The latest movie theater news and updates
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March 12, 2004
Seeking Stories from Projectionists
I am doing research on the projectionist during the golden age of cinema from the thirties through to the seventies.
Experiences in the booth, funny moments, tragic moments, moments when the projectionist was the hero. I am also looking for info on booth setups and stories about the love projectionists had for their machines.
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March 11, 2004
UPDATE: Oriental To Screen “College” Saturday
MILWAUKEE, WI — Note: there has been a change in the film to be shown at the Oriental Theatre this coming Saturday. The new selection will be “College” starring Buster Keaton. Still football and still a great movie.
The show will be complete with Marching Sousaphones and the Pom Squad along with West End Jazz playing those hot college tunes of the 20’s. Lets all get out an cheer for our boy Buster!! See you Saturday March 13th, at 1 pm, at the Oriental Theatre at Farwell and North Milwaukee WI.
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Toronto’s Bloor Cinema to Reopen on March 19th!
TORONTO, CANADA — It’s been a long two months for fans of the Bloor Cinema in Toronto. At long last, it’s set to reopen officially on March 19, 2004.
The Bloor was closed after a piece of the ceiling fell on the front rows on January 16 during a showing of the documentary, The Corporation.
For further information about the reopening, check the Bloor’s website at http://www.bloorcinema.com/.
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Danforth Music Hall Now Closed?
TORONTO, CANADA — Yet another historic cinema in Toronto is closed. The Danforth Music Hall, which started life as Allen’s Danforth Theatre in 1920, has been closed since the third week of February.
Since 1998 the Music Hall has been a member of the Festival Cinemas chain, showing second run films mostly with the occasional concert or play thrown into the schedule. It is the last operational theatre built the Allen’s chain. All its sister theatres have been either demolished or converted into other uses.
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Seeking Info on the Capitol Theatre in Welland Ontario
I am doing research on the old Capitol theatre in Welland Ontario.
My father was a relief projectionist in 1965. I still have vivid memories of the booth as a twelve year old child. It was my job to start the motor generator set and the old amplifier first by turning on the filaments and then the plate switch. The recifier tubes used to glow blue. The machines were Super Simplex and their was a small snail horn above machine number two.
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March 10, 2004
Today’s Newsreel
easyCinema’s founder joins the fight to save the Coronet Cinema, one man reflects on his 50 years at the movies, and the New York Times examines how historic theaters are adapting to the 21st century — all in today’s newsreel.
- City of Oshkosh-owned theater fights for survival
- Astoria, Ore., Transforms Itself
- Orpheum sign awaits repairs after theft, glitch
- Man Claims Illness From Popcorn Flavoring
- Landmark Theaters Find Roles in 21st Century
- It’s showtime for Warner Theatre’s new manager
- The resounding echo of deco
- The golden age of cinema
- Loan to help buy, renovate theater
- Airline Tycoon Protests Feared Closure of Cinema in London’s Notting Hill Area
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March 9, 2004
Royal Opera House Demolition Forges Ahead
SCARBOROUGH, ENGLAND — Ian Grundy, our intrepid UK Cinema Treasures volunteer, writes in with this update about the Royal Opera House. ()
“The demolition of the Royal Opera House, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire continues. Used mainly as a cinema from 1976 to 1996 when it closed and was willfully neglected, it is proving quite a strong construction to dismantle. As one member of the demolition team put it: ‘The roof was f***ed, but basically the building is very sound.’
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Odeon Cinemas Up For Grabs
LONDON, ENGLAND — Nigel and Terry Green of Entertainment Group are angling to buy a controlling interest in Odeon Cinemas, according to a recent report in the Evening Standard. The chain is reportedly for sale for less than the current owner’s original purchase price.
More information can also be found in the Telegraph.
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Coming to a Screen Near You: Cinema Treasures — The Video Game?!?
On a much lighter note, Cinema Treasures volunteer Sean Doerr has figured out how to combine his love for classic movie theaters and his love for videogames into a single passion — Sean has created his very own movie theater mod for the ‘Tribes’ videogame.
That’s right! Using tools that let players customize the video game environment with their own buildings and level maps, Sean has created a virtual replica of the Strand Theatre. As you can see in the screenshots below, the theater, albeit boxy and a bit drab, has a marquee and a nice vertical blade sign. There’s even a concession stand!
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March 8, 2004
Resurgent Cineplex Eyeing AMC Forum 22 Theaters
MONTREAL, CANADA — Cineplex Galaxy Theatres LP (formerly Cineplex Odeon), owner of several Montreal area cinema complexes, plans to open a 16-screen theater and is eyeing the AMC 22 theaters at the Pepsi Forum (formerly the NHL home of the Montreal Canadiens), according to this report in the Montreal Gazette.
Cineplex is also lowering ticket prices at the flagship Latin Quarter theatre complex. Starting Friday, full-price tickets will drop $2 to $9.50 and tickets for midweek shows, children, and seniors will be a flat $7.50. Prices at the Cote des Neiges theatre will drop $1.76 to $5.74.