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Theaters
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August 2, 2006
Regal posts second quarter loss
KNOXVILLE, TN — Despite increased revenue, Regal Entertainment Group reported a fall in second quarter earnings.
Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE:RGC), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circuit in the United States, today announced fiscal second quarter 2006 results and declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share.
Total revenue for the quarter ended June 29, 2006 was $684.6 million, a 6.5% increase from total revenue of $643.1 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2005. Net income was $16.6 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to net income of $26.4 million in the same period of 2005.
For more, read the full report at Business Wire.
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July 31, 2006
Wyoming Valley Mall Theater closes suddenly
WILKES-BARRE, PA — The theaters at the Wyoming Valley Mall abruptly closed on Friday:
The curtain has apparently closed on the Great Escape Theatres at the Wyoming Valley Mall.
A locked steel gate enclosed the darkened lobby to the multiscreen theater complex inside the mall Friday afternoon and no one answered the phone. Three bags of garbage, a cardboard box and a trash can had been placed in the hall outside the theaters' entrance.
Visit the Times Leader Article for the full story.
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July 28, 2006
Art Theatre in Long Beach Changing Hands
LONG BEACH, CA — After decades under the same ownership, the Art Theatre in Long Beach is being sold, but will remain a cinema:
The venerable Art Theatre isn’t going anywhere, but its owner has decided to retire.
After 33 years running the independent theater on Fourth Street near Cherry Avenue, Howard Linn said he has decided it’s time to let someone else take the reins.
For the full story, visit the Gazette article.
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July 25, 2006
Projection Picture Warehouse Website
I stumbled across this site, which claims itself as a Projection Picture Warehouse. They have a couple of links, pictures and videos, that feature several cinemas. Thought it might be good for people to check and see if their favorite cinema is listed there so they can update the photos (whenever that happens) or at least provide links. I’d do it myself… but whatdya think? I have all the time in the world??? Here’s the link: http://www.film-tech.com/
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July 6, 2006
New Chicago Theaters
CHICAGO, IL — Crain’s Chicago Business reports that Sundance Cinemas is now looking to locate on the site of Chicago’s former Fanny May factory, at the somewhat surprising location of Jackson & Racine on the West Side.
This is, however, a rapidly developing area. As a part of the Metro 290 development, Sundance plans to open a 6-to-8 screen arthouse. The site is convenient to the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, the Eisenhower Expressway, and the CTA Blue Line.
Elsewhere, as previously reported, Kerasotes plans to open two new complexes; a 14-screen near the old Bricktown Square cinemas, at Grand & Armitage, and a 16-screen in a South Loop development at Roosevelt and Wells.
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July 3, 2006
Royal revival: lights back on at College Street rep
TORONTO, CANADA — Looks like there’s some good news about one of the Festival Cinemas in Toronto, The Royal, that’s slated to close June 30th, courtesy of NOW magazine:
When news broke several weeks ago that four of Toronto’s Festival Cinemas movie houses would be closing down on June 30, the situation looked most hopeless for the Royal on College Street.
While the three other theatres — the Revue, the Kingsway and the Paradise — were simply slated to go dark, the Royal was immediately put up for sale by the owners, presumably because it occupied the most valuable plot of real estate.
Rumours abounded that the historic 1930s-era theatre would be turned into a nightclub or, worse, torn down for condos. But as it turns out, the sale of the Royal will almost certainly prove to be its saving.
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June 29, 2006
New Book on South New Jersey Theaters
Congratulations to CT member Allen Hauss (ahauss) on the publishing of his book “Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses” (Arcadia Publishing).
This is a fantastic book that demonstrates Mr. Hauss' dedication to the preservation and history of classic movie houses.
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June 27, 2006
Clues Sought in Arcadia Theatre Fire
DALLAS, TX — Last week, the landmark Arcadia Theatre was destroyed by fire:
In the middle of Wednesday’s devastating 6-alarm fire sat an 80-year-old Dallas landmark. The Arcadia Theatre was destroyed, taking with it a part of Dallas' history.
There have been a lot of changes in the Lower Greenville area, businesses have come and gone, but one thing that stayed the same was the Arcadia Theatre.
It was the roaring 1920s, America was making the transition from vaudeville to film, and in the middle of that transition was the Arcadia Theatre in Lower Greenville.
Opened in 1926, the theater was famous for its shows and silent films. Now the theater that stood strong through the depression, and various other economies, has been destroyed.
More on this from CBS 11 TV.
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June 21, 2006
Village Theatre Signs New Lease
CHICAGO, IL — The June 8, 2006 edition of THE SKYLINE (a free local Chicago newspaper) reports that the Village Art Theatret has extended its lease for another year.
Although a theatre preservationist had said that Alderman Burton Natarus (42nd Ward) told him that a pharmacy could possibly replace the theatre and the adjoining restaurant, the theatre will remain in business.
Jonathon Fine, president of Preservation Chicago had said that Natarus had informed him of the possible changes on the property. Fine had said that the group is firmly opposed to any changes to or demolition of the 1916 theatre’s facade.
Ron Rooding, CEO of Village Entertainment, said he recently signed a one year lease on the building with an option for a five-year renewal. Since signing the new lease, Rooding says that he hopes to make improvements to the theatre. The Village Theatre — apparently the “Art” designation has been dropped — has lost money over the past year or so because it hasn’t been able to steadily book good movies according to Rooding. He hopes to change all that, saying that when a good movie plays at the Village, it does very well.
Rooding, whose Village Entertainment has theatres in four states, says that he will talk to the owners about sinking big money into the theatre, adding stadium seating, and improving the sound system, washrooms, and facades. He adds that his company takes older theatres and renovates them and takes losers and makes winners.
(For the complete article, go to www.pioneerlocal.com.))
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May 25, 2006
Rialto Theater is Looking for Your Stories!
ATLANTA, GA — Next year marks the 90th birthday year for the Rialto Theater and 10th anniversary of its rebirth as a performing arts center through Georgia State University.
We are collecting stories from as far back as possible… of first dates in the 1940s, and movie premieres in the 60s, and definitely the Kung-Fu days. These stories will be used throughout the anniversary year. Pictures and any other historical information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
They can be e-mailed directly to or posted on the Rialto’s page on Cinema Treasures.