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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 19, 2010
Save the Odeon Cinema Hartlepool
HARTLEPOOL, CLEVELAND, ENGLAND — A facebook group has been set up to save the former Odeon Cinema in Hartlepool which is in danger of demolition.
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May 18, 2010
Grand Theatre’s roof collapses
WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ — The roof over the auditorium and stage house sections of the Grand Theatre collapsed on Friday, May 14, apparently as a result of weakening due last winter’s heavy snowfall. A least one resident of an apartment that was a part the theater building or adjacent to it suffered injury abandoning his residence after the roof’s fall.
The theater – known for its wall sconces, raised-metal ceilings, and velour seats – housed two apartments in the front. Both were occupied and shook as the roof fell.
The first report of the collapse was received about 3 p.m., Williamstown Fire Chief James DeHart said. Residents heard a loud crash and felt a jolt, he said.
The theater opened in 1924; roof repairs were made in 2004 as a part of a renovation. The full story is in the Philadelphia Inquirer and there are pictures here atWPVI.
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Carmike 6 closes in Mt. Lebanon
MT. LEBANON, PA — The Carmike Galleria 6 will be closed as of June 17. The impending closure will be the latest in a series of Pittsburgh area closings. The cinema opened twenty-one years ago.
The theater, which welcomed its first paying customers on June 16, 1989, will go dark June 17. No word yet on what will occupy its sprawling space on the upper level.
Dale Hurst, director of marketing for Carmike, today cited dwindling business and said the other Pittsburgh locations would not be affected. “We try everything we can to maintain a top-notch operation,” he said by phone from Georgia, calling this and other closures “always the last, last, last resort.”
Here’s the full story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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Owosso Community Players kick off the Lebowsky Center rebuilding project.
OWOSSO, MI — On Wednesday, the Owosso Community Players, owners of the fire-gutted Lebowsky Center kicked off the theater’s rebuilding inside its ruins. It was gutted by an arsonist on February 14, 2007.
About four dozen OCP members attended the ceremony. Phase I involving rebuilding the walls and roof is almost underway and awaits the delivery of steel which should begin by May 24. The theater is expected to be completely enclosed again by September.
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May 17, 2010
Famed theater organist Rosa Rio passes at 107
SUN CITY CENTER, FL — Rosa Rio, one of the last surviving theater organists of the silent era (and one of the few who were female), died on May 13 at the age of 107. She practiced her craft in many of the famous movie palaces around the country including the Fox and Paramount theaters in Brooklyn; she later worked for both NBC and ABC, accompanying many of the original soap operas. She was active even as recently as last year, performing at the Tampa Theatre where a memorial will be held June 5.
She was extraordinarily positive, motivated and determined. She was able to seamlessly adapt to changes in the entertainment industry (silent films, talkies, radio, TV, and finally, back to silent films). “I can’t believe that I’ve been so fortunate to have been in so many things that went out and I bounced back,” she said in 2007. Her path was not without challenges. As the only woman in the orchestra pit, she routinely challenged men who considered her to be second fiddle because of her gender. She allayed those stereotypical reactions with talent, charm and a (sometimes bawdy) sense of humor.
Read the full story at the Tampa Theatre website.
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Cedar Grove movie theater closes after 12 years
CEDAR GROVE, NJ — Not being able to make it through the summer, Cinema 23 abruptly closed its doors last week.
A recorded message left on the theater’s phone system on Wednesday thanked patrons for their business over the past 12 years.
A spokeswoman for the Clearview Cinemas chain in Florham Park, which owns the local theater, confirmed Wednesday that the chain had closed but did not provide further details about the facility or others the chain owns in other parts of Essex County, including Montclair and Millburn.
Read the full story in the Verona-Cedar Grove Times.
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RKO Chester being razed
BRONX, NY — Unfourtnatly, The demolition of the Chester has begun. The building has scaffolds all around it with demolition contractor signs on it. I passed it on the Cross Bronx Expressway yesterday (14 May 2010) and the roof beams are now exposed and parts of the parapit walls are being removed. I have tried to get a look inside but the roll down door on the side is always closed(I think the workers are getting access from the motel property next to the theater).
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The tilton 9 asks, “WHO YA GONNA CALL?”
NORTHFILED, NJ — The Tilton 9 presents “Ghostbusters” in 35mm with classic trailers and prizes. May 21st at 8pm
Tickets are just $5.00
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May 14, 2010
Jersey Shore cinema celebrates One Year Anniversary with free movies and expansion!
ASBURY PARK, NJ — After an inspiring first year of independent film, live music and theater, community events, author series, comedy jams and more, The ShowRoom, Asbury Park’s only independent cinema and Cookman Avenue’s premier entertainment venue, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with moviegoers throughout the year. Beginning in April 2010, ShowRoom audiences and film fans will receive free admission to any movie screening at The ShowRoom that falls on their birthday.
In recent years, while Asbury Park’s renaissance has brought art, music, dining and shopping back to the city, the vital element of film was missing. Last spring, The Showroom ignited independent cinema, marking the return of movies to Asbury Park after a thirty-year hiatus. Since then, the theater’s ever-evolving film and event roster has made it a mecca for individuals looking to bring or find a variety of entertainment on Cookman Avenue. From multimedia performances and director Q&A’s, to financial-investing seminars and social-media symposiums, The ShowRoom has become an important venue for anyone looking to be seen or heard in Asbury Park.
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Landis Theater reopens after 26 Years
VINELAND, NJ — The Landis Theater had its soft reopening on May 6 as it hosted a local high school production of “42nd Street.”
The theater is expected to have its official grand opening celebration weekend with a performance by Broadway legend Bernadette Peters on May 22 followed by The Lettermen on May 23.
City officials and theater employees have long dreamed of the day when Landis Theatre would become Landis Theater Performing Arts Center.
But the opening event was really a magical moment for area residents, such as Ritter and the roughly 350 others in the audience Thursday, who will never forget their first trip to the Landis Theatre of old and look forward to a future at the new playhouse.
Jim Grace couldn’t believe what he saw when he first stepped into the performance hall. It’s been 35 years since he stood inside the theater, yet the memories came right back to him.
“It was very exciting to be in there,” he said in the lobby. “It looks so nice inside. It’s all the same colors. And did you hear the sound system? Everything was good.”
Read more in the Daily Journal.