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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 8, 2008
Looking for seats
I have a client that needs approx. 400 seats (used or fairly new in good condition)for a very old theatre in Oklahoma.
Janine Bradford
Cinema Service
Dallas, TX
214-692-7555 #2004 comments -
May 7, 2008
Landmark status sought for Majestic Crest
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission has recommended that the art deco Majestic Crest in Westwood be given Landmark status. The theater opened in 1940 and underwent major renovations led by Joseph Musil (who later redid the El Capitan theater) in 1987 that transformed it into a neighborhood gem.
The theater, half a mile south of UCLA, features Art Deco Revival architecture and an elaborate hand-painted interior mural that pays homage to Hollywood’s gilded age. The city’s Cultural Heritage Commission has recommended that the Crest be declared a historic-cultural monument, and a key Los Angeles City Council committee is expected to support the nomination today. Those actions are expected to clear the way for approval by the full council.
Read the full story in the Los Angeles Times.
Also check out this one from the same paper that talks about the neighboring Westwood Village with some mentions of its theater history.
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IMAX sells $18 million worth of shares
IMAX has centralized a larger portion of its ownership with this new deal.
IMAX Corp. has announced that the Douglas family, its largest shareholder, is adding to its stake by buying 2.7 million shares for $18 million in a private placement. As a result of the move, the Douglas family now owns 19.9 percent of the company.
In addition, IMAX also said Wachovia Capital Finance Corp. has agreed to expand and ease the terms of its credit facility.
These transactions will help fund the roll-out of the IMAX digital projection system.
Full press release at: Digital Cinema Info
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Mysterious theater has Warhol past
NEW YORK, NY — This article in the Gothamist discusses the history and present state of the Fortune Theater.
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May 6, 2008
Clockwork Orange, The Terminator, Blade Runner: The Final Director’s Cut - all on the big screen
A Clockwork Orange
The Terminator
and
Blade Runner: The Final CutAt the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre
54 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Tel. (201) 798-6055
Fax. (201) 798-4020 Web. www.loewsjersey.org
A Not-For-Profit Arts CenterRediscover the EXPERIENCE of going to the movies. The BIG screen. In a Grand Palace.
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Alamo Drafthouse expands to the east
Alamo Drafthouse is planning to open its first east-coast theater, in Winchester, VA.
“Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a unique movie theater experience,” says Lisa Limoges, a partner in NL Entertainment. “We give a whole new meaning to the term ‘dinner and a movie’ by combining both experiences under one roof.”
Eventually, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas hopes to open 10 locations in the state of Virginia and is actively seeking franchisees.
Get the full story in bizjournals.
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Wanted: Stage curtains
We are a school in Essex County, New Jersey. We are looking for stage curtains. Our curtains are in very bad shape. They are held together with staples and electrical tape. If your theater is renovating, please let us know. If you would be willing and able to donate that would greatly be appreciated. Thank You
Please contact me at:
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May 5, 2008
The Marina Theater is reborn
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — It’s sort of a cross between a reincarnation and a re-opening, but there’s once again a functioning Marina Theater in San Francisco on Chestnut Street. This San Francisco Chronicle article describes the fight to save the theater space and keep it as a cinema, although only a portion of the exterior appears to be what remains of the original theater.
The Marina, 2149 Chestnut St., originally opened in 1928 – to see what it looked like in April 1956, check out the big black-and-white photo of it at Bechelli’s ‘50s-style diner next door to the Presidio – and eventually became the Cinema 21 in the 1960s and was bought by Century Cinemas. The theater seemed doomed when Century joined United Artists, Regal Cinemas and other corporations in dumping their single-screen neighborhood movie houses to focus on multiplexes.
Walgreens wanted the space, but met opposition from a Marina neighborhood association, Chestnut Street merchants and the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation headed by San Francisco Giants executives Alfonso Felder and Jack Bair. By 2004, a compromise was worked out between Walgreens, the community groups and property owner Ray Kaliski. The drugstore chain agreed to give up half of the building, and the rest would become the theater.
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Columbia Music Hall demolition
PORTSMOUTH, OH — Following an arson fire in Nov 2007, the nearly 100 year old Columbia Music Hall will be demolished. Despite a valiant effort by the owners, the city powers that be erected obstacles to the effort
As a last resort, the Scott Family offered the remaining structure to an arts organization so that it would be able to qualify for grants.
At last report, the front facade will also be brought down despite the relatively undamaged portions of the lobby and balcony.
When the Columbia Music Hall reopened in 2007 following years of renovations and private investment, the family friendly performance facility had averaged 500-700 people on Friday and Saturday nights. Alcoholic beverages were not sold.
Scott said that something smaller may be built on the site, but until then has stated he will exercise first amendment rights and put a grave marker on the space.
For additional details and pictures, go to the Huntington News.
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Mystery theater - ID Help???
Can anyone identify this theater??
The marquee says LOEW’S PICCADILLY. The sign on the storefront to the right shows the letters “ROCHES…” which would suggest Rochester NY? Rochester MN? The reverse is marked in pencil “now Paramount – as in early 1920s”.
Anyone??! Thanks for ANY help you can give!