The latest movie theater news and updates

  • February 24, 2003
    Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    Belatedly, City Begins Safety Work at the Modern Theatre
    BOSTON, MA — Read the Boston Globe article

    Preservation Alert Fans Fight to Save Historic Berkeley Cinema
    BERKELEY, CA — Read the Oakland Tribune news

    Lamar Theater Revival Project Going Strong
    LAMAR, NV — Read the Nevada Daily Mail story

    Thanks to Gregg Anderson for the news…

    Boxing Night at the Wilma
    MISSOULA, MT — Read the Missoula Independent story

    Thanks to Charles Everett for this story.

    Officials Hoping Theatre Can Stage a Comeback
    BUTLER, PA — Read the Tribune Review article

    Historic ‘Gems’ to be Featured in Presentation
    SHAWNEE, OK — Read the Shawnee News-Star story

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  • February 21, 2003
    Today's Newsreel

    Today’s (Enormous) Newsreel

    Theater Faces Tough Sledding
    IRONWOOD, MI — Read the Daily Globe story

    Celebrate the 75th Anniversary Of the Redford Theatre Tonight
    DETROIT, MI — Read the Press Release on Yahoo!

    A Decade-Plus of Work May Put New Spotlight on Lincoln Theatre
    MARION, VA — Read the Roanoke Times story

    Preservation Alert Lindenhurst Theatre Preservation In Jeopardy
    LINDENHURST, NY — Read the troubling South Bay News article

    If you are from the area, we urge those who want to save this theater to start a rival petition and lobby for its preservation.

    1920s-Era Granada Theatre Will Get a $17-Million Restoration
    SANTA BARBARA, CA — Read the Los Angeles Times story

    Fundraising Continues for the Elkader Cinema Project
    ELKADER, IA — Read two stories from the Clayton County Register
    Article #1
    Article #2

    National Designation Being Sought for Capitan Theater
    PASADENA, TX — Read the Pasadena Citizen article

    Theater on High Ready for Opening Act/Fox Venice Theater Memories
    MOORPARK, CA — Read the Ventura County Star article

    The Pipes, the Pipes are Calling
    SACRAMENTO, CA — Read the Sacramento Bee story

    CINERAMA FEST IN SEATTLE!!!
    SEATTLE, WA — Read the Seattle Post-Intelligencer article
    Visit the official Seattle Cinerama website for tickets and more info

    Drive-In Movie Theater Planned for Galva
    GALVA, IL — Read the Register-Mail story

    Dickinson Theaters To Donate Fox Theater
    HAYS, KS — Read the Salina Journal news

    Thanks to Joel Weide for the update!

    Zero Hour is at Hand
    PLATTSBURGH, NY — Read the Press Republican editorial

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  • February 20, 2003
    Theaters

    UPDATE ON THE VILLA

    SALT LAKE CITY, UT — We’ve received a number of emails over the past 24 hours about the Villa and we are very excited to bring you some good news:

    This came in from Grant Smith last night:

    According to a news story on Fox 13 on 19 February 2003, Harmons, a local grocery store chain, bought the Villa Theatre in order to block a possible purchase by Wal-Mart, which may have wanted to demolish the theater and build a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market.

    Harmons currently operates a grocery store at the Brickyard Plaza, very near the Villa property, and has expressed a desire to work with the Utah Heritage Foundation on possible reuse plans for the theater. Apparently Harmons offered to let Carmike Cinemas continue to operate the Villa, but Carmike declined and closed the theater.

    Reid Sondrup adds that KSL also ran that story and adds:

    … the Harmon group purchased it as an investment and is open to discussion of future use of the property. Kirk Huffaker of the Utah Heritage Foundation will discuss any part the Villa might play in future development. It was stated that demolition is not imminent.

    Sean Means, who has been covering the developments for the Salt Lake Tribune published this story today:
    Salt Lake Tribune article

    And finally, Kirk Huffaker, Assistant Director of the Utah Heritage Foundation, released this statement via email yesterday:

    I am pleased to report the following information obtained and confirmed today. You may see it in various news reports also.

    The new owner of the property, which we believe was recorded today, is the corporation that owns Harmon’s grocery stores. They bought the property as an investment property. The new owner offered Carmike Cinemas the opportunity to continue to operate the theater but they declined.

    The theater is not in immediate danger of being demolished by the new owner. In our conversation today, they have expressed willingness to discuss possibilities for the theater with Utah Heritage Foundation.

    Thank you to all our supporters near and far for their lobbying and rallying efforts.

    We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this effort in getting the word out about the Villa and its closure. Special thanks go to Grant Smith, Reid Sondrup, Howard Haas, Bryan Krefft, Sean Means, and everyone else who notified us about these developments.

    Of course, a special thanks goes to the Utah Heritage Foundation and, of course, Harmon’s Grocery Stores. Let’s hope this has a happy ending.

    (See below for more of today’s news and events.)

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  • Theaters

    News and Events

    Uptown Theatre and Center for the Arts to Hold Benefit Gala
    CHICAGO, IL — This just in from the UTCA:

    The Uptown Theatre and Center for the Arts (UTCA) is pleased to announce “Bring Back the Brilliance,” a gala benefit, Friday, March 21, at 7 pm at Thorne Auditorium. Proceeds from the event will support programming and operational expenses during the year.

    For more information, visit the UTCA website and go to ‘events’.

    See “Glory” at the Lafayette Theatre This Weekend!
    SUFFERN, NY — “Glory” (1989), the civil war epic starring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, will be shown this Saturday, February 22nd, at 12 noon at the Lafayette Theatre as part of the Big Screen Classics series. Tickets are $6.00.

    Doors open at 11:30 with Jeff Barker playing the Ben Hall Memorial Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ before the film starts!

    For more information, visit the Big Screen Classics website.

    Thanks to Pete Apruzzese of Galaxy Theatres for the update!

    Help Wanted at the St. George Theatre
    STATEN ISLAND, NY — With renovations continuing at the St. George Theatre, Stephanie Gilmore, who is helping to restore the 75-year-old, 2,800 seat movie palace, is looking for photos and blueprints. Gilmore is looking for interior and exterior images to enable workers to more accurately and quickly restore the St. George.

    More information on the theater
    Email Stephanie Gilmore at

    Thanks to Jean Siegel for the continued St. George Theatre updates!

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  • February 19, 2003
    Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    Pre-Movie Ads Rip Off Theatergoers, Suits Claim

    Read the Chicago Sun-Times article

    Theater’s Silver Screen Gives Way to Live Stage
    MOREHEAD CITY, NC — Read the Jacksonville Daily News article

    Lawsuit Could Impact Closure of Loews Century Plaza
    LOS ANGELES, CA — Read the Los Angeles Independent story

    New Owner of the Crest Pulling Out All Stops to Pack the House
    LOS ANGELES, CA — Read the Los Angeles Independent coverage

    Meyer Theatre Opening ‘Poetic'
    GREEN BAY, WI — Read the Green Bay News-Chronicle article

    ‘Gods and Generals’ Premiere Nets $94K for Theaters
    JACKSON, MI — Read the Jackson Citizen-Patriot story

    Theater Owner Says Letters Led to Closing
    CHAMPAIGN, IL — Read the News-Gazette article

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  • February 18, 2003
    Theaters

    More Villa Theater News

    For more information on the closing of the historic Salt Lake City movie house, please see Grant Smith’s Villa Theater site, which contains a number of new stories.

    Over the weekend a protest was held to save the theater and efforts are underway to try and convince the new owner to save the Villa.

    Visit the Villa Theatre news section

    Thank you to Grant Smith for keeping up the vigil.

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  • Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    Children’s Museum to Move Into Grand Theatre
    HOLLAND, MI — Read the Holland Sentinel story

    Strand Could Be Ready By Fall
    PONTIAC, MI — Read the Oakland Press article

    Thanks to Bryan Krefft for these two stories!

    Buy A Seat For The State
    MODESTO, CA — Read the Modesto Bee article

    Thanks to Gregg Anderson for the news.

    Potential Buyer Puts Fox Theater Center Stage
    FULLERTON, CA — Read the Orange County Register article

    Thanks to Ron Pierce for the update.

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  • February 17, 2003
    Theaters

    Closed For President’s Day

    Cinema Treasures is closed for the American President’s Day holiday, but we’ll return tomorrow with more movie theater news.

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  • February 14, 2003
    Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    Prytania Operator Eludes Eviction
    NEW ORLEANS, LA — Read the Times-Picayne article

    Indigo, Theater Dispute Puts Downtown Revival at Risk
    HONOLULU, HI — Read the Honolulu Advertiser article

    Sky Hi Theatres To Update
    GILETTE, WY — Read the Gillette News Record article

    Peshawar Cinemas Screening World Cup to Bring Back the Crowds

    Read the Daily Times article

    Students, Trades Group to Work at Capitol
    CHAMBERSBURG, PA — Read the Gazette News article

    Historic Preservation Tax Credits Threatened by Ehrlich, Legislators
    BALTIMORE, MD — Read the Baltimore Sun story

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  • February 13, 2003
    Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    Lots of Chicago-area news:

    Preservation Alert Elgin Activists Make Last-Minute Plea to Save Theater
    ELGIN, IL —– Read the Daily Herald article

    Thanks to Bryan Krefft for the alert.

    Catlow Theater Negotiations Moving Along
    BARRINGTON, IL — Read the Daily Herald article

    Chicago Loews Theater Becomes Equinox Fitness Club
    CHICAGO, IL — Read the Crain’s Chicago Business story

    Was Peafowl Popular Neighborhood Theater in Cinema’s Early Days?
    NASHVILLE, TN —

    Read the Tennessean story

    Proctor’s To Announce Renovations
    SCHENECTADY, NY — Read the Capital News 9 story

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