The latest movie theater news and updates

  • August 25, 2004

    Count Basie

    RED BANK, NJ — The Count Basie Theatre reopened last week after a $1 million renovation that brought new seats to the 78-year-old former movie house.

    For more information, read the Asbury Park Press, 1010 WINS, and Independent articles.

  • August 24, 2004

    75th Anniversary - Mayan and Esquire Theatre

    DENVER, CO — I am planning a 75th anniversary for two historic theatres in Denver for the Spring of 2005. More details to follow but I’m looking for photos, memories, clips, former employees, etc. It is surely to be a memorable event. If anyone has any information to share or a resource you think I should be directed to, please contact me at . Thanks for any assistance!

  • Tower Theater For Sale

    POST, TX — The Tower Theater is currently listed on eBay for sale. The opening bid is $60,000.00

    Visit www.schahara.com/towersale.htm for more information and photos of the Tower.

  • August 23, 2004

    ‘Urgent’ Cinema Photography Exhibit

    HOLLYWOOD, CA — Photographer Bob Bayles has 29 of his classic black & white movie theatre prints on display in the main lobby of the ArcLight Cinemas at the famed Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd near Vine. The exhibit highlights the timeless beauty of the older movie houses and small town community theatres that may evoke personal memories as well as paying tribute to an era never to be forgotten.

    Though many of the photographs are from the Hollywood area, including the Cinerama Dome itself, theatres from Chicago and San Francisco, among others, are also included. In addition, each photograph is paired with a film related quotation. If you love the movies, treat yourself to the experience of this exhibit.

    Visit Bob’s website at cinemaphotogallery.com for more photos and information.

  • Marboro Theatre To Be DEMOLISHED In May 2005!

    BROOKLYN, NY — After complaints about the Marboro Theatre’s condition since being abandoned went unanswered by UA, I went to the city’s 311 system and a local newspaper. The story was printed in the 8/23 edition which came out today. Here are the first two paragraphs of the story:

    “Old Marboro Cinema to Fall; New Movie Multiplex to Rise

    By Stephen Witt

    For Bensonhurst fans of silver screen, there is good news and bad news regarding the abandoned Marboro Theatre at 6817 Bay Parkway.
    The bad news is the building is scheduled for demolition in May 2005. The good news is that a new multiplex theatre will be built on the site with an expected reopening in April 2006, according to the owners."

  • August 20, 2004

    “Faces of the Uptown Theatre” Celebrates Theater’s 80th Anniversary

    CHICAGO, IL — To celebrate the Uptown Theater’s eightieth anniversary, the Friends of the Uptown have release a beautiful, four-color calendar for 2005.

    Subtitled “Our history in terra cotta, plaster and people,” the calendar pays tribute to the architectural gargoyles of the Uptown’s elaborate Spanish Baroque-styled ornamentation and to the international constituency of people who have voiced support for renovating the Uptown Theatre. The calendar is free, volunteers said, so that it will be shared widely and will reward fans of Chicago’s history and architecture who have supported many city landmarks through memberships, donations, pledges, banquets and tours.

    The free calendar can be downloaded from the Friends of the Uptown website.

  • Norwest Demolition Begins

    DETROIT, MI — The demolition of the Norwest Theater begins today.

    The demolition will take about 3 weeks, and a fast food restaurant will be in its place. Despite protest from the surrounding neighborhood to save and reopen it, the Norwest will be gone forever.

  • August 19, 2004

    Lincoln Square Theatre Receives $1.75M Grant

    DECATUR, IL — The first half of a $3.5 million State of Illinois “Illinois First” grant earmarked for the renovation of downtown Decatur’s historic Lincoln Square Theatre has arrived.

    The Board of the Lincoln Square Theatre has been waiting since 2002 to receive the funding from the State of Illinois. Carla Brinkoetter, president of the board of directors of Lincoln Square Theatre, Inc,, said the theatre will have 24 months to spend the grant funds, with another $1.75 million promised once the first half of the grantis spent.

  • Historic Notting Hill Arthouse Cinema Undergoes Refurbishment

    LONDON, ENGLAND — The historic Gate Cinema in London’s trendy Notting Hill is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

    Externally, it will have a new canopy, marquee and vertical blade sign. Internally, it will have a totally new lobby in stainless steel and oak (nothing of the original lobby exists following a rebuild after WWII when the ornate exterior suffered extensive bomb damage).

    The Grade II listed auditorium is a extravagantly ornate wedding cake confection of Edwardian plasterwork with a heavily coffered ceiling.

  • August 18, 2004

    Blaze Destroys Historic Closed Texas Drive-In

    WEATHERFORD, TX — Although the Jones Drive-In Theater hasn’t shown a movie in two decades, the huge screen tower has been a long-time landmark in the Weatherford area. The drive-in was destroyed by a fire on August 14th, leaving only the skeleton of the screen tower standing.

    Fire department captain Chuck Beard said, “When I pulled up, I was remembering right off the bat. It made me feel a little sadness. I was about 18 when it closed, and remember it like it was yesterday.”