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The latest movie theater news and updates
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April 1, 2011
Moral hits rockbottom at the Colonial Twin!
POMPTON LAKES, NJ — Moral sinks to an all time low at the Colonial Twin, when the crew’s paychecks start bouncing, and the day’s receipts reveal a box office shortage, in the latest episode of Colonial Twin Follies!
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McClurg Court interior items for sale
CHICAGO, IL — We own a theater which is located in downtown Chicago, IL. It’s the former classic McClurg Court Cinemas that has been closed since 2003. From the 70’s to the 90’s McClurg Court was the premier place to watch a film in the downtown area. With the exception of one of the three theaters the place was left in perfect working order when it was closed. We feel the items in the theater could be of great value to the right person. I just happened to come across your site this afternoon and thought some of your members could be the perfect fit.
We’re offering:
500+seats
3 working 35mm projectors with DTS systems and platters (the units power up, film runs through and projects onto the screen, the DTS systems power up but are untested)
2 movie screens (my best guess is aprox 20x30 or 20x40) that are still standing and come with the support springs, housing, etc…
2 (4 total) sets of dark and very thick house curtains. -
March 31, 2011
Lubbock to get a new megaplex in November
LUBBOCK, TX — A new sixteen-screen megaplex will open at the South Plains Mall to be operated by Premiere Cinemas of Big Spring in time for this year’s December blockbusters. The new cinema will have a digital IMAX screen and some D-BOX seats in addition to all-digital projection and stadium seating. Refreshment offerings will also include a Starbuck’s and two bars.
The owners say this new facility will bring nearly a hundred jobs to Lubbock, and they’re shooting for an opening date of November 3.
This huge venture will also provide considerable competition for Cinemark Theaters, which has been the only game in town for first-run movies for a number of years other than the Stars & Stripes Drive-in. It’s notable Premiere Cinema 16 will be going in just a couple miles away from Cinemark Movies 16 on Spur 327.
There is more at Fox 34 News.
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Mulkey Theatre may be reborn
CLARENDON, TX — Recently named to the list of the Ten Most Endangered sites in Texas, the 1940’s era Mulkey Theatre is being embraced by local supporters interested in raising funds for its gradual restoration and reopening as a movie theater. Roof repairs have been completed, but more structural repair is needed, and the current goal is to repair and relight the marquee.
The Mulkey, once a cinematic gathering place for rural Donley County, has fallen into disrepair, but not yet rubble. The peach, salmon and navy blue tiles that decorate the exterior are still there. So are the hooks that once held the neon lights in place, dangling from the street overhang. A sign in the ticket booth advertises 9-cent admission for children.
For now, refurbishing and repairing the Mulkey is a one-step-at-a-time process, but one of its backers is optimistic about completing the project, especially since the theater has been named to Texas' Most Endangered list by Preservation Texas, a private advocacy group that encourages support and funding for historic places, archives and artifacts.
There is more in the Amarillo Globe-News.
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Christchurch cinemas demolished after earthquake
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND — Three Christchurch cinemas were demolished in March 2011 as a result of the September 11/February 22 earthquake. They are the:–
Joyland/Princess cinema, New Brighton. Opened in 1918 abd closed 1946. It had a seating capacity of 500.
Harbour Lights Cinema, Lyttleton. Opened March 20,1917, closed 1979-1985. Seating capacity was 575.
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March 30, 2011
Vintage stills of 1930s theaters for sale
Heritage Auction Galleries is offering for sale a selection of 8 x 10 original glossies featuring elaborate theater fronts for such films as 42nd Street. Created by the studios exploitation department working with the theater owner, decorated theater fronts and interior lobby art were a mainstay of movie promotion from the 1920s through the 1950s. This is the first batch of what will be a series of weekly auctions of similar material.
Links to previews of individual lots:
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Curtains for the historic Takoma Theatre?
WASHINGTON, DC — The landmark Takoma Theatre might soon be demolished. According to an article in the March 21, 2011 edition of the
Washington Post, the current owner of the abandon theatre working to have the ornate building razed in order to construct an apartment complex.The District has rejected all of McGinty’s applications to raze the building, along with his appeals.
Now, adding urgency to the script, McGinty is openly rejecting an order from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to repair the Takoma’s roof, gutters and downspouts and to repaint the exterior of a building that hasn’t been used regularly since 2006.
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IMAX to add 75 screens in China
BEIJING, CHINA — The IMAX Corporation, in partnership with China’s Wanda Theatres, will be a major part of China’s cinema building boom having announced that it intends to build seventy-five IMAX screens at multiplexes owned by Wanda. IMAX had earlier announced plans to add fifteen screens in South Korea.
“China has set its cultural industries as pillar industries,” said Wang Jianlin, chairman of the Wanda Group, the real estate giant that owns the cinema chain. China’s centrally planned economy now spends only about 3 percent of its GDP on cultural development, less than half the world average, Wang said: “The agreement with IMAX will help China achieve its 12th five-year plan.”
The full story is in the Hollywood Reporter.
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March 29, 2011
Dolby introduces lighter, more reusable 3D specs
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Dolby Labs will soon be rolling out newer, lighter 3D glassses for use with its 3D projection system. In addition to being lighter in weight, the lenses will last longer after repeated cleanings.
The full story appeared at Ubergizmo.com.
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November opening projected for new theater in Rifle, Colorado
RIFLE, CO — Brendan Theaters will be making its first foray into Colorado when it opens a seven-screen multiplex in Rifle, currently planned for this coming November. Site work is underway at the location on West Second Street where a lumber yard once operated. Rifle is about fifty miles northeast of Grand Junction.
“The city wanted to make sure that the architecture is up to the standards of the city, and both parties are satisfied with it,” Sturgeon said.
The next step will be for the city to get a foundation pad prepared so that construction of the actual facility can begin.
The story appeared in the Post Independent.