The latest movie theater news and updates

  • July 23, 2004

    Science Fiction Film Festival Hits Historic Lafayette Theatre

    SUFFERN, NY — The SPECTACULAR SCIENCE FICTION Film Festival comes to the historic Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, New York – Nine classic science fiction films to be screened on September 10-11-12, 2004.

    The SPECTACULAR SCIENCE FICTION Film Festival at the historic Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, New York, presents nine unique and entertaining science fiction films from the Golden Age of Hollywood, all on the Lafayette Theatre’s giant silver screen. Screening will be films from directors such as Stanley Kubrick & Robert Wise, special effects artists such as Ray Harryhausen & Douglas Trumbull, stars such as Charlton Heston, Patricia Neal, and even Abbott & Costello! All of these films are showing in the finest prints available from the studio vaults. Celebrity guests will introduce several of the films and there will be a lobby display of rare original posters and advertising materials for the films.

    Festival Dates: September 10-11-12, 2004.

  • The Ghosts of the Clark

    ANDALUSIA, AL — Near the turn of the century, a young, petite girl said to have been near 18 years old, with blond hair, was said to have been killed by a fire in the theater in Andalusia, Alabama. I’m not sure what the theater was named back then, but it was later renamed as the Martin Theatre and then as the Clarke.

    This young girl has been seen by many employees and her face can be seen peering out of the projection room in cinema 3, upstairs, late at night while the staff cleans after shows.

    A gentleman around 50 or 60 was said to have had a heart attack or stroke in the old office, which was transformed 6 years ago into the ladies restroom during remodeling and restoration. This gentleman has also been seen peering out from the projection rooms.

  • Happy Birthday to Ross Melnick!

    Thought everyone might want to know that today is the birthday of Cinema Treasures co-founder (and all-around great guy) Ross Melnick!

  • July 22, 2004

    BBC TV Restoration Vote to Save & Renovate 1920’s Art Deco Cinema

    I would like to draw members attention to BBC Television’s Restoration programme which aired last night.

    For those of you who don’t know it’s a sort of “pop Idol” or “American Idol” for old buildings. The Welsh section of the competition featured the Newbridge Memorial Hall, a Miners institute building, complete with a 1920’s cinema. Some members may recall the interior of the was the setting for the fictional La Scala cinema/bingo hall in the Julian Kemp film “House”

    For more information and some photos of the cinema, check out the Restoration website. The theater’s website also has some good information.

    If you want to see this cinema win a place in the grand final heat to be fully restored, please VOTE NOW on 09011 33 22 22 and choose 2 from the recorded list. (US callers should add 011 44) to this phone number.)

  • July 21, 2004

    Chicago Theatre Marquee Update

    CHICAGO, IL — Late last week, the new front signage for the famed Chicago Theatre was installed. As part of a total replacement of the theater’s marquee, these preview pics (below) show the exact replacement of the front signage.

    What is not known yet, is the height of the side attraction portions of the marquee. Updates ASAP.

    Michael

  • July 20, 2004

    Chicago’s Biograph Theater Sold; Movies to Depart

    CHICAGO, IL — The Biograph Theatre, long a Chicago movie-going landmark, will close to moviegoers in September of this year, after being sold to the Tony-award winning Victory Gardens Theatre. (More info details in this report from the Chicago Tribune.)

    While its interior will be gutted, the facade will be preserved. The theater company plans two theater spaces, one will be a 299-seat main stage and the other will be a more intimate 130-seat studio theater.

    While this may be a good outcome for the Biograph, it represents the loss of yet another neighborhood theater in Chicago Without a car, it becomes evermore difficult to catch a show in the city.

  • July 19, 2004

    Art Theater Seeks 35mm Projector

    BINGHAMTON, NY — Here in Binghamton, earlier this year we lost the Art Theatre, our last operating old-style theater, in a devastating fire (see previous story).

    We are attempting to come back from the ashes. It won’t be the 90 year old theater, but we hope to bring the atmosphere and ambiance that you would have been able to find there. We’ve been showing art films in a local space to raise money and keep awareness up.

    We have a wonderful opportunity to boost our efforts, but are lacking one vital piece. Does anyone know of a source for a working, reasonably priced 35mm projector? We’re scurrying and searching, but coming up empty locally. My hope is that someone out there will have what we need!

    Thanks for the support and information we’ve received from the members of this site!

  • Garden Theatre To Be Renovated By 2005

    DETROIT, MI — The former Garden Theatre, designed by architect C. Howard Crane, is to be renovated by late 2005, according to the Detroit News.

    “The outside of the Garden Theatre will be restored, but the interior has suffered severe deterioration and will likely need new finishes,” a consultant on the theater project is quoted as saying. The News reports that the work is scheduled to be completed by next year.

  • July 16, 2004

    New York Times: Astor Plaza to Become Rock Venue

    NEW YORK, NY — We’re sad to report that the rumors about the closing of the Astor Plaza have finally been confirmed.

    According to a report which appeared in yesterday’s New York Times, the Astor Plaza, one of the last remaining movie theaters in the heart of Times Square, will close in just a few weeks.

    The S. L. Green Realty Corporation, who became new owners of the building that houses the Astor when they bought the remainder of Loews' lease — plan to convert the facility into a concert venue for live rock during a nine-month renovation.

    For those who never experienced the majesty of this theater, it was glorious. While its design was spartan in comparison to the nearby Ziegfeld, the Astor made up for it with its gigantic seating area (1500+ seats), which seemed to suck in anyone and everyone in Times Square who ever loved movies. Friday night premieres were always a blast. And, during the Astor’s lifetime, it played a tremendous number of great movies… King Kong, Jaws, 2001, Superman, When Harry Met Sally, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Matrix, and more. It will be missed.

    (ED. — As many of you noticed, Cinema Treasures got a very nice mention in the Times article.)

  • Former Times Square Theatre to Become Retail Space

    NEW YORK, NY — One of the last former Times Square movie houses to remain vacant, the Times Square Theatre at 217 W. 42nd Street, has been acquired by the urban apparel retailer, Ecko, which just a month ago announced the move of its corporate headquarters to a new location in Chelsea.

    According to this report from GlobeSt.com, Ecko expects to open its store in the three-story building by 2006, with construction beginning early next year. More information can be found in the New York Times.

    The Times Square Theatre was opened in 1920 for the Selwyns, and designed by Eugene DeRosa. Ecko plans to keep several historic architectural features of the theater, including its 25 foot-tall proscenium arch, its domed ceiling, and its ornamental plasterwork.