The latest movie theater news and updates

  • March 30, 2005

    Today’s Newsreel

  • March 29, 2005

    EverGreene Painting Studios, Inc. in WALLS & CEILINGS!

    January 2005 — Cover Story on the Bob Hope (Fox) Theater in Stockton, California by Kim Lovejoy, VP of Restoration, EverGreene Painting Studios.

    A NEW HOPE. After years of planning, design and construction, the newest “star” in Stockton’s downtown revitalization efforts is a monument to community spirit and a work of art in itself. Lights on.

    If you would like a copy of the article, please don’t hesitate to contact EverGreene by phone (212-244-2800), email (), or fax (212-244-6204).

  • Boston’s Gaiety Theatre: Important Hearing Today

    BOSTON, MA — The following press release was sent by the Gaiety Theatre Friends:

    “The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) will hold a hearing on appeals challenging the issuance of a demolition permit for Boston’s historic Gaiety Theatre.

    Two Boston City Councilors, Felix Arroyo and Chuck Turner, and the Asian American Resource Workshop are the appellants.

    The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 29, at noon, in Boston City Hall Room 801.

    The public and press are invited to witness and/or participate in this hearing. Please plan to come and demonstrate your support. While spoken testimony will be limited, everyone who attends will learn about the issues and receive photos of the theatre. All interested parties should submit written comments to the ZBA, at the hearing or in advance by fax 617-635-2918.

  • March 28, 2005

    Henry G. Greene, Theater Architect, Dies at 93

    SCARSDALE, NY — Theater architect Henry George Greene, who designed more than 80 live and movie theaters during the 1960’s and 70’s, died earlier this month at the age of 93.

    Greene worked for ABC during its theater operating days as a consulting architect and may be most famous for designing the original Cine Capri in Phoenix—still mourned by moviegoers across the state.

    For information, read the New York Times obituary.

  • Lots of Good Seats for Sale

    MESA, AZ — I just got access to a theater today where the seats are located. It is a shutdown and abandoned Harkins Theater. It was too dark with no electrical power to get any pictures. There is a total of 1550 seats available. Once I get lighting in the building I will have photos to email. The price per seat, does not including shipping charges. If you want me to arrange shipping, I need the shipping address with zip code to get trucking cost. The seats are located in Mesa, Arizona. I can start next week on removing and shipping the seats. Please let me know if you are interested and how many you need. I can be reached at 480-987-9801 or

  • March 25, 2005

    DuPage Theatre Focal Point of Lombard Downtown Plan

    LOMBARD, IL — A new plan for the revitalization of downtown Lombard centers around the historic DuPage Theatre, according to the Daily Herald.

    The 1928 movie house, which has been the focus of some debate in the Chicago suburb is expected to cost between $8 and $8.5 million to restore. The new proposal just released by the DuPage Theatre Foundation (to be presented to the village board on April 7th) is a $32 million plan which involves luxury condos and lofts being constructed in and around the former movie house, along with retail shops and a restaurant on the first floor (along with a small theater space, perhaps).

    The condos and lofts built above existing storefront spaces in the theater building replace an earlier plan by the Foundation to create studio and classroom areas in that space. Twelve condos would be constructed behind the DuPage and a five-story new structure housing 68 condos would be built on a parcel of land directly south of the theater.

    The new building facades would be covered with terra-cotta to match the existing building. Plans also include 248 parking spaces, some underground, which would in part be used by Metra commuters.

    Theater supporter and Trustee Ken Florey says, “Even if I weren’t a theater supporter, it’s a great development. Condos is the direction we should be going downtown. Economically, it’s by far the best.”

  • March 24, 2005

    Help The Miramar Theatre

    MILWAUKEE, WI — The Miramar Theatre is in urgent need of funding to keep its doors open. We are facing foreclosure and need a minimum $70,000 by May 1st to paydown back mortgage payments and taxes.

    This crisis comes on the eve of an agreement with a major local client prepared to enter into a 5-10 year rental of the building, and along with us still presenting shows this will make enough money to keep the Miramar open for many more years. We have an agreement in place but nothing can be finished until the building is secured.

    I have owned the 360-seat theatre for 7 years and have hosted many wonderful productions, concerts and have worked with many community-based theatre companies and performers. We have a full liquor license and are looking for sponsors, angels or investors we are offering naming rights,product placement or any other type of benefit for the investor or sponsor (auto dealers sponsor theaters in Chicago).

    Please contact us at or 414-839-0916. Check out our website at themiramartheatre.com and also our listing in the theater guide.

    Thank you

    William Stace

  • March 23, 2005

    Ireland Goes All Digital

    IRELAND — Ireland will become the first country in the world to completely upgrade its movie theaters to digital projectors.

    “Ireland is the perfect pilot test site for a project like this,” said Cummins. “Eighty per cent of the movies shown in Irish cinemas are Hollywood movies, along with the fact that we are an English-speaking nation and have a relatively small number of cinemas makes it the ideal choice.”

    According to this report in the Register, the projectors will be installed on 500 screens at 105 diffrent theater sites at a cost of €40 million. Digital Cinema Limited (DCL), an Irish subsidiary of Avica Europe, will provide the equipment and installation.

    Read the full report.

  • March 22, 2005

    Upcoming ‘Back To The Blueprint’ Episode Features Two Cinema Treasures

    Cinema Treasures member EverGreene points out that this week’s episode the History Channel program Back to the Blueprint visits the Fox Theatre in Tucson, AZ and the Saenger Theater in Mobile, AL.

    BACK TO THE BLUEPRINT
    Theaters: Fox Theatre, Tucson, AZ and Saenger Theater, Mobile, AL
    Airs on Saturday, March 26 at 2:00pm ET

    Episode description: “Talking Pictures” gave birth to a theater-building boom in the 1930s. In an attempt to make going to the movies as memorable as the film itself, architects and engineers constructed buildings that stimulated the senses. From the flashing lights of the marquee to the cushion seats of the balcony, no detail was overlooked. Host Marty Dunham travels to Arizona and visits the Fox Tucson Theatre. While there, he installs new air-conditioning ducts and acoustone—a soundproofing material that dates to the 1920s. Then, Marty visits Santa Theresa Tile Works to recreate the vintage tile that once covered the Fox’s facade. And at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama, Marty helps mount a plaster bracket for new box seats and assists in applying gold leafing to this renovated movie house.

  • March 21, 2005

    Tennessee Theater Reopens After 23 Million Dollar Restoration

    KNOXVILLE, TN — The City of Knoxville recently completed a $23 million restoration of it’s vintage Tennessee Theater.

    The beautiful Tennessee Theatre is a jewel of historic Knoxville, located in the heart of downtown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and honored as the Official State Theatre of Tennessee, “Knoxville’s Grand Entertainment Palace” has something for everyone: classical music, vintage films, dance, theater, and stellar performances by today’s hottest musicians. It now rivals the Fox Theater in Atlanta.

    A second jewel, the Bijou is moribund awaiting underwriting for rennovations as well. Since the Tennessee Theater reopened, it has hosted The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Earl Scruggs, and a sold out Valentine’s Day screening of Casablanca!

    If you are ever in town, check out this beautiful Moorish theater.