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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 27, 2008
The Retro Cinema opens
WASHINGTON, GA — Retro Cinema and Books has opened and is a tiny little theatre that has to be seen to be believed.
Not only is the place a work of incredible work of art with attention given to every detail, but it also includes a bookstore and wine bar off of the theatre itself!
The following is from a recent review in Flagpole Magazine
The heart of the Retro is the theater. Seats are limited, lending to a feel that’s more reminiscent of watching a movie at home with a group of friends rather than sharing an auditorium with 200 popcorn-chomping strangers. And there’s a reason it’s called the Retro: the owner, Dana Kibbey, says, “We select our movies carefully, looking for themes and genres that would appeal to this market, while at the same time standing as special movies in their own right. We do play classic Hollywood films from the ‘40s and '50s on "Retro Nite.”
They aim for the special charms and appeal of the classics, leaving the typical Hollywood blockbusters to the chain theaters. They’re also planning to expand a bit by hosting a special film festival in the fall of ‘08 that Kibbey reveals will also include guest appearances by classic film stars to discuss their films and their books. Housed in the rear corner of the cozy theater is a concession booth, complete with popcorn, cookies and Tab. But they offer a wider variety of sodas, if you’re not feeling quite that retro.
Here is their website.
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Lynchburg theatre to be brought back
LYNCHBURG, VA — As it approcahes its 80th birthday, the Academy of Music, is on the slate to be ambitiously renovated with some new additions.
Lynchburg’s Academy of Music closed in 1958, with more than a century of history locked up inside. But Thursday morning that all changed. A ground breaking will turn the lights back on at Lynchburg’s historic theater. For the city, it means looking to the future.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is our Civic Center. Between this and the hotel across the street and other lodging opportunities in and around downtown, this is where a lot of different events can take place,” said City Manager Kimball Payne.
People lined up for tours, to take a peak inside, where famous vaudeville performers once took the stage.
Get the full story at WSLS.
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June 26, 2008
Vintage Century 35mm film projectors need a good home
The Czech Embassy in Washington, DC, is renovating its facility and has two 1960’s era Century 35 mm projectors and one Kni-tron 16 mm projector (very large). We must quickly find homes for these beasts or they are going into the trash heap of history. Anyone know of a good home?
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Momence Theatre continues restoration
MOMENCE, IL — The Momence Theatre just east of Kankakee, IL, continues its restoration work. Currently we are making major repairs to secure the roof and get the building closed in for the interior work. Recently an engineering firm was brought in to give an analysis of the building’s condition and it turned out to be better than expected. We now have a plan of attack to move the four center posts holding the auditorium room in place.
The town of Momence, which is an Illinois Main Street community, continues its work to bring all of the wonderful historic buildings back into business. Their facade grant program has been a major help to us with tuckpointing.
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1923 Saenger styled theatre in Meridian, MS for sale
Jerome Kittrell has listed for sale a beautifully preserved 1923 Saenger styled, 1600 seat theatre in Meridian, MS. The Moorish designed theatre has all the seating intact and is in excellent condition. It includes stage curtains, lighting,c oncession area/lobby and ballroom.
Current bookings include state Junior Miss program, annual performances of the Nutcracker Suite performed by Moscow Ballet, as well as concerts and the occasional movie.
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June 25, 2008
Thomas Lamb treasure hosts summer film series
COLUMBUS, OH — Continuing today, the Ohio Theatre is hosting its 39th Annual summer film series.
Most of the films in the series are classics that will be familiar to many Ohio State students.
Other movies in the series include “Monty Python’s Life of Brian,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Color Purple,” “Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious,” “Back to the Future” and “Sparrows.”
Along with these films, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts will also show themed movies, such as an apparent Christmas in July theme with “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “White Christmas” scheduled to run in mid July and “CHICK FLICK FRIDAY!” with the showing of “When Harry Met Sally” July 18.
More details are available at The Lantern.
(Thanks to wallyg for providing the photo.)
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Big-screen giant Imax eyes digital future
With pressure to grow into more areas and still stay relevant, Imax is going digital.
The giant of the large-screen format is beginning one of the biggest initiatives in its 40-year history: switching from 70mm film to a digital system of projection.
Next month, the company will roll out the first three digital Imax installations with exhibitor AMC Entertainment — two in Washington and one in Baltimore. Three more will debut in August in Philadelphia. Imax expects to have digital systems deployed at 50 sites by year’s end, with the goal of converting its 296 owned or equipped theaters in 40 countries.
Imax believes that the digital offerings will prompt new installations and more studio films for release in Imax theaters.
Read more at Reuters.
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The doors of Pearisburg theater open again
PEARISBURG, VA — While the future is still unclear for the Pearis Theater, it opened up for the first time in a while to showcase a local production of “The Three Musketeers”.
After a period of silence, the halls of the Pearis Theater are ringing with the sounds of music and laughter once again.
The theater, built in 1939, is still for sale, but a recent agreement has its doors reopened.
Get the full story in the Roanoke Times.
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June 24, 2008
Lucknow theaters gear up to take on multiplexes
In India, some classic theaters still standing are fighting back at the multiplexes by investing dollars in bringing their amenities up to date.
These halls are gearing up to give a tough fight to the multiplexes. They have invested a lot in providing modern amenities in their halls.
Huge investments are also made on spruce up the ambience marked by these halls to give viewers a better movie experience. The owner of a famous cinema hall in the city has spent over Rs 50 lakh on restructuring the interiors of his movie theatre.
“The viewers are very particular these days. It is also because of the varied choices, ranging from numerable cinema halls to multiplexes, they have. A viewer will only opt for a movie hall where he gets the best of comfort,” said senior manager of an eminent cinema hall in Lucknow.
Read more at Business Standard.
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A Day in the Life of a cinema manager
This article takes a look at the typical issues that come up in a daily week in the life of Ohio cinema operations manager, Ron Dunn.
Ron Dunn has been an employee for Jim and Joyce Boyd for the past 18 years, the past two as the all-inclusive employee with the title of Boyd Operations Manager. The Boyds are the owners of three theaters including the Van Wert Cinemas and the Van-Del Drive-In, as well as a theater in Bryan, Ohio. Dunn is hands on with all of them, specifically the ones in the area, and spends his days handling a slew of tasks.
Dunn is the right-hand man for the owners and has a daily routine that fluctuates frequently, often times differing depending upon the day of the week.
Read the full story in the Times Bulletin.