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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 16, 2004
Groundbreaking Ceremony At Chicago’s Biograph Theatre
CHICAGO, IL — The renovation of the historic Biograph Theatre kicked off yesterday with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony in front of the former movie house in Lincoln Park.
Acquired by the famed Victory Gardens theater company, the 90 year-old Biograph is being converted into a new venue for the troupe, which will include a 299-seat main auditorium and a 128-seat studio, as well as rehersal spaces.
The total cost of the transformation is expected to run $9 million, of which Victory Gardens already has over $8 million in the bank. Both members of the theater company and city officials braved chilly temperatures for the ceremony, which is expected to open “at the end of 2005”. The Biograph’s facade, a neighborhood landmark, will be retained.
Read the full report from the Chicago Tribune.
2 comments -
December 15, 2004
Saturday Afternoons At The Oasis
RIDGEWOOD, NY — I can remember going to the Oasis every Saturday with my older sisters.
Before entering the movie theater, we would stop at Mr. White’s candy store a few doors from the theater. My oldest sister would get so angry with me because I would constantly disappear somewhere in the theater, looking for friends, and she could never find me.
I also remember the matron with her flashlight constantly shining it down the rows of seats, and yelling at us to behave. As I got older, I continued to frequent the Oasis with friends, and sometimes after the movie, we would frequent Jimmy’s Pizzeria diagonally across the street from the movie house.
I remember that it cost 26 cents to get into the theater on Saturday, with a feature film, newsreels, sing-a-longs, and cartoons. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
DianeS.
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Paramount Peekskill Seen In “Alfie”
PEEKSKILL, NY — On his way to visit Omar Epps and Nia Long somewhere in upstate New York, Jude Law’s character drives by the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill.
Great shot of the marquee!
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December 14, 2004
“Cinema Treasures” On The Big Screen
This holiday season don’t be surprised when you see Cinema Treasures at your local theater and/or multiplex.
Through the generosity of our friends in the industry and great support from MBI Publishing, we have been able to secure pre-show slides in some 875 screens across the country.
We are very grateful to Loews Cineplex Entertainment,
Muvico Theatres, and Cinema Advertising International for giving Cinema Treasures, both the book and website, a place up there on the silver screen. -
December 13, 2004
CTA Fights To Save Theater
ELTHAM, ENGLAND — According to a report from the News Shopper, the Cinema Theatre Association (CTA), a British-based theater preservation group, is battling developers who are planning to redevelop the former Eltham Coronet.
The group’s primary complaint with the redevelopment effort centers around the developers plans to split the theater’s existing auditorium into three levels, and replace the balcony with retail or dining space.
For more details, read the full report.
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Being Julia Theater Interior
Can anyone identify the interior of the theater that
appears in the film Being Julia and its location, plus the exterior of the theater?Thanks very much.
John Chappell
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December 10, 2004
Friends of the Raymond Theatre Seeking Volunteers
Friends of the Raymond Theatre is seeking volunteers to help us preserve Pasadena’s historic Raymond Theatre. If you live in the Pasadena or Los Angeles area and would like to assist, please contact us at:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Office: (818) 541-9522
E-Mail:
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com -
Wheaton Grand Signs Management Contract
WHEATON, IL — The Grand Theatre Corp. (a not for profit) has signed a one year management deal with Grande Venues, Inc. (a for profit corporation) to operate the Wheaton Grand Theatre. The theatre is currently divided in three: two movie theatres and a large concert venue featuring the well preserved proscenium arch and the lighted dome.
Plans are now under consideration to keep the present configuration allowing greater access to the public for smaller performances, conferences, and movie festivals while keeping the architectural elements unique to the building.
Paul Warshauer and Mike Novelli, the principals of Grande Venues, have already commenced an aggressive programming schedule including rock concerts, murder mysteries, a lecture series, benefits for victims in Iraq, film and television production classes, and special events including a “Somewhere in Time” weekend in February and a Peter Pan Festival slated for April.
See the website for more details www.wheatongrand.net.
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December 9, 2004
Today’s Newsreel
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December 8, 2004
Pickwick Theatre Presents ‘Peter Pan’
PARK RIDGE, IL — The following was sent by Friends of the Uptown:
“PICKWICK presents ‘Peter Pan’: Special holiday show and sing-along with Jay Warren
If you want to taste the flavor of entertainment that built and sustained the UPTOWN THEATRE and other movie palaces in their prime, come out to the historic PICKWICK THEATRE, 5 S. Prospect Ave., in Park Ridge, Illinois, this Friday, Dec. 10, for a special holiday show.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the program includes the 1924 silent holiday classic “Peter Pan” with live pipe organ photoplay accompaniment by Chicago’s Jay Warren. Jay will add to the program with a special holiday sing-along.