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The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 10, 2011
Senate Theatre seriously damaged by fire
ELSBERRY, MO — The nearly century-old Senate Theatre sustained very serious damage as the result of a fire that started in an adjacent store on January 7. The theater opened in 1912 as the Orpheum. Inspections are underway to determine if the structure can be saved.
Sinnett has owned Senate Theatre for 38 years and says he’s never missed a showing. He kept the Senate Theatre true to form, the way it was when it started in 1912 as the Orpheum. But with the entire building damaged by fire so severely, the building’s owner isn’t sure how much can be saved.
And so much is on the line, Elsberry is trying to get the state to designate their main street as a historical district. And the town’s mayor says the theatre is one of their biggest historical and mainstream attractions.
The story, with video is at KSDK.
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How Coronado’s Village Theatre is being saved
CORONADO, CA — The previously announced renovations of the Village Theatre are finally getting under way as this piece discusses the city’s relationship with this classic gem of a theater.
Older residents long for the “pre-bridge,” small-town character of Coronado and many new residents come because they like what’s still left of that atmosphere, said former Mayor Tom Smisek, who was involved in the early restoration talks.
“People can walk or ride their bikes anywhere,” Smisek said. “That wide landscaped median strip down Orange Avenue may not be the best way to move traffic, but it keeps that area nice. We have the overall ambiance of a little town, and our little theater kind of fits with what we’re trying to keep here.”
Read the full story in Sign on San Diego.
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Oaks Theater closes
BERKELEY, CA — The 1925 Oaks Theater has closed and the property’s owner, John Gordon, is looking again for new operators, preferring to keep the theater as an operating entertainment facility. He says the the most recent operators did not follow through on their business plan and were months behind in rent.
John Gordon, the commercial property developer and realtor who owns the Oaks Theater, served notice to the group in early December that it was in default of its lease since it hadn’t paid rent in three months, he said. While running an independent movie theater is a tough business, the theater failed because Merriment Media did not follow through on any of its turnaround plans, according to Gordon.
There is more at SF Gate.
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January 7, 2011
Theatre Historical Society Membership Offer!
Karen Noonan, President of the Theatre Historical Society, has just sent us this great membership offer:
“To celebrate the start of another year, THS would like to offer the readers of Cinema Treasures a 2 for 1 deal on THS membership. Any Cinema Treasures user who joins THS by JANUARY 31 will receive 24 months of membership for the regular yearly membership price of $55.
THS memberships support our archive and museum in Elmhurst, IL and members receive our quarterly publication, Marquee, our quarterly newsletter and our Annual highlighting a specific area of Historic Theater preservation.
This offer is available only through mail-in membership. Contact our Executive Director, Richard Sklenar at to take advantage of this limited time offer. Or call our office at 630-782-1800. New members must mention “Cinema Treasures” to receive the 2 for 1 offer."
This is a terrific price for joining a terrific organization. If you care about historic theaters, please consider joining THS. They are a unique and important group and we are proud to be supporters and members.
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Australian cinema roof collapse briefly traps dozens
BATHHURST, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — Heavy rains caused the collapse of the roof over the screening rooms of the Metro Cinema 5 on January 3. Thirty-six people were briefly trapped in the debris and a few were taken to hospital with apparently relatively mnor injuries.
There is more in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Detroit In Ruins: Photograph Slideshow from The Guardian
Some heartbreaking photos of the abandoned buildings in Detroit, MI. Libraries,Ballrooms and Theaters. Its just a sampling. If anyone can find more from this series, let me know.
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January 6, 2011
Orchard Theatre in Port Orchard closes
PORT ORCHARD, WA — In 2007, The former Plaza Twin Theatre here reopened as the Historic Orchard Theatre but disappointing financial returns caused the current owner, Far Away Entertainment, to close the theater on December 30, 2010. The company may be open to a sale of the theater.
“With a major first-run, multi-screen theater nearby, we felt that a more adult-oriented independent and art film concept was worth trying,” he said. “It’s been difficult to attract this audience segment on a consistent basis, especially in the evening hours.”
As in all of its theaters, Far Away hosted numerous community and non-profit events in Port Orchard for local charities and civic organizations.
There is more in the Port Orchard Independent.
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Destinta Theatres closes Independence Plaza 12
HAMILTON, NJ — December 31, 2010 was the last day for the Destinta Independence Plaza 12 which opened in 1999.
Mayor John Bencivengo on Monday night said Hamilton has recently seen positive developments with local businesses but that Destinta’s closure “is a result of the national economy” where consumers are putting a “tight hold on discretionary spending.”
“It’s never a good moment when a business is closing, especially when it’s in Hamilton,” Bencivengo said. “We hope that (the Independence Plaza) center does well, and we hope it gets filled again, that particular movie theater.”
There is more in the Trentonian.
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Imax stock up on rumors of takeovers by movie studios
According to Bloomberg, shares of IMAX Corporation are rising on speculation that Sony Corp. might bid for $40 on the giant screen company. Disney is also interested in buying Imax.
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January 5, 2011
UltraStar Highland 8 in San Diego to close for seven-month renovation
SAN DIEGO, CA – The UltraStar Del Mar Highlands 8 will close in January for a major makeover that is expected take over half of a year to complete. The theater originally opened as an Edwards Cinema.
“The movie theater renovation is an important part of the overall re]imagining of the Del Mar Highlands Town Center,” said Elizabeth Schreiber, Vice President and General Manager for Donahue Schriber, owner and operator of the Del Mar Highlands Town Center. “We believe the new luxury theater will enhance the guest experience at Del Mar Highlands Town Center while providing the community additional entertainment options in the heart of Carmel Valley.”
The full story appeared in the online Union Tribune.