BALTIMORE, MD — A piece in the Baltimore City Paper looks at the heyday of the Apex Theatre and how its coping with the current economy.

Behind the Plexiglas at the Apex’s entrance, DVDs, snacks, and sodas are for sale. The cashier estimates that, on average, five customers an hour pay $10 to pass through the theater’s turnstile. Asked when to visit should one be looking for a crowd, he thinks for a second, takes a sip from his paper cup, and says: “About 1965.”

It’s a funny answer. But for the Apex’s owners, it points to an obvious problem: In today’s smut economy, they may as well be wearing powdered wigs and writing with quills. Porn consumers for decades now have been easily getting off in the privacy of their own homes, thanks to the boom of home-video technology in the 1980s and, more recently, the ubiquity of cheap, or even free, porn on the internet.

This is a website that has 32 pics of mostly former movie theaters from Buffalo, NY. The website is here. Enjoy!

The latest winner of the THS Outstanding Theater Book of the Year award is Brian Leahy Doyle for his book “Encore: The Renaissance of Wisconsin Opera Houses.”

Read more about it Boswell and Books.

EVERETT, WA — When Everett’s Puget Park Drive-In closed for the season in September 2009, patrons had no idea that the triple bill “9,” “The Proposal” and “District 9” would be the final films to flicker on the 50’x 100’ screen.

Owner Sterling Realty Organization has made an agreement with Swedish Health Services of Seattle to open a $30 million stand-alone emergency room on the drive-in property.

The three-story building is expected to be constructed near the spot where the theater’s red-and-blue snack bar now sits. Construction could begin as early as next month.

The drive-in was a throwback, and for many customers that was part of its charm.

More can be read in the Daily Herald.

BOULDER, CO —  You will not find popcorn right now at the Flatirons Theater’s concession stand, but the ice-cream will give you a buzz if you have a prescription for it; just have it checked at the box office. The theater has become Medicine on the Hill, a cannabis dispensary legalized under Colorado’s recently passed Amendment 20.

Sicard, 38, opened the medical-marijuana dispensary inside the aging theater in October after spending months learning about Amendment 20, the 2000 ballot measure that changed Colorado’s Constitution to allow the medical use of the drug.

Sicard jumped on board the now-booming industry and found a home in one of University Hill’s most visible locations at 13th Street and College Avenue.

“It looked like an Amsterdam coffee shop,” Sicard said of the interior lobby. “I went, ‘Perfect, I’ll take it."

Read more in the Daily Camera.

OAK GROVE, LA — Movie going in Northeast Louisiana just got a little bit better as the Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, the oldest operating movie theatre in the region, announced the addition of DTS Digital Surround Sound that will be in operation for this weekend’s showing of Sherlock Holmes.

“DTS Digital Sound is the biggest innovation in the motion picture industry since movies learned to talk with the Jazz Singer in 1928.” Fiske Theatre Director Adam Holland said. “We are very excited for our patrons to be able to enjoy the quality of sound that this system will provide. No other theatre within 60 miles of us will be able to match the quality of sound that we will have.”

The system which features 16 speakers, a DTS unit and a processor were donated to the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce by Gary Moore of Premier Cinemas located in Big Spring, Texas.  Moore began his career in a small single screen theatre in his hometown and was featured in an issue of the International Film Journal last year, as well as being awarded the Exhibitor of the Year Award from the Tri-State Theatre Association in 2009, which the Fiske is a member. The donation was facilitated by Larry Delaney Premier’s Director of Building and Technical Services.

“We are very grateful for the donation from Mr. Moore,” Holland said. “It is our goal to continue the legacy of our founder the late Donald B. Fiske by providing the best movie going experience possible to our patrons, and this addition helps return us to his standards of excellence in cinema presentation.”

Read more…

HOOPESTON, IL — CineMajestic LLC, the region’s leader for State-of-the-Art sound, lowest prices, and the most spacious and comfortable theatres continues its celebration of classic film at the Historic Lorraine Cinema with “The Wizard of Oz”, starring Judy Garland on Friday April 16th through Monday April 19th.

“We had such a great response to Gone With the Wind in October, and I’d say every third person asked for The Wizard of Oz, so here it is, and remastered for our elite Sound system.” stated Joshua Caudle, owner of the Historic Lorraine Cinema.

The Lorraine Cinema was originally opened as a live house in 1922 and features a full balcony, newly expanded stage for live events, and classic historic artwork throughout. Last year, all new seating was installed with an industry leading five foot wide spacing between rows of seats to maximize comfort and eliminate any visual obstruction for films.

Read more…

STAMFORD, CT — Outreach to Pets In Need

April 22, 2010
Fundraiser to Benefit Stamford Animal Care & Control

In addition to its creative programming and special guest events, the Avon Theatre Film Center also lends a helping hand to the community. Thank you!

Enter for a chance to win and be featured on the Avon’s magnificent screen - it’s free!

Call For Entries: OPIN Pet Tail Awards Video Contest

Does your pet have what it takes to be a star? OPIN’s 1st Annual Pet Tail Awards is looking for your short videos starring your cat, dog, bird, rabbit, or whoever you share your heart with.

Read more…

BROOKLYN, NY--After years of false starts and rumors, it seems the Loews Kings is finally being rescued. The building is to be restored by Houston-based ACE Theatrical Group, for possible 2014 opening. 

A developer has signed an agreement, made a down payment on a $70 million renovation of the Kings and plans to turn it back into a functioning entertainment venue, this time presenting live performances, city officials said Tuesday.

ACE, which has worked on similar restoration projects throughout the country including the Boston Opera House, will soon begin a review and design process expected to take a couple of years. Preliminary plans call for the space to open as soon as 2014, Mr. Pinsky said. The city has committed $50 million to the project, with another $15 million coming in the form of tax credits and $5 million from the developer, which would also be responsible for any extra spending, said Mr. Pinsky.

Read full article in the New York Times.

CARBONDALE, IL — A bus operated by Southern Illinois University Student Union’s bus service, the Saluki Express, crashed into the east wall of the University Place 8 cinema on January 27. None of the passengers was injured and the driver, who may have suffered a medical emergency causing him to lose control of the vehicle, has been released from the hospital. Two screens are out of service as the damaged is being assessed.

University Place 8 reopened Wednesday and was showing movies in six of its eight auditoriums, Kerasotes employees said. Theater managers are waiting to hear the cost of the damage from a structural engineer, they said.

Officials from Beck Bus did not return multiple phone calls for comment, but James Barnes, a former driver for Saluki Express, said the company would most likely put Parker through multiple tests before allowing him to drive again.

There’s more here in the Daily Egyptian.