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The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 31, 2008
Garden Theatre runs first film in 45 years
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The first film to be projected in the restored Garden Theatre was shown Saturday night, January 26. The movie was SHE, and it was the first production ever shown in the house when it opened in 1935.
The theatre opens officially on Friday, February 1, with the Jester Theatre production, THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS. Call 407-877-GRDN for tickets. The website is here.
(Thanks to Irv Lipscomb for providing the photo.)
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New auditorium at Kew Gardens Cinemas
KEW GARDENS, NY — The Kew Gardens Cinemas added a new cinema where a dry cleaners used to operate in the same building, but not in the theatre space. It feels like it’s always been there. It has dolby digital, stadium seating, and is one of the nicest in the complex.
It’s on the first floor. They also changed the outside facade to close in the old storefront with new neon and vintage poster cases from the old Metro theatre on the Upper west side. The cases are from the early 1930’s. The theatre just keeps getting better.
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Curtains wanted
We are looking for used velour front curtains. If your theater is renovating, please let us know. We are a non-profit organization (501c3) that benefits youth in the arts. Donations preferred, but price negotiable.
Contact Eric Haynes 323/363-1290, .
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January 30, 2008
Brein updates?
Does anyone now the history of the Brein theatre at Powell Ave & Pitkin Ave? Its still standing today & is closed up tight.
Contact:
Fred Jarvis
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Westchase demolition
The Westchase Cimemark in Houston, TX is to be demolished sometime early this year…any help with the date of the implosion would be great.
I’ve googled and searched for most of the evening and no specific date or demolition company has come up in any of the searches.
Thanks!
Contact:
Lesle Travis
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Theatre manager & film booker services available
Hello,
I am an experienced theatre manager & film booker with over 20 years in the theatre business. If you need a theatre manager or film booker, please leave me an email with your name, phone number, location of theatre with zipcode , how many screens, and what city & state.
I am willing to move anywhere in the United States and have no family as I am only 37 years old. If you want someone who will care about your theatre .
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January 29, 2008
Granada Reopening
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Attention! March 9th free Open House of the Granada Theatre’s 50M$ restoration/upgrade. Just the rare event CinemaTreasure fans will enjoy. While the restoration is a balance of “functionality, aesthetics and history” that might disappoint some purists, “Old photos and newspaper reports were referenced, and the final aesthetic design will include the best features from the venue’s past.” An artist’s rendering of the interior is enough “proof” for most that the drive up from LA will be worthwhile. Those game enough to make the trip without looking at the rendering should be pleasantly surprised.
Summarizing the opening celebrations
March 4 — A tribute to the theatre’s Hard Hats.
March 6 — The Opening Gala featuring performances by the theatre’s resident companies.
March 9 — Free Open House.
March 14 — Natalie Cole concert.1216 State Street, Santa Barbara, California (805) 899-3000.
It’s the tallest building in town (8 stories) with a big parking garage right behind it. Go up (literally) State St, past the Granada on your right, make two rights to go down Anacapa St (a one way) to get into the garage. If full, continue down Anacapa for three more garages in the next three blocks. All are on your right. Map Link. -
Scotland’s former Odeon Edinburgh to become boutique hotel
EDINBURGH, LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND — According to this article in the Scotsman the shuttered Odeon Edinburgh, once the site for gala premieres, will be substantially demolished to build a boutique hotel. Certain parts of the building will be preserved such as the facade and foyer. Attempts to preserve it as a cinema by notables, including Sir Sean Connery, were unsuccessful.
However, as radical plans unveiled last night revealed, films will continue to be screened at Edinburgh’s former Odeon cinema when the building is revamped as a hotel complex.
The main auditorium at the movie theatre, in the city’s southside, will be demolished under the plans drawn up by developer Duddingston House Properties.
But the 20 million construction will feature an 80-capacity lecture theatre equipped with projection equipment and an outdoor courtyard where films will be shown on a giant glass screen.
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Live Nation Confirms Sale of Theaters
Howard Haas is reporting that “as anticipated” Live Nation has confirmed the sale of theaters, leases, and their “Broadway Across America” project to Key Brand Entertainment, a company controlled by theater producer John Gore of London.
The eight theaters included in the transaction are located in Minneapolis, Boston (except for the Boston Opera House), Baltimore, and Toronto. Live Nation has retained the Warner Theatre in Washington DC, New York City’s Hilton Theatre, and its ownership of the closed Boyd Theatre in Philadelphia.
For more information, read Key Entertainment’s press release, or this New York Times article.
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January 28, 2008
Majestic Crest opposes landmarking
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Majestic Crest Theatre was the subject of a discussion at the Westwood Holmby Homeowners Association meeting last week.
Apparently, the Association sent a letter to the City Cultural Heritage Association inquiring on the landmark status of the building. The owner of the theatre, Robert Bucksbaum, is very opposed to pursuing the landmark route because it would eliminate the possibility of him ever being able to sell it and force him to close it in a matter of the months.
As reported here last year, the owner was looking for a new owner to sell the theatre to under the condition that it would be leased back to him for cinema usage. That never materialized because no prospective buyer was on board 100% in maintaining it as a neighborhood theater with all that goes along with it.
Ever since Bucksbaum purchased the theatre five years ago, he’s poured millions of dollars into it to make it an absolute palace in addition to being one of the last independently owned and operated first run single screen theaters in all of Los Angeles. Take a look at the great page on it on Cinema Sightlines to see what I mean if you haven’t had the pleasure of taking in a film there.