The latest movie theater news and updates

  • February 3, 2005

    A Breath of Hope for the AVALON?

    MILWAUKEE, WI —

    According to OnMilwaukee.com, Milwaukee’s long-closed AVALON Theatre of 1929 “may” become a combination movie house/book store.

    Let us hope that this is a breath of real hope for our beloved AVALON Theatre. There have been many hopes dashed and failures noted in the past, we can only hope that it will be different this time. The owner has played disingenuously with potential buyers in the past, according to sources, but perhaps he is now realizing a combined purchasing power that may be able to meet his reportedly stiff price.

  • Starting an Indie Cinema in Omaha

    Hey everyone —

    A friend of mine is starting an independent cinema in Omaha, from the ground up. She is looking for any advice/resources/guides she can find? Does anyone have any of these things?

    Thanks so much!

  • February 2, 2005

    Paramount Center for the Arts Unveils Renovations

    PEEKSKILL, NY — According to the Paramount Center for the Arts website:

    “The Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY is pleased to invite the public and members of the press to a special reception unveiling the second phase of the Paramount’s restoration project. The open house will take place Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 at 7:30 PM at the Paramount. Light refreshments will be served.

  • ‘How The West Was Won’ In 3 Strip Cinerama

    BRADFORD, ENGLAND — ‘How The West Was Won’ is scheduled to be shown in the original 3-strip Cinerama process at the UK’s Bradford Film Festival on 12 March at 2.30pm in Pictureville Cinema at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.

    Other highlights include celebrating the 50th anniversary of Todd-AO. More details of the festival and its Widescreen weekend here: http://www.nmpft.org.uk/bff/2005/.

  • February 1, 2005

    Greenwich Village’s “Waverly”: Past, Present and Future

    NEW YORK, NY — There was a very interesting article about the past, present and future of Greenwich Village’s Waverly Theater, by David Dunlap, in the New York Times on January 25th: “Past Will Flicker in Village Theater Renovation.”

    The theater, closed since October, 2001, is undergoing an $8 million dollar transformation into a three-theater complex that will house the IFC (Independent Film Channel) Center. Two theaters, a 220-seat main floor theater and a 110-seat upstairs theater will be in the original theater structure, and a 60-seat theater and cafe are planned for an adjacent building.

  • Tribute To Some Of The City Of Angels' Best-Loved Moviegoing Venues

    LOS ANGELES, CA — A photo essay (viewable only in print and not online) in the February 2005 issue of Los Angeles Magazine focuses on some of the area’s most notable movie palaces – among others, the Los Angeles, the Vista, the El Capitan, and the Warner Grand.

  • Dream of Owning An Indie Theater?

    I have a strong desire to open an independent movie theater in the suburbs of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Anyone in the area interested, too? I’d love help with the business plan, ideas, etc. I may have financial support, too!

    Also, I’ll need to prove I can find the right staff to operate the venue. Perhaps, that’s YOU! Let me know. I just wrapped up a volunteer stint at Sundance and am more determined than ever to make this dream a reality!!!

  • 42nd Street Theaters - Searching for Images/Booking Info - 50s-60s

    Hi Gang,

    I’m reliving my childhood and attempting to find images from the 1950s & 1960s of the 10 theaters that lined 42nd Street. I’d also like to know if there is any way to obtain booking information for the theaters in that time period. Most of them did not advertise in the local NYC newspapers.

    Thanks,
    Jerry K 42nd Street Memories

  • January 31, 2005

    No More Movies At St. Charles' Arcada Theatre

    ST. CHARLES, IL — With last Thursday’s showing of Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” movies came to an end at the historic Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles.

    According to the Daily Herald, the 1926 theater’s current owner’s lease expires today and there is now an effort growing to turn the Arcada into a performing arts center. If that doesn’t work, owner Todd Price says that there may be no other choice than to seek other uses for the building, including office and retail space, a fate that recently befell another historic suburban movie house, the Hinsdale.

  • Seeking Information On Pittsburgh’s Atlas Theatre

    PITTSBURGH, PA — I am part of the Perry Hilltop Citizens' Council, a local communtiy group in Pittsburgh’s North Side. We are seeking ANY information on the Atlas Theatre, located near 2603 Perrysville Avenue. There is a $25 reward for a good quality photograph of the theatre in its heyday, which we’re guessing was the 40s and 50s.

    We are also interested in any historic information on any of the properties in that area, near the intersection of Perrysville Avenue and Charles Street.