The latest movie theater news and updates
-
November 24, 2004
Michigan Theatre’s Barton Organ Profiled on “Pipedreams”
ANN ARBOR, MI—The public radio program “Pipedreams” from Minnesota Public Radio is airing music from the Michigan Theatre’s Barton theater organ this Friday.
You can hear this show on the program’s web site using Real Player. The Michigan Theatre is celebrating this broadcast with a special event. The news release from the Michigan Theatre follows:
0 comments -
November 23, 2004
Today’s Newsreel
- Fox Theatre Project Far From Being a Wrap
- Fontana Will Spend $1.6M on Old Theater
- Elsinore Theatre, Chemeketa Team Up To Bring Classic Movies to Screen
- Tampa Theatre’s Fans Don’t Want To See ‘The End’ at 99 Years
- Carolina Theater Turns Profit
- Orindans Rally to Save Venue as Theater Operator Seeks Exit
- Downtown Passaic Landmark is Being Restored
- Preservationists Try to Save Indiana’s Old Theaters
-
November 22, 2004
Metro Theatre Set To Reopen!
NEW YORK, NY — The New York Times is reporting that the Metro Theatre in Manhattan’s Upper West Side will reopen on December 3rd as an independent movie house after several tense months in which its future was the subject of numerous rumors (including that it would be converted into a supermarket).
The theater, operated by Peter Elson (of the famed Embassy theaters), will now be known as Embassy’s New Metro Twin and will cater to foreign and independent films, joining other Upper West Side staples as Lincoln Plaza, the Thalia, and Loews Lincoln Square. Its location, 30 blocks from its chief competitors, will give it some breathing room for bookings.
-
Colonial Theater Set To Be Demolished
ALLENTOWN, PA — In what can only be considered a death watch at this point, Allentown officials moved ahead with their plans to raze the Colonial Theater, according to The Morning Call.
Eric D. Weiss, director of building standards and safety, noted that because of its structural issues, “The building will be taken down slowly and carefully, perhaps even in bucketfuls.” The cost to demolish the building is estimated at under $300,000.
-
November 19, 2004
Fox Fullerton Reaches Its Fundraising Goal
FULLERTON, CA — The following email was received from the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation:
“WE DID IT!!!!
Thanks to a very generous gift of $1,000,000, we have reached our total fundraising goal of $3.5 million and can open escrow on the Fox this Friday! The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous for the present, presented us with a $700,000 cashiers check late yesterday, and has pledged the remaining $300,000 as a challenge grant for our restoration fundraising needs.
This generous donation is allowing us to “trigger” our pledge fulfillments, so all checks that have turned in and stored in our bank vault will now be cashed into our special checking account to open escrow.
Please come by the Fox or our offices through Friday to say hi and help celebrate!
-
Closing of UA Pasadena Marketplace 6
PASADENA, CA — The United Artist Pasadena Marketplace 6 has closed. Ever since Pacific Theatres opened a new 14-plex a few years ago down the street, this theatre has been a ghost town. This doesn’t surprise me because it was very outdated. But then again, it’s right in the middle of Old Town Pasadena.
You would think the area would be busy enough to support the theatre. I don’t know if the lease was up or why Regal Entertainment pulled the plug. Last year, AMC Theatres abandoned its 8-screen theatre across the street. Laemmle Theatres reopened it — showing first-run movies and independent films.
-
November 18, 2004
Former Kimball Theatre Goes Up In Smoke
YONKERS, NY — The former Kimball Theatre burned to the ground on November 16, 2004, destroying the one time 700-seat movie house. The theatre was being used as a furniture store at the time, but still had the Kimball marquee above the front entrance.
For more information, read this Journal News article
-
The Long Beach Area’s Last Remaining Seats
LONG BEACH, CA — U Entertainment has written an extensive article on the last remaining Cinema Treasures in the Long Beach area. Featured are the Bay Theatre in Seal Beach, the Warner Grand in San Pedro, and the Art Theatre in Long Beach.
For a dozen images of these classic theaters, look for the “See the Pictures” link on the U Entertainment page. The article features interviews with Cinema Treasures as well as local theater owners and historians.
-
November 17, 2004
Loews Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary
ASTORIA, NY — A special exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Loews has opened at the Museum of the Moving Image. “From Penny Arcade to Megaplex” includes rare promotional items, over 75 historic photographs, archival film footage of movie premieres, and architectural elements.
According to the museum, “Among the highlights of the exhibition are objects that capture the opulence of the golden age of moviegoing, including an enormous crystal chandelier from the Loew’s Capitol Theater in New York, the smart uniforms worn by doormen and ushers, and many photographs and postcards of Loews theaters across the country, from the baroque picture palaces of the late 1920s to the drive-ins of the 1950s to the "neon-classical” multiplexes of today."
-
St. George Theatre In Need of an Organ ASAP!
STATEN ISLAND, NY — “I’m posting this message on behalf of the St. George Theatre which is located in Staten Island, New York (http://www.stgeorgetheatre.com/) and, while I’d normally refrain from e-mailing a message such as this, I can’t help but think this might be of interest to some of you on this list.