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The latest movie theater news and updates
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February 2, 2006
Former Odeon Cinema Middlesbrough (UK)
MIDDLESBROUGH, UK — Plans to demolish the former Odeon Cinema Middlesbrough, most recently operated as Jumpin Jaks Nightclub, have been revealed in the Teesside Evening Gazette. If approved the cinema building will be replaced by a 30m, 375ft high tower block.
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Chief Theater in Winslow, AZ
Trying to find information about the old Chief Theater in Winslow owned by the Nace family. It was a Spanish theater.
Thanks,
Tess
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February 1, 2006
Yeadon Theater May Be Demolished
YEADON, PA — Howard Haas has sent in the following note (and links):
“The Yeadon Theater, built in 1937 in Yeadon, PA, last surviving John Eberson-designed theater in the Philadelphia area and one of the last Art Moderne theaters in the area, may be demolished. The town council may vote February 2nd to demolish without meeting with a movie operator interested in reopening the theater.”
Philadelphia Inquirer story: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/13759690.htm
Link to 2003 photos: http://www.robbender.com/gallery/yeadon
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Vintage Cinema Sound Equipment Wanted
I am trying to get together a collection of vintage cinema sound equipment. I need BTH, Vitavox, Western Elecric, Gaumount Kalee, British Acoustical Speakers, Horns, Amplifiers, crossovers, Microphones, valves. Any leads will be appriciated. Please reply to
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January 31, 2006
Disappearing London Cinemas Tonight on ITV
Hi there,
Tonight, 31st January, 7.30 GMT on ITV, ‘Disappearing London’ presented by SUGGS ( frontman of the band Madness ) will feature London’s cinemas that have survived, albeit in different uses from their origins. The beautiful ‘Tooting Granada’ will definitely feature.
best
Kev P
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Wanted: Theatres
Hello,
Just completed constructing a new state of the art 8 screen theatre in Paragould, AR. We are anxious to grow our company. Interested in buying or leasing operating theatres in medium to smaller markets; pop: 75,000 – 150,000. Also, if you know of a community in need of a theatre, please let us know. Feel free to write or call anytime:
William Pollack (.com)
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January 30, 2006
Documentary About “Lost” Theaters of Newark, NJ
As part of a three-part documentary that I’m making about my hometown, Newark, NJ, I’m making a section about the “lost” theaters of Newark. As a kid growing up in the mid-50s, I spent many hours watching movies both in the neighborhood theaters, the Tivoli and the Plaza, as well as the downtown Newark movie palaces.
I call the Newark theaters “lost” because not one theater that was operating in Newark when I was young is operating today. Some are still there, probably in some state of arrested decay, but many are gone.
I’m looking specifically for film, slides, stills, newpaper clippings or any information about the Tivoli on Orange Street, The Plaza on North 7th Street, as well as the downtown theaters: RKO Proctors, Loew’s State, Branford, Adams, Paramount, Little, etc. Please contact me and let me know what you have. Thanks.
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Loews/AMC Merger Now Official
When you go to http://www.enjoytheshow.com now, it takes you to a combined Loews/AMC website.
The former Loews theatres, in particular the ones in Manhattan that I checked, are listed as being AMC but aren’t showing up yet in the listings. This was at 9:35am Eastern time Friday 1/27/06. So it must be a matter of time until they get loaded in there. Will check back later in the day.
Any word on if signage changed at the theaters themselves?
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January 27, 2006
Mark Cuban asks “What business are theaters in?”
In his latest blog entry, Mark Cuban, the spirited owner of Landmark Cinemas, takes a frank and fascinating look at the state of the exhibition industry.
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On collapsing the “release window” between theatrical exhibition and other release formats (DVD, iTunes, Cable, etc.)…
How sad is it when the President of the National Assoc of Theater Owners doesnt think his members can create a better movie going experience than what we can see in our houses and apartments ?
Guess what John, I can whip up a mean steak, but I still like to go to restaurants. Because I enjoy it. I enjoy getting out of the house with family, friends, who ever.
On shifting demographics…
The experience that a 16 year old expects is going to be completely different than what a 35 or 55 year old expects.
When a 16 year old goes to a movie, there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with answering your cellphone, talking back to the screen and texting your heart away during a movie. The movie is just there because its better than doing the same thing sitting or walking at the mall, or hanging in your buddys smelly bedroom again, listening to his mom yell at him.
All of the above drives anyone not in that demographic crazy. So when a couple of 35 year olds go to see King Kong, not only can you pretty much bet that they arent going to have a great experience during the showing of the movie, but they probably didnt have a great experience before they even got their seats.
On giving theaters a piece of the DVD business…
Its also probably a good time to take steps to be paid for the role you play in promoting the sale of DVDs and TV. You already know that you platform movies and create demand for future sales. Your problem is that you dont get paid for it. DVD sales now exceed box office sales and you dont get a nickel of those DVD sales. Its time for that to change.
On what business theaters are in…
First of all, I dont think they know what business they are in any longer. It appears they believe they are in the business of showing the movies Hollywood gives them and praying that Hollywood makes good movies and spends enough money to drive people through the doors so they make some money on the boxoffice and concessions. They arent.
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So, what do you think Cinema Treasures fans? (Read the full blog post and then comment below!)
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Group Buys Penn Theatre; Seek to Restore, Reopen
PLYMOUTH, MI — The Friends of the Penn, a group of local investors made up of seven area business people, have purchased the Penn Theatre in downtown Plymouth, which has been closed since 2004, for $1.2 million, according to this story in the Detroit News. With the purchase complete, the group now intends to turn its attention to raising an additional $1 million to restore and reopen the 1941 Art Moderne theater located on Penniman Avenue.
The Friends of the Penn plan on using the theater to screen second-run movies as well as hosting live performances, including the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra. One of the investors, Donald Soenen, a Plymouth resident since 1969, says, “In Plymouth this is a big deal. There is tremendous support for the arts here…the real reason all these people have gotten involved is because they also believe this theater should be preserved because it will be a benefit to the community.”