Those are all great theaters, but, as previously mentioned, we did not want to duplicate our previous list for USA Today. As you can see, we profiled both the Roxy Theatre in Northampton and the Senator Theatre in Baltimore in our first USA Today list:
Thanks for your comments about the Cinema Treasures website.
Here’s the basic reality of this site: there are now over 8,300 theaters as of January 18, 2005. Mistakes do happen, unfortunately, as we have submissions from hundreds, if not thousands, of contributors, but we do our very best to update these listings and/or correct any errors.
Each new theater added means a new theater’s description to maintain. As you can imagine, we get a lot of information in the comment sections and via email all day, every day. Those increased theaters add exponentially to the workload of updating everything, unfortunately.
Thanks to Bryan Krefft, our truly dedicated theater editor, we update these listings as best we can. Bryan does an amazing job as a volunteer.
Remember that the website is now over 4 years old so some descriptions are also anywhere from 1 – 4 years old. Sometimes, they have not been updated since their original submission if no updates were submitted or no news was sent in.
We do not wish to “hurt the cause” of preservation, nor do I think we are. Instead, we are trying to give managers, patrons, owners, and enthusiasts a forum to discuss the classic movie theaters of the past and present.
We will continue to work harder to make sure that the site is as accurate as possible and we ask for your patience and understanding. It is worth noting that this is a not-for-profit website supported entirely by volunteers.
Thank you for your comments and please do not hesitate to email me at if you would like to discuss this further or speak with me about any other issues.
It is always a pleasure to hear from our users/contributors and we hope to make the site even better in the years to come.
gmiller — as you can see below: “Note: Cinema Treasures is not affiliated with Paramount Toronto.” If you want to reach the theater, you should email them directly. Thanks.
For the record, Cinema Treasures harbors no “ill will” towards the Theatre Historical Society of America whatsoever and heartily suggests any researcher, historian, or enthusiast contact them for any projects, etc.
By the way, another tremendous resource is the B'hend and Kaufmann collection at the Margaret Herrick Library (part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) in Beverly Hills.
Actually, Astyanaax, anyone can post on this page at anytime (within our terms of use agreeement — no profanity, etc.). Just because someone has posted to this page does not give them dominion over it.
While we appreciate your contributions very much, please remember that this site is a tool for all of us to use, not just a theater’s initial contributor. If you or anyone has any questions about our policy, please email me. Thanks. :)
I went to a preview screening of “The Shawshank Redemption” here in 1994. The theater wasn’t that memorable, of course, but I never forgot where I saw that film for the first time.
Jim, the show is two hours long so a transcript would take hours upon hours to compile. To get the link above to work, you might need to reinstall Windows Media Player. The archived version of the show should work, though, if the live feed does not. Hope that helps. :)
According to Worldcat, there are 20 copies of this book in libraries around the US, including copies at Columbia University, Tufts University, and at many libraries in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area.
This is one of New York’s best kept secrets. If you live in the New York City area and haven’t been to the Lafayette yet, you’re really missing something.
According to their website, “The Santa Fe Springs Drive-in reopens for two big nights! On Monday, September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th, we are proud to announce HULK, starring Eric Bana and BRUCE ALMIGHTY starring Jim Carey will both be showing on our giant movie screen. HULK will show once at 7:30 pm and BRUCE ALMIGHTY will show once at 10:00 pm. The box office will open at 7:00 pm. Admission is just $5.00 per car. An AM radio is required to hear the sound.”
(I actually once had my car vandalized by spraypaint and it’s no fun, believe me.)
I think the truth of the matter lies in the middle. There are many who consider graffiti art, but I personally don’t like seeing it on any theaters (unless it’s a sanctioned mural, etc.).
Hi Bernie,
Those are all great theaters, but, as previously mentioned, we did not want to duplicate our previous list for USA Today. As you can see, we profiled both the Roxy Theatre in Northampton and the Senator Theatre in Baltimore in our first USA Today list:
USA Today — “10 Great Places to See a Classic Cinema”
The Senator also made it into a recent list we put together for Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine.
We were very grateful to get the opportunity to do another list and felt a responsibility to highlight a new batch of theaters.
The Byrd in Richmond, VA and the Keith-Albee in Huntington, VA are prime candidates for the next list — as is the Union County Arts Center.
I’m sure you can imagine how hard it is to pick ten out of hundreds of theaters for the task!
Thanks for your comment — we will definitely keep the Byrd et al. in mind for the next one. :)
Best,
Ross Melnick
Cinema Treasures
Yes, the Oriental is indeed a wonderful place and we were very happy to able to include it in Newsweek and Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine.
We tried to find (almost) all new theaters that differed from previous lists we have put together in the past this time around.
Thanks to Nelson and Pete at the Lafayette (and the other theaters on the list) for operating true “Cinema Treasures.”
To everyone else, hope you have a safe, happy and warm weekend. :)
Ross Melnick
Cinema Treasures
Paul et al.,
Thanks for your comments about the Cinema Treasures website.
Here’s the basic reality of this site: there are now over 8,300 theaters as of January 18, 2005. Mistakes do happen, unfortunately, as we have submissions from hundreds, if not thousands, of contributors, but we do our very best to update these listings and/or correct any errors.
Each new theater added means a new theater’s description to maintain. As you can imagine, we get a lot of information in the comment sections and via email all day, every day. Those increased theaters add exponentially to the workload of updating everything, unfortunately.
Thanks to Bryan Krefft, our truly dedicated theater editor, we update these listings as best we can. Bryan does an amazing job as a volunteer.
Remember that the website is now over 4 years old so some descriptions are also anywhere from 1 – 4 years old. Sometimes, they have not been updated since their original submission if no updates were submitted or no news was sent in.
We do not wish to “hurt the cause” of preservation, nor do I think we are. Instead, we are trying to give managers, patrons, owners, and enthusiasts a forum to discuss the classic movie theaters of the past and present.
We will continue to work harder to make sure that the site is as accurate as possible and we ask for your patience and understanding. It is worth noting that this is a not-for-profit website supported entirely by volunteers.
Thank you for your comments and please do not hesitate to email me at if you would like to discuss this further or speak with me about any other issues.
It is always a pleasure to hear from our users/contributors and we hope to make the site even better in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Ross Melnick
Cinema Treasures, Co-Founder
Hi Jim,
If you type in “Kon-Tiki” in the search field and search previous names, it will come up. The “–” is needed. Sorry about that.
The headline has been fixed accordingly. :)
Ross
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your note — it’s much appreciated. :)
The Loews Salem Avenue Cinemas (its last moniker) lists the Kon-Tiki Theatre, Kon-Tiki Cinemas 1-2-3, and Salem Avenue Cinemas as its previous names.
Thanks again! :)
THSA is probably your best bet, but you may also want to contact the Brooklyn Public Library and the Brooklyn Historical Society.
In today’s New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/commentary/37682.htm
gmiller — as you can see below: “Note: Cinema Treasures is not affiliated with Paramount Toronto.” If you want to reach the theater, you should email them directly. Thanks.
Happy Holidays everyone. :)
For the record, Cinema Treasures harbors no “ill will” towards the Theatre Historical Society of America whatsoever and heartily suggests any researcher, historian, or enthusiast contact them for any projects, etc.
By the way, another tremendous resource is the B'hend and Kaufmann collection at the Margaret Herrick Library (part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) in Beverly Hills.
Actually, Astyanaax, anyone can post on this page at anytime (within our terms of use agreeement — no profanity, etc.). Just because someone has posted to this page does not give them dominion over it.
While we appreciate your contributions very much, please remember that this site is a tool for all of us to use, not just a theater’s initial contributor. If you or anyone has any questions about our policy, please email me. Thanks. :)
Now back to the show…
I went to a preview screening of “The Shawshank Redemption” here in 1994. The theater wasn’t that memorable, of course, but I never forgot where I saw that film for the first time.
Thanks for the update Robb — I have a lot of memories there. :)
The IFC Center is scheduled to open in either late 2004 or early 2005. It will contain three screens and be a center for independent film exhibition.
Jim, the show is two hours long so a transcript would take hours upon hours to compile. To get the link above to work, you might need to reinstall Windows Media Player. The archived version of the show should work, though, if the live feed does not. Hope that helps. :)
According to Worldcat, there are 20 copies of this book in libraries around the US, including copies at Columbia University, Tufts University, and at many libraries in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area.
And one more article from the Mercury News…
This is one of New York’s best kept secrets. If you live in the New York City area and haven’t been to the Lafayette yet, you’re really missing something.
Here’s a terrific article about the restoration efforts, published by Metro.
It’s been fixed — thanks Charles.
According to their website, “The Santa Fe Springs Drive-in reopens for two big nights! On Monday, September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th, we are proud to announce HULK, starring Eric Bana and BRUCE ALMIGHTY starring Jim Carey will both be showing on our giant movie screen. HULK will show once at 7:30 pm and BRUCE ALMIGHTY will show once at 10:00 pm. The box office will open at 7:00 pm. Admission is just $5.00 per car. An AM radio is required to hear the sound.”
They do have a large theater at Universal City, which also has a balcony. I saw the premiere of “Fierce Creatures” there several years ago.
josem, any chance the new apartment building will contain underground public parking for theatergoers?
Here’s an updated link to those photos Kaas mentioned above:
http://mnpreservation.org/endangered2003/
(I actually once had my car vandalized by spraypaint and it’s no fun, believe me.)
I think the truth of the matter lies in the middle. There are many who consider graffiti art, but I personally don’t like seeing it on any theaters (unless it’s a sanctioned mural, etc.).