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The latest movie theater news and updates
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October 28, 2009
14 Screen Regal multiplex opens in downtown L.A.
LOS ANGELES, CA — It’s been many years since a new theater opened in downtown Los Angeles, but the the Regal Stadium 14 opens this week on W. Olympic Boulevard as part of AEG’s L.A. Live complex. All screening rooms feature digital projection and four are 3D capable. Seating capacities in the auditoriums range from 140 to 800; the largest has a balcony and a 75 x 38 ft. screen and can be operated separately from the other screens using a separate entrance which is intended to appeal to studios as place to launch the opening of high profile films.
The premiere house, located on the ground floor, was designed specifically to accommodate film debuts, AEG officials said. It features stadium seating, a balcony and a 75-by-38-foot screen. It is accessible from a separate lobby adjacent to the main entrance and has a concession stand separate from the rest of the complex. It can be completely sectioned off for events while other auditoriums operate normally, said Roth during a recent tour of the facility.
Russ Nunley, vice president of marketing and communications for the Regal Entertainment Group, said that the one-stop-shopping quality of L.A. Live could also make it ideal for premieres.
“The location lends itself to that celebrity spotlight, with the neighboring clubs and amenities,” he said. “It really is a unique location that can host all of the activities related to a red-carpet event.”
More information and pictures at LA Downtown News.
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Bal Theater in San Leandro to open a new chapter in its history
SAN LEANDRO, CA — He has wanted to own a theater since he was a teenager, and now he does. Entrepreneur Dan Dillman has acquired the 800-seat Bal Theater, originally opened in 1946. At first, he plans to show locally made documentaries and eventually feature concert performances.
Two years later Dillman got married, moved to an apartment on 150th Street in San Leandro, and discovered a new venue to fetishize — the Bal Theatre on East 14th Street, “I was sitting across the street at McDonald’s, going ‘Wow, look at that theater right there,’” Dillman remembered. “And then I kinda had the itch for this one, too.”
The opportunity finally came a couple years ago, in the form of another for-sale sign. “I began praying over the building,” said Dillman. “We called the Realtor. They wanted a ridiculous amount of money. … A few times I called, the building was in escrow.” Dillman’s luck turned when the city recouped the Bal from a developer who wanted to use it for other purposes than as a theater. “They wanted to either tear it down or do some kind of retail stuff, and I guess that wasn’t in the plan of the city,” said Dillman. “The time came, I made the offer, and they accepted the offer.”
More about the theater’s history and Dillman in the East Bay Express.
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Cinemark closes Greentree 10
CLARKSVILLE, IN — The 10-screen GreenTree Mall bargain cinema operated by Cinemark was shuttered as of October 18. Cinemark had closed the nearby Greentree 4 some years previously.
While the theater has lost customers to newer Great Escape theaters in the area, it still had a following with families and students looking to see movies at discounted prices a few months after their initial release.
Ticket prices range from $1 to $2, depending on matinees and weekend show times. On Tuesdays, moviegoers in a group of three or more paid 50 cents each.
More details in the Courier-Journal.
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Screen for sale
I have a 1 week old theatre screen I am selling. Viewing area measures 15' high by 28' wide. Overall dimensions are 18' high by 28'8" wide. Standard perforations and comes on a hollow steel roller tube. 1.2 Gain. No frame or mounting hardware included. Small scuff mark on face of the screen that will come off with little effort.
This screen was purchased brand new, installed for one week and then removed. Located close to Seattle, buyer pays shipping. Listed on EBay
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October 27, 2009
Historic Estes Park theatre saved from fire which destroys adjacent mall
ESTES PARK, CO — On October 18 fire completely destroyed the Park Theatre Mall, but fortunately, the Park Theatre itself survived with only some possible smoke damage. The theater is a local landmark, noted for its neon-lit tower. Constructed in 1913, it is said to be the oldest continuously operating purpose-built movie theater west of the Mississippi.
The mall was completely destroyed, but the adjacent Park Theatre was saved.
The fire was called in at 6:19 a.m. Witnesses described flames that were 20 feet high.
The fire remained contained within the mall structure and never spread to neighboring buildings.
Read more in the Reporter Herald.
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2010 Newport Beach Film Festival call for entries
Celebrating its 11th year, the Newport Beach Film Festival is open for submissions. Take advantage of our Early Bird Deadline and save.
The 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival will spotlight over 350 films from around the world, including feature length narrative, documentary, short, animated and student films that will compete for a series of Jury, Festival Honors and Audience Awards. The 2010 NBFF will host red carpet Opening and Closing Night Gala Celebrations, International Spotlight events, an Action Sports Film Series, an Environmental Film Series, a Family Film Series, a Collegiate Showcase, a Youth Film Showcase and a free Seminar Series.
The Festival runs from April 22nd to April 29th, 2010.
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Owner of fire-gutted Lebowsky Center hopes to have theater enclosed again by winter
OWOSSO, MI — The Owosso Community Players, owner of the Lebowsky Center, hopes to have the theater, gutted by an arson fire (still unsolved) on February 14, 2007, enclosed again by winter. They are expecting an answer within a couple of weeks whether they would get a $350,000 to $400,000 grant to pay for enclosing the theater.
They are working with a construction company in Grand Rapids which restored the Wealthy Theatre there. The OCP is committed to completely restoring the theater which is estimated to cost $5 million to do.
Originally, OCP was hoping to reconstruct both the Lebowsky Center and the West Annex, but Peterson said the goal has narrowed.
“As we have refined the project, we feel that the priority is to rebuild the Lebowsky Center and that is the piece of the project we are focusing on,” Peterson said.
The grant’s approval would mean constructing a new roof and enclosing the center from the elements. The OCP has said it remains committed to a full restoration of the center – which is projected to cost about $5 million.
Additional info from the Argus-Press.
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October 26, 2009
New Yonkers retail project includes movie theater
YONKERS, NY — The Yonkers, NY City Council recently approved a major downtown retail and waterfront project which includes a 15 screen Regal movie theater to be located at Nepperhan Avenue and New School Street.
Read more at the Westchester County Business Journal.
This second new theater for Yonkers comes while National Amusements Cinema Delux 12 is under construction at the Ridge Hill project. See Ridgehill.com for an aerial view of the theater. It is not clear if Redstone will sell their lease for these locations.
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Wilmette Theater thriving as performing arts center
WILMETTE, IL — In 2006, David and Carol Dido bought the twin-screen Wilmette Theater, which originally opened in 1913. At first they tried operating it strictly as a cinema, but they soon discovered that their bank accounts were far healthier by changing to a mixed-use business model that includes a variety of live performances as well as film.
But a funny thing happened on the way to solvency: To their surprise, the Wilmette owners discovered that performing arts events immediately did big business.
From their very first stage offering, “Schoolhouse Rock,” kids and their parents flocked to the Wilmette. Cabaret attractions on one Monday each month drew throngs. Comedy acts, improv theater and concerts by the likes of Leon Redbone packed the place.
Not that it’s exactly huge. But with the two, shoe-box shaped auditoriums — each seating about 190 people — the Wilmette could offer movies and performing arts at the same time, a rarity in the Chicago area.
Read more in the Chicago Tribune.
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Vogue Theatre for sale
CHULA VISTA, CA — The Vogue Theatre in the historic district of Chula Vista, California is for sale. Please contact Carey Pastor of Coldwell Banker Commercial for details (951) 252-9027.