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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 28, 2010
One theatre gone, another rises up
MERRIFIELD, VA — A new complex is being built to replace the Lee Highway Multiplex with a new location of the Angelika Film Center.
Edens & Avant has begun tearing down the multiplex cinema off of Lee Highway in Merrifield to make way for the first phase of a planned 1.9 million-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment that will replace the theater and parking lots with a new cinema, grocery store, townhouse complex, hotel and office space. Called Mosaic, the $150 million project’s retail portion is two-thirds leased by companies including Target, Mom’s Organic Market and Angelika Film Center.
Read more in the Washington Business Journal.
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Drive-in experience may return to Tucson
TUCSON, AZ — If Charlie Spillar and Demion Clinco have their way, folks in Tucson may soon have the chance to experience the pleasures of a drive-in cinema once again. The two have been salvaging screen parts from site of the former De Anza Drive-in which was closed in 2009 and demolished in 2010. They are looking for an appropriate land parcel and intend to operate the theater on a not-for-profit basis, hosting other events on the site as well. They plan to name the drive-in the Cactus, which was the De Anza’s original name.
The drive-in would also likely host some outdoor concerts, farmers markets, car shows and other events. Spillar said it is a strictly privately funded plan, but he hopes the city helps them with a site.
The group already has a projector and sound gear that will transmit to FM car radios, and speakers that will be placed in an outdoor seating area for those who walk in and bike to the drive-in.
There’s more in the Arizona Daily Star and a related website is here.
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Onarga Theater update
ONARGA, IL — The Onarga Theater was sold in July 2008 to Randy and Cheryl Lizzio, the current owners. Many new updates followed all the while keeping what was left original still intact. Come check out the new Onarga Theater, with the small town theater charm. We play current movies and coming here wont break the bank. Our ticket prices and concessions are priced low. And there is a lot to choose from including soft pretzels, cotton candy, lots of candy bars and fresh caramel corn and popcorn and much more.
Come and support our small town treasure and keep the love of single screen theaters alive for generations to come..
Hope to see you at the movies..
Randy C. Lizzio -
Looking for used movie theater seats
I am looking for about 20-25 used theatre seats. If they need to be recovered or painted, that is okay! I am hoping to find them at a reasonable price and I am willing to travel and pick them up. I can be reached via email.
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June 25, 2010
Reclaim the Regent
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA — On Friday 18th June 2010 an application was submitted to the EPA/DERM for heritage listing of the original 1920s Elizabeth Street facade of the Regent Theatre Brisbane (aka Hoyts Entertainment Centre; Qld Heritage Register Place ID#600140).
Due to pending demolition of this valuable, visible and indisputably iconic piece of Brisbane’s heritage, emergency listing is required preceding permanent protection.
I find it appalling that the heritage value of this original and outstanding portion of the original theatre has not been formally recognized to date, despite careful description of it within the building description on the Queensland Heritage Register, and the National Trust’s adamant acknowledgment of the entire building’s historical value that resulted in as much preservation as possible in the late 1970s.
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June 27 last day for Regal UA East Hills in Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, CA — Surrounded by vacant stores in a virtually abandoned mall in the northern part of the city, the Regal UA East Hills Mall Cinema 10 be closed by the end of the month.
UA employees declined to answer questions Friday, but Bakersfield’s Edwards Cinema manager Herman Mil confirmed the sister theater’s closure, saying the last day of operation would be June 27. Mil said he was not authorized to say more, referring questions to the district office in Fresno. Calls there were referred to Regal’s Tennessee headquarters, closed when the news surfaced. East Hills Mall manager Anne Lynch did not return calls Friday.
The movie complex is the last anchor store in the beleaguered mall, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2009. But the closure of the theater may not be all bad for the mall’s future.
There is more here.
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Belated Obit: Silent Film Pianist Viola Barton, 107
Viola Barton, former silent film pianist, died in Glendale, California January 30, 2010. She was 107, born March 11, 1902, just five weeks shy of her 108th birthday. This likely went unnoticed nationwide although she was a favorite of the local press. Unlike Rosa Rio and Bob Mitchell who were still actively playing for silent films, Mrs. Barton played privately for herself and friends at the retirement home where she lived.
She played piano for silents in South Dakota throughout the 1920s. She also taught music and gave concerts. The deaths of Mitchell, Barton and Rio all within the past year seem to close the final and remarkable chapter of accompanists who lived to advanced ages.
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Britain’s oldest cinema prepares for a glorious sequel
EAST FINCHLEY, LONDON, ENGLAND — The longest operating single screen in Britain is getting a much-needed facelift.
This month, the adorable, historic Phoenix cinema in East Finchley, now in its 100th year, has been forced to close its doors. But not in a bad way. It is finally to receive the careful restoration it has always deserved and should be open again in September.
The 13-week closure will allow for £1m of building work to refurbish its Edwardian features and all the art deco flourishes hidden inside. There will be a gala of films and events to celebrate its reopening at the end of the summer.
Read more in the Guardian.
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Heywood Wakefield seats and or parts
We have a new customer who wants to get rid of 800 Heywood rockers and replace with removable folding chairs, anybody needing parts or Heywood Wakefield seats should give a call asap.
Regards, Steve Archer 856-692-0242 www.archerseating.com
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Old theater sound systems wanted
I am a collector of old theater sound systems, and related parts such as tubes, speakers, old amplifiers, etc. I travel all around the U.S and will pick up and pay cash. Please call me at: 616-791-0867 or email . I will be happy to pay more than fair amounts for your unused equipment.