome cameo in “Waist Deep”
The Cinerama Dome has a very brief cameo in Rogue Pictures' new release “Waist Deep”, which is now playing.
The theater appears when the main characters go into the Sunset Strip.
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July 3, 2006
Royal revival: lights back on at College Street rep
TORONTO, CANADA — Looks like there’s some good news about one of the Festival Cinemas in Toronto, The Royal, that’s slated to close June 30th, courtesy of NOW magazine:
When news broke several weeks ago that four of Toronto’s Festival Cinemas movie houses would be closing down on June 30, the situation looked most hopeless for the Royal on College Street.
While the three other theatres — the Revue, the Kingsway and the Paradise — were simply slated to go dark, the Royal was immediately put up for sale by the owners, presumably because it occupied the most valuable plot of real estate.
Rumours abounded that the historic 1930s-era theatre would be turned into a nightclub or, worse, torn down for condos. But as it turns out, the sale of the Royal will almost certainly prove to be its saving.
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North Central Texas theater cafe for sale
GAINESVILLE, TX — The beautiful art deco State Theater & Backstage Cafe are for sale or lease in historic downtown Gainesville, Cooke County, TX.
Excellent business opportunity as there is not another operating movie theater in the county! Gainesville is approximately one hour from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The 400+ seat theater and cafe were renovated in 2000.
The 3-story theater features state-of-the-art sound system, digital movie projection, stage and dressing rooms to accommodate live performances, a balcony with overhead doors equipped as A/V rooms and a third story with a large conference/board room.
The stunning neon marquee has been completely restored. It is featured in ‘Grand Old Texas Theaters That Won’t Quit’ by Joan Upton Hall and Stacey Hasbrook.
The 60+ seat Backstage Cafe opens through french doors into the theater lobby. It features faux-finished walls, 16' tin ceilings, original wood floors, an office, ADA bathroom, and stainless steel kitchen.
For more information, contact owner David Jones (940)736-5109 or see www.statetheatergainesville.com.
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June 30, 2006
Drive-ins to go digital?
The Boston Globe reports that many drive-in theaters are considering a switch to digital:
The owners of the 406 surviving drive-in theaters in the US have long memories: They can recall 10-cent Cokes, B-movies like “I Was a Teenage Frankenstein,” and tail-finned Cadillacs driving off with the speaker still clipped to the window.
And many use the same equipment from the golden age of the double feature: At the Wellfleet Drive-In, for example, the original projector from 1957 is still switched on every summer evening.
The country’s remaining drive-ins, including five in Massachusetts, have managed to endure the onslaught of television, the multiplex, and the VCR, as well as the rising real estate values that can make selling the land beneath a drive-in irresistible. But the newest concern among drive-in owners is the advent of digital projection and the predicted obsolescence of celluloid.
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June 29, 2006
New Book on South New Jersey Theaters
Congratulations to CT member Allen Hauss (ahauss) on the publishing of his book “Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses” (Arcadia Publishing).
This is a fantastic book that demonstrates Mr. Hauss' dedication to the preservation and history of classic movie houses.
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June 28, 2006
Update on the Three Penny Cinema closing
CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Sun Times has more detail on why the Three Penny Cinema was shut down last week:
An exasperated City Hall has shut down the Three Penny Cinema on the North Side because of unpaid amusement taxes.
The Three Penny, which has been a movie house since the late 1930s, is one of the few independent cinemas left in the city. Owner Jim Burrows said he’ll have to sell the business unless the city relents and accepts a settlement offer on the overdue taxes.
“But they don’t care. They’ve told me that. They said that if they make an exception for me, then nobody will want to pay this tax,” Burrows said. He estimated owing the city $60,000 for the last five years, or $100,000 counting interest and penalties.
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827 movie theater seats for sale
PHOENIX, AZ — I have 817 Theater seats left for sale. Great condition. Cup holders. Can send pics.
You supply the transportation and my people will load them in your truck. Make an offer. Call 480-227-6217 for more details.
Thanks,
Pete -
June 27, 2006
Clues Sought in Arcadia Theatre Fire
DALLAS, TX — Last week, the landmark Arcadia Theatre was destroyed by fire:
In the middle of Wednesday’s devastating 6-alarm fire sat an 80-year-old Dallas landmark. The Arcadia Theatre was destroyed, taking with it a part of Dallas' history.
There have been a lot of changes in the Lower Greenville area, businesses have come and gone, but one thing that stayed the same was the Arcadia Theatre.
It was the roaring 1920s, America was making the transition from vaudeville to film, and in the middle of that transition was the Arcadia Theatre in Lower Greenville.
Opened in 1926, the theater was famous for its shows and silent films. Now the theater that stood strong through the depression, and various other economies, has been destroyed.
More on this from CBS 11 TV.
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Theaters Wanted
Chalet Theaters has announced that we are looking for a few ‘good theaters’.
If you have any for lease or sale, contact asap they can be drive-ins (closed or open) or any single or multi screen venue. If it needs work, we can do that also.
Thank you.