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The latest movie theater news and updates
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July 30, 2008
Old movie houses survive thanks to loyal volunteers
OROVILLE, CA — As mentioned earlier, these California theaters prove that if the community is behind them, they can be brought back to former glory.
The State in Oroville recently reopened with the State in Red Bluff a work in progress.It was a monumental year for two North State theaters—aside from Oroville’s theater, the State Theatre in Red Bluff recently celebrated 100 years since its beginnings as the Red Bluff Opera House.
The theaters are experiencing a revival, thanks to the dedicated work of people who are passionate about restoring these buildings to something close to their former glory.
Read more in the News Review.
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July 29, 2008
Uptown Theater sold to Jam Productions
CHICAGO, IL — The auction announced last week happened and a buyer stepped up. In what will hopefully be good news for the future of the Uptown Theater, Jam Productions purchased the property for $3.2 million.
Without any drama, a venture led by concert promoter Jam Productions Ltd. bought the historic Uptown Theatre on Tuesday for $3.2 million in a court-ordered foreclosure sale.
Jam principal Jerry Mickelson was the only bidder for the long-vacant theater at 4816 N. Broadway. The sale price was essentially a “credit bid” that covers repayment of about $1.8 million owed on a first mortgage and $1.4 million owed on a second mortgage that’s held by Mr. Mickelson’s group.
Mr. Mickelson, who has said he plans to restore the Uptown, declined comment on the sale.
Read the full story in Chicago Real Estate Daily.
UPDATE 7/30: Read more for Uptown Advisor story.
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Artcraft packs ‘em in with the classics
FRANKLIN, IN — The 86 year-old local institution, the Artcraft Theatre, manages to be successful with a slate of classic films and some old-fashioned service.
“If you talk to anybody who’s lived here for any period of time, they have memories from the Artcraft Theatre,” said Tricia Bechman, executive director of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, who often can be glimpsed in the box office, selling old-fashioned roll tickets.
“It’s a throwback. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you feel like a kid again.”
In an age of corporate chains of multiplexes splashing the newest movies on screen every week, the Artcraft thrives by playing old movies — and brings out audiences in astonishing numbers. Several hundred people typically buy tickets on alternate weekends, paying $5 a head to see films that they could easily rent on DVD.
Read the full story at the Indianapolis Star.
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Regal profit falls; digital upgrade advances
Regal profits are down but they’re going to try to make up for it by speeding up the digital rollout.
Regal Entertainment Group , the largest U.S. movie theater owner, posted sharply lower quarterly profit on Thursday and said improvement might not come until the fourth quarter.
But the company also reported progress in a long-delayed digital upgrade expected to boost sagging attendance at movie theaters.Second-quarter net income fell to $13.8 million, or 9 cents a share, from $52.7 million, or 33 cents a share, a year earlier.
Read more at the Guradian.
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Atlantic/Chicago Theatre-Nutcracker and Gobots movie reels
I recently acquired two movie cases dated 1987. They appear to be from the Atlantic Theatre in Chicago. Inside one is two reels with film from the movie The Nutcracker reel 4 & 5. The other has one reel with film from the Gobots movie, reel 4 only.
I am wondering if anyone knows of a place that would be interested in these, or would know of any info about these reels.
Thanks
Jish -
July 28, 2008
Wilshire Theatre renovations
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Wilshire Theatre is undergoing an exciting renovation. Phase I is already underway. They have shut down for the summer and will reopen for the BMI Urban Awards on September 4, 2008.
The photograph is of the proscenium’s repaint
More details to come…
(Photo courtesy of the Wilshire Theatre.)
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RCMH stages organ event
NEW YORK, NY — Radio City Music Hall is hosting a special event run by the Theatre Organ Society International.
This is a once in a lifetime event and it is open to the public:
“Col. Jack Moelmann and Friends” At the Mighty RCMH Wurlitzer Organ ConsoleFeaturing:
Dan Bellomy – Fr. Gus Franklin – Russell Holmes – Walt Strony
Saturday, August 9th, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. Admission $50.00
For more information go to www.theatreorgansocietyinternational.comNews courtesy of Ted Gooding at THSA.
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Looking for 330 theater seats
Hello Folks,
I need to seat 330 people and I’m looking to purchase used theater seats. If anyone knows of any leads, they would be greatly appreciated.
I am located in Toronto, Canada and I’m willing to cover the cost of shipping.
Please reach me via email at .
Thanks,
Theresa -
July 25, 2008
Uptown Theater to be auctioned
CHICAGO, IL — It has come to the attention of the Balaban and Katz Historical Foundation that the Uptown Theater building at 4816 North Broadway in Chicago will be auctioned publicly on July 29th at 10:30 am at the offices of the Judicial Sales Corporation. The address is 1 South Wacker Drive (24th floor) in Chicago.
The Judicial Sales Corporation has a website. The law firm involved in the case is Noonan and Lieberman LTD. located at 105 West Adams Street Chicago. The Balaban and Katz Historical Foundation’s website is here. Our email is The most recent interior pictures of the theater may be viewed at http://www.balabanandkatzmagazine.com.
(Thanks to chrisjuno for providing the photo.)
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Box Office Preview: X-Files Debut vs. The Dark Knight
Fox and Fox Mulder will duke it out with Warner Bros. and The Dark Knight this weekend for box office supremacy. If the previous week’s tallies for TDK are any indication, though, it may not be a close race with the Christopher Nolan-directed film aiming to cross the $300 million mark this weekend, according to Variety.
Sony’s comedy Step Brothers will also bow this weekend, while Universal’s Mamma Mia looks to grab additional counter programming dollars after its $27.7 million opening last weekend, the highest grossing opening ever for a musical. According to Variety, Step Brothers will open in 3,094 theaters, while “X-Files” gets a slightly larger launch in 3,185 houses.
Good luck to Mulder and Scully and Farrell and Reilly … and to anyone looking for The Dark Knight IMAX tickets.
Will The Dark Knight break $300 million this weekend?