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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 16, 2010
Ad revenue for movie theaters rises
Despite the economy, last year actually ended up as a positive year for movie theater advertising.
There were disparate results, however, by geography. Regional and national movie theater ads rose 5.4 percent compared with 2008, but local movie theater ads fell 9.6 percent compared with the previous year.
Because regional and national ads account for almost 80 percent of the industry total, the large decline in local ad revenue did not drag down the entire category.
Read more in the New York Times.
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June 15, 2010
AMC Magic Johnson in LA to close, be renovated; will reopen under new operator
BALDWIN HILLS, CA — Extensive renovations and upgrades will be made to the theater currently operating as the AMC Magic Johnson at the Crenshaw Plaza.
The full press releases are here and here.
Starting Monday, the movie theaters at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza are getting an extreme makeover. The mall’s owner, Capri Urban Investors, LLC (“Capri”), a commingled fund of institutional investors, will transform the current theaters into a modern, state-of-the-art multiplex featuring stadium seating, new amenities, digital technology, 3-D screens and new decor throughout. The theater upgrade also calls for a new operator, which Capri plans to announce later this month.
“We are thrilled to be bringing in a new theater operator at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza,” said Ken Lombard, Partner and President of Capri Urban Investors, LLC. “We are currently finalizing a new contract with an operator that truly understands Los Angeles, the urban marketplace, and has an absolute commitment to delivering the best movie experience you’ll find anywhere. Transforming the mall is about giving shoppers more choices and better amenities, and having a new state-of-the-art multiplex is an important step in that direction.”
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Super Cinemas in Davenport to be demolished
DAVENPORT, IA — Built in 1990 by National Amusements, the Super Cinemas building is about to be demolished. Prior to closing, it had operated as bargain cinema.
Crews are beginning to dismantle and salvage items from the vacant movie theater in preparation for demolition later this week, said Dan Palmer, the chief executive officer of Tri-City Electric Co., the building’s owner.
Palmer said Monday that by demolishing the 35,000-square-foot building, the developers will be left with a more attractive piece of frontage property to market. Tri-City Electric’s new headquarters sits adjacent and behind the theater property.
There is more in the Quad-City Times.
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Osram theatre projector bulb for sale
Osram bulb, NEW xbo, 1600w/ca, ofr bulb
Introduced in 1954, OSRAM XBO xenon projector lamps have become nearly as important as popcorn in movie theaters. Setting the standard for film projection, the revolutionary XBO technology was awarded an Oscar in 1984.
The main characteristics and befits of XBO lamps are:
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June 14, 2010
Preservationists skeptical of developer’s claim to restore RKO Keith’s lobby
FLUSHING, NY — Activists who have long fought to preserve what remains of the RKO Keith’s Theater are skeptical of developer Patrick Thompson’s assurances that the once grand lobby of the theater will be fully restored as part of his plan to redevelop the building into condos due to controversies that surround some of his previous projects.
“They’re all intact. They’ll have to be brought back to life,” said Thompson, who snagged the theater for $20 million. “That’s absolutely part of the buildout – saving the lobby.”
Thompson cautioned his time frame depends on financing, but the pledge marked his most specific yet on returning the lobby of the 1928 theater to its former glory.
The full story is in the NY Daily News.
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Seventy-five silent films thought lost discovered in New Zealand
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – A treasure trove of seventy-five silent films, many thought lost forever, has been discovered in the New Zealand Film Archive vault and are being returned to the United States for restoration and eventual exhibition. Among them is a very early John Ford-directed film called “Upstream” and films starring Mabel Normand and Clara Bow.
“These important films will be preserved and made available to both U.S. and New Zealand audiences to enjoy,” he told The New Zealand Herald newspaper Tuesday.
Film Archive corporate services manager Steve Russell said the films were discovered when American preservationist Brian Meacham visited last year.
Here’s the story as reported by the Associated Press.
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1,600 Theater Seats for sale - Eastern, Iowa - Also concessions, etc….. Theater is coming down
Available for sale is 1,600 rocker style seats. These are in good used condition. No damage, rips, tears, etc….. ill sell in large lots or all. These will be stored in my warehouse – Eldridge, IA 52748. We also have several Cornelius 8 head dispensers, with carbonators, box rack, pumps, etc….. 1 large Cretor popcorn unit. Theater is to be torn down next week. Call for details.
563 three two one 9204. -
June 11, 2010
Garden Theatre begins Summer Movie Series
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The showing of “Rebel Without A Cause” will open the summer movie series on June 17 at the Garden Theatre. The 1935 house, renovated and reopened for live performances and films in 2008, will screen vintage favorites on Thursdays, family movies on Fridays and cult classics on Saturdays through September 16. 7:00 p.m. is the showtime for these features and $5.00 is general admission. There are also matinee screenings of kiddie favorites on various mornings throughout the summer.
For details, go to the official website or call 407-877-4736.
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Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece w/25mins of lost footage at the Senator
BALTIMORE, MD —
Experience The Complete “Metropolis”!
Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece – Now with 25 Minutes of Lost Footage!
“The film event of 2010.” – Roger Ebert
“The definitive reconstruction.” – The New York Times
“Exhilaratingly modern.” – David Fear, Time Out New YorkAt the Senator Theatre – 1 Week Only
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Carmike Galleria 6 in Mt. Lebanon to remain open
MT. LEBANON, PA — The previously announced closing perhaps provided some incentive, because Carmike has announced that it has reached a new agreement with the management of the Galleria Mall, and the Carmike 6 shall remain open.
The location welcomed its first paying customers on June 16, 1989, and was scheduled to close after June 17. Its departure would have removed an anchor from the Mt. Lebanon mix of restaurants and shops.
Retrofitting the theater for other tenants would have presented a challenge had Carmike removed its equipment. New occupants would have faced a large space but one that featured sloped floors, high ceilings and no windows to accommodate the theaters.
The full story is in the Post Gazette.