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Openings
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April 14, 2004
HCPG Looks to Save Bells Opera House
HILLSBORO, OH — I have started a nonprofit preservation group, HCPG, whose purpose is to own, restore, and operate the 1895 Bells Opera House. We currently are seeking ownership, funding, and nonprofit status, working with our local congressman, and state representative in Ohio. It’s been a nine month track for me of dreaming, learning, and working on a business concept.
Sometime between the 1920s and 1940s, the Opera turned into a theater… but we want to take it back to its origins. Any links or advice we could use? Any Angel money out there for our group? What a great website… it’s nice knowing others are going through the same process.
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Re-Opened Town Theater Thrives
FLORA, IL — The Town Theater opened last spring and is thriving by playing first run movies. Showtime Cinemas purchased the theater and has renovated it into two screens instead of one — to bring viewing pleasure to all.
The theater is currently opened Friday-Monday. Come check us out. And as always, we hope to see you at the movies…
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April 8, 2004
Compuware Sports Arena Drive-In?
PLYMOUTH, MI — The Compuware Sports Arena’s parking lot in Plymouth township may be drive-in theater according to this report from the Detroit Free Press.
The site could be a drive-in as early as May 15, if the township approves the proposal.
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March 25, 2004
Odeon Drive-In Won’t Reopen for 2004 Season
WINNIPEG, CANADA — According to this report from the CBC Manitoba, Cineplex Odeon has no plans to reopen the popular Odeon Drive-In this summer, ending a nearly 40 year tradition of bringing outdoor movies to the citizens of Winnipeg during the summer months.
Cineplex spokeswoman Pat Marshall remarked, “I think with the advent of our new mega-plexes which have become just great entertainment destinations, people are choosing to go to those theatres moreso than the drive-in.”
Marshall says the increasing costs of running the old drive-in could not be made up with declining attendance during the city’s short summer season.
(FYI… the article includes a section where readers can share their memories of the Odeon. You can also submit them .)
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March 22, 2004
Mason City’s Arlee Theater Reopening This Week
MASON CITY, IL — The Arlee Theater on Main Street in Mason City is about to reopen after four years of sitting vacant, according to this report in the Lincoln Courier.
The theater was last used as a country western music venue. Before that, it was a movie house from 1936 until 1984. But in May of 2003, John and Gaye Maxson of Mason City purchased the 450-seat Arlee, and since then have put a good deal of time, effort and money into cleaning up the theater. “I bet I’ve scraped 2,000 pieces of gum off the floor,” says Gaye, “Some of it’s pretty old.”
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March 11, 2004
Toronto’s Bloor Cinema to Reopen on March 19th!
TORONTO, CANADA — It’s been a long two months for fans of the Bloor Cinema in Toronto. At long last, it’s set to reopen officially on March 19, 2004.
The Bloor was closed after a piece of the ceiling fell on the front rows on January 16 during a showing of the documentary, The Corporation.
For further information about the reopening, check the Bloor’s website at http://www.bloorcinema.com/.
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February 26, 2004
Historic London Cinema Under Threat
NOTTING HILL, ENGLAND — The historic Coronet Theatre is up for sale and may close as a cinema for the first time in its 105-year history, according to this report in the BBC News.
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February 23, 2004
Forest Theatre to Close on Thursday
WEST HAVEN, CT — The Forest Theatre, one of the last remaining single screen movie theatres in Connecticut, is closing down for good this Thursday.
According to this article in the New Haven Register, the owner has become sick, possibly with multiple sclerosis, and cannot run the theater any longer.
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February 13, 2004
Avon Theatre Reopens Today!
STAMFORD, CT — The Avon Theatre is finally set to officially reopen today. There were a couple of test screenings on Wednesday to run through the operation one last time before the theater reopens to the public. The projection was superb and the popcorn was excellent! (See previous story — includes photos of the newly-restored Avon.)
To read more about the reopening, check out this article from the Stamford Advocate.
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January 30, 2004
Adelaide Regent Closes After 75 Years
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – On Wednesday, the 75-year run of the Regent Theatre came to an end with a screening of the Billy Wilder film Seven Year Itch, according to a report in the Advertiser.
As chronicled in a previous report on Cinema Treasures, the theater is being closed by the Hoyts theater chain due to poor attendance and escalating operating costs.
Here’s a roundup of coverage on the Regent’s long goodbye:
• Curtains close on 75 years of film magic
• Curtain falls on last picture show