The latest movie theater news and updates
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February 12, 2003
More On The Imminent Closure of the Villa Theatre
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News have confirmed KSL-TV’s story of the imminent demise of the 54-year-old Villa Theatre.
We’d like to implore the new owners of the Villa to consider preserving this theater, wholly or at least its signature facade, marquee, and sign, for the city of Salt Lake. Preserving cultural landmarks is a tremendous goodwill gesture and a hallmark of community service.
The Villa, which has delighted area audiences for over five decades, is a part of the city. Please make it part of the city’s future as well.
Read the Salt Lake Tribune story
Thanks to Grant Smith and Bryan Krefft for the updates.
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February 11, 2003
Villa Sold; May Be Demolished
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — This shocking and sad news is just in from Grant Smith, our dedicated Utah theaters expert and volunteer:
The Villa Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah will close after showings on February 18th, according to a news story on KSL last night. The theater has been sold and the new owner will not continue to operate the building as a theater. No one knows at this point who the buyer is or what fate awaits the building, but the news story indicated that the theater might be demolished.
For more information on the closing of the Villa, please visit Grant Smith’s incredible website.
Grant is interviewed extensively in the KSL broadcast that all but confirms the imminent demolition of this 1949 movie house, which still has one of the largest screens in America.
As you may recall, Cinema Treasures worked with USA Today in late 2001 to publish a list of the 10 greatest classic cinemas to watch movies in. The Villa was certainly one of those. Its loss would be immeasurable.
If you were outraged over the loss of the Indian Hills Theater, then contact the Utah Heritage Foundation and these organizations immediately, courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Thanks to Stephen Ruffus who also alerted us to the Villa story.
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Today’s Newsreel
Theater Renovators Must Balance Comfort, Utility, Cost at Old Palace
ALBANY, NY — Read the Business Review story
Movie Palace Turns 75
ENCINITAS, CA — Read the North County Times tribute
Montauk Theatre Continues Fight to Reopen
PASSAIC, NJ — Read the Herald News articleThanks to Bryan Krefft for the update.
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February 10, 2003
Raymond Theatre Battle Goes To Court Tomorrow
PASADENA, CA — The Friends of the Raymond Theatre will appear in court tomorrow in an attempt to block the Raymond’s owners from gutting the old movie house and converting it into apartments and commercial space.
This was just sent in from Gina Zamparelli:
Our long-awaited court date is this Tuesday, February 11th. We hope you will consider attending. We need to show the Judge just how many people support this project. So please see if you can make an exception, rearrange your day and spend an hour with us to lend your support.
PLEASE ATTEND OUR COURT DATE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:
Where: Los Angeles Superior Court
Address: 111 N. Hill Street
8th Floor
Room 834
Time: 9:30 am
Judge: Dzintra Janavs
Parking: Public parking is available near the courthouse. -
Today’s Newsreel
(Movie) Theater Survival Skills
SACRAMENTO, CA — Read the Sacramento Bee story
Bill Cosby Raises Money For Tennessee Theatre Restoration/Renovation
KNOXVILLE, TN — Read the Knoxville News article
Wabash Theater Plays Big Part in Southern Illinois Town’s Identity
GRAYVILLE, IL — Read the Evansville Courier & Press storyThanks to Bryan Kreft for the news!
The Movie Man’s Last Stand
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Read the Times-Picayne tear-jerker
San Francisco International Film Festival at Roxie and Castro Theaters
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — View the Mercury News schedule -
February 7, 2003
Today’s Newsreel
Hundreds Sign Petition to Save Historic Capital Cinema
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — Read the Edinburgh News report
Sutter Theatre May Have a Lively Future
YUBA CITY, CA — Read the Appeal Democrat article
Appraisal Would Get Ball Rolling On Performing Arts Center
AUBURN, CA — Read the Auburn Journal
Bids Flood In For Playhouse
BEVERLEY, ENGLAND — Read the Hull Daily Mail
Rev. Schuller Landmark May Fall
ORANGE, CA — Read the Orange County RegisterThanks to Ron Pierce for the news.
Former Stadium Theatre Foundation Head Gets New Office
WOONSOCKET, RI — Read the Woonsocket Call -
February 6, 2003
Today’s Newsreel
Romancing the Ritz to Return
SHAWNEE, OK — Read the News-Star article
Stars Come Out at Bardavon
POUGHKEEPISE, NY — Read the Poughkeepsie Journal article
Maybe Now the Empress is Ready for her Closeup
VALLEJO, CA — Read the Benicia News story
John Santikos, The King of San Antonio Cinema
SAN ANTONIO, TX — Read the San Antonio Current piece
New Stiefel Theatre Director Expected Soon
SALINA, KS — Read the Salina Journal story
Movie Theater Could be Open to community
YEADON, PA — Read the News of Delaware Country story
Investors Sue to Put Club in Old Theater
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Read the Times-Picayne article -
February 5, 2003
Today’s Newsreel
Flicks to Roll Again at Skowhegan Cinema
SKOWHEGAN, ME — Read the Kennebec Journal article
Alhambra Theater May Face Auctioneer
RIVERS BEND, IN — Read the Courier & Press story
3 Articles/Letters About the Byrd Theatre
RICHMOND, VA — “Saturday Night Delight,” article in Free Lance-Star
“Byrd Theater was a treasure ‘back in the day’,” letter to the Free Lance-Star
“Richmond Appeals to Young Crowd,” Daily Tar Heel article
City Plan to Remove Parking Meters Could Help Grand Lake
OAKLAND, CA — Read the Alameda Times-Star article
Hollywood Tries Face-Lift to Rehabilitate Itself
HOLLYWOOD, CA — Read the USA Today article
Hershey Theatre Screens a Classic Romance
HERSHEY, PA — Read the Lebanon Daily News story
Pieces of Facade of Demolished Fox/Music Hall Theatre On Auction
SEATTLE, WA/SAN DIEGO, CA — View/Bid on the eBay auction -
February 4, 2003
Today’s Newsreel
Regal Profit Up, Buying Half of Hoyts Theaters
LOS ANGELES, CA — Read the iWon/Reuters article
Buyer of Theater Gets More Time
COVALLIS, OR —Read the Gazette-Times article
Clash of the Movie Titans
MONTREAL, QUE., CANADA — Read the Toronto Star article
Granddaughter of Silent Film Star to Visit Oriental
MILWAUKEE, WI — Read the OnMilwaukee.com story
Meyer Theatre Complete Again
GREEN BAY, WI — Read the News Chronicle story
Local Seeks to Preserve Downtown Theater
OAKLAND, CA — Read the Daily Californian piece
Fox Theater Restoration Inches Forward; Landmark Needs $60 Million More for Completion
OAKLAND, CA — Read the San Francisco Chronicle article -
February 3, 2003
Photos Wanted of St. George Theatre
This has been sent in from Jean Siegel who is working on the restoration of the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, NY:
We are asking the public to email Ms. Stephanie Gilmore at if they have any photos of the St. George Theatre available.
The theater needs those who may have outside photos or inside photos. These photos will enable the volunteers to do research with regard to the theater’s restoration.
We are located on the North shore of Staten Island at:
31 Hyatt Street
Staten Island, N.Y. 10301