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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 21, 2008
Connecticut Film Festival 2008
(I’m volunteering at the CT Film Fest HQ all week in Danbury. FYI: The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, HQ’d in downtown Danbury until July [starring Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves and Robin Wright-Penn] will be shooting downtown on the opening night of the CTFF {May 20} next to the Palace Theatre at 165 Main Street.)
Sundance, Telluride, Cannes, Connecticut?
The Connecticut Film Festival 2008 (May 20-25, CTFilmFest.com)
By Dave Bonan
At any given time around the world, there are 2,500 film festivals taking place and each has to attract visitors with a unique hook. The Connecticut Film Festival (www.ctfilmfest.com), now in its second year (sans the original Bethel Film Festival) distinguishes itself from the competition by being the only statewide festival in a 9-month “traveling tour”, stopping at various cities and towns to educate and entertain.
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Park Theater to be demolished
LINCOLN PARK, MI — Sunday’s News Herald newspaper revealed that the Park Theater was donated to non-profit organization Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency. Plans are for the historic theater to be replaced with a mixed use development.
The Park Theater, c. 1925, was designed by C. Howard Crane. The Fort Street facade was changed to a Streamline Moderne facade in 1936. It is believed that the architect of that design was Charles Agree.
More info on the recent news can be obtained at the News Herald.
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Balboa restoration receives award
SAN DIEGO, CA — The recently completed Balboa Theatre restoration is winning awards for the meticulous work done to bring it back to its former glory.
The Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) is being honored with a 2008 People in Preservation, “A Star is Reborn” Award, on behalf of Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO), as well as a Historic Preservation Award for Architectural Restoration from the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board for the historic restoration of the Balboa Theatre. The vaudeville-era 1,300-seat live performance theater in the heart of downtown San Diego reopened in January and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project is being recognized for the great attention to detail in restoration of artwork, the color scheme, the 600 light vertical marquee sign and more. Both award ceremonies will be held in May, which is National Preservation Month. The Historic Preservation Award Ceremony is on May 22 and the SOHO Awards Ceremony is on May 30.
Read more at the Centre City Development Corporation.
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May 20, 2008
Drive-In Super Monster-Rama September 12-13
VANDERGRIFT, PA — What is DRIVE-IN SUPER MONSTER-RAMA?
Ever wish you could go into a time machine and go back to a time when life was much more simple, but far more fun? Well, here it is! DRIVE-IN SUPER MONSTER-RAMA is two nights of classic horror and science fiction 35mm prints presented at an authentic drive-in movie theater. There will be two big shows on two consecutive nights which will start at dusk and go on until really late into the night! This is the second year in a row that we are hosting such an event, so we encourage all East Coast drive-in movie fanatics to attend and make it another rousing success! What could be better than a weekend getaway topped off with two nights of classic monster movies on the big outdoor screen? We realize that everything is so expensive these days, but admission is only $10 a person each night! Plus, children 12 and under are free with parent or adult guardian. How can you beat that? The Riverside’s concession stand is loaded with reasonably priced goodies, including hot foods, hot and cold drinks, candy, popcorn and much more!
What is being shown and when?
On Friday, September 12, the features will be “Cry of the Banshee”, “Frogs”, George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” and “The Crazies”.
On Saturday, September 13, the features will be “Blacula”, “Return of Count Yorga”, “Dracula vs. Frankenstein” and “Werewolf vs. The Vampire Woman”.
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Palace Theatre gets new lease on life
DANBURY, CT — The Palace Theatre, once a 2000-seat, vintage 1929 downtown venue on Main Street long listed on Cinema Treasures as “abandoned” and with an “uncertain future,” has apparently come back to life. Thanks to the efforts of owner Joe DaSilva, the theater is being renovated.
It will host part of the Connecticut Film Festival on May 20-25 in a portion of the auditorium, which was divided into a triplex in the 1980s. According to DaSilva, once funding is in place for further renovation and repairs, the orchestra and balcony will be reconstituted to the original 2000-seat configuration, and the Palace will be used for live theater, concerts and film.
Cinema Treasures contributor “shoeshoe14” who has posted numerous updates on this site, has written about the Palace for Fairfield Weekly, and there will be coverage on WFSB-TV 3 (Hartford) and in the Hartford Courant as well.
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BREAKING NEWS: Boyd Named One of America’s Most Endangered / Rally This Thursday, May 22 @ 11:30am
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has listed the Boyd Theatre as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The Trust has just released their annual list of the nation’s most endangered building and added the Boyd to the list. In their estimation:
Boyd Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. — Philadelphia’s last surviving downtown movie palace—a masterpiece of Art Deco design—faces an uncertain future as it sits vacant and remains vulnerable to demolition, awaiting a preservation-minded buyer to return the vintage venue to its original grandeur.
This is only the second Philadelphia site to be added to the list (the other was Independence National Historical Park). Howard B. Haas, President of the Friends of the Boyd stated, “The National Trust listing verifies what Friends of the Boyd have said all along – the Boyd Theatre must be saved, restored, and reopened for entertainment.”
A rally is scheduled for this Thursday, May 22 beginning at 11:30 AM in front of the theater, located at 1908 Chestnut. All Cinema Treasures users are urged to attend and show their support for this irreplaceable theater. 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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Nickelodeon music cassette
I have for sale a cassette tape titled “Nickelodeon Theatre Music, as played on the Fotoplayer”. The tape is in good condition and includes the case and printed insert. This was produced by Marion Roehl Recordings, Stock 1006.
The tape is $ 5.00 plus priority mailing. Any interest or questions, please .
Thanks,
John
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May 19, 2008
Fisher Theatre to host new season of hit Broadway shows
DETROIT, MI — Nederlander Detroit, management company for the Fisher Theatre, announced today that the famed venue for performing arts will begin a multi-million dollar renovation this month in preparation for one of its biggest seasons of Broadway in Detroit. The major refurbishment project includes several new public bars in the lobby, restroom improvements, and the addition of an all-new, private party room.
Renovations will be completed just in time to raise the curtain later this Fall for the first of six sensational shows all appearing at the Fisher Theatre for the 2008-2009 Broadway in Detroit subscription series. The season opens with Avenue Q, the smash hit 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book (November 2008), followed by A Bronx Tale starring Chazz Palminteri (November – December 2008), A Chorus Line (January 2009), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (March 2009), Grease (June 2009) and Jersey Boys (November 2009). Additionally, subscribers will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to the triumphant return of Wicked (December 2008 – January 2009).
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Theater equipment for sale
Selling high quality pre-owned theater equipment and seating. All items in great condition. Several different brands and styles of seating to choose from. Best prices on all items, large quantity discounts available.
Please email me at: if interested.
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DTS Digital Cinema business sold to Beaufort
Beaufort International Group Plc announced that it has acquired the business and assets of DTS Digital Cinema from DTS, Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Beaufort made the acquisition through its US subsidiary, Beaufort California, Inc.
Full story at: Digital Cinema Info.