The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 21, 2005
From Live Theater to Movie Theater to Live Theater Again
CHICAGO, IL — The former Water Tower movie theaters at the Water Tower Place shopping center on Michigan Avenue and Chestnut Street, which closed in summer of 2003 after a brief stint as an art house under the Village Theatres chain, will be opening around April as a single auditorium, 549-seat live theater venue.
The Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place’s first production will be Terrence McNally and David Yazbek’s “The Full Monty”. Drury Lane originally was part of the shopping center when it opened in 1976, but later closed, and the space turned into a movie theater under Plitt Theatres, then Cineplex Odeon, and finally Meridian Theatres before closing in 2001.
Screens 5-7 reopened in 2002 under Village Theatres, while 1-4 were turned into additional retail space. The cost of the renovation back to a live theater space cost around $9 million. It will be the second new live theater to open on Michigan Avenue in recent years, with the Lookingglass Theatre company opening its new space in the historic Water Tower Water Works just across the street from Water Tower Place in 2003.
For more information, read the Chicago Tribune article.
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January 20, 2005
Today’s Newsreel
- Last Picture Show for a Paterson Palace
- Fight To Stop Old Cinema Being Replaced By Luxury Flats
- Silent Surrealism At Paramount Center Feb. 12th
- Best and Worst of Times for Grande Dame Theaters
- Remembering the Old-Time Movie House That is the State
- Single-Screen Cinema Keeps Things Poppin'
- Normal Theater Board Concerned About Management Change
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January 19, 2005
IMAX Le Theatre in Quebec City Closes
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA — A story on Global TV in Quebec says the IMAX Le Theatre has closed due to falling attendence and losses of 2.5 million dollars. it opened in 1995.
For more information, visit the Radio Canada website with video:
http://radio-canada.ca/regions/Quebec/nouvelles/200501/17/007-imax.shtml -
The Crest Theatre – A Church No More
FRESNO, CA — The Crest Theatre in downtown Fresno is currently for rent! This beautiful art deco palace sits on the Western edge of downtown near the Fulton Street Mall, which is slated for redevelopment. I am intrested in re- opening the theater as an art/foreign/indy mecca for the multiplex weary!
I would appreciate any help as to how to get this dream into development, the secrets to a successful independent theater! Especially helpful would be from those living in the Fresno area as to programming and for resoration help. For an overview on this theater check it out here on the Cinema Treasures website.
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One Screen From 1925 Needs TLC
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH — I know of a classic one screen theater in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio that sits empty in need of an owner. I would like to be that owner but don’t have the money to refurbish it. I am having trouble finding any type of grant or other money source.
Built in 1925 as a silent movie theater with a piano for backgorund music, it was fitted for sound a few years later. The theater closed around 1983 and has been empty ever since.
The city of Cuyahoga Falls currently owns the property but has not maintained it very well. It has two apartments above it and small store fronts on each side that are included with the building.
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January 18, 2005
Today’s Newsreel
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Minneapolis Theatre Site of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
Just wondered if anyone could tell me what Minneapolis, MN theatre was the site of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams which aired Jan. 13, 2005? This week Brian is broadcasting the news from several cities which include Dallas, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.
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January 17, 2005
Dallas' Inwood Theatre Reopens After Renovation!
DALLAS, TX — Landmark’s Inwood Theatre has reopened after a 45-day renovation. New screens grace the facility, along with new entry-level restrooms and leather seats in the upper level auditoriums. While featuring a brand-new concession stand and direct access from the Inwood Lounge, the theater retains its 1947 grandeur!
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Today’s Newsreel
- Theater Fight Gathers Steam
- Developers, Activists Debate Theater’s Worth
- History Channel Will Feature Fox Theatre
- Aero Launches New Era
- Tennessee Theatre Reopens After $23.5M Restoration
- Grand Theater Coming Down
- A Man, A Plan and The Strand
- Portland Sites To Get ‘Cool’ Makeovers
- Crew Begins Lowering Curtain On Colonial
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January 14, 2005
Old Theatre For Sale
ODESSA, TX — Barry Lee sent us this note about a movie theater for sale in Odessa…
J&J Reality is the one selling the property. From what I could see on Cinematour website, the phone number is listed. In one of the photos, pretty clearly its run down, but someone with the proper cash could I guess restore it. I think it has three screens. A direct link is listed below.