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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 8, 2009
Interesting idea, but will it fly?
An article in Wired looks at the history of the drive-in, fly-in.
1948: Ed Brown Jr., a former Navy pilot, opens the first drive-in, fly-in movie theater. There’s room for 500 cars and 25 small planes.
The drive-in movie theater itself was still something of a novelty when Brown hit on the idea of accommodating moviegoers arriving by private plane, another relatively new phenomenon in American life. He opened his fly-in theater on some land near Wall Township, New Jersey, which included an adjoining airfield. Planes would land at the field, then taxi over to the theater and fan out behind the cars. When the evening’s feature ended, a jeep was provided to tow the planes back to the airfield.
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Wanted: Theatre seats!
I am looking for about 650 to 700 matching theater seats for a theater restoration. I am going to restore the seats myself but I need to make sure that all the parts are complete. I would like the style to be Art Deco and like to know if they are still installed in a theater.
I will remove all of them myself.
Let me know ASAP!
Thanks ahead of time!
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June 5, 2009
DRIVE-IN SUPER MONSTER-RAMA
VANDERGRIFT, PA — Riverside Drive-In Theatre, Sept 11-12
What is DRIVE-IN SUPER MONSTER-RAMA?Ever wish you could go into a time machine and go back to a time when life was much more simple, but far more fun? Well, here it is! DRIVE-IN SUPER MONSTER-RAMA is two nights of classic horror and science fiction 35mm prints presented at an authentic drive-in movie theater. There will be two big shows on two consecutive nights which will start at dusk and go on until really late into the night! This is the second year in a row that we are hosting such an event, so we encourage all East Coast drive-in movie fanatics to attend and make it another rousing success! What could be better than a weekend getaway topped off with two nights of classic monster movies on the big outdoor screen? We realize that everything is so expensive these days, but admission is only $10 a person each night! Plus, children 12 and under are free with parent or adult guardian. How can you beat that? The Riverside’s concession stand is loaded with reasonably priced goodies, including hot foods, hot and cold drinks, candy, popcorn and much more!
What is being shown and when?
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Empire Leicester Square is Europe’s first theatre with Dolby 3D for large screens
LONDON, ENGLAND — London’s Empire Leicester Square has become Europe’s first large auditorium to use the new Dolby 3D Digital Cinema large screen solution, which allows exhibitors to project Dolby 3D onto screens ranging from 12.5 to 21 meters.
“We are delighted to be working with Dolby in what is a European first. We share the commitment to bring the finest image quality to the screen in ways that continue to add value to the cinema experience. When it came to hosting the Jonas Brothers 3D premiere, the new Dolby 3D large screen solution seemed the ideal choice,” said Justin Ribbons, Chief Executive Officer, Empire Cinemas Limited. “With the Dolby 3D large screen solution, we can now show 3D to audiences in our largest auditorium at Leicester Square—Empire One—and provide a stunning experience for everyone in the audience.”
Read more at Dolby.
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Garden Theatre announces summer movie season
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The Garden Theatre, will present classic movies all summer on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The genre for June is musicals; July features big screen films; August features actors, and the September picks are all series pictures. Admission to each presentation is $5.00.
The 1935 renovated theatre is located at 160 W. Plant Street, and the boxoffice number is 407-877-4736. It has been operated since 2008 by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which restored the house to its Mediterranean Revival splendor.
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Haar’s Drive-In in makes plea for community support
DILLSBURG, PA — According to the video which appeared on WGAL.com, recent business at the Haar’s Drive-In (one of the last surviving drive-ins in Central Pennsylvania) has been adversely affected by the economy – particularly at the concession stand. WGAL Link
The real estate itself was sold to Giant Food Stores about five years ago to keep the property from being sold to competitor Walmart with a lease back to the Haar family.
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June 4, 2009
Hollywood Theatre in Dormont to open again!!
DORMONT, PA — I have been in discussion for the last six months about reopening the Hollywood Theatre. They have accepted my proposal and we have a target date of Saturday June 27th
The Hollywood Theater in Dormont could reopen next month with a staff of volunteers, under a borough councilman’s plan approved this week by the owner of the 300-seat theater.
The Hollywood, which reopened in 2007 only to close again in 2008, would show classic movies on weekends, according to the plan floated by council President John Maggio and approved by the Bradley Center, an agency serving children with mental, emotional and developmental disabilities, which owns the theater.
Read the full story at Pittsburgh Live.
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Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring" with live music at Radio City Music Hall
NEW YORK, NY — “The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring” October 9 and 10, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall with a live concert. Thanks to Warren G. Harris for posting this on the theater’s page, but with films almost never open to the public at Radio City, everybody should be aware of this wonderful event!
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Large theater speakers for sale
We have three Stage Accompany Screen Series Model S27 movie speakers for sale. These are 47-¼ by 47-¼ by 9-¼ inches wide and were in everyday use up until a few months ago. I think that they must be about 20 years old. The 9-¼ inch width means that they are intended to be hung from scenery flys and can be hoisted without interferring with adjacent flys.
The speakers are located in Jackson, Michigan at the Michigan Theater. Weight is about 250 pounds each. We think that they should be worth $500 each, FOB Jackson, Michigan. Call John Guidinger at 517-783-0962 if interested or email at .
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June 3, 2009
Astron Cinema in danger
ATHENS, GREECE —The Astron Cinema, located at 37 Kifisias Avenue, represents the new generation of purpose-built cinemas at the center of Athens in the 1950’s. It opened its doors on January 1957 with 1.074 seats (663 at the ground floor and 411 at the balcony). Designed in the Art Moderne style by the well-known greek architect Solon Kidoniatis, it is much acclaimed for its grandiose staircase, spacious foyer and the uncommonly elongated balcony.
Since May 2008, its current owner (Sinegiitiko Kefalaio Chrimatistiriakon Sinalagon) closed it down and sold the lot. A handful of active neighbors tried to persuade the Ministry of Culture about its architectural merits and the need to be preserved.
Please, sign our petition about the preservation of Astron Cinema.
(Thanks to Peter for providing the photo.)