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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 14, 2007
Shores Theatre long delayed renovation may get go ahead
ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — The Shores Theatre opened in 1935. It was built in the Deco style and maintained operation until it closed in November 2006. Somewhere along the way the theatre was duplexed. The current redesign was conceived after a plan to demolish the theatre completely and build an eight screen complex was shot down.
Nearby businesses in downtown St. Clair filed lawsuits in November of 2006 which continue to delay the expansion. The businesses claim the expansion will leave only five parking spaces instead of the current twenty four. They fear this will result in theatre attendees parking in spaces for the neighboring businesses.
The current plan will gut the theatre in order to change the twined theatre seating from 440 to five screens with 508 seats. The local historical society has pledged to save the theatre’s existing marquee but photos of the theatre’s exterior from 1936 until the present, including an artists rendering of the front of the redesigned front, look more like a malgamation of parts of both the original and the current marquees. These photos along with an artist’s concept can be seen at the Water Winter Wonderland website near the bottom of the page. The website also has pictures and information on several indoor theatres in the area. Sadly most are now gone.
An article on the present state of the renovation can be found at the C & G Newspapers website along with a photo of the theatre’s less than impressive current exterior.
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Many Brussels Cinemas added to Cinema Treasures
Earlier this month, I found only 15 Belgium cinemas on this website, of which 7 were in Brussels. So, I added 13 Brussels cinemas, many still open as arthouses near the Grand Place. Ken Roe added 9, historic, but almost all closed, cinemas from his 1995 visit. Ken added the PLAZA (1928 Spanish Baroque) with its linked photos showing it as a gorgeous hotel banquet hall, which I visited. I added the MOVY-CLUB (1934 blend of Art Deco & modernism, still single screen cinema) and discovered a 1950’s Atomium era cinema, AUDITORIUM SHELL, long closed and functioning as an auditorium, has been reopened for movies while the building housing the MUSEE DE CINEMA is refurbished.
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December 13, 2007
Colonial Theatre Noisemaker
Found in my collection is a wooden paddle noisemaker from the Colonial Theatre Dayton, Ohio, harkening back to Vaudeville with the Prince of Hilarity N.T.G. and his “Fairest of the Fair” Revue. Can anyone shed light on who N.T.G. was?
(Thanks to Peggy L. for providing the photo.)
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Terrace Theater brings back showmanship
CHARLESTON, SC — Longtime Cinema Treasures member Michael Furlinger brings a superior moviegoing experience to Charleston with the Terrace Theater.
Exuding a mix of charisma, panache and insouciance, Michael Furlinger stands in the foyer of the Terrace Theater, with tiny twinkling lights overhead, greeting theatergoers before a concession stand that includes a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne.
Furlinger’s Long Island, N.Y., accent, tinged with a bit of a Brooklyn patois, can be heard clearly across the lobby as he welcomes film aficionados to the Lowcountry’s only art-house theater, and the largest in the state.
The Terrace is where genres appealing to serious film addicts are shown, and Furlinger says he isn’t afraid to show controversial celluloid fare not usually screened in multiplex chains. Since Furlinger bought the theater five months ago, he has continued the tradition of foreign-language films, such as “La Vie En Rose” about French singer Edith Piaf and the global-warming documentary “Eleventh Hour.”
Read the full article in the Post and Courier.
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Drama and Demolition as The Missouri Theatre’s phoenix like restoration nears completion
COLUMBIA, MO — For those interested in the actual mechanics of theatre restoration the Columbia Tribune website Columbia Tribune has an extensive article on the complete restoration of the Missouri Theatre including three excellent video documentaries that take you inside the theatre at is lovingly returned to its original pre-depression rococo style splendor.
The 1200 seat theatre opened October 5, 1928 and continued in operation until the 1980s. After owners, Commonwealth Amusement Corporation of Kansas City, threatened to completely gut the auditorium and replace it with a three screen complex citizens of Columbia rallied to save the theatre. Their efforts were successful and the theatre continued to function as a single screen venue until 1988 when the Missouri Symphony Society purchased it.
Although some work was done to maintain the theatre’s integrity it was showing signs of its age. The heating, electric, plumbing and backstage were primitive by today’s standards. Wallpaper installed in the 1950s was water stained and outdated and the terrazzo floors in the lobby were covered by worn carpeting.
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1938 Art Deco Movie Theater in need
RICHMOND, VA — The current owner of the East End Theater in Richmond, VA’s historic Church Hill neighborhood is looking to sell what is left after she gutted the building. She planned to transform the East End Theater into her home but unfortuately left the building blighted and vacant where it serves as a reminder of the once thriving neighborhood theater.
Church Hill residents hope there is someone interested in purchasing and restoring this Art Deco theater with historic tax credits and/or other incentives for restoration projects. To learn more about our neighborhood and the East End Theater, visit www.chpn.net
For information on the land and building value, address, owner, etc. go to the City of Richmond’s property search link and enter the following map reference number to see the land and building assessments, property dimentions, address, etc.: E0000337009
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Wanted: Old theatre sound equipment paid sach & pickup
WANTED: Cash paid for old amplifiers, speakers, horns, single drivers or pairs, Altec A7, A4, A5 515, 555 594 4181 4194 field Coil Speakers and drivers, Large Horns, pressure units, microphones, audio valves, tubes, crossovers, Altec, Klangfilm, RCA, jbl, Western Electric and Westrex, 124, 147, 1086A, 1086B, 515 drivers, TA Speakers, 91A, 10a, 9a 41,42,43 and all d spec units 618a, b, c transformers. All spare transformers, also McIntosh, Marantz, JBL or any other interesting equipment.
Condition is not important can be rusty and not working or missing parts. Cash paid on time of pick up, call 773-339-9035.
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December 12, 2007
More Magic for Bogalusa residents
BOGALUSA, LA — The only theatre in town, the Magic Cinema is open again. It’s a five screener initially built in 1970.
Despite no advertising, “I still had close to 200 people,” said Kimberly Chatellier of Bogalusa, who is operating the theater with her husband, Chad.
Chatellier said she will try to get five movies in for this weekend at the five-screen theater that was built in the 1970s.
People were excited to go to the movies last weekend, Chatellier said. The theater had been closed since September, when the previous operator chose to leave the business.
Read more in the Daily News.
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The (Mann) National Theatre loses final battle for historic landmark status
LOS ANGELES, CA — The National Theatre, once the Mann National Theatre, opened March 27th, 1970 in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. It was one of the last single giant screens to be built and remained in operation until it’s final closure on October 2007.
After an exhaustive study, tours, and two hearings, the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission denied Historic Monument status for it at their Nov 28th meeting. Demolition on the not so historic theater should begin in January and the new LEED-certified glass box with parking on top structure (retail building) should be built shortly thereafter."
The theatre’s lobby substituted for that of the Northpoint Theatre, in San Francisco, in the recent film “Zodiac”. The Northpoint, another large screen theatre built in 1967 closed in 1997. The shell of the theatre remains but was gutted after it closed.
A lengthy discussion on the theatre and the pros and cons of declaring it an historic landmark can be found here, at the Cinema Treasures at the National page.
A brief article on the Mann National theatre can be found at the Curbed Los Angeles web site.
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First step to save Regent Theater taken
SPRINGFIELD, OH — C. Howard Crane, also the architect of the Detroit Orchestra Hall, designed the Regent Theatre which opened on August 16, 1920. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Regent is described as a light neo-classical or Adam style, which is evident by the decorative details on the facade, and the proscenium, balcony and mezzanine decorations of the interior.
The Regent was built as a legitimate theater, but was later adapted to show moving pictures. Springfield’s famed booking agent, Gus Sun, utilized the Regent for his various productions and vaudeville acts. Sun’s booking agency, which was located on the second floor of the theater, was nationally known, and he is credited with giving many young acts, including the likes of Bob Hope, their start in the business.