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The latest movie theater news and updates
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February 25, 2009
Last call for ordering pre-publication copies of “American Theatres of Today!”
It’s the “last call” to order your pre-publication numbered limited edition copy of “American Theatres of Today.” This important book is being reissued by the Theatre Historical Society of America in celebration of our 40th anniversary. Readers of Cinema Treasures can place orders through March 15th, 2009.
Originally issued as two volumes in 1927 and 1930, the book by R.W. Sexton and B.F. Betts is one of the very few theatre reference works published during the movie palace era. It is 368 pages and features 113 theatres, 275 photographs, 278 plans and illustrations. The book contains an introduction by famed showman S. L. “Roxy” Rothafel and articles by noted authorities on various aspects of theatre design and operation.
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Blaze rips Dorchester church
DORCHESTER, MA — The former Franklin Park Theatre witnessed a devastating fire over the weekend.
A five-alarm fire ripped through the sanctuary of a Dorchester church early yesterday morning, charring the altar and displacing worshippers for months to come.
New Fellowship Baptist Church on Blue Hill Avenue was left in shambles after the fire, which destroyed a piano and baptismal pool, melted balcony-level seats and caused the ceilings above the altar and conference room to cave.
Read the full story in the Boston Herald.
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Will the Lebowsky Center get economic stimulus money?
OWOSSO, MI — There is no shortage of organizations in Michigan which are requesting funds from Michigan’s share of the $787-billion economic stimulus package which President Barack Obama signed into law. Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm’s office has compiled a long list comprising 1,301 pages of organizations in Michigan requesting funds from the stimulus package. One of them is the Owosso Community Players requesting $4-million to rebuild the fire-gutted Lebowsky Center.
Additional info from the Argus-Press.
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February 24, 2009
Cinema closure brings sadness
HAMPTON, NH — Another local theater closes as Hampton residents lose the almost thirty year old Hampton Cinema Six.
Marian Lamie never thought she’d see the day come when the screens at Hampton Cinema Six went dark.
The 73-year-old lifelong Hampton woman has worked at the local theater for the last 17 years, but yesterday, the place where locals have come to catch their favorite flicks since 1980 closed its doors for good.
As she bagged popcorn, Lamie expressed sadness over the loss of the theater and the job she loved.
Read more at MSNBC.
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A night at the Mar-Va Theater
POCOMOKE CITY, MD — A traditional projectionist discusses how he keeps the Mar-Va Theater going, the old-fashioned way.
“A commercial single screen movie theater can’t compete with "multiplex” theaters having up to 16 screens showing 16 movies,“ he said. "No one but us has opened a single-screen theater on the Eastern Shore in years. We are bringing back memories and creating memories by bringing viewers in for a $5 ticket and reasonable popcorn and a drink. We want family entertainment, new movies. A couple of weeks ago we showed The Wizard of Oz for free, with help from a sponsor, and the foundation made money on the concession sales,” he said.
Former city mayor Kurt Lippoldt, treasurer for the center’s board of directors, said the committee has worked hard since 2003 to renovate the theater that opened in 1927 and closed in 1993. It was purchased by the center in 1995.
Read the full story in the Delmarva Daily Times.
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Business up for Regal
Shares might have been down but business was up for Regal in the final quarter of the year.
On Thursday, Regal Entertainment Group reported that fourth-quarter earnings soared 30.0%, due to a boost in admissions and concessions revenue and an extra week in the calendar year between Christmas and New Years.
Still, adjusted earnings missed expectations by 6 cents a share. Regal’s shares sank 8.7%, or 91 cents, to $9.39, in afternoon trading. Its shares have tumbled 43.7% in the last six months.
Read more at Forbes.
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February 23, 2009
Marcus Loew bronze plaque for sale
I’ve acquired one of those 144+ bronze plaques with a brass relief bust of Marcus Loew. These plaques were mounted in the lobbies of most, if not all, Loews movie palaces. The plaque was designed by sculptor Louis Keila and produced in 1924. One of these is in the collection of the Jewish Museum in New York, and has been catalogued by the Smithsonian Institute.
Anyone wishing more information, including a digital image, is invited to contact me offline.
I am also wondering how many of these plaques still exist in what were the Loews theaters.
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Washington Theatre reopens
WASHINGTON, NJ — Just wanted to inform everyone that the historic and renovated Washington Theatre is now open! It is a great find and value. The person in charge is Marco. The phone number to the theatre is : 908-689-0899, and the website address is: here.
Please come and support this great theatre. We really need your help!
Thanks,
Joni -
Not lost in translation
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — An article takes a look at how the language barrier is affecting the current theater output in Moscow.
Catching the original English-language version of a recent film isn’t so easy in Moscow these days, especially since the America Cinema closed a few years ago. It’s become easier to find independent or art house features in the original language than, say, recent Hollywood blockbusters. Here’s an overview of the main venues where you can enjoy English-language movies minus the usual Russian-language dubbing.
Read the guide at Moscow News Weekly.
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February 20, 2009
Pflueger theatre architecture lecture
HOLLYWOOD, CA —
EGYPTIAN THEATRE
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
www.AmericanCinematheque.comAMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE Presents:
Saturday, February 28 – 2:00 PM
ART DECO SOCIETY LECTURETHE MOVIE THEATER ARCHITECTURE OF TIMOTHY PFLUEGER
(90 min.)