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The latest movie theater news and updates
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July 11, 2008
Vintage theater curtain for sale
I purchased a theater curtain from a fellow remodeling a gymnasium over 20 years ago. He said he found it in the rafters. The curtain seems to date from the 1920’s and features advertisements from the Midvale-Stockbridge-Munnsville area of New York. This would be in Madison & Onieda counties.
As of yet, I have been unsuccessful in my efforts to find out the origins of this theater. No one in the town seems to be aware of an old demolished theater. The curtain is 25' wide and about 16' tall. It features a 7' round painting of art nouveau ladies in the center in addition to the above mentioned advertisements. Anyone with any interest should contact me for further information and pictures. It’s a glorious item that would enhance any existing refurbished theater.
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July 10, 2008
“Dark Knight” for Many Movie Theaters
The New York Times is reporting that theaters across the country are expanding the number of early morning shows they will be holding for the opening of The Dark Knight. The grosses for the latest installment of the Batman franchise should add to an already excellent summer for mainstream, first-run movie theaters across the country:
In a frenzy, fans have bought so many late-night tickets for the July 18 opening of the next Batman movie that theaters in places like San Diego, Chicago, and even Eagan, Minn., are scheduling 6 a.m. screenings for those who can’t get in at midnight or 3 in the morning. … Viewers seeking Imax screenings may have to wait. All of the first week’s showings at Lincoln Square are sold out, except for some 6 a.m. screenings, Whit Clay, an Imax spokesman, said.
Read the full story in the New York Times.
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NYC Demolition Review support
NEW YORK, NY — Many cities have adopted Demolition Review amendments to their local zoning codes to prevent destroying historic, but undesignated historic treasures. NYC is way behind the curve on this one. But on June 9, 2008, the 93rd Street Beautification Association submitted a proposed Demolition Review amendment to the NYC Council.
The Demolition Review amendment is currently under consideration by members of the NYC Council. Please help move this amendment into law by showing your support for protecting our city’s historic treasures ! Thanks !!!
It only takes 60 seconds:
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Rebuilt LI theaters carry hopes for economic revival
ISLIP, NY — Communities on Long Island are using reopened theaters to bring life back into their downtowns.
The lobby of the old Islip cinema is buzzing again.
Patrons buy tickets at the marble-fronted box office, tread up the carpeted stairs and take their seats – but this time it’s not for a movie.
After years of dormancy, the ‘40s-era Islip Theater has been reinvented as the Islip Pavilion, a performing arts center with concerts, comedy shows and community events. And local business owners are pinning their hopes on its success.
Read the full story in Newsday.
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Historic theater architect book for sale
I have a very old 1927/excellent condition paper bound 10 x 13 book of Selections from the recent work of Eugene DeRosa architect. The black and white photos show the classic New York Theaters DeRosa designed. I would like to sell it and while I was researching DeRosa I came across your site. If you have any interest please let me know.
Thank you,
Merry
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July 9, 2008
An era ends at the Coolidge
BROOKLINE, MA — After ten successful years, the Executive Director of the Coolidge Corner Theatre is leaving. He led the charge in revitalizing the theatre so replacing him is a top priority.
Executive Director Joe Zina is leaving the Coolidge Corner Theatre at the end of the year, and a new chapter in one of the few remaining Art Deco moviegoing jewels will begin.
From the press release: “After an incredibly active and prolific 10-year career as the Executive Director of the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation, Joe Zina will be stepping down from his position at the end of the year. Zina, who was previously on the Board of Directors at the theater and took the position of Executive Director in 1998, will be moving on to pursue personal artistic projects including consulting with community cultural centers on dance and film.
Read the full story at the Boston Globe.
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Alameda Theatre cuts corners with non-union workers
ALAMEDA, CA — The recently reopened Alameda Theatre has been getting heat for hiring non-union projectionists.
Martin Lipow, president of Local 169 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE) says that un-trained, non-union employees in the projection rooms at the new Alameda Theatre are likely to damage film prints and increase the costs for maintaining equipment at the theatre. Lipow says that the Alameda Theatre is using non-union “front of the house employees,” such as ushers, concession stand workers and ticket-takers, rather than trained projectionists, to effectively just “push the button” to start screenings on sophisticated equipment that was designed to be run by professionals. The results, he says, will be a diminished theatre experience for Alameda movie-goers, and a poorly run theatre that might not succeed.
Lipow works for Renaissance Rialto Theatres – owned by Allen Michaan – which also runs the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, the Orinda Theatre, and Auctions by the Bay at Alameda Point. Michaan is known for the political messages he posts on the Grand Lake Theatre, such as the anti-Iraq war slogan “No War For Oil.”
Read more at Action Alameda.
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Senator faces pressure from city events
BALTIMORE, MD — City legislation is coming up that could support summer outdoor events in the city at the expense of the success of the Senator Theatre.
For those of you who share our interest in protecting and preserving The Senator Theatre, we want to inform you of a pending legislative matter that if passed, may serve to undermine the theatre’s operational status. We are asking our friends and supporters to tune into this issue and what’s at stake, and to help us defeat the legislation currently pending before the Baltimore City Council.
4th district Councilmember Bill Henry has introduced City Council Bill #08-0135 for the purpose of approving certain amendments to the established Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Belvedere Square. Some of the amendments are warranted. Those that are problematic relate to the outdoor concerts and outdoor movies on weekend evenings.
Read more at the Senator website.
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July 8, 2008
AAA Magazine article focuses on Midwest theaters
The AAA “Traveler” magazine for July/August 2008 features a retrospective of several Midwestern theaters and the efforts to preserve them especially as performing arts centers. The story includes several pictures and focuses especially on the Fox in St. Louis, MO, the Missouri in Columbia, MO, the Illinois in Centralia, IL, the Granada in Emporia, KS, and the Victory in Evansville, IN. A number of other theaters are briefly mentioned as well.
The full article can be read at Our AAA (after typing in a local zip code like 63101).
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Wild West fundraiser at Fox
BAKERSFIELD, CA — There is a benefit show at the Fox Theater on August 1st that will focus on local history.
This important event is made possible by the Kern River Valley Historical Society, the Kern County Museum & the Fox Theater Foundation. All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the Lopez Hill House. The entire event is a focus on Kern County History, presented in a way it has never been presented before, for the purpose of raising money to help preserve more Kern County History.
Award-winning (and tireless) KRV Filmmaker Chuck Barbee will present 2 films:
- THE HOUSE WITH THREE LIVES — A documentary short about the history of the Lopez Hill House
- WILD WEST COUNTRY, Episode One, “The Lure of Gold.” — A feature length docudrama, bringing the history of the KRV to Bakersfield.
Get all the details at KRVR.