The latest movie theater news and updates

  • April 16, 2004

    Chicago Latino Film Festival Kicks Off Today

    CHICAGO, IL — The 20th annual Chicago Latino Film Festival begins today with over 100 films from more than 20 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations. Among the Chicago theaters hosting the festival are the Biograph, the 3 Penny, and Facets Multimedia.

    The fest runs from today until April 28th, with an opening-night gala at the Art Institute of Chicago tonight, and closing-night fiesta to be held at the Biograph Theatre.

    Tickets are $10, and $80 for a festival pass. More information is available in this report from the Chicago Tribune.

  • April 15, 2004

    Orange County Register Profiles (Some Of) LA’s Top Theaters

    LOS ANGELES, CA — “Most of the great movie houses have disappeared. Even in Los Angeles, capital of the American movie industry, scores of grand theaters have been carved up, bulldozed away or converted into churches or 99-cent stores. A few are shuttered in the hope that someday they will be saved. The few lucky ones like the Pantages and the Wiltern have gone back to the future as live theaters or music venues.

    But scattered around Southern California are a few remaining single-screen cathedrals of cinema where for $10 or so you’re transported to another world even before the opening credits roll by…"

    Read the Orange County Register article reprinted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

    (Thanks to Jim Rankin for sending this in.)

  • Two Minnesota Drive-Ins Continue to Reel In Patrons

    LAKE ELMO & COTTAGE VIEW, MN — The Pioneer Press reports on the continued success of the Vali Hi Drive-In in Lake Elmo and the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage View. These two Minnesota drive-ins are two of the roughly 550 in operation around the country.

    According to our friends at Drive-Ins.com, there are five drive-ins operating in Minnesota.

    (Thanks to Dennis Huber for sending this in!)

  • April 14, 2004

    Yeadon Theater Repairs to Start Soon

    YEADON, PA — Repairs should begin soon on the Yeadon Theatre, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    Demolition was halted last fall when preservationists discovered the theater was a possible landmark. A formal application to the state asking to have the theater nominated for the historic-places register is in the process of being completed.

  • HCPG Looks to Save Bells Opera House

    HILLSBORO, OH — I have started a nonprofit preservation group, HCPG, whose purpose is to own, restore, and operate the 1895 Bells Opera House. We currently are seeking ownership, funding, and nonprofit status, working with our local congressman, and state representative in Ohio. It’s been a nine month track for me of dreaming, learning, and working on a business concept.

    Sometime between the 1920s and 1940s, the Opera turned into a theater… but we want to take it back to its origins. Any links or advice we could use? Any Angel money out there for our group? What a great website… it’s nice knowing others are going through the same process.

  • Re-Opened Town Theater Thrives

    FLORA, IL — The Town Theater opened last spring and is thriving by playing first run movies. Showtime Cinemas purchased the theater and has renovated it into two screens instead of one — to bring viewing pleasure to all.

    The theater is currently opened Friday-Monday. Come check us out. And as always, we hope to see you at the movies…

  • April 13, 2004

    Help Save Charleston’s Garden Theater!

    CHARLESTON, SC — There will be a meeting on Monday, April 26, 2004 at 7pm at the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library (at 68 Calhoun Street) to organize an effort to save the Garden Theater. The meeting will moderated by Ralph Hicks.

    Any suggestions or help from the readership of Cinema Treasures would be welcomed and appreciated.

  • Some “Friends of” Groups

    I have compiled a list to create awareness of groups of awareness for theaters (AKA “Friends of” groups). In alphabetical order, here are the ones I can find… let’s preserve and save some theaters!

    Friends Of (The):
    BoydWebsite
    Broadway TheaterWebsite
    Cerrito TheaterWebsite
    Coronado TheatreWebsite
    Loew’sWebsite
    Raymond TheatreWebsite
    UptownWebsite

    If you have any more groups feel free to post them in another comment! [Ed — you can also submit links to our Link Directory.]

  • April 12, 2004

    The Castle Cinema Slated To Close?

    PROVIDENCE, RI — The following email was sent in by Gregg Anderson and is courtesy of the Castle Cinema Cafe:

    “After 80 years in operation, The Castle Cinema, one of the last remaining independently owned and operated movie houses left in Rhode Island, is in jeopardy of closing its doors forever.

    Starting next week, The Castle will reduce operating hours to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. This is a further reduction from a schedule that already has it closed on Mondays. Final performances and closing of the theater will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2004.

  • Raymond Theatre Hearing TONIGHT!

    PASADENA, CA — The following email was sent in by Gina Zamparelli:

    “We need your support at the Raymond Theatre Conceptual Design Review Hearing TONIGHT, Monday, April 12, 2004.

    The owners of the historic Raymond Theatre (formerly Perkin’s Palace) located in Pasadena, California have filed for Design Review of their proposed project. They will be requesting the City of Pasadena Design Commission give approval to gut the Historic Raymond Theatre and convert it to an apartment, retail, shopping complex.