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The latest movie theater news and updates
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April 27, 2010
Small cinemas buck the multiplex trend in offshore places in SW Florida
SANIBEL ISLAND, FL — Want to run a little movie theater without being overpowered and trampled upon by the big chains? Find yourself a small island community, where convenience can trump the cost and distance of travel to a multiplex. Three small cinemas, the Island Cinemas on Sanibel Island, the Beach Theater on Ft. Myers Beach, and the Marco Movie Theater on Marco Island keep going without digital 3D or stadium seating.
That’s the secret to running an independent movie theater in the 21st century: Stay small and find an untapped or underserved market far from the multiplexes and megaplexes.
“It’s the location,” Island Cinema manager Britt Maxwell said of the theater’s success. “The next nearest theater is 30-45 minutes away.
The article about these three theaters in News-Press.
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Totally restored theater seats for sale
We have approximately 750 Citation Fixed-Back theater seats for sale. All seats are custom fabric & paint to customers specs. Visit our website for more information.
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April 26, 2010
Securing the future of the Rosendale Theatre
ROSENDALE, NY — Here’s a wonderful story about how a nonprofit organization is raising funds to preserve a 296-seat single-screen movie theater “that was once a vaudeville parlor, casino and gathering hall in a tiny rural cement town”.
One of the best barometers of whether a small town has a pulse is the old downtown movie house. If it has been knocked down, boarded up or turned into a porno place, the omens are not good. If it is hanging in there, that’s promising. If it’s been refurbished or somehow morphed into a beloved institution, chances are the town is just fine. The Rosendale Theater is definitely behind Door No. 3.
Like the semi-shabby downtown, the 296-seat theater with the plain-brick facade, ancient candy machines and honor-system popcorn isn’t much to look at. It opened as a movie theater in 1949 (first film, the Western “Blood on the Moon” with Robert Mitchum), and the Cacchio family has owned it ever since. They’ve changed with the times, so that it’s now essentially an art house showing indie films, often with a progressive bent, plus local music or theater.
Read more in the New York Times.
More about the Rosendale Theatre Collective here.
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IMAX expanding in Japan; also considering portable theaters and the home market
TOKYO, JAPAN – Canada’s IMAX Corporation has announced that it will expand the number of its IMAX screens in Japan. In association with Tokyu Recreation, five additional 3-D capable screens will be constructed in addition to the four which the latter company already operates. This agreement follows previously announced IMAX expansions in South Korea and France. The company is also developing a prototype inflatable dome transportable theater, and thinking about offering a 3-D system for the home.
Megascreen theater company IMAX Corp. said Tuesday it will expand in Japan — the latest in a series of international deals inked recently amid growing demand for 3-D movies following the success of science fiction blockbuster Avatar.
“Performance has been really strong,” said IMAX chief executive Richard Gelfond of the Japanese theaters. “It’s probably the strongest start that we’ve had in any territory in our history.”
There is more detail here from theAssociated Press.
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Vintage projection equipment for sale
My father has an extensive collection of used/working theater projection equipment that he is looking to sell. I am looking for resources of who to contact that might be interested.
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April 23, 2010
First in house production premiering at the Garden Theatre
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The 1935 Garden Theatre, restored and reopened in 2008 after being shuttered for more than 40 years, is presenting “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, April 23 through May 16. This is the first Garden Theatre produced attraction to play at the playhouse, which has become very popular in Central Florida. Mark Huffman is directing, and David Coalter stars as Joseph. The show calls for 48 cast members, and a crew of more than 30 is working behind the scenes. All of the players are from Winter Garden or nearby cities.
The presentations are at 8:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings, and 2:00 on Sunday afternoons. Ticket information can be found at our official website or call 407-877-4736, ext. 0.
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Remembering Cinerama (Part 48: Orlando)
REMEMBERING CINERAMA
Part 48: OrlandoThe following is Part Forty-Eight in a series of retrospectives on Cinerama, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. The easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to highlight the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.
Part 1: New York City
Part 2: Chicago
Part 3: San Francisco
Part 4: Houston
Part 5: Washington, DC
Part 6: Los Angeles
Part 7: Atlanta
Part 8: San Diego
Part 9: Dallas
Part 10: Oklahoma City
Part 11: Syracuse
Part 12: Toronto
Part 13: Columbus
Part 14: Montreal
Part 15: Northern New Jersey
Part 16: Charlotte
Part 17: Vancouver
Part 18: Salt Lake City
Part 19: Boston
Part 20: Philadelphia
Part 21: Fresno
Part 22: Detroit
Part 23: Minneapolis
Part 24: Albuquerque
Part 25: El Paso
Part 26: Des Moines
Part 27: Miami
Part 28: Orange County
Part 29: Pittsburgh
Part 30: Baltimore
Part 31: Long Island
Part 32: Kansas City
Part 33: Milwaukee
Part 34: Nanuet/Rockland County
Part 35: Denver
Part 36: Worcester
Part 37: Toledo
Part 38: St. Louis
Part 39: Tampa
Part 40: Calgary
Part 41: Hartford
Part 42: Albany
Part 43: New Haven
Part 44: Sacramento
Part 45: Las Vegas
Part 46: Seattle
Part 47: PhoenixAnd now…Part 48: Cinerama Presentations in Orlando, Florida!
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Popcorn N Roses Cinema Podcasts
Check out the Popcorn N Roses podcasts that discuss different aspects of moviegoing and the many experiences offered today:
Subject:CINEMA #224 – “A Theater Near You!"
All about movie theaters, the types of theaters, and how to enjoy yourself at the movies. We devote most of segment five to the CT site, and my love and constant use of it…
http://m.podshow.com/media/1943/episodes/226424/subjectcinema-226424-04-17-2010.mp3Subject:CINEMA #225 – “Movies In Your Backyard!"
A guide to different ways to enjoy the movies in your local neighborhood – non-profit theaters, film groups and societies, and the like. We gave the site extensive coverage on this show as well.
http://m.podshow.com/media/1943/episodes/226630/subjectcinema-226630-04-18-2010.mp3 -
Protestors rally to save historic Istanbul theater
ISTANBUL, TURKEY — Film fans and actors alike hit the streets on Sunday, April 18 outside Istanbul’s Emek Sinemasi which is being threatened with demolition for a shopping center. Developers say that a cinema will be a part of the project on its second floor.
The demonstration was organized by the Platform against the Demolition of the Emek Movie Theater and supported by İsyanbul Kültür ve Sanat Varyetesi (Isyanbul Culture and Art Variety – where Isyanbul stems from a combination of Istanbul and “isyan,” or rebellion).
Also present were well-known actors, directors and film critics, who made their way to the movie theater in a carnival-like parade led by a brass band and a sad-faced clown bearing a badge, saying, “Let It Come down with Applause.” Movie-lovers and the general public also showed a keen interest in the parade.
There is more in the Hurriyet Daily News.
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April 22, 2010
Future Kinopanorama Cinema in Australia
The Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association, Incorporated, was formed on 27th January 2010 in Broken Hill, NSW, Australia. We have submitted our business plan to Federal and State funding agencies. We have purchased 3 projectors from The Aranda Group for modification. Fifth Continent Movie Classics owns a 7-track Rotovision 35mm recording/playback unit designed for any 6-perf 3-panel system. This unit, which will undergo modification to accept full-size reels, will be leased to the Association on a gratis basis.
Further details and updates are available from time to time on Facebook [Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association] and our webpage.