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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 23, 2008
New happenings on Cinema Sightlines
With so much discussion on this site regarding the moviegoing experience, you might get the craving to sink your teeth into a bit more on this subject. If you haven’t done so already, you should check out Cinema Sightlines. It’s a really well put together site that focuses in on some key areas such as theater issues, home theaters, private theaters and the industry at large.
Of special note are some in-depth looks into L.A. area gems like the Majestic Crest and the El Capitan. There’s more in the pipeline along those lines with much more so be on the lookout! It’s a site built to appeal to serious moviegoers and those with a curiosity about witnessing presentation on a higher level.
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Refurbished Screenland Armour Theatre opens today
NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO — North Kansas City’s old Armour Theatre (a.k.a. Centre and Paradise) reopens this Friday with the new Indiana Jones.
In its heyday, the 80-year-old Armour Theatre was the mainstay of entertainment for residents north of the Missouri River.
Nestled in the heart of North Kansas City’s retail corridor at 408 Armour Road, it was one of the area’s last single-screen neighborhood movie houses before going dark in the 1980s.
Now the structure that local movie theater owner Butch Rigby bought for $600,000 last summer has been restored and will reopen this week as the Screenland Armour.
The Kansas City Star article can be read here.
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Burned theatre leads to civil rights complaint
PORTSMOUTH, OH — Lee Scott, the co-owner of the Columbia Music Hall, which burned in November 2007 as the result of what the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, state and local agencies determined to be arson, has filed a civil rights complaint against the city’s police chief and the police department.
Scott who had previously been active in city politics and had helped recall a mayor that opposed his restoring the then closed movie theater, had been quoted in the Daily Times 12 hours before the fire as declining to pay for extra police protection.
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Free Theater Seats Available for Pick Up
I have 42 antique, cast iron theater seats available for pickup. Please contact Monica at (978)332-5566 or email at for more information.
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“Preserve Me a Seat” screening in McComb, MS This Weekend
For those Cinematreasures readers in Mississippi, my documentary, “Preserve Me a Seat,” which is about people who try to save and preserve historic theatres in the U.S., will screen this weekend at the historic State Theatre, in McComb, MS. Presented by the McComb Film Society as a benefit to help restore the historic State theatre in McComb, “Preserve Me a Seat” will screen Saturday, May 24th, at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The State Theatre is located at 222 State Street, McComb, MS. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information about the screening, contact Matt Doman at (601) 730-1877; For more information about “Preserve Me a Seat,” or to purchase the movie on dvd, please visit our website at www.apartment101films.com
Thanks!
Jim -
May 22, 2008
“Ghostlight” to spotlight supernatural
NEW YORK, NY — After shooting the pilot episode at the historic former Repertory Theatre of Boston (Boston University Theatre) in January, ‘Project Ghostlight’ is ready for the spotlight. The series created by SchoonerScout productions explores the lost history of America’s theatres. Legend, lore, and the lure of the supernatural set the stage for a haunting experience.
See the video on YouTube for a preview.
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Another successful “Somewhere in Time” weekend
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI — I heard about this event years ago and found it fascinating that there was enough interest to pull it off year after year. It’s built around the 1980 film, “Somewhere in Time” about a man that wills himself to go back in time to find the woman he loves. Basically, it’s a rather plush weekend where people come and stay in this historic hotel for a weekend fan retreat, period-dressed.
For the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan, the “Somewhere in Time” weekend is as close to literal time travel as you likely will find anywhere.
Hundreds of romantics, film buffs and a few who feel out of place in the “modern” world come together each fall to pay homage to the film, a cult movie hit filmed on Mackinac Island in 1979 but set mainly in 1912. And they do so by mingling in (optional) period dress over five-course dinners, champagne receptions and lectures on everything from the movie’s cinematography to Victorian underpinnings.
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New Edition of David Naylor’s Book Needs Your Help!
David Naylor’s Great American Movie Theaters was one of the first books I ever read about classic cinemas. In fact, the book was a major inspiration for this website. I remember going online in 1997-1998 trying to find information on many of the theaters Naylor profiled. That search led Patrick and I to found Cinema Treasures in 1999 as a site where we could house updated information, share it, and help others find theaters around the world to visit (and to eulogize).
So it is with considerable excitement that Naylor and the Theatre Historical Society of America have announced a new, updated edition of that wonderful guide book. According to THSA, “The revised edition will retain the style and flavor of the original and again will be arranged by geographic region, with a state-by-state listing of movie palaces and neighborhood cinemas.” The book is slated for publication in Spring 2009.
This time, Naylor, too, is harnessing the power of the Internet and the community of movie theater fans around the world by soliciting submissions for the new book. Karen Noonan of THSA writes:
In order to be considered, we have devised the following criteria that each submission must meet:
- Located in the United States.
- Still standing, whether operating or not.
- Built originally as a single auditorium/performance space.
- Presented films on a regular basis at some point in its history.
- Retains some architectural integrity from its use as a movie theater.
We would also like to invite Cinema Treasures' members to participate as well! We have links on our website to the criteria, rules and submission forms.
The deadline is June 1, 2008 so don’t wait to submit your favorites! This is a great opportunity to highlight your local Cinema Treasure and share it with the world. I know I’ll be first in line to get the new edition.
A press release appears below the fold:
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Reminder: Rally In Support of Boyd Theatre Today!
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A rally is scheduled for today at 11:30 AM in front of the Boyd Theatre, located at 1908 Chestnut. Everyone is urged to attend and show their support. According to Friends of the Boyd:
- Adrian Fine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will speak on why the National Trust included the Boyd Theatre on this important list.
- John Gallery of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia will speak on why the Alliance included the Boyd Theatre in their 2008 Endangered Property List.
- State Representative Babette Josephs, will speak on why the community deserves a reopened Boyd Theatre.
- Howard B. Haas, President of the Friends of the Boyd will speak, summarizing what needs to be done to ensure that the Boyd Theatre is restored and reopened instead of being demolished or altered.
Most important will be your joining our rally!
Thanks to Howard Haas for the information.[pre][/pre]
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May 21, 2008
Landmark Theatres introduces Living Room Auditorium to Dallas' classic Inwood Theatre
DALLAS, TX — Landmark Theatres today announced the grand opening of its newest Living Room Auditorium at Dallas' Classic Inwood Theatre. This unique auditorium — the first and only one of its kind in Texas — will give audiences an unparalleled movie-going experience just in time for summer’s most anticipated film, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which opens at the Inwood on May 22 at 12:01am with a special midnight show.
Working in partnership with the LoveSac Furniture Company, Landmark completely re-invented the first-floor auditorium of the Inwood with a variety of unique seating options including couches, loveseats, chairs and ottomans, as well as the original LoveSac. A private bar also was added, allowing patrons to purchase cocktails and soft drinks without ever leaving the auditorium.
Landmark Theatres first introduced the Living Room auditoriums in their Los Angeles flagship theatre, The Landmark, where they won widespread acclaim from audiences.
“It’s a completely unique concept and a movie-lovers' dream come true,” CEO Ted Mundorff said. “Guests will feel like they are in their own screening room. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to provide patrons with the perfect afternoon or evening out, not just at the movies, but as an overall entertainment experience.”