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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 28, 2007
New and improved Wilma
MISSOULA, MT — Following the mention a few months a go, Instead of being gone forever, the Wilma Theater is coming back after renovations and an all new restaurant next door.
For months, the rumors have run wild about the fate of the Wilma Theater: No more movies. Business offices replacing the funky Red Light/Green Room spaces (once known to locals as the even-more-funky Chapel of the Dove). An Olive Garden restaurant in the basement.
Fortunately for those who love the old high-rise at the center of downtown Missoula, none of those rumors are true.
Wishcamper and his partner, Justin Metcalf, have been busy renovating the theater, replacing the massive stage curtain, upgrading the projection booth, installing new draperies and tapestries, cleaning the seats and floors, and significantly upgrading the backstage dressing rooms and upstairs bathrooms. They’re also adding two new restrooms on the first floor of the theater, which will finally bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Read the full story in the Missoulian.
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Wal-Mart cancels movie download program
Wal-Mart has eliminated its movie download service after less than year.
Wal-Mart shut down the download site after Hewlett Packard Co discontinued the technology that powered it, Walmart.com spokeswoman Amy Colella said in an e-mail. She added that it will not look for another technology partner.
HP spokesman Hector Marinez said the company decided to discontinue its video download-only merchant store services because the market for paid video downloads did not perform “as expected.” He noted that the Internet video business remains uncertain and is changing rapidly.
Wal-Mart will continue offering physical DVDs for sale at its stores and online, but would not continue the online downloads business, said Colella, who declined to disclose the number of downloads sold on the site.
Maybe a sign that consumers still want something they can touch or maybe it was just marketed poorly? Probably not the last we’ll see of operations like this.
Read more at Reuters.
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December 27, 2007
Possible screening at Rialto Saturday
SOUTH PASADENA, CA — Not regularly showing films since August, the Rialto Theater will supposedly show “Rocky Horror Picture Show” this Saturday evening. No information on specific time or admission prices.
Announcement provided by the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Modern Committee.
(Thanks to jilldoughtie for providing the photo.)
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Kingman’s only theater closes
KINGMAN, AZ — The Movies, a fourplex that showed first run films at bargain prices, closed just before Christmas, leaving Kingman without a single operating movie theater. The theater was nothing fancy, possibly an old two theater complex that was turned into a fourplex years ago. The seats were cramped, the sound was iffy, but despite all this the theater was very popular ($2 matinees). Apparently their lease was up and it was not renewed.
For more check out the story in the Kingman Daily Miner.
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Drive-in in need of projector
KEYSVILLE, VA — I am retired and just took over Keysville Drive-in Theater. Last ran in 2001. Very run down and I’m working on it in hopes of opening in Spring 2008. However, due to my small income, I need a 35mm projector that maybe someone has cheap or that they may be able to donate to help in my venture to bring this drive-in back to life.
Thanks!
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December 26, 2007
Exciting future for D&R
Courtesy of THSA:
Friends,
Aberdeen, WA, is joining the ranks of cities with a restored theater, the D&R. The theater was derelict for many years and was in very poor conditions. On December 21, 2007, a new marquee and blade sign were tested and it was spectacular. It appears that in May, when it reopens, it will prove to be a world class venue and a masterful restoration.
John Yonich’s, the owner, current plan is to have only live performances at the D&R. He would like to buy and restore a second theater “The Aberdeen,” currently a church, for movies.
As many of you know, this is deja vue all over again for me. But, for once, I have had nothing to do with these projects except as a spectator.
If any of you have any material on or artifacts from either of these theaters, please let me know.
Please get the word out about this project and lets get some press.
Mike Dickerson
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Looking for help making a Business Plan
I am trying to reopen a closed Carmike theatre that is about 95 percent ready to reopen. I was wondering if anyone could give me pointers with the business plan or if anyone has one that they don’t mind me taking a look at.
If you can help me email me at.
Thanks
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December 25, 2007
ABC Wakefield uncovered
WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND — Check out the great pics and story of a journey into the long shuttered ABC Wakefield
Pics courtesy of Phill D
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Minivan slams into former State-Lake Theatre
CHICAGO, IL — During a Sunday night broadcast of ABC7 News at 10 p.m., a minivan crashed into a glass wall of the WLS-TV studios disrupting the live broadcast at the former location of the State-Lake Theatre. The driver was arrested and the broken glass was boarded up.
There was no structual damage to the historic State-Lake Building. Further details including video from WLS-TV.
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December 24, 2007
Wayne Theatre in danger
WAYNE, MI – The historic 1927 vaudeville-era theatre known as the Wayne Theatre will soon join the historic Jamison Block next door as an overgrown lot according to an article in the Wayne Eagle.
Barring the arrival of a last minute investor or a sudden influx of funds, the Historic Wayne Theater will be torn down in the spring.
At a hearing of the Dangerous Buildings Appeals board on Monday, the board confirmed the original decision of the dangerous building officer, according to Peter McInerney, community development director for the City of Wayne.
The Historic Theater board, which holds the title to the property, has 30 days to file an appeal in Circuit Court, he said. If not, the city will solicit bids to demolish the structure.
Unless the amount is donated to white box the theater, it will be demolished. The non-profit that owns the theater is still actively trying to raise the needed funds.