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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 21, 2010
Happy 30th, “Empire”
[b]HAPPY 30TH, “EMPIRE"
REMEMBERING "THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK” ON ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARYCompiled by Michael Coate[/b]
Dedicated to:
Leigh Brackett (Screenwriter), 1915-1978
John Barry (Second Unit Director), 1935-1979
Graham Freeborn (Chief Make-Up Artist), 1938-1986
Jack Purvis (“Chief Ugnaught”), 1937-1997
Alec Guiness (“Ben ‘Obi-Wan’ Kenobi”), 1914-2000
Terry Liebling (Casting), 1942-2001
Des Webb (“Snow Creature”), 1932-2002
Bruce Boa (“General Rieekan”), 1930-2004
Peter Diamond (Stunt Coordinator), 1929-2004
John Hollis (“Lando’s Aide”), 1931-2005
Michael Sheard (“Admiral Ozzel”), 1938-2005
David Tomblin (First Assistant Director), 1930-2005
Gareth Wigan (20th Century-Fox Executive), 1931-2010Has it really been thirty years since the world was introduced to Yoda, the Imperial March and the thought that Darth Vader might be Luke Skywalker’s father?
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of (one of) the greatest sequel(s) ever made, I thought I’d present a package of information that includes some production history, historical data, trivia, and, for movie-theater enthusiasts, a list of the theaters in which Empire played upon its initial release. Those who saw the movie in one of the featured venues can reminisce about the experience while others can imagine what the experience must have been like.
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Music venue closer to relocating to Cherry Valley
ROCKFORD, IL — The movement to move a local music venue into the former Cherryvale Mall Cinema is charging ahead.
The proposed live-music venue earned a 5-2 positive recommendation Wednesday in its second hearing before the village’s Zoning Board of Appeals. The board had delayed a vote last month because of concerns about all-age concerts, parking and safety.
“We’re going to be generating a lot of tax revenue for the area by being there and bringing people to the area,” said owner Noah Currier.
Read the full story in the Rockford Register Star.
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The People vs. 3D webisode
As a long time Cinema Treasures member, I wanted to share my recent episode of my web series Underbelly on the popular gaming web page screwattack.com.
3D 3D 3D! pokes fun at the 50’s to the current trend on this old fad and takes it a step forward with the help of director Uwe Boll.
Screw Attack(For mature audiences)
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Ituna Theatre for sale
ITUNA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — The Ituna Theatre is for sale. The theatre originally was built in 1946, but it has had a complete overhaul of its equipment and electrical systems. Also, it very shortly will be sporting a brand-new marquee and retains its original neon sign.
The theatre has a platter/xenon bulb system with Dolby surround sound. It seats 243 people and also has had its concession upgraded as follows: new popcorn machine, pralinator, cappuccino machine, granita machine, and a custom oak candy counter. The theatre has a draw from about a 60-mile radius and is situated in a very nice and orderly prairie town.
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Collector looking for old sound equipment
I want to buy old theatre sound equipment from 1920 -1980
Old Altec Lansing, RCA, JBL, Jensen, Motoigraph, Western Electric
Century ipc speaker or amplifier or driver working or not.
Speaker cabinets.
And I have a new JBL speaker crown or QSC amplifier to trade for the old speaker or amplifier.
Please call 773-339-9035 or . -
May 20, 2010
Independent theater owners in Idaho share insights on business survival
BURLEY, ID — In a recent article, three owners of independent theaters in south central Idaho discuss the challenges of keeping their cinemas operating. Commenting are Bob Harris, who owns the Burley and Century Cinemas in Burley, Rick Kessler, who owns the Magic Lantern in Ketchum, and the owners of the Shoshone Showhouse , Terry and Gayla Zech.
People who see the lines “think we’re making a lot of money, they think we must be rich,” Terry Zech said, noting the overhead it takes merely to open the theater’s doors. “Over 50 percent of the gross goes to the movie company … and we have to pay sales tax on every ticket we sell.”
The Zechs, who offer three showings of a film each week during the warmer months of the year, have rarely made money, often subsidizing the theater with profits from their other businesses.
The full story appeared in the California Chronicle.
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Historic Dodge Theater to sell in June 24 auction
DODGE CITY, KS — The Dodge Theater, located on 108 Gunsmoke Street in legendary Dodge City, Ks., will sell at auction Thursday, June 24.
The theater, part of Dodge City’s Downtown Historic District, is best known for hosting the 1939 premiere of the movie, “Dodge City” —– an event that caused the city population to temporarily swell from 8,000 to 50,000 as star Errol Flynn and Warner Brothers executives visited the city.
Individuals seeking more information may contact Real Estate Auction Partners at (316) 371-1246 or visit www.reapauction.com
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Columbia City Cinema needs your help
SEATTLE, WA — I didn’t even know the Columbia City Cinema was in trouble. Was passing by and saw a flyer in the window describing some financial difficulties due to some bad business dealings (seemingly not entirely their fault). Great community-oriented neighborhood theatre that could use your patronage. Seems like they are in the clear for summer, but still could be some rough seas ahead.
Cinematour link
(needs updating since they added 2 screens on the main level). -
May 19, 2010
Young entrepreneurs bring movies back to Roseville’s Tower Theater
ROSEVILLE, CA — Not all young people are hooked on loud, noisy films about superheroes, over-hyped sagas about teenage vampires, or crude comedies. Hector Marquez and Sean Shore have established Mystic Cinema, which presents classic films from Warner Brothers at the Tower Theater in Roseville. Though the theater has been the home to a local theater group since 2002, Marquez and Shore have worked out an arrangement with the troupe to show films when live performances and rehearsals do not require the theater, which last operated as a movie house in 1983.
Last month, Mystic Cinema premiered with its presentation of “Casablanca.”
“It was incredible,” Marquez said. “You had an audience of people from ages 20 on up, some dressed up as characters from the film, mingling with people in their street clothes. Some watched the movie for the first time while others had seen it dozens of times.”
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Prospects for saving the Beach 4 looking dim
CAPE MAY, NJ — The ongoing effort to save the Beach 4 may have reached a point where further efforts may be futile. The not-for-profit foundation that ran the theater up until 2009 under a lease from Frank Investments is broke, and the city is demanding repayment of a loan that may leave individual contributors liable.
Foundation president Steve Jackson said this week that if the city demands payment, it would bankrupt the Beach Theatre Foundation, ending any chance of saving the theater, and put the 35 Cape May residents who signed off on the loan on the hook for thousands of dollars each.
“I cannot see how that is in the best interest of the city,” Jackson said, adding later, “If they demand it right now, it does no one any good. We don’t have the money to pay it back. It just puts the foundation out of business, and destroys any chance of that building being saved.”
Read the whole story in the Shore News Today.