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Openings
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January 12, 2005
Washington D.C. Cinema to Close
Howard Haas has sent us this news about the impending closing of Cinema 1 on Wisconsin Ave.
I know your readers will want to know this sad news.
Somebody emailed me that the single screen Cinema 1, located at 5100 Wisconsin Ave in Washington DC, operated by Loews Cineplex, will close by next month. I telephoned today the theater, and the employee stated that Jan. 27 is the last day. He thinks the current movie “A Very Long Engagement” will be the last one.
Robert Headley’s book “Motion Picture Exhibition in Washington, D.C.” states the Cinema opened in 1965 with 826 seats. Many of us know it as the K.B. Cinema.
The theater’s ad in the Washington Post has stated that it has Washington D.C.’s 2nd largest screen. Apparently the competing new multiplexes are not matching its screen size. The Uptown has the largest screen in Washington.
Howard
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January 7, 2005
State Theatre Closes Down in Jewett City, CT
JEWETT CITY, CT — The State Theatre, which reopened last May, has closed down again. The owner’s brother confirmed that even though the marquee has stated that it was temporarily closed for the last few months that the closure is permanent. For more information, read The Day article.
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January 6, 2005
Aero Theatre Reopens Tonight!
SANTA MONICA, CA — The Aero Theatre reopens tonight! Closed since April 2003, the Aero has undergone a $1 million renovation effort by its new operators, the American Cinematheque, who will bring their programming prowess to this popular Santa Monica staple.
According to Variety, “Besides renewing the projection and sound systems, the single-screen theater’s capacity was reduced from 600 seats to 400 in order to install bigger, more comfortable seats. The new screen, which is 44 feet wide and 17 feet high, is three times the size of the original. A new concession stand was also installed.”
Director Paul Weitz will be on hand tonight for the theater’s first show: a screening of Weitz’s new film, “In Good Company,” starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johansson.
For more information on upcoming events at the Aero, please visit the new Aero Theatre calendar.
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December 23, 2004
Moolah Temple Cinema Reopens
ST. LOUIS, MO — The former Moolah Shriners Temple opened yesterday with an array of entertainment.
The 92 year old landmark structure will house the single screen Cinema, a bowling alley, apartments and offices.
Harman Mosley is taking a real chance on a single screen theater but has been successful both with the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas and the Galleria Cinemas. This will be the third theater in his St. Louis Cinema Chain.
The Moolah Temple has been restored to its original Arabian Nights design and the theater section will even feature a balcony. The opening feature will be “Meet the Fockers.” Harman had bid on “Phantom of the Opera” but was out bid by the Hi-Pointe.
More details are in the full article from the A&E section of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
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December 6, 2004
Electric Cinema in Birmingham, England Re-Opens
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND — The Electric Cinema on Station Street will re-open this week.
The cinema was opened in 1909 in the centre of the city and has been showing movies almost ever since. Is the Electric the oldest working cinema in Great Britain? At the moment it seems it is by just a few months.
In the 1920’s and showing silent films the Electric changed its name to the “Select.” In the 1930’s the old Electric changed its name again and became the Tatler News Theatre. In the 1950’s another name change to the Jacey Cartoon cinema.
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December 2, 2004
Could Criterion Cinemas Spell The End Of York Square?
NEW HAVEN, CT — Could the newly opened Criterion Cinemas spell the end for the nearby York Square Cinemas?
The York Square, which has been on Broadway since 1970, plays art films and sub run material. The film companies do not give them access to first run product. The York Square has filed a suit against the motion picture industry to attempt to force them to provide first run films, but it likely will fail.
This month, the five screen state-of-the-art Criterion Cinemas opened in downtown New Haven. It will also play art films. Is there enough of an art film market in a mid-sized city such as New Haven for two art films, or will the new Criterion spell the end of the downtrodden but venerable York Square?
More on this story from the Business New Haven magazine.
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November 30, 2004
Bijou Cinema In Worcester Closes
WORCESTER, MA — The Bijou Cinema closed on November 20th to make way for road construction and revamping of the Worcester Common Outlets. One of the films shown on the last weekend, free to the public, was “The Last Picture Show.”
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November 22, 2004
Metro Theatre Set To Reopen!
NEW YORK, NY — The New York Times is reporting that the Metro Theatre in Manhattan’s Upper West Side will reopen on December 3rd as an independent movie house after several tense months in which its future was the subject of numerous rumors (including that it would be converted into a supermarket).
The theater, operated by Peter Elson (of the famed Embassy theaters), will now be known as Embassy’s New Metro Twin and will cater to foreign and independent films, joining other Upper West Side staples as Lincoln Plaza, the Thalia, and Loews Lincoln Square. Its location, 30 blocks from its chief competitors, will give it some breathing room for bookings.
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November 19, 2004
Closing of UA Pasadena Marketplace 6
PASADENA, CA — The United Artist Pasadena Marketplace 6 has closed. Ever since Pacific Theatres opened a new 14-plex a few years ago down the street, this theatre has been a ghost town. This doesn’t surprise me because it was very outdated. But then again, it’s right in the middle of Old Town Pasadena.
You would think the area would be busy enough to support the theatre. I don’t know if the lease was up or why Regal Entertainment pulled the plug. Last year, AMC Theatres abandoned its 8-screen theatre across the street. Laemmle Theatres reopened it — showing first-run movies and independent films.
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October 27, 2004
Bijou Theatre To Reopen
BRIDGEPORT, CT — The former Bijou Theatre, last known as the Downtown Family Cinema, will reopen sometime in 2006 according to developer Philip Kuchma who nows owns the building.
The Bijou operated from 1908 through 1998 under a number of names. According to The Connecticut Post, the newly renovated Bijou will show artsy films geared toward the more sophisticated audience as well as some live shows.
Whether a single screen venue can be successful in this day and age in downtown Bridgeport remains to be seen, but if it is maybe there is hope for the magnificent Palace and Majestic theatres down the street.