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What is your favorite use of existing classical music in a movie?

 "Blue Danube" in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
 "Symphony No. 9" in A Clockwork Orange (1971)
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 "Barber of Seville" in Breaking Away (1979)
 "Ride of the Valkyries" in Apocalypse Now (1979)
 "Adagio for Strings" in Platoon (1986)
 "Bolero" in Femme Fatale (2002)
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Adaptive reuse of historic movie theaters

posted by Michael Zoldessy on June 24, 2009 at 7:40am

Hi,

I am completing a study of the adaptive reuse of historic movie theaters and churches. Many movie theaters are used as live performance space or event space, but I was wondering if anyone could direct me to some adaptive reuse projects that are unusual or more creative uses of the space.

Thanks,
Sarah

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YOUR COMMENTS

 
I don't know what kind of level of creativity you're looking for, but I know that a number of old theatres are now used as bookstores with the majority of the interior detail intact.

I've seen some old theatres used as pre-schools and day care centers.

The Alameda Theatre in Alameda was used as a gymnastics school for awhile, even if the theatre wasn't kept in the best condition.
posted by Scott D. Neff on Jun 24, 2009 at 3:27pm
Thanks for the Alameda tip. Can you suggest any specific bookstores that I can look at? Any specific preschools or day cares?

Really any examples that aren't currently live performance or event spaces uses would be great.

Thanks,
Sarah

posted by SarahF on Jun 25, 2009 at 11:09am
The former Parkside in San Francisco for awhile had an unusual combination use; the lower auditorium level was used for day care, while the balcony seating was retained for evening theater/movie screening use.

The former Alabama in Houston and the former Runnymede in Toronto are bookstores. Both of these former theaters have pages here on CT and both pages have links to pictures.
posted by CWalczak on Jun 25, 2009 at 2:09pm
Sarah,

Private Message me on Cinema Treasures with a synopsis of your project. Our company actually researches the information you are looking for.
posted by historiccinemas on Jun 26, 2009 at 8:45am
The Lido Theatre in Newport Beach is used on Sunday mornings for a church service. The Irvine 21 Theatre at the Irvine Spectrum was used by Mary Kay Cosmetics as part of a national live showing of a beauty consultant information presentation twice this past year at theatres across the country. I always remember that an ex boyfriend got a fellow snack bar worker pregnant. They are still married, yet legend happens that they were fooling around on the job. Talk about interesting breaks!
posted by Lorraine Chambers on Jul 11, 2009 at 3:07pm
kool
posted by cash on Jul 15, 2009 at 11:25am
The historic Alhambra in San Francisco is a gym.
posted by JenniferV on Jul 30, 2009 at 11:30pm
Sarah, I curently work at the Uptown Theater in Orangeville Ontario.The first floor was built in 1927, the second floor in 1971. The main floor stayed the same and is now a church santuary. We also show movies once a month, as well as sunday service and guest speakers. The upstairs theater's chairs where all taken out and the floor was leveled. The room is now used for children's activities, sunday school, and a small TV studio.
posted by www.thestreamtv.com on Aug 12, 2009 at 10:50am
Hi sarah, my company uses the old Trans-Lux Theater in Clarksville IN as a haunted attraction. called Psychomania Theater of Terror www.theaterofterror.com check us out we are listed in cinema treasures banks as Greentree 4. Thanks matt
posted by GreenTreeMatt on Nov 11, 2009 at 10:25pm
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