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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 13, 2008
Final season for drive-in movies in the Flint area?
FLINT, MI — When this writer took in “What Happens in Vegas” at the US 23 Twin Drive-in Theatre, it was learned that the drive-in’s owner Lou Warrington suffered a serious heart attack last year which left him homebound. He is 71. His 74-year-old wife Diane is doing double duty by caring for her ailing husband and managing the drive-in. It is the belief of Diane Warrington and the drive-in staff that is the final year of operation for the US-23 Twin Drive-in. The Warrington family is seriously considering putting the drive-in property on the market. The most likely fate is redevelopment. There is a small Kroger supermarket adjacent to the drive in. The Warringtons would be willing to sell the propety to Kroger if the price is right.
Word is that the only reason the rival Miracle Twin Drive-in Theatre is still open is because the US 23 Twin is still open. So if the US 23 Twin closes permanently, so will the Miracle Twin. So with the recent news of the two drive-ins' season opening, it is likely that this is the final year for the two drive-ins.
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Portland theater scene
PORTLAND, OR — This article in OregonLive discusses the single-screen scene in the area with special focus on the 1920’s Moreland Theatre.
The Moreland is just one of the vintage neighborhood movie theaters on Portland’s east side that still draw customers in an age of multiplexes, rentals, video on demand and “living room” theaters. Portlanders, unusually devoted to their neighborhood theaters, go to the Bagdad, the Hollywood, the Clinton Street Theater and others to mingle with neighbors, marvel at the theaters' ornate beauty and taste a simpler time.
“Portland’s a pretty good city when it comes to maintaining vintage movie theaters,” says Ross Melnick, a 33-year-old movie industry veteran studying for a doctorate in film history at the University of California at Los Angeles.
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May 12, 2008
Sycamore theater reopens
SYCAMORE, IL — The State Street Theater reopened after renovations to update it while still maintiang its classic charm.
Sycamore’s State Theatre, 420 W. State St., has recently undergone some major renovations.
The theater reopened Friday with the release of “Iron Man” after being closed for two weeks due to renovations.
The improvements include new, handicap-accessible bathrooms, full remodeling of the lobby and new computer systems that accept debit and credit cards.
Read the full story in the Northern Star.
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A car dealership with a movie theater?
CHESAPEAKE, VA — Just when I thought I’d seen everything, a new car dealership tries to lure customers with many unique amenities including a movie theater.
Soon, car buyers will be able to watch a movie, get a haircut and a manicure and do it all from the comfort of a local car dealership.
On Monday in Chesapeake, Priority Automotive will open at 1800 Greenbrier Parkway, and it will feature a restaurant with full-service kitchen, a movie theater, plasma screen televisions, a hair salon, a shoe shine station, a Wi-Fi work area and a manicure station. A dedicated executive chef will provide snacks and gourmet meals, and a kids play area includes a 250-gallon saltwater aquarium.
The full story, in the Daily Press.
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May 9, 2008
Theatre Historical Society Conclave To Visit Bay Area
The following was sent in by Lowell Angell of THSA:
The Theatre Historical Society of America’s 39th annual summer Conclave/Theatre Tour will visit more than 30 historic theatres July 8-12 in the San Francisco Bay area.
Due to the excellent early response, the tour is currently full, but more space may be made available if there is sufficient interest. THS invites all CT members to add their names to a no-obligation wait-list. There is no cost to do so and if more space becomes available, CT members will receive a special discounted registration rate.
Among the theatres to be visited are the Castro, Curran, ACT/Geary, Golden Gate, Orpheum and Warfield (San Francisco); Fox, Grand Lake and Paramount (Oakland); Del Mar (Santa Cruz); Orinda (Orinda), Fox (Redwood City); State (Monterey); and Alameda (Alameda), and many more.
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Capitol screens silent classic
ROME, NY — The Capitol Theatre is showing “Tol'able David” this weekend along with a full night of entertainment.
The 1921 silent film “Tol'able David” will be screened at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Capitol Theatre, 220 W. Dominick St.
A modern-day reworking of the David and Goliath tale, “Tol'able David” tells the story of the youngest child of a family of Virginia farmers who must discover his manhood after his father dies and a trio of escaped convicts cripples his brother. It will be shown in a 35mm archival print from the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
More details at the Observer-Dispatch.
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“Preserve Me a Seat” Screening in Sacramento, CA, Tonight!
For all Cinematreasures readers living in the Sacramento, California, area…
Tonight (Friday, May 9th, 2008), my documentary about historic movie theatres and the people who work hard to save them, “Preserve Me a Seat,” will screen as part of the “Movies On the Big Screen” series at 600 4th Street, West Sacramento (the corner of 4th and F in West Sacremento, just over the river from downtown), California. Admission is $5.00. For those who are interested in seeing the film but are not in the Sacremento, California, area, “Preserve Me a Seat” is also available on dvd at: www.apartment101films.comWe don’t remember a lot about our distant past, but we do remember out favorite movie theatre. “Preserve Me a Seat” is a documentary about these theatres and the ongoing fight to protect and preserve them for future generations. Featuring preservation efforts in Boston (The Gaiety Theatre), Detroit (The former Michigan Theatre), Chicago (The DuPage Theatre), Omaha, (The Indian Hills Cinerama Theatre), and Salt Lake City (The Villa Theatre), “Preserve Me a Seat” will appeal to anyone who has chrished memories of seeing their favorite movies in a grand theatre, and who appreciates the unique architecture of American movie theaters.
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Green Lane, Derby UK, Hippodrome Theatre petition
DERBY, ENGLAND — A petition has been raised to try to save this fineold grade 2 listed theatre from demolition by its owner.
If you would like to add your name to the growing list of signatories, please visit the link below.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/derbyhippodrome/
Lets hope we can raise awareness of the plight of this building before it is too late.
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May 8, 2008
Legendary Hollywood Preservationist and Community Leader Robert Wood Nudelman passes away
Robert Wood Nudelman, 52, a legendary figure in the fight to preserve Hollywood’s heritage, passed away at his father’s home in Tucson early this week. Ever present at meetings and hearings in the Hollywood community for 30 years, Nudelman is often credited as a driving force behind the restoration of landmark theaters and other buildings in Hollywood, spearheading a renaissance of the once-blighted area.
The loss of such a pivotal community leader has been met with unspeakable shock and sadness. He was the longtime Director of Preservation Issues for Hollywood Heritage, and was a past President and Board Member of the organization and Curator of its Hollywood Heritage Museum. He was a Vice President of the Society for Cinephiles/Cinecon Classic Film Festival and president of the Project Area Committee for the Hollywood Redevelopment Area. At the time of his death, he was working with Debbie and Todd Reynolds on the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum in Tennessee.
Nudelman was the son of Ruth Donovan Wood and Dr. Sol Nudelman, a leader in medical imaging. He grew up in Illinois and Rhode Island before a stint in Germany and then Tucson. He studied Theater Arts at the University of Arizona. His brother Mark and mother preceded him in death.
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Drive-in remains open for now
SACRAMENTO, CA — With a decision on its future still looking, the Sacramento 6 is still operating for the time being.
The on-again, off-again plan to demolish the aging drive-in theater along Bradshaw Road is delayed again.
Sacramento 6 is the last drive-in theater in the region.
Read the full story in the Sacramento Bee.