The latest movie theater news and updates
-
April 21, 2005
The Ups and Downs Of A ‘Better’ Moviegoing Experience
NEW YORK, NY — The travails, quirks, and general trend of luxury, reserved seating—from a New York City perspective—via this recent New York Times article).
0 comments -
Services For Historical Theaters
Performing Art Centers Of Indiana, LLC., is currently looking for classcial venues throughout the Mid-West region. We are currently developing a network of historical theaters and have over forty venues established already.
We offer historical theater consulting, business plans, talent brokering, equipment sales & rentals and management services. If your profit or non-profit organization is interested in affiliation, and the type of services we offer, you may find more additional information on our web site at www.onstagein.com
Here at Performing Art Centers Of Indiana, showbusiness is our business.
Acting In Your Interest!
-
200 Rocker Movie Theater Seats for Sale
Below is information on the 200 theater seats I have available.
NUMBER: 200
TYPE: Irwin Carousel Rockers
YEAR: 1995
COLOR: Shire Rain Forest Fabric (Green/Brown)
LOCATION: Michigan
PRICE: $15/seatLet me know if you are interested. Pictures available upon request.
Thanks,
Dan
-
April 20, 2005
Skokie Theater to Become Concert Venue
SKOKIE, IL — The Skokie Theater, which was closed in November of 2004, will be renovated for use as a concert hall, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.
The former movie house, which was built in 1915 and remodeled in Art Moderne style during the 40s, was purchased last week by the Cavalcade of Music Foundation, which is based in the North Shore suburb of Kenilworth. Bob Acri, the foundation’s executive director, says the theater will be used as a showcase for jazz, classical, folk, and other musical styles (except rock).
The foundation is kicking off a fundraising campaign, and it is expected to cost between $750,000 to $1 million to renovate the Skokie. Work will include repairs to the exterior, upgrades to lighting and sound systems, conversion of the projection area to a conference room, making the building handicap accessable, and reducing seating from 314 to 161. Work could begin in a month and be completed in the fall, according to Acri.
-
Strand Theatre
I am researching some of the old buidings in Port Arthur, Texas for a slide presentation of before and after. Pictures of the Strand Theatre are needed since the building was torn down. This theatre in Port Arthur was noted for the stripes on the sidewalk which do still exist. I grew up in Port Arthur during the 40’s and 50’s. Thanks for any input provided.
-
April 19, 2005
Another Drive-In Drives Off Into The Sunset
CHURCHVILLE, MD — From a high of 47 in 1958 to a total of one today — that is the current state of the drive-in theater in Maryland following the announcement of the closure of the 53 year-old Bel Air Drive-In. According to the Baltimore Sun, patronage had fallen off dramatically and its operators could no longer afford the rent.
To read (and see) more about the end of the Bel Air, visit WBAL-TV, Channel 11 Baltimore’s website. For a forum about drive-ins and a survey about your own drive-in patronage (or lack thereof), visit our weekly poll.
For more information on drive-ins, check out Kipp and Jennifer Sherer’s wonderful website, drive-ins.com. [Editor’s note: I’ve been using it for years to visit drive-ins around the country.] Like our friends at CinemaTour and other sites, drive-ins.com is part of a growing community of like-minded enthusiasts, preservationists and fans. For more drive-in related websites, visit our drive-in theater links.
As the Bel-Air goes dark, perhaps forever, it offers another reminder of how quickly decades of memories can be extinguished. Here today, gone tomorrow. It’s another reason to pay homage to your favorite theaters with your good wishes and your attendance.
(Thank you to Edward Lopez who alerted us to this story.)
-
April 18, 2005
Off The Multiplex Path In NYC
NEW YORK, NY — A recent Daily News article focused on some of NYC’s alternative ‘Cinema Treasures’, including Ocularis in Brooklyn and the Millennium Film Workshop in the East Village.
-
URGENT - LOOKING FOR “THE GRADUATE” MARQUEES
I’m a producer working on a documentary about 1967’s “The Graduate”. I’m looking to this community for help. Does anyone have photos related to theatre marquees or lines of people waiting to get into “The Graduate”?
The film played in many (now) historic theatres, and unfortunately, a number have since closed, making contacting the theatres directly difficult, if not impossible.
Thanks so much.
-
April 15, 2005
Lewiston, Maine “Empire” to be Demolished
LEWISTON, ME — According to the Press Herald, the 102-year-old Empire Theatre will be demolished this spring to make room for a parking lot. This once rampant demolition practice for parking spaces had subsided in recent years and it is surprising to see such an old theater, of an increasingly rare vintage, going down without much notice from the community or preservation groups.
Are there any Maine/New England Cinema Treasures members out there who can shed light on this?
(Thanks to John Elwood for notifying us about this story.)
-
Lawrence of Arabia in 70 MM at the Aero Theatre
SANTA MONICA, CA — The following press release was sent in by the American Cinematheque which operates the Aero Theatre:
“The American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre will present an exclusive four night return engagement of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962, Columbia, 216 min.) in 70 mm!, May 5 – 8, 2005. Peter O'Toole (GOODBYE MR. CHIPS) stars as the tortured, near God-like Lawrence in director David Lean’s (A PASSAGE TO INDIA) absolute masterpiece. An epic film that takes place during World War I and Lawrence’s adventures in North Africa.
The film features one of the finest casts ever assembled in a motion picture: including, in his first major English-speaking role, Omar Sharif (DR. ZHIVAGO), Anthony Quinn (ZORBA THE GREEK), Jack Hawkins (LORD JIM), Claude Rains (CASABLANCA), and Alec Guinness (THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI) as Prince Feisal. Freddie Young’s 70 mm. photography is considered to be a work of genius, as is the screenplay written by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Maurice Jarre’s moving score and John Box’s production design only serve to add more layers of excellence to the film. Winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. “When you’re in the desert, you look into infinity … It makes you feel terribly small, and also in a strange way, quite big.” – David Lean.