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The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 8, 2008
Wayne Theatre seeks volunteers to aid in restoration project
WAYNESBORO, VA — >
Since opening in 1926, Wayne Theatre has seen a full-scale remodeling in 1949 and a fire in 1980. After closing in 2000, Wayne found a new group of friends in the Wayne Theatre Alliance, and for the next month, those friends are commissioning volunteers to help prepare the former vaudeville theater for reconstruction.
The alliance has asked anyone interested to volunteer their time on Jan. 12, 19 and 26 to help with minor labor taking down partitions, cleaning debris and sweeping to expedite the rebuilding process. Once the theater is cleaned, excavation and construction of the fly loft and stage wings can begin. Anyone older than 18 is invited to help, and no level of construction experience will be turned away. Skilled labor is not required, but the alliance has asked that volunteers notify the alliance before coming. Calls will be taken Monday through Friday every week and volunteers will be informed what to wear, when to arrive and any tools necessary. The Wayne Theatre Association Alliance can be contacted at 540 943-9999.
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Pennsylvania Road Show
This New York Times article takes a look at where some of the historic theaters of Central Pennsylvania are today like the Majestic Theater and Fulton Opera House.
The Fulton is one of a number of historic – and fully operating – theaters in south-central Pennsylvania that offer backstage tours where one can step right into theatrical history. All within a few hours' drive from Philadelphia, they can provide an easy weekend getaway for theater history lovers.
Some theaters charge for tours (at the Fulton it is $7); others (like the Majestic in Gettysburg) offer tours free, while placing show bills into the hands of visitors who are encouraged to come back that evening as theatergoers.
For theater buffs (and for a former drama club president like myself), it is a heady experience to peek into stars' dressing rooms in gilded palaces that radiate theatrical magic in a way that modern performance spaces lack. And to pick up a few tricks of the trade.
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January 7, 2008
Iowa Historic Preservation Office launches “Hollywood in the Heartland”
DES MOINES, IOWA — Iowa’s movie houses and connections to Hollywood are the focus of a new statewide project launched recently by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Iowans are being asked to help.
Hollywood in the Heartland is a multi-year, multi-phase project concentrating primarily on properties built for or associated with the movies before 1970. The study is being conducted in partnership with the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance (IHPA), Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Tourism Office.
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Small California town working theater for sale
This theater is only 2 years old and needs a new owner. It has a permitted kitchen, large 2-tier stage, beer/wine license, very cool and classy decor, great renter-friendly lease, digital projection and THX surround sound for video. It’s the only real theater within 60 miles.
Selling VERY, VERY cheap because I ran out of money building it and I hate to cook. You can profit from my loss. Closing this month (January).
Live and work where people want to vacation!
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Looking for seats
Looking for 400 +/- good used seats. Please call 419.230.0188 or email .
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January 4, 2008
“CE3K,” Happy 30th!
“We Are Not Alone”
Here’s my “Close Encounters” 30th anniversary tribute…better late than never! (Had I not had a falling out with Bill Kallay, this probably would have appeared on the From Script To DVD website. And had I not been traveling extensively during November and December, I would have posted this closer to the film’s actual anniversary date.)
Anyway, enjoy the flashback! And please share your memories of seeing this classic movie.
RELEASED NOVEMBER 16, 1977
New York: Ziegfeld 70mm Six-Track Dolby StereoRELEASED NOVEMBER 18, 1977
Los Angeles: Cinerama Dome 70mm Six-Track Dolby StereoFor the film’s general release, which began during the week of December 14, 1977, Columbia Pictures targeted 269 theaters primarily in major markets. Another 301 bookings began one week later. The majority of these original, December-initiated engagements are noted in the list below. (Please keep in mind that the small-market bookings, move-overs, second-run, international, etc. that began/took place during the early and middle months of 1978 have not been included.)
ALABAMA
Anniston: Plaza Cinemas III
Birmingham: Roebuck Plaza Dolby Stereo
Huntsville: Trans-Lux Twin
Mobile: Capri
Montgomery: Eastmont 1 & 2
Tuscaloosa: Fox 1 & 2 -
Restored Kimball Theatre celebrates 75th Anniversary with film festival
WILLIAMSBURG, VA — The Kimball Theatre will celebrate its 75th anniversary next month with a film festival called “When the Movies Come to Town! 75 Years at the Williamsburg/Kimball Theatre – A Festival of Movie History.”
Co-sponsored by the Kimball Theatre, the College of William and Mary Film Studies Program and the Reves Center at William and Mary, the festival will showcase a wide selection of films that have played at the theater over the past eight decades. The screenings will be accompanied by receptions, live performances and talks by renowned scholars.
Originally known as the Williamsburg Theatre, the playhouse opened on Jan. 13, 1933 with a grand opening celebration that featured fireworks, multi-million candlepower spotlights and an air show. It was one of the first air-conditioned buildings in town and served for decades as its only first-run movie house before becoming an arthouse showing foreign and independent films.
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Website dedicated to Menlo Park and Blue Star Cinemas!
I am in the very early stages of starting a small website dedicated to the memories of the General Cinemas owned Menlo Park Cinema and Blue Star Cinema, both formerly located in Central New Jersey.
Both movie theatres were a haven for me as a child and adolescent and judging from responses on this website, they meant a great deal to many others as well.
If anyone has photos, or ads or stories they would like to share, I would of course give full credit. I am especially looking for any exterior and interior photos.
You can reach me .
Many Thanks,
Anthony (formerly of Green Brook, NJ) -
Watseka Theatre restored and reopened New Years eve
WATSEKA, IL — With much fanfare, the Watseka Theatre reopened earlier this week with big goals for the future. This ambitious plan was only first mentioned here just over six months ago.
On New Year’s Eve, when the restored Watseka Theatre will reopen to the public after nine years, guests won’t get popcorn and a movie.
Instead they will get a look at what a former Cissna Park music teacher has been daydreaming about for 30 years — a hub for art and culture.
That former teacher, Chuck Gomez, and Debra Liddell, a dentist, will reopen The Watseka Theatre not as a movie house, but as a performing arts center available to rent. Liddell and Gomez will ring in 2008 by presenting four musical acts, dinner and much more at a $100-a-ticket gala.
The complete story along with two pictures of the interior can be found at the Daily Journal.
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January 3, 2008
Canuck does NYC old cinema treasure tour!
I’m in NYC and surrounding environs from Jan 3-8th and could use some advice and suggestions as to what cinemas to check out. Most interested in old single-screeners still operating, but am also wanting to do some walk-bys to take some photos for non-adventuring friends around the world.