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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 2, 2008
Barco launches a training program
According to Digital Cinema Buyers Guide, Barco is starting a formal training program at their California and EU facilities.
The press release says that the major topics covered during the course include:
Introduction to Digital Cinema
Projector components
Specifying lamps, lenses, and projectors for the environment
Installation procedures
Communicator software
Upgrades, troubleshooting, and maintenanceSeems like a good step forward in the evolution of this technology shift. There are many more potential points of failure than the projector, of course. But it is one of the more significant parts of the system. That, and the server, and the network itself, and the satellite download gear, and the encrypted key system.
I wonder if Cinemeccanica, a Barco sub-licensee of the TI technology will have this training. I would rather go to Milan.
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Hollywood Theatre closed once again
DORMONT, PA — The Hollywood Theatre, one of two theatres in the Pittsburgh suburb of Dormont was praised after it reopened on March 30th 2007. The Hollywood Theatre had been closed since 1998. Sadly more people wanted it to reopen than people would actually support it and it once again closed on May 25 just a little over a year after it reopened.
From member Susan The Bass Player:
A second Pittsburgh area second run house has bitten the dust. Not long after the shuttering of the Screenworks 14 in Bridgeville comes the news that the Hollywood Theatre in Dormont has also closed. Like the Screenworks, the re-incarnated Hollywood lasted a very short time—only 14 months from its re-opening to the time of closure.
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May 31, 2008
Boyd Update: Philly Mayor Nutter Supports Boyd
PHILADELPHIA, PA: The following was sent in from Friends of the Boyd:
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia nominated the Boyd Theatre on May 28, 2008 for designation by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael Nutter announced on May 29, 2008, his support for the nomination and pledged to work to preserve the building. Click here to read the Mayor’s statement.
The Historical Commission notified Boyd Theatre owner Live Nation and scheduled a hearing before its Designation Committee for July 16, 2008. Friends of the Boyd president Howard Haas asserted the Boyd Theatre long ago should have been designated. “It has a beautiful art deco exterior with many original decorative elements intact. It’s about time it was recognized as a landmark.” Inga Saffron reported the story in the May 30, 2008 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer and it also aired that day on KYW Radio.
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May 30, 2008
Ridgewood Theatre in danger
RIDGEWOOD, QUEENS, NY — Michael Perlman, Dir. of Queens Preservation Council is seeking a historically-sensitive (arts-related) tenant for the endangered historic Ridgewood Theatre (55-27 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY). It closed in March 2008 after nearly 92 years, and was the longest continuously operating theater citywide & potentially throughout the US. It was modeled after Times Square’s long-demolished Mark Strand Theatre, the 1st movie palace in the world.
It is of the utmost importance to reopen, lease, adaptively & creatively reuse, and preserve a gem by the foremost Thomas Lamb, so it can contribute to the appeal of an up & coming neighborhood. Please become a Friend of the Ridgewood Theatre, and help spread the word to as many contacts as possible by forwarding our new website:
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Fox reopening a success!
WATSONVILLE, CA – The Historic Fox Theatre of Watsonville is back and alive and reopened!!! We just wanted to let you know. We had our grand re-opening May 1st with “Iron Man” and it was a success. It is open and alive.
Address is 15 Maple Street, Watsonville, CA 95076 The phone number for movie times is 831 761-8200. The web site is www.foxtheatre3.com
Thanks
Lori
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Varsity update
Here’s an update on the Varsity Theatre in Martin Tennessee, which I covered in my blog, Marathon Pundit:
My Mississippi Manifest Destiny—The Varsity Theatre in Martin, Tennessee
(The photo I took myself, two weeks ago)
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A look into the work of Mandel Sprachman
Here’s a great story from the City of Toronto Archives about the work of Mandel Sprachman and his theaters across the world.
Bryan J Arseneau
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Closed movie house photo gallery published Wednesday
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Riverfront Times, the city’s alternative weekly newspaper, posted on Wednesday a photo slide show of several closed movie houses in the St. Louis area and two in Illinois. Most recently closed in the group is the Hi-Pointe Theatre in St. Louis, which is undergoing renovations and new management. The art-house theater’s marquee reads, “Gone Fishin' / See You Soon.” Moviegoers here are anxiously awaiting the opening of the theater, which had fallen into disrepair in recent years.
Photo slide show link
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Favorite summer movie memories
Anyone care to share their favorite summer movie experience as a child (between age 5 and age 11). One of mine was watching “Grease” with my crazy cousins in Crystal Lake, Illinois. I will always remember it as the “Summer of Grease”. And what about that “Whacky Shak”? What a blast from the past.
Maria
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May 29, 2008
Los Angeles Times profiles L.A.-area theatres
The Los Angeles Times has published a “best of” article profiling several L.A. area theatres.
We’re lucky. As blockbuster moviegoing season gets into full swing this Memorial Day weekend, we live in a place where it’s just as easy to see that new, hot indie as it is to see that old, familiar Indy (think crystal skulls). We get to do so in any one of dozens of unique theaters. And the price? Not so bad, considering the alternatives.
In Chicago, for example, the Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinema chain is slated to open a theater later this year that will charge an estimated $35 per ticket. That gets you reserved recliners in a 40-seat theater, food service brought to your seat, special parking and the latest in projection and sound innovations.
But a little intrepid researching around Southern California has revealed all those amenities and then some. Try signature cocktails. Leather couches. Refreshments from around the globe. Granted, they may not all be found at the same theater, but on the other hand, our admission prices top out at $15 — at the El Capitan, of all places.
View the rest of the article here.