Did they move the projectors too? Or are they still in the original projection booth? Sounds to me like the ‘faction’ that wanted stage shows must have won out over the calmer heads that wanted movies done right. I’ve been squaking for several years that they need to fix the ceiling and do something about those “hard-as-a-rock” seats!
The acoustics there were already fine without a $90,000 sound system. Have you heard the rumbling from the new HVAC unit on the roof? When it’s running it reverberates throughout the whole auditorium. Sounds just like somebody running a Coleman generator inside the building.
It’s a pity that a nice place like this is being ruined by incompetence.
Um…where are the pictures inside the projection booth showing what projection and sound equipment you already have in place? Your “technical photos” should always include the projection booth equipment and movie speakers behind the screen.
Many times some simple upgrades or kits are all that’s needed. You may not need to shell out big bucks.
This is horrible news. Sounds like this theater will suffer the worst fate you could possibly imagine: demolition by neglect! It’s a pity that the owners are so short-sighted and greedy.
Those are the end ‘standards’ for American (American Seating Co.) model “Bodiform” seats. These were very popular in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s.
BTW, the “LEV” means the seat was designed to be installed on a level (flat) floor such as the stepped floor of a balcony. If the seat were made for a sloped for instead of a “LEV” there’d be a number which indicates the degree of floor slope.
What an excellent opportunity to restore and reopen a single screen movie theater. Check out the Chehalis Theater in Chehalis, Washington. Same vintage as your theater and I helped to restore and reopen it. It shows first run movies 365 days a year and is very successful.
The ratings system is voluntary. Always has been. A theater can choose to either use or not use the system. In my opinion the ratings system today is totally useless anyway.
There’s a pdf file about this building but it makes absolutely no mention of it’s life as the historic Avalon Theater, only it’s last life as Griswold Office Supply. Check out the link at:
The adults need a code of conduct too. Everyone should be REQUIRED to be dressed formally, leave their cells off, and be respectful.
However, the theaters should also have a code of conduct too. Tthey should not show commercials, provide a top notch presentation every single show, and keep prices down.
Most theater equipment dealers have tons of great condition used projection, sound, seating, and snack bar equipment available. Many make good package deals. One excellent company is American Cinema Equipment (www.cinequip.com) in Portland, Oregon. Be sure to telephone them, explain what you’d like to do/need, and they can quote you a nice package deal.
You’re showing videos——for shame. You need a projection booth and motion picture film projectors. Then you can legitimately book (and pay film rental) on 16mm or 35mm films.
Yes there is (rather was) a Liberty Theatre in Centralia. It was located about 4 blocks north of the Fox Theater and was also located on Tower Ave. (also on the same side of the street as the Fox. The Liberty was a huge theater. Either the same seating capacity as the Fox or just a tad bit larger. The Liberty closed in the mid 1950’s, sat vacant for a few years, then was converted into a church. That’s what it is now, a church. For years the Liberty’s projecting sign over the sidewalk was still there except that the church had removed the “Liberty Theater” neon and substituted “church” in neon on the sign. About two or three years ago, the church finally took that sign down totally. The name of the church is merely painted on the building now.
Perhaps the reason that these two theaters get confused is that Fox operated both theaters. I think I submitted photos to Cinematour of the Liberty a while back.
Why didn’t they go with professional 35mm projection equipment? Projecting home video DVD’s is copyright infringement. I hope they make it clear in their advertising that they are not projecting films, but rather they are showing videos.
Looks like a different street. Doesn’t appear to match anything on Mashelle Ave, but that street view does look like Main street. I believe that the theater shown in the 1942 photo is now a storefront.
According to the figures quoted in the article, 22 screens serving 168,000 people is more than enough screens. You need 10,000 people per screen to have a good business. Not really enough people to support all those screens. No wonder the other theaters closed.
I agree 100% Ron.
Also, the bathrooms are sorely neglected and really in need of major repairs.
Ron:
Did they move the projectors too? Or are they still in the original projection booth? Sounds to me like the ‘faction’ that wanted stage shows must have won out over the calmer heads that wanted movies done right. I’ve been squaking for several years that they need to fix the ceiling and do something about those “hard-as-a-rock” seats!
The acoustics there were already fine without a $90,000 sound system. Have you heard the rumbling from the new HVAC unit on the roof? When it’s running it reverberates throughout the whole auditorium. Sounds just like somebody running a Coleman generator inside the building.
It’s a pity that a nice place like this is being ruined by incompetence.
Um…where are the pictures inside the projection booth showing what projection and sound equipment you already have in place? Your “technical photos” should always include the projection booth equipment and movie speakers behind the screen.
Many times some simple upgrades or kits are all that’s needed. You may not need to shell out big bucks.
http://driveintheatrealliance.4t.com
I don’t think it gets any updates though.
This is horrible news. Sounds like this theater will suffer the worst fate you could possibly imagine: demolition by neglect! It’s a pity that the owners are so short-sighted and greedy.
The food is very good there.
Those are the end ‘standards’ for American (American Seating Co.) model “Bodiform” seats. These were very popular in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s.
BTW, the “LEV” means the seat was designed to be installed on a level (flat) floor such as the stepped floor of a balcony. If the seat were made for a sloped for instead of a “LEV” there’d be a number which indicates the degree of floor slope.
“Dissatisfaction with the movie-going experience”. You see…commercials are having an effect!
Screens are too narrow. Sounds like they got the dreaded 2:1 screens.
Updated leasing information as of Jan 2007:
Gramor Development LLC
John Graham
(206) 284-4066 or (206) 284-4060
www.gramorgroup.com
Theater is part of the “Lakewood Colonial Center” on Gramor’s website.
Shoot me an email and I will give you his phone number.
What an excellent opportunity to restore and reopen a single screen movie theater. Check out the Chehalis Theater in Chehalis, Washington. Same vintage as your theater and I helped to restore and reopen it. It shows first run movies 365 days a year and is very successful.
Another case of big government run amok. Why can’t government leave private businesses alone?
The ratings system is voluntary. Always has been. A theater can choose to either use or not use the system. In my opinion the ratings system today is totally useless anyway.
Bad news….all work stopped and building put up for sale.
Hodges Commercial Real Estate
626 Columbia St. NW, Suite 1-A
Olympia, Wash. 98501
Phone: (360) 943-5079
Contact: Larry Gilliam at extension # 209
www.hgdre.com
There’s a pdf file about this building but it makes absolutely no mention of it’s life as the historic Avalon Theater, only it’s last life as Griswold Office Supply. Check out the link at:
www.hgdre.com/pdf/308-310_4th_Ave.pdf
The adults need a code of conduct too. Everyone should be REQUIRED to be dressed formally, leave their cells off, and be respectful.
However, the theaters should also have a code of conduct too. Tthey should not show commercials, provide a top notch presentation every single show, and keep prices down.
That is something that a film booker or studio rep could answer.
Most theater equipment dealers have tons of great condition used projection, sound, seating, and snack bar equipment available. Many make good package deals. One excellent company is American Cinema Equipment (www.cinequip.com) in Portland, Oregon. Be sure to telephone them, explain what you’d like to do/need, and they can quote you a nice package deal.
There’s plenty of good condition used 16mm and 35mmfilm projection equipment available. Just check with your nearest theater equipment dealer.
If you show videos then you should state that in your advertising with a phrase like “shown on video” or “video presentation”.
You’re showing videos——for shame. You need a projection booth and motion picture film projectors. Then you can legitimately book (and pay film rental) on 16mm or 35mm films.
Yes there is (rather was) a Liberty Theatre in Centralia. It was located about 4 blocks north of the Fox Theater and was also located on Tower Ave. (also on the same side of the street as the Fox. The Liberty was a huge theater. Either the same seating capacity as the Fox or just a tad bit larger. The Liberty closed in the mid 1950’s, sat vacant for a few years, then was converted into a church. That’s what it is now, a church. For years the Liberty’s projecting sign over the sidewalk was still there except that the church had removed the “Liberty Theater” neon and substituted “church” in neon on the sign. About two or three years ago, the church finally took that sign down totally. The name of the church is merely painted on the building now.
Perhaps the reason that these two theaters get confused is that Fox operated both theaters. I think I submitted photos to Cinematour of the Liberty a while back.
Why didn’t they go with professional 35mm projection equipment? Projecting home video DVD’s is copyright infringement. I hope they make it clear in their advertising that they are not projecting films, but rather they are showing videos.
Looks like a different street. Doesn’t appear to match anything on Mashelle Ave, but that street view does look like Main street. I believe that the theater shown in the 1942 photo is now a storefront.
According to the figures quoted in the article, 22 screens serving 168,000 people is more than enough screens. You need 10,000 people per screen to have a good business. Not really enough people to support all those screens. No wonder the other theaters closed.