The latest movie theater news and updates

  • May 26, 2009

    Baltimore Senator Theatre owner Tom Kiefaber deserves our respect

    BALTIMORE, MD — My Opinion piece on the Senator Theatre was printed in the Baltimore Sun on May 23, 2009.

    Nowhere in the world is it easy to continue to operate a single screen movie theater, and too many single screens are just not feasible. For the last few decades, Kiefaber did it with aplomb. He put the Senator Theatre on the worldwide map of historic cinemas. He’s made sure the Art Deco theater is physically maintained and that it glows with excitement. On my visits, the Senator has been a magical place. Moviegoers enjoy the backlit glass blocks of the exterior, the splendid rotunda lobby which often features interesting historic exhibits, the well stocked concession area, and a movie with state of the art sound and perfect projection on the large screen. Unforgettable is a trip to the handsomely decorated men’s room suite, finding that you get to hear the movie through piped in speakers.

    Read more in the Baltimore Sun.

  • Current Ohio theater renovations

    I am currently photographing the renovation of the Capitol Theater in Cleveland and am interested in a project that would encompass photographing renovations and restorations of theaters in the region. “Region” is ill defined but, for now, a 200 mile radius from here is what I have in mind. The question is roughly how many theaters are there undergoing this kind of work and how many are under consideration in the “region” – Ohio and adjoining states.

    Thanks in advance,

    Chuck Mintz

    216-862-2722

  • Roxy preservation issue

    I came across the Cinema Treasures site while doing some looking around regarding the Roxy Theater at 827 Meridian St. in Nashville, TN. My wife and I own a home a couple of blocks away and are interested in the preservation of the theater and the neighborhood commercial district around it.

    The most recent owner of the theater has passed away and his family is selling the property. Do you have any insight in the best way to advocate for the preservation/restoration of the theater and storefronts?

    The theater is current in a significantly altered state with main entrances sealed, etc.

    Thanks,
    Dane

  • May 22, 2009

    Regent Theatre nearing demolition

    BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA — Brisbane’s iconic picture palace, the Regent, is one step closer to being gutted and redeveloped into an office tower and lobby. The Brisbane City Council development planning unit rubber stamped the development in a hasty meeting on May 12. Opposition requests to properly re-examine the plans were quashed by a majority vote. A bland token cinema of 300 seats and two 60-seat “auditoria/meeting rooms” is planned, as well as a huge car park in what was the original cinema box. These “cinemas” will only open on weekends and questions of viability and the lifespan of these areas remain.

    But the unique 1929 plaster ceilings and decorations in the current Showcase Cinema and adjoining bar area will be demolished, as the developers feel that this is not of any significance. The heritage listed gothic foyer and entrance lobby are protected by legislation, so the developers thankfully cannot touch those.

    The showcase and bar areas are all that remain of the grand auditorium of 2500 seats and give it a continuing aesthetic quality carried over with the 1980 conversion to a cineplex of 4 smaller cinemas. It is the favoured home of the Brisbane International Film Festival and they will now have to look elsewhere.

  • Info wanted: Paris Thr/Paris KY

    This small town gem, the Paris Theater, was once part of the powerful Schine Theater Chain. We are searching for photos, any photos, old advertisements, programs or any materials related to this theater. Items will be copied and returned if the owner requests.

    Please contact me as soon as possible if you have any leads. (Checks of all the usual research areas have come up empty.)

    THANKS!

  • Eight Screen Multiplex Available in Renton

    RENTON, WA — Hello. Thought I would post this for the industry. Feel free to email me with any suggestions or ideas. Owner would like to find a quality operator.

    Turnkey 8 cinema standalone multiplex available for lease in Renton, Washington. Will be available in Nov 2009.

    Close to Seattle at the junction of I405 and SR 167. Very high daytime and nighttime traffic counts.

  • May 21, 2009

    Live the retirement dream in beautiful Sweet Home Oregon

    SWEET HOME, OR — Live the retirement dream in beautiful Sweet Home Oregon. Foster Lake and the Cascade Mountains beckon as you aspire for the perfect retirement scenario. Own a fun, part time entertainment business in a small town with a great following and live in the apartment upstairs.

    The single screen Rio Theatre on Main St. in Sweet Home, Oregon! Enjoy providing the community with first run, family oriented movies Friday through Sunday, then take the rest of the week off!. This is a perfect opportunity to make a modest income bur still enjoy leisure time. Look us up at our website or call 541-401-3500 to make your dream come true. $350,000 for a 100% turn key business, real estate and collections.

  • World Premiere of Universal Signs at the Keswick Theatre May 30th

    GLENSIDE, PA — Don’t Miss the “Universal Signs” World Premiere
    2008 Winner of the Philadelphia Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Film

    Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009 at two special screenings
    Time: Matinee at 1PM and Evening at 7PM
    Location: Keswick Theatre – 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, PA 19038

    FREE parking and easily accessible by train!

    Universal Signs was a sell-out at the Philadelphia Film Festival.
    Buy Your Tickets Today at the Universal Signs site.

  • ISO: Old sound equipment

    I am looking for old sound equipment like old speakers, tube amplifier,s horn or horns drivers working or not.

    LIST
    OLD WESTERN ELECTRIC RCA AMPEX JBL MOTIGRAPH BALLANTYNE ANY SOUND EQIPMENT FROM 1920 TO 1960 .

    I will pick up and pay top money. Please or call me at 773-339-9035.

  • May 20, 2009

    BFA Thesis Film hopes to preserve the historic Ioka Theater on Film

    “Ioka” is a short, experimental documentary about Exeter, New Hampshire’s Ioka Theater. The film is directed by Kyle S. Glowacky, a BFA Film candidate at Emerson College. Emerson College’s School of Visual & Media Arts “encourages students to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, which is a more concentrated production curriculum culminating in a capstone project in their chosen medium."

    Glowacky was accepted into the BFA program in November of 2008 with a proposal to study motion in a place where motion had been exhibited for 93 years. Since the closing of the theater in December 2008, the film’s concept and scope has since been transformed and rearranged into variations about the projection of light, the physical space of the theater, and the myth behind its name. Glowacky hopes his film will help preserve the Ioka as a movie theater for another 93 years.