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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 10, 2010
Major renovations, alterations planned for Cleveland’s Allen Theatre
CLEVELAND, OH — Saved (barely) from the wrecking ball in 1993, and renovated for Broadway touring shows in 1998, the 1921 Allen Theatre, designed by C. Howard Crane, may soon be converted into a new home for Cleveland’s Playhouse and Cleveland State University’s theater programs. The proposal would significantly reduce the seating in the main auditorium to barely a fifth of its current 2,500, alter the rake of the floor, extend the lobby into the seating area currently under the balcony, and make significant changes to balcony level seating. Most architectural details would be preserved, though some would be partially obscured by new acoustical panels. Two additional black box theaters would be constructed adjacent to the Allen. There is a comprehensive article, including pictures and sketches of the additions and alterations, here and a timeline of the Allen’s history here.
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June 9, 2010
Local efforts launched to save Massac Theatre
METROPOLIS, IL — Closed for decades, the Massac Theatre is now the target of restoration efforts by a group of local citizens. Its art deco interior is severely deteriorated due to a damaged roof, and it is estimated that at least $2 million will be needed to restore the theater, originally opened in 1938.
Currently, the fate of the theater hangs in the balance. Save the Massac and the city of Metropolis recently partnered to pay for a restoration feasibility study. According to that report, a full restoration would cost approximately two million dollars. That estimate makes Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel pull up short.
“All cities now are facing the same dilemma. Y'know, we’re fighting to keep our costs and things down, just to keep the jobs that we’ve got. I don’t believe we can justify putting money into a situation like that it is.”
McDaniel says the city has already put over 72-thousand dollars into the Massac Theater. He can see the building from his office window, and worries about how long it can remain in limbo.
Read the full story in WKMS.
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Regal opens Tikahtnu Stadium 16 in Anchorage; closes Fireweed Cinemas
ANCHORAGE, AK — On June 6, Regal Theaters closed the Fireweed Cinemas, which opened in the 1960s as a single screen cinema. The next day the company opened its new Anchorage megaplex, the Tikahtnu Stadium 16, which also includes a digital IMAX screen.
The new Tikahtnu Stadium 16 features plush upgrades to the current Anchorage movie experience. The stadium seating is arranged on a step incline with 16-inch risers ensuring an unobstructed view of the screen. Cushy chairs are arranged with enough leg room to stretch out and have no worries that the chair, or your head, will be kicked by the person behind. The row space even offers enough room to pass by fellow movie-goers without stepping on toes, bumping into knees or the need for the already seated person to stand to make room. The chairs also feature moveable armrests with cup holders, rocking capabilities and tall backrests.
There is more here.
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450 theater seats for free
I have 450 used theater seats available for free (you must remove & haul). Color: Blue/Grey. The seats are located near Tallahassee, Florida. Seats must be removed between 6/22/10-6/28/10.
for more information/pictures.
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June 8, 2010
“Back to the Future” at Tilton 9
NORTHFIELD, NJ — On June 18th the Tilton 9 takes you up to 88mph with a 35mm presentation of the 1985 sci-fi comedy classic, “Back to the Future”.
Tickets are just 5 bucks at the door
screwattack.coms UNDERBELLY will be on hand with classic trailers trivia and prizes
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Movie theater shares down after holiday weekend
Despite the many popular sequels released, this past Memorial Day was a step down from last year.
Merriman Curhan Ford analyst Eric Wold wrote in a client note that U.S. box office sales of $186.2 million were 12.1 percent higher than in the same period last year — but they were 14 percent lower than last year’s Memorial Day weekend. In 2009, Memorial Day fell a week earlier.
That brings the total for the second quarter so far to $1.65 billion, a 3.7 percent decline from last year. The decline, along with overall market weakness, has weighed on shares of Regal Entertainment Group, Cinemark Holdings Inc. and Carmike Cinemas Inc.
Read the full story from the Associated Press.
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Antique Theatre Chairs for sale
I have 18 rows of 6 (total of 108) antique theatre chairs available in Salem, Oregon. The chairs are in great condition including padded seating, wood back, and metal framing. The chairs are red in color, and are reportedly either Griggs or Ideal circa from the 1940’s. Only 4 of the 108 chairs have had the original leather replaced.
Please call or email me for more information, pictures, etc. All offers will be considered!
Annie: 503-364-4738;
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June 7, 2010
Cinema City Moving to Palace 17
HARTFORD, CT — Cinema City will close its current location and relocate in a wing of the Palace 17.
The art house is moving from Brainard Road to the Bow Tie Palace 17 and Odyssey Theater at 330 New Park Ave., where it will reopen under the name Cinema City at the Palace. The new Cinema City will feature five screens, stadium seating, a new café, digital stereo sound and more parking. The South End theater has four screens and a smaller parking lot, said Joseph Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas.
Cinema City shows a blend of independent and foreign films and higher-budget films.
“We realize they have a very loyal, very dedicated audience, and it’s because of that loyal fan base that we have done this,” Masher said Wednesday.
Read more in the Hartford Courant.
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Dickinson Theatres sells 10 locations to former exec.
OVERLAND PARK, KS — Dickinson Theatres has sold 10 locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Arkansas to it’s former CFO Al Lane. Lane has formed Showplex Cinemas which is owned to the equity group Trinity Hunt Partners, based in Dallas, Texas. Lane plans to upgrade the theatre to include all digital projection.
Lane said one of the key objectives of his new company is to upgrade theaters to digital projectors, capable of showing not only feature films but also “alternate content, such as martial arts fighting, operas — there’s all sorts of opportunities out there,” including live events.
It’s a great time for the cinema industry, Lane said, with the development of 3D movies and digital projectors; he couldn’t say how long it would be before the Salina theaters got digital projectors.
Read the full article in the Salina Journal.
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Simplex Supers for sale
I have two simplex Super projectors for sale. Here is a link of what kind they are. Mine don’t have the front film attachment, I dont know what it is called.
They are located in Kenedy, Texas. I also have to older arc projectors (the top part).If you are interested please email me at
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/projecteur.cinema/simplex.htm
( it’s the ta7400 in the pics above in the scoll, second from the left )