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The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 9, 2008
Midland Theatre prepares for a new life
KANSAS CITY, MO — Back and better than ever, the Midland Theatre returns this week after an expansive overhaul.
The historic Midland Theatre should be rocking Tuesday with Melissa Etheridge after a two-year hiatus, but its backers are just as excited with what’s happening offstage.
That is because the 80-year-old former movie palace at 13th and Main streets has picked up some new flexibility after a $28 million overhaul.
Yes, the stage will boast much-improved lighting and sound equipment, but the ornate interior has been tweaked as well to accommodate a variety of private events such as fundraisers, parties and banquets.
Read the full story in the Kansas City Star.
(Thanks to dsjeffries for providing the photo.)
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Movies back at the Paramount
ASHLAND, KY — After many years, the Paramount Arts Center welcomed back films Friday with a star-studded gala.
One of the Hollywood’s biggest stars is turning her attention from the silver screen to the Paramount Arts Center’s screen.
“Like me, so many people in the Tri-State first entered this great building to see a movie,” said Tyson Compton, marketing director of the PAC and chairman of the event. “And people are always asking when we will show movies again. Well, that day has arrived! And, we think it’s a pretty big deal, especially with Ashley Judd as our hostess for the evening. How incredible is that? It isn’t every day that you have the opportunity to attend a cocktail party on the Paramount stage with one of Hollywood’s leading ladies.”
The Paramount is rolling out the red carpet (literally) today at 8 p.m. for “Opening Night with Ashley Judd” and a screening of romantic comedy “It Happened One Night,” starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable — a nod to the era when the Paramount first opened.
Read more in the Herald Dispatch.
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Art marquee restoration first step
HOBART, IN — Still pleasing moviegoers after almost 70 years, the Art Theater’s new marquee is the one of many renovations coming.
A new, three-sided marquee illuminated by bright, flashing lights will greet downtown moviegoers tonight.
The marquee outside the Art Theatre is the latest upgrade in a two-year project to restore the 67-year-old theater to its former grandeur.
The marquee is reminiscent of the one that was in place when the Art opened in 1941, although it’s not quite as big as the original, owner Scott Frey said.
Read more at the Post-Tribune.
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September 8, 2008
New Eco Cinema in Northwest London
KENSAL RISE, LONDON, ENGLAND — Self-made millionaire Sally Wilton is to launch an 80 seat all digital cinema in Northwest London next month called the Lexi Cinema.
This sounds like a treat for neighborhood residents!
“It is not one of those awful multiplex affairs – it is a real, local cinema and one which we hope will make going to see a film a magical occasion.” The 80-seat venue will show a mix of art-house, retrospective and mainstream movies, while its bar will serve fairtrade wine and organic ice cream.
More from the Evening Standard of September 1st.
And from the Pinkham Lighthouse website.
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Theatre chain adds social networking to website
VANCOUVER, CANADA — Attempting to get people talking more about their theaters as well as movies, Cineplex is utilizing social networking features on their website.
Canada’s largest movie theatre chain has launched a new social networking website, a move that will not only make the existing site more interactive, but give the company more control over marketing and lessen its reliance on mainstream media.
Cineplex Entertainment calls mycineplex.com an “online social networking movie and entertainment community.” Formerly, consumers could call up cineplex.com, punch in their location and find out which movies were playing in which theatres in their area, plus the show times for each movie.
They can still do that with mycineplex.com, but now users can also review the films, write entertainment-related comments and upload home videos and photos in the style of YouTube, Facebook and MySpace.
Read more at the Vancouver Sun.
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Small cinemas unite
In Japan, smaller theaters are joining forces to fight back the multiplexes.
A new cinema syndicate comprising mainly small regional movie theaters began operating this month.
The syndicate has 41 member theaters in 36 cities. The theaters include Theater Voice, run by a nonprofit organization in Kitami, Hokkaido, and Sakura Gekijo in Naha, which was once closed down but has since reopened.
The syndicate aims to increase its membership to 55 theaters in 50 cities by the end of fiscal 2008.
Read more in the Daily Yomiuri Online.
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September 5, 2008
Drexel Grandview to close
COLUMBUS, OH — After over 80 years in the business, the Drexel Grandview is closing its doors and leaving nothing but memories for its community. Current management head Jeff Frank states that offers to buy the theatre and add screens have been refused.
The Drexel Theatres Group earlier this year lost their management to the recently built Gateway when Landmark Theatres took over. The Drexel Theatre in Bexley will continue to be run by the Franks.
The Drexel Grandview, the oldest movie theater in Franklin County and one of the region’s few venues for art films, will close Sept. 27.
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Biggest Non IMAX/Cinerama single theater screens ????
I was flipping through a pile of 1960’s Boxoffice magazines and saw one or two profiles of single screen theaters built during the 1960’s with screens that were as large as 80 and 90 plus feet. How common was this back then? These were not Cinerama screens…
Prior to reading about these mammoth screen sizes, 30'x 63' was the largest I had seen and those both located in New Jersey; one was General Cinema’s Cherry Hill location, the other was the Route 4, Paramus Stanley Warner theater.
Thanks.
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Curzon Cinema closes
URMSTON, GREATER MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — After a long struggle to keep this cinema open it has lost the battle. The last of three in the district, the owners tried so much but it needed too much renovation work and it became financial liability. The loss of the Empress, the Palace, and now this, means there isn’t a local cinema anymore.
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Remembering the Scenic Theatre
ROCHESTER, NH — This story takes a look back at the years of fun at the Scenic Theatre.
For sixty years, going to the movies at the Scenic Theatre was one of the city’s most popular activities. Many area residents have happy memories of time spent there. Children walked or rode their bikes to weekend matinees. Dating couples enjoyed a movie and then a soda, or burgers, at downtown restaurants and soda fountains.
Read the full story in the Rochester Times.