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The latest movie theater news and updates
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August 26, 2008
Fresh plan for Regent Cinema proposed in Multiplex deal
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA — Locals are battling it out with the government to preserve as many parts intact of the historic Regent Theatre.
Brisbane’s prized Regent Cinema is likely to be radically transformed under a deal between developer Multiplex and the State Government.
Multiplex, which was behind the criticised North Bank project, had planned a 38-storey office block at the Queen Street Mall site while still retaining the heritage-listed aspects of the Regent, the city’s only red carpet movie venue, until a public outcry forced the State Government to step in and put severe restrictions on the redevelopment.
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Plaza Twin to close
DUNN, NC — The town’s only theater, the Carmike Plaza Twin, will close this week with no plans yet on what will happen to it.
Just last year, the two-screen theater was given a full makeover, including new seats in both auditoriums and the latest Christie digital projectors.
“I think we’re the only theater that actually has (the new projectors),” Mr. St. Onge said. “They’ve been fixing up everything, so I’m surprised they’re closing.”
Read the full story in the Dunn Daily Record.
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August 25, 2008
The Brooklyn Paramount returns after 46 years
BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Paramount first opened its doors in November 1928. It continued in operation until August 1962 when then owners, The Long Island University, converted the lobby of the theatre into a student cafeteria and portions of the auditorium into a gym. Now, forty six years later the University has opened its new athletic center and announced the Paramount will once again be used as theatre space.
The grand lobby, a copy of the famous Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, the sunburst proscenium, the side bays representing visions into the formal gardens of French royal palaces of the late 18th century, and the ornate ceiling are still visible. The “Mighty Wurlitzer” pipe organ, second in size and sound only to the two in the Radio City Music Hall, has been lovingly restored by the Theatre Organ Enthusiasts group.
An article on the return of the Brooklyn Paramount can be found at the Brooklyn Eagle website along with a small photo of the auditorium during its 1962 conversion to a gym.
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NYC’s Met Opera increases movie theater venues
The Met Opera has had such success with their broadcast that they are increasing the number of venues, mostly movie theaters, by 30%.
NCM Fathom, the alternative entertainment division of National CineMedia, is presenting the Met via the company’s digital network. Participating exhibs include AMC, Cinemark, Clearview, National Amusements and Regal.
“The audience for opera is growing with each new movie theater that joins our network,” said Met general manager Peter Gelb.
National CineMedia and the Met estimate the total worldwide attendance last season for “Live in HD” at 920,000, more than the total attendance at Lincoln Center.
Read the full story in Variety.
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Looking for NE theater
Any theatres for sale in the Connecticut or Rhode Island area?
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August 22, 2008
Drive-in coming soon to Davenport
DAVENPORT, IA — Although not quite as early as initially reported, the Reel to Reel drive-in is still in the works.
Located off West Locust Street and north of West Lake Park in Davenport, the family’s Reel to Reel Drive-in – co-owned by Aaron, Randy, and Terri – is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009, and will stand as the first operational outdoor theatre the Quad Cities area has seen since the closing of Davenport’s Oasis drive-in in 1987.
The two-screen Reel to Reel was originally slated to open this past April, but Mother Nature nixed that plan. “The rain was the big delay for us,” says Arron. “We basically have to move every square inch of dirt on our entire eight acres, and we were told [by contractors] that unless the ground’s solid six inches through, it’s not even worth coming out.
Get the full story in the River Cities' Reader.
(Thanks to mjcarrasquillo for providing the photo.)
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Starlight Cinema comes back
HUNTINGTON, WV — Another weekend of Starlight Cinema is coming to Huntington this weekend.
Harris Riverfront Park will be transformed into a gigantic outdoor movie theatre on Friday, Aug 22 and Saturday, Aug 23, when Big Sandy Superstore Arena presents Starlight Cinema.
Showing Friday night, Aug 22, the recent box office hit adapted from the 1960’s Japanese anime series of the same name, Speed Racer. Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is an 18-year-old whose life and love has always been racing.
Read more in the Huntington News.
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Roseway Theater reopens
PORTLAND, OR — Hi all, What a fantastic site for the theater universe!!
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know we restored and re-opened the Roseway Theater.
Pics will be on site soon. We restored it as a single-screen and it now is all digital picture and sound as well. A google search for Roseway Theater flickr can lead to some pics if interested. Thx again for the site.
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Historic theater entertainment center of Carson
CARSON, IA — Still up and running, the Dreamland Theatre has been run by a local business club and they manage to be successful.
The Dreamland Theatre is considered the first or second oldest theater in Iowa. It opened in Carson during the 1920s.
After being privately owned, the Carson Business Club took it over in 1954.
“We kept everything the same,” said Joyce McClain, member of the business club. “We only updated the system.”
Read more in the Non Pareil Online.
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Theaters wanted
I would like to buy/rent/lease a closed theater. It’s ok if it’s in a small town. I am established with all the studios and currently operate 4 theaters
Thank you