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The latest movie theater news and updates
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February 5, 2010
Bus crash damages University Place 8
CARBONDALE, IL — A bus operated by Southern Illinois University Student Union’s bus service, the Saluki Express, crashed into the east wall of the University Place 8 cinema on January 27. None of the passengers was injured and the driver, who may have suffered a medical emergency causing him to lose control of the vehicle, has been released from the hospital. Two screens are out of service as the damaged is being assessed.
University Place 8 reopened Wednesday and was showing movies in six of its eight auditoriums, Kerasotes employees said. Theater managers are waiting to hear the cost of the damage from a structural engineer, they said.
Officials from Beck Bus did not return multiple phone calls for comment, but James Barnes, a former driver for Saluki Express, said the company would most likely put Parker through multiple tests before allowing him to drive again.
There’s more here in the Daily Egyptian.
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February 4, 2010
Garden Theatre ownership transfered to city
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The City of Winter Garden has assumed ownership of the restored 1935 Garden Theatre, which reopened during February, 2008. This action was requested by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, operators of the theatre. As a result, the City government will pay off the remaining construction and mortgage debts the Heritage Foundation owed, and will also be responsible for maintaining the building. The Foundation will lease the building from the City.
This is considered a sweetheart deal by all who have been so heavily involved in the renovation and operations of the Garden. It gives the management of the theatre freedom to focus on artistic expression and operations, without the burden of confronting the debts.
The next events scheduled at the Garden are a jazz festival, “Jazz on Edge” February 5 and 6, and the Beth Marshall Presents production of “Driving Miss Daisy” February 12-28. Reservations can be made by calling 407-877-GRDN (4736).
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Castle Theatre to close for first time
NEW CASTLE, IN — The Castle Theatre closed Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, as Kerasotes did not renew its lease, a condition it has not been subjected to since its opening in 1935. Some of its original Vitrolite facade remains and much of its interior is original. For those of us who did not grow up with a Paradise or Uptown in our neighborhoods, the Castle was just fine. Here’s hoping that it will not be closed long and that we can tour it in June during the 2010 Hoosier Heartland Conclave with THSA.
favorite movies at the Castle.
Amy Glaser, State Farm Insurance agent, and lifelong resident of New Castle, said she went to the theater as a child, and now her own teenage daughter goes to the movies there.
“The Castle closing is very sad,” Glaser said. “It’s been a part of New Castle for a long time. My parents went to the Castle Theater. My kids go there, I’ve grown up there. It will be very missed in town.”
Note the link to the video news clip as well.
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February 3, 2010
Options narrowed for Baltimore’s Senator Theater
BALTIMORE, MD — Two of the four proposals submitted for the Senator Theater have been rejected. Of the two remaining, one would keep the nearly 75-year-old cinema going as a movie house and add two restaurants; the other envisions making it a performing arts venue and home to a public radio station.
The BDC plans to ask for more detailed financial information on the two remaining proposals, Clark said, before deciding between them.
A 10-member review committee, including many residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, had been studying the proposals since they were submitted in December, and those from Cusack and Towson were the clear favorites, Clark said. “They really are making an attempt at digging deep into these proposals,” she said. “This is at the heart of their community. They care a ton.”
The committee, which is scheduled to begin meeting again next month, could recommend one proposal over the other, Clark said, or leave that decision up to the BDC. A final decision on the Senator’s future could be made as early as March, she said.
There is more in the Baltimore Sun.
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Lebowsky Center contractor seeking bids to enclose the theater
OWOSSO, MI — The contractor in charge of rebuilding the fire-gutted Lebowsky Center began seeking bids to rebuild the walls and roof of the theater. Bids are due by February 5 with the bids likely to be awarded by February 15. Bazzani Associates expect the project to be completed by May 1. Restoration of the theater’s interior is not expected to begin until next year.
The Committee has received $165,000 in gifts or pledges so far to renovate the building destroyed by a fire Feb. 13, 2007, Peterson said.
Construction is expected to begin soon after the winning bid is announced.
Peterson said she was notified the project’s steel order could be delayed by more than 12 weeks. However, Bazzani said he still expects the project to be finished no later than May 1.
More details can be found in the Argus-Press.
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February 2, 2010
One year left for Lincoln Theatre
MIAMI, FL — Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theatre is on track to mark its 75th anniversary as… shops and restaurants.
A business brief in The Miami Herald (1/26/10) states that representatives of Savitar Realty Advisors is scheduled to close on the property next week. The New World Symphony, owners and tenants of the Lincoln for the past 20 years, will relocate to their newly constructed symphony hall nearby (designed by Frank Gehry).
Symphony performances will continue at the Lincoln for another year. This will leave the Colony as the sole vintage movie theater on South Beach still active as a performing arts venue.
Full article (probably for a limited time) in the Miami Herald.
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Pontiac Silverdome Drive-In
The Pontiac Silverdome Drive-in is re-opening starting April 9th 2010. They will have 3 screens running each showing double feature first run movies. the season will run through September. prices are Adults: $7
Students (w/id): $6
Children (4-12): $5Phone number is 248-346-6634
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CORES (film) wanted
Film CORES wanted, 35mm width – does anyone have an accumulation you’d box-up and sell me?
Either diameter will do and any color, though they should of course have the keyslot. Films came from labs on these.
Tell me roughly how many.
Thanks,
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February 1, 2010
Marcus to build new cinema in downtown Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE, WI — The Marcus Corporation has announced its intent to build a new theater in central Milwaukee, near East Knapp and North Water streets.
The theater will have multiple screens, food and beverage operation, and an office building with parking.
“I would be very, very excited to have a downtown movie theater to have more development east of the river or west of the river for that matter. The Marcus Corporation is a great corporation, they obviously know how to run movie theaters they know how to run other businesses. It would be a great addition a welcome addition to our downtown nightlife,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.
The announcement is here.
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Battle continues to save Beach Theatre
CAPE MAY, NJ — Preservationists have won a round to save the Beach Theatre. After a lengthy meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission voted against issuing an appropriateness certificate that would have allowed the theater’s auditorium to be demolished. The theater’s owner, Frank Theatres, is vowing to take the fight to demolish the theater to the Superior Court; a foundation that wants to buy and preserve the theater claims the asking price set by the Franks is is far above the property’s market value.
Frank said he was prepared to go beyond the zoning board to Superior Court if the zoning board does not overturn HPC’s decision. He said when he purchased the Beach Theatre in 1986, there were no restrictions.
Frank said to have restrictions imposed at a later date was tantamount to a taking of his property and a taking of his rights. He said a theater was not the highest and best use of that property.
“If the goal was to have a movie theater, they have lost that possibility in today’s forum with our company,” said Frank. He asked what would the Beach Theatre look like five to 10 years from now. “If the theater remains like it is and is closed, what did you do as a member of the board?” Frank asked. “You’re left an antiquated and old building.”
Read more in the Cape May County Herald.