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The latest movie theater news and updates
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August 18, 2009
Roaring 20’s theater continues to entertain
EAST GREENVILLE, PA — Here’s a very nice story promoting the 2004 – 2005 restoration of this independently owned theatre that was saved from demolition. Hopefully the residents appreciate and know how lucky they are to have a saved theater showing movies!
The theater, originally built in 1924, was once termed the most modern and beautiful theater in the area; however, a victim of time, age and weather, the theater was forced to close its doors in March 2004.
That summer, the building itself was saved from demolition by its new owners, who decided to embark on a massive restoration effort to restore the theater to its original charm and splendor. After an extensive 11-month restoration process, the Grand Theater was reintroduced to the public on July 29, 2005.
This story appears in the June 12 edition ofThe Mercury Newspaper.
See their website.
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UC Theater eyed for concert use
BERKELEY, CA — Closed since 2001, the UC Theater may become a live entertainment site.
B.B. King is coming to town—or might soon if Berkeley’s Zoning Adjustments Board approves a new concert venue at the abandoned historic UC Theater on 2036 University Ave.
The proposed project would restore the dilapidated 21,000-square-foot UC Theater—designed in 1917 by noted local architect James Plachek—into an elegant three-tiered seating facility capable of holding 1,440 guests.
The city’s oldest surviving single-screen movie theater and a Berkeley landmark, the 1,350-seat UC theater is part of a 31,200-square-foot mixed-use building, which also includes five retail storefronts and 20 residential units on the second floor.
Read the full story in the Berkeley Daily Planet.
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August 17, 2009
“Avatar” trailer tickets available today
In an interesting move, there will be an exclusive IMAX trailer for the upcoming James Cameron film “Avatar” that hits select screens Friday. Free tickets for the trailer are available online starting today.
Free tickets will be distributed online starting Monday for special Imax presentations of a 16-minute trailer for the 3D sci-fi action movie “Avatar.”
The extended trailer of the 20th Century Fox film, featuring an on-camera intro by director James Cameron, hits 101 Imax venues in the U.S. and Canada on August 21 in a promotional push that was announced at the recent Comic-Con International confab in San Diego. On the same date, theaters worldwide will begin showing 2D and 3D “Avatar” trailers of more conventional length.
Read the full story at Reuters.
Thoughts on the film or James Cameron aside, generating interest for a film in this way seems like a positive move that brings a bit more glitz to the exhibition process than we’ve seen lately.
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The struggling of the Praise Cathedral
TAMPA, FL — The recent problems of the former Seminole Theater are set out in this report in the local press. Long in use as a church, serious money is needed for repairs.
For years, Hall has scraped by with little money and a desire to hold the church together, spiritually. Meanwhile, she has plugged roof leaks, replaced the church sign and done whatever else was needed to satisfy code enforcement inspectors.
The word “condemned,” Hall says, is overly harsh and inaccurate. She prefers “damaged.”
She has had offers to sell but each time has said no.
Read the full story at Tampa Bay Online.
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Century-old theater in Shepherdstown for sale
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Opera House Theater built in 1909, is for sale. It was refurbished by the current owners in the early 90’s to add modern amenities while still preserving the classic appeal.
The theater at 131 W. German St., which specializes in independent and foreign films, has been one of Shepherdstown’s most popular attractions from the day it opened in 1992. It draws patrons from across the Tri-State region and beyond.
An article with pictures can be found in the Herald Mail.
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August 15, 2009
“Apocalypse Now” 30th Anniversary
I had intended to write an in-depth retrospective on “Apocalypse Now” to commemorate the landmark film’s 30th anniversary, but for the time being this brief write-up will have to do.
On August 15, thirty years ago, Omni Zoetrope and United Artists released Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic, “Apocalypse Now.” Rather than saturating the market with hundreds or even thousands of bookings, as would be the case if released today, top-flight theaters in three large and important markets were selected to open the film. The film was shown on a reserved-performance, guaranteed-seat basis and presented in 70-millimeter and Six-Track Dolby Stereo showcasing a then-new quintaphonic “split surround” audio mix. The film was shown without opening or closing credits or any studio logos; instead, a program was handed out to moviegoers. These initial bookings were:
Los Angeles, CA: Cinerama Dome
New York, NY: Ziegfeld
Toronto, ON: University -
August 14, 2009
3 Strip Cinerama and more at the Cinerama Dome
Beginning Monday September 7 and running for 4 days, ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome and Arclight Cinemas presents SEPTEMBERAMA. Monday September 7, “Woodstock”, 3 days of peace, love, and music condensed into a new 228 minute directors cut, presented in digital cinema.
Then, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, “This is Cinerama” and “How the West Was Won”, presented in the original 3 strip Cinerama projection process with 7 channel magnetic sound.
Plus, on Tuesday only, a unique single lens Cinerama 70mm double feature, “The Golden Head”,1965, starring George Sanders and Buddy Hackett, and “Holiday in Spain” with Peter Lorre. “Golden Head” is known as the “lost” Cinerama film, as it was never released in the United States, and “Holiday in Spain”, 1961, was originally released as “Scent of Mysetry” in smell-o-vision.
All films are showing in The Cinerama Dome at ArcLight Hollywood.Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 14 on line at the ArcLight Website.
(Thanks to Lu5h.bunny for providing the photo.)
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Remembering Cinerama (Part 38: St. Louis)
REMEMBERING CINERAMA
Part 38: St. LouisThe following is Part Thirty-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: ToledoAnd now… Part 38: Cinerama Presentations in St. Louis!
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“Wizard of Oz” to be shown in over 440 theaters on September 23rd
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its original release, the much-loved 1939 classic, MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz,” will be shown for one night only, September 23, 2009 at over 440 theaters nationwide.
For one night, on September 23rd at 7:00 pm in over 440 movie theaters around the country, you’ll be able to walk up to the box office and buy a ticket for The Wizard of Oz. It’s the film’s 70th Anniversary, and to celebrate they’ve remastered the film and will show it in beautiful, high-definition.
Further details at Cinema Blend.
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US 23 Drive-in adds third screen
FLINT, MI — After months of planning, the third screen of the US 23 Drive-in Theatre became operational last Saturday with the double feature of “G-Force” with “Harry Potter.” While the two other screens fabricated by Selby Industries (40' x 80' each) were derived from the old South Dort DI’s ) 60' x 120' screen tower, the new screen measures 30' x 60' and is supported by used shipping containers.
Details can be found in the Flint Journal and WJRT.
The drive-in’s Facebook page shows construction photos.