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Theaters
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March 23, 2011
Fast-acting Firefighters Save Missouri Theater
ST. JOSEPH, MO — The Missouri Theater complex here was damaged by fire early Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011.
Fast-acting firefighters took drastic action to save the theater itself from fire damage. Firefighters on the roof cut a 4-foot-wide trench in the roof and ceiling of the building adjacent to the east wall of the Missouri Theater. Because of their efforts, the theater itself only sustained smoke damage.
Dressing and rehearsal rooms, and theater office space, in an adjacent building were the only areas damaged by fire. Most costumes and props were lost. The adjacent building in the theater complex serves as an umbrella location for several groups, including the Allied Arts Council, the Performing Arts Association, the St. Joseph Symphony and the Robidoux Resident Theatre.
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March 22, 2011
Fire destroys Kansas City’s Gladstone Hall Theater
KANSAS CITY, MO — A three-alarm fire early Monday, Feb. 28 destroyed the historic Gladstone Hall theater located on St. John Avenue in the city’s Old Northeast neighborhood. The building housed an Islamic mosque.
Firefighters haven’t determined the cause of the fire, and because the building housed a mosque, federal authorities have been asked to investigate.
The roof and interior were completely destroyed, and the outer walls have collapsed. The building is a total loss.
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March 21, 2011
Regal adding five more large-format screens
KNOXVILLE, TN — The Regal Entertainment Group has announced that each of five of its theaters will be adding a large-format screen soon. The company’s propietary RPX screen will be installed in the Regal Cantera Stadium 30 in Warrensville, IL near Chicago and at the Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 in Houston. A digital IMAX screen will be installed in the UA Westbury Stadium 12 on Long Island, NY, in the Regal Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 in San Diego, and in the Regal Manassas Stadium 14 in the greater Washington, DC area.
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March 18, 2011
St. Peter theater in danger of closing
ST. PETER, MN — The St. Peter 5 has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and the action may mean doom for the struggling theater, which opened in 2006. Currently operated by CineMagic (which has financial troubles of its own), the theater is in default on two loans.
“We’ll caucus with Nicollet County Bank, which holds the first mortgage, to come up with a plan to protect the assets of the city,” Wille said. “The big question is, ‘Is this going to be a viable business concern going forward?’ ”
Potential options for the theater’s fate include having the bank sell the property to a third party or having the city obtain ownership of real estate assets by paying off the theater note of $432,000 and leasing theater operations or selling the business.
There is more in the Mankato Free Press.
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March 17, 2011
Wisconsin small town theaters stuggling to survive
MADISON, WI — Although the situation is hardly unique to Wisconsin, small town theaters in the Dairy State are finding it increasingly dfficult to keep their marquees lit and the popcorn popping. Many have closed; survivors are increasingly implementing alternative programming, personnel reductions, and live performances to reduce operating costs and to increase revenue.
One movie theater company has a program that allows video game enthusiasts to use their PlayStation and Nintendo systems on the big screen for two hours. The $65 fee for four people includes unlimited soda and popcorn.
“It’s all about finding other revenue sources,” said Jeremy Patnaude, general manager of State Theatres in Platteville, which also operates theaters in Boscobel, Lancaster, Dodgeville and Menomonie. “It’s utilizing what you have.”
The story appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal.
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March 16, 2011
Fandango to sell Alamo Drafthouse tickets
AUSTIN, TX — As the company moves forward and prepares to expand, Alamo Drafthouse will now sell its tickets through Fandango.
The Web movie ticket seller has agreed to sell tickets to The Drafthouse; including to special events such as sing-alongs, “Weird Wednesdays,” “Terror Tuesdays,” and other regular events. Company founder and CEO Tim League said the deal will fuel efforts to expand nationally in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere.
Read the full story in the Austin Business Journal.
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March 14, 2011
Local group explores future options for closed theater in Kennett
KENNETT, MO — An informal group is looking at possible options for reopening the Cinema, one of a number of former Kerasotes theaters closed by AMC late last year. Consideration is being given to how the the theater might be operated as a mixed-use, community arts center that would still be used for film showings on occasion.
According to Jackson, one of his first thoughts was that the theater could open as a non-profit community arts theater. He added that the city would be in a good position since the theater was still in such good shape. Jackson said that the projector is still there as well as the popcorn, soda, ice machines, and cash register. He noted that the seats are still in good condition. The question of seating capacity came up in the meeting. Kennett City Council member Jake Crafton said that it seated 400 people.
The story appeared in the Dunklin Daily Democrat.
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March 11, 2011
Clark County residents soon to have more theater choices, including some classic ones
CLARK COUNTY, WA — These days, the opening of twenty-six screens might simply signify the opening of a new magaplex. But in Washington’s Clark county, the new options that will be available before the end of 2011 include the reopening of two classic theaters, the single screen Kiggins Theatre an Art Deco gem from 1936 in Vancouver, and the twin-screen Liberty Theatre in Camas which originally opened in 1927 as the Granada. And, yes, a new megaplex is in the mix, a deluxe twenty-three screener at the Vancouver Mall to be operated by Cinetopia.
“People seem to love this theater a lot. They’ve missed it,” said the new operator, Rand Thornsley of Rootstalk Capital Management LLC. “But small-town single-screen theaters, unless you can find a niche to make them happen, they’re tough to operate.”
Thornsley directs programming for the Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, and plans to borrow elements that have worked there. At first, Liberty Theatre will sell popcorn and other snacks, but it will eventually add beer, wine and hot food. Admission at Liberty, except for special engagements, will be $3.50. The theater, which has one large screen and one small, will offer a variety of movies at different times of the day and week in hopes of reaching people of all ages and interests.
There is more in the Columbian.
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Edwards Cinema coming to Houston’s West Oaks Mall threatens existing Drafthouse Cinema
HOUSTON, TX — The Regal Entertainment group plans to open a fourteen-screen megaplex at the West Oaks Mall under its Edwards brand in the fall of 2012. However, the advent of the new theater endangers the six-screen Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the mall, but it will will remain open at least through the new theater’s construction period. There is a bit more in the Houston Business Journal and at CultureMap.com.
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March 10, 2011
San Jose tries throw ailing Camera 12 Theater a lifeline
SAN JOSE, CA — The Camera 12 is again on the ropes financially, but the city is hoping to assist it by using redevelopment agency funds to keep it going. However, the city itself is suffering financially and Governor Brown wants to shut down all of the state’s redevelopment agencies and recapture the funds to reduce the state’s massive deficit. The Camera 12 was opened as the UA Pavilion 8; UA closed the theater and removed all equipment very abruptly some years ago. The theater was remodeled and then reopened with city support.
“If they move out of that space, it will stay vacant for at least five years,” said Harry Mavrogenes, the redevelopment agency chief. “We can either have an active, live movie theater and forgo the rent or have a hole in the area and no rent.‘’
To save the city’s remaining redevelopment assets from a state grab, city officials also are moving to transfer agency land to the city or — in the case of land near Diridon Station — to a special joint powers authority. All of these issues will be decided at Tuesday’s council meeting.
There is more about the situation in this article from the San Jose Mercury News which includes a picture gallery.