OSKALOOSA, IA — Des Moines-based Fridley Theaters is reducing the number of theaters it currently operates. It has found a new owner for its Penn Centre Theatre in Oskaloosa and is looking to sell theaters in other Iowa towns.

However, Fridley Theatres is leaving Oskaloosa as of Oct. 30, according to Patti Ryan, Penn Central Mall manager. Fridley Theatres have operated out of the Penn Centre Theater since the mid-1990s. The mall owns the Penn Centre Theatre building and was leasing the property to Fridley Theatres.

Ryan said an individual will own and manage a movie theater business out of that building. She added, this individual will be an Oskaloosa resident, which Ryan called a good thing. The individual’s identity remained unreleased at press time.

Read more in the Oskaloosa Herald.

KANSAS CITY, MO — When the former Crown Center 6 closed two years ago, the space occupied by four of its former screening rooms was converted into a live theater venue. The remaining two screens will be re-opening soon as the Screenland Crown Center. The cinema will operate from Thursday through Sunday most of the time and feature independent, foreign, and documentary films.

That programming should distinguish it from the more commercial fare shown at AMC’s Mainstreet in the nearby Power & Light District.

“Our intent was to find an operator who would fit more into our entertainment strategy, something outside first-run, big-studio pictures,” said Rick Brown of Crown Center Redevelopment.

More details at the Kansas City Star.

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of “The Tonight Show” with Conan O Brien!

Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Even though the flashing marquee could cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that’s right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you’re sitting in your comfortable seats, don’t forget to look up and watch the stars, just don’t let them distract you.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale. Property has been just approved as a Historical monument and approved for The Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program which allows for the property tax reduction down to $17,500.00+/- per year.

Read more…

Techinicolor has announced a new 3D-on-film solution that it claims is an improvement over previous over/under 3D film prints. While acknowledging that the future probably lies with digital 3D projection, the process is intended to increase the number of screens that can show 3D productions by providing an alternative to digital, at least on an interim basis, Seven studios have indicated interest already.

The system aims to address the shortage of digital 3D screens by using conventional celluloid film prints capable of 3D imaging.

No exhibitors have yet announced they will install the system, but Ahmad Ouri, Technicolor’s president of strategy, technology and marketing, said he expects to announce the first deployment deals for Technicolor 3D at ShowEast next week.

Read more in Variety.

SEATTLE, WA — A recent article in the online Seattle P-I notes that while the internet has been used to promote the success of low budget films such as “Paranormal Activity” and the “The Blair Witch Project,” those of us “of a certain age” fondly recall how schlockmeister William Castle used memorable “promotional innovations” as effectively to create buzz around movies such as “House on Haunted Hill” and “The Tingler”. Many will recall the theaters - many, if not most, themselves now just memories - where we experienced “Emergo,” “Percepto,” and “Illusion-0” 

William Castle didn’t just produce scary movies, he PRODUCED scary movies. To him, filming the movie was one thing, but marketing it was quite another. His promotional innovations (or “gimmicks” for you less romantic souls) earned him the title “The Schlockmeister” and he reveled in his reputation. Like a carnie barker, Castle would appear in a filmed segment before the start of each of his movies to hype the special “icing” associated with that particular film.

Read the whole article at Seattle Pi.

SEATTLE, WA — Silent movies will be screened at Seattle’s Paramount Theater on three successive Mondays in November, including the 1916 version of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” on 11/2,"The Adventures of Prince Achmed,"a 1926 film from Germany, claimed to be the oldest surviving feature length animated film on 11/9, and, on 11/16, the 1925 version of “The Lost World.” Jim Riggs will be playing the theater’s mighty Wurlitzer at all performances.

More details here: STG Presents

CHILLICOTHE, IL — The local Optimist Club has purchased the twin-screen Town Theater which opened in 1920 as the Sunset. Consistent with its mission as a service club dedicated to the youth of the community, the organization will show films that appeal to children and teens.

If all goes according to plan, the Optimists will close on the property at 1029 Second St. in Chillicothe’s downtown before the end of November. The service agency has agreed with the current owner of the Town Theater, Vern Reynolds, to purchase the building and the business for $200,000. It will buy the property with a $20,000 down payment from the club’s account. Latta, who is a Realtor, and Jim Maloof Realty waived their fees for helping with the sale of the property.

The theater will be run as a not-for-profit, with all proceeds going to area youth groups, such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Little League sports programs.

Read more in the Journal Star.

Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty”
50th Anniversary — The Original Engagements

Commemorating the golden anniversary of the release of Walt Disney’s animated film production of “Sleeping Beauty,” I’ve put together a list of the film’s original roadshow* bookings. These were the first cinemas anywhere to play the film and, for the most part, the only ones to showcase the film in 70mm and stereophonic sound. This article is a celebration of the cinemas in which the film played as much as it is a celebration of the classic film.

(*Officially, “Sleeping Beauty” was not a roadshow release since screenings were continuous and seats were not reserved. However, many moviegoers and historians tend to remember the film as a roadshow because the film was booked initially as a 70mm exclusive in roadshow markets.)

The original “Sleeping Beauty” presentations included the CinemaScope short film “Grand Canyon.”

Read more…

SUMTER, SC — The three screens of the Sumter Value Cinema have gone dark. The theater, once known as the Movies 3, served this community located about forty miles east of Columbia.

"It’s good to have a place to go that doesn’t cost too much,” he said. “Especially in this economy.”

Leasure said he could bring five people and get drinks and popcorn for everyone for about $40.

“I’d spend $40 at the other place just to get in the door,” he said. “I don’t know what we’ll do now."

Read more in The Item.com.

ORLANDO, FL — Christie, the leader in digital cinema projection technologies, will debut its next-generation digital cinema solutions, the Christie Solaria series, at ShowEast with the launch of the Christie CP2220 digital cinema projector. Recognized as “the future of digital cinema,” the projector features Texas Instruments’ (TI) (NYSE: TXN) next generation DLP Cinema technology and an optional integrated 2K/4K media block. Christie’s next-generation 4K digital cinema projectors will display 4096 x 2160 pixels of resolution.  While maintaining support for 2K external servers, these new models allow exhibitors to easily project 2K or 4K content, giving them the widest choice in digital cinema options. The Christie CP2220 with Doremi’s integrated media block will be on display at the Christie booth #1100.

The Christie CP2220 is the first in the new series of digital cinema projectors that also includes the Christie CP2210 and the Christie CP2230. The Christie CP4220 and the Christie CP4230, also introduced in June, are the Company’s premium 4K projectors and among the brightest in the world - like the 2230, the 4230 is capable of delivering over 30,000 lumens on the largest screens and delivers breathtaking 3D images. All next-generation Christie digital cinema projectors continue to utilize Christie Brilliant3D technology, providing the ultimate 3D experience with the lowest cost of operation. 

Read more…