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The latest movie theater news and updates
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November 13, 2009
Theater for sale
Theater in Burlington Wisconsin for sale. Four screen profitable. Great location no competition in town. Town size 10,500. Great little investment. Asking $715K. Call (262)853-4338 for details.
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November 12, 2009
Stalled restoration of Saenger Theater in N.O. to lift off in January
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Advertising for bids to begin restoration work on the Saenger Theater in the Big Easy which was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina’s flood waters will begin in January. A recent article indicates that the plans will not simply restore the theater to its pre-Katrina appearance, but will result in the theater’s looking more like it did when it opened in 1927 by removing later additions such as the escalator, restoring the auditorium’s original color scheme, and using period hardware. The article includes diagrams and a picture of the damaged interior.
Out of the darkness that has prevailed since Hurricane Katrina, the bulbs of the Saenger’s giant marquee are expected to blink on to mark the coming return of the landmark playhouse that for years anchored the performing arts district along the city’s signature commercial boulevard.
The $38.8 million reconstruction of performance, patron and office space through an innovative alliance of the Canal Street Development Corp., an arm of City Hall, and the property’s longtime private owner-managers, Saenger Theatre Partnership of Houston, was announced to great fanfare in January. Until now, though, most progress has transpired on architects' drawing boards and in negotiations with financiers.
More at NOLA.com .
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Gentry Cinema For Sale - motivated seller
CHECOTAH, OK — The owner will soon be moving out of state and is ready to consider all reasonable offers. The asking price is $285,000.
Located in Checotah, Oklahoma, this theater closed in 1996. It was re-opened in Dec. 2008 after twinning and renovation. All new: facade and building exterior, windows and doors, plumbing, restrooms, electrical system, heat and air system and ductwork, fire sprinkler system, insulation in attic and walls, marquee, draperies, screens, sound. Replaced and upgraded projectors and added platters. Installed like-new seats. New concession counter with enough equipment for a small restaurant. Tables and seating for 20 in concession area. Currently have food license. Serving some hot food. Could serve more. Showing first run films. Located in market area of 20,000 people. Competition is over 20 miles away.
Owner is undercapitalized after remodel. $285,000 includes land, building, equipment, and business.
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Wenatchee area theater and drive-in properties for sale
WENATCHEE, WA — Sun Basin Theaters is putting two of its current properties up for sale: the five-screen Columbia Cinemas in East Wenatchee and the Vue Dale Drive-In in South Wenatchee. The owner hopes to use the proceeds to finance a new multiplex and any purchaser will not be able to use the properties for motion picture exhibition.
The sales could help finance renovation of the old Kmart building in Olds Station into a theater and retail complex, said Sun Basin general manager Bryan Cook. The theater company acquired a purchase option on the Kmart property in June, said Cook, and continues in discussions with the property’s owner toward completing the purchase. The building and a portion of the surrounding acreage is owned by the state. “If all goes well, we should have traction in the deal by the end of November,” he said.
The Liberty Cinemas in downtown Wenatchee won’t be affected by the sale of the other two properties, Cook said. “Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of improvements at the Liberty and definitely plan to keep it going.”
More detail in the Wenatchee World.
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November 11, 2009
“The Art of the Movie Theater” photo exhibition at the National Heritage Museum
LEXINGTON, MA — A free exhibition of the work of photographer Stefanie Klavens entitled “The Art of the Movie Theater” will be on display at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington from now until May 16, 2010. Klavens sees the theaters she has photographed as important monuments to popular culture, and is especially impressed with neon, Art Deco, and theaters with an Egyptian or Middle Eastern theme in both large and small towns.
In taking the photos, she found a place in time when theaters often reflected the splendor of opera houses, with gilded statues and pillars. In the early 1920s, a craze of all things Egyptian and Middle Eastern led to a flowering of theaters decorated as Pharaonic fantasies, inspired by Howard Carter’s excavation of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
“There are only six Egyptian style theaters left in the country,” Klavens said.
In later decades, neon signs created a fantasia of light and color to grace many theater exteriors.
More information can be found in the Metro West Daily News and at the museum’s website.
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Memories of the downtown theaters of St. Paul
ST. PAUL, MN — In a recent article in the Pioneer Press, writer Tom Webb, former movie critic Bill Diehl, and others recall the movie theaters of downtown St. Paul. The article focuses on the Paramount, Orpheum, Strand, Tower, Riviera, World, and Lyceum, Now only the World (now the Fitzgerald) and the Orpheum are still with us, the latter currently vacant and decaying. The article includes a slide show with pictures of each theater.
Today, in an era of suburban multiplexes, video rentals and movie channels, the movie theater business model is radically different.
Yet, to those who loved downtown’s Technicolor era, the memories are like something from the movies.
‘Wabasha and Seventh was the busiest corner in St. Paul in those days,’ said Rod Ripley, a retiree who remembers the heyday of the ‘40s and '50s. 'All the streetcars met there for transfers and would line up there after midnight to leave on the hour.’
Read the whole article at TwinCities.com.
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Nationwide Historic Theatre silent film & concert performances by Dennis James
DENNIS JAMES – 2009/2010 TOUR PERFORMANCES SCHEDULE
Performance Booking Contact: SILENT FILM CONCERTS- PO Box 2072, Tacoma, WA 98401 / 253-376-7447 /
November 13, Blue Mouse Theatre, Tacoma, Washington
86th Anniversary screening: original opening night film THE GREEN GODDESS
November 15, Palace Theatre, Marion, Ohio
Yannitell Memorial silent film series: Buster Keaton in THE CAMERAMAN
November 28, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Annual silent film series: King Vidor’s THE CROWD
December 5, Recital Hall, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
Annual silent film program: Protazanov’s AELITA, QUEEN OF MARS with the Filmharmonia Duo (Mark Goldstein, electronics)
December 12, Castro Theatre, San Francisco, California
Silent film festival: Buster Keaton in THE GOAT plus SHERLOCK, JR. and Lon Chaney in WEST OF ZANZIBAR2010
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November 10, 2009
Encore showings of “The Wizard of Oz” on Nov. 17, but has it peaked in terms of its appeal?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The successful one-night showing of 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” in hundreds of theaters across the country in September is prompting a second round of screenings in over 300 theaters on November 17.
Tickets for The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Encore Event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters are subject to change).
“Tens of thousands of fans nationwide celebrated the 70th anniversary of this beloved family classic in local movie theaters in September and due to the overwhelming response, we are proud to present a final opportunity for fans to gather again and experience ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on the big screen,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of Fathom.
Read the full announcement at Reuters.
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Alhambra Theatre demolished
OPENSHAW, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — Along with many shops and houses, the Alhambra Theatre is being demolished as I am writing this article. I noticed as I went to work, bit by bit, the demolition team working their way up the high street. Eventually and aided by a coincidence of fire, the Alhambra is now partly demolished. A real shame. But I guess it’s just another old building in the way of progress.
Andy Dixon 09/11/2009
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Terrace Hippodrome to run 26 hour “Twilight: New Moon”
CHARLESTON, SC — The Terrace Hippodrome Wide Screen is proud to announce a 26 hour all through the night marathon of “Twilight: New Moon”. Starting Thursday night November 19th at Midnight finishing up at 2 am Saturday November 21 St. “Twilight New Moon” will play around the clock for this season’s biggest movie extravaganza. The Hippodrome Wide Screen boasts Charleston’s largest movie screen and Charleston’s only leather stadium seating. See Twilight in Grande style.
Prizes and giveaways for a night of fun. 724-9134 for tickets or online here.