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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 12, 2007
Edgewater Cinema 10 closes
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — This theatre has closed for good; according to locals, it showed its final films this past summer, a victim of the competition provided by the new Grand Theatre 16, which features stadium seating at slightly cheaper prices.
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December 11, 2007
Orpheum Theatre unveils its latest restoration project
WICHITA, KS — The Orpheum Theatre, designed by noted theatre architect John Eberson, debuted its latest restoration efforts over the weekend. The public was invited to see the newly restored vestibule and box office completed at a cost of $700,000. It was the first atmospheric theatre built in the United States when it opened on September 4, 1922.
Originally a vaudeville house the theatre converted to films in the 1930s. It closed in the 1970s and remained vacant for 20 years. A restoration project was created in 1993 after the theatre narrowly escaped a conversion to condominiums and commercial space. So far $3.5 million has been spent on renovations said Mary Eves, president of the Orpheum. A total of $13 million is still needed to complete the project.
The theatre reopened in 2000 and is currently being used for both live entertainment and an ongoing film series.
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Loew’s Pitkin stars in new book on Brownsville
A new book on Brownsville, Brooklyn is being readied for January 2008 release via Amazon.com.
Title: Brownsville:The Jewish Years
There is a chapter in it dedicated entirely to the Loew’s Pitkin experience. Other cinemas are mentioned in the text, but the Pitkin is properly the star — I have gathered a series of photos to give people an idea of what is was like in its heyday as well as some current shots. Delicious.
Sad to say, Poko Development has hung out a sign in front of the building — does destruction lurk?
Creativa
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The Official “Kiddie Matinee Stole my Adolescent Brain” Contest
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEMORIES!!! See your very own recollections of the 1960’s and 1970’s “Children’s Matinee” transpire on the big screen in… “THE WONDER WORLD OF K. GORDON MURRAY”, an ALL-NEW feature length documentary film.
Now, unless you were in a cave… or behind a million mountains, some part of your life must have been touched by the wonderfully surreal “kiddie” matinee releases of K. Gordon Murray and others. Those of you who experienced these treasures in the grand movie houses of the past… here’s your chance to share with the world YOUR STORY.
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December 10, 2007
Parent company of Technicolor Digital to install more digital systems at theaters worldwide
Thomson has agreed to install digital projectors in a number of major theater chains around the world. This includes Clearview Cinemas here in NJ, although this story is not as big as the IMAX/AMC deal.
Thomson intends to complete the first phase rollout of digital projection systems in up to 5,000 screens over the next three to four years, with 15,000 screens in the United States and Canada over the next 10 years.
All hardware and software placed in each site will conform to industry-standard specifications published by Digital Cinema Initiatives LLC (DCI). Furthermore, the Technicolor Digital Cinema plan is technology agnostic, enabling both exhibitors and studios to benefit from the best available technology, including both 2K and 4K projection.
Read the full story in Business Wire.
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Lebowsky Center owner receives title to donated building
OWOSSO, MI — In a formal ceremony held at the newly dubbed Lebowsky Center Complex on December 4, the Owosso Community Players, received the title to the 9,000 square foot Miner Building from Chemical Bank which had occupied it. The donation was announced last August. Chemical Bank also donated $5,000 to the OCP’s fundraising campaign.
The adjacent Miner building was the location of Chemical Bank’s loan office and storage space before the fire last February which gutted the adjacent Lebowsky Center. The OCP is calling this building the West Annex. Before the bank occupied it, it had housed Kline’s department store. The second floor, with renovations nearly finished, will continue to be leased out to tenants. The first floor is being used as a reception area and rehearsal space. Dinner theater is planned for that space. The basement is currently costume storage. Renovations to the first floor and basement will take place over the next few months.
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IMAX will expand into AMC theaters
Imax will expand into 100 AMC theaters, doubling the number of large format 3-D theaters in the US. Imax has struggled, in the red, so this is a huge help. Digital projectors for 3-D cost half a million dollars each….
Imax and AMC Entertainment are teaming up to open 100 Imax theaters, doubling the number of large-format 3-D outlets in the United States and adding momentum to Hollywood’s growing interest in the genre.
The deal involves equipping 100 of AMC’s existing auditoriums with next-generation Imax projection systems, which rely on digital images rather than film and are meant to provide an immersive viewing experience.
Imax will shoulder the expense of the projectors, which cost about $500,000 each. AMC, one of the world’s largest movie theater chains, will pay to retrofit auditoriums in top-performing movie complexes in 33 cities, reconfiguring the seats and enlarging the screens.
Read the full article in the new York Times.
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December 7, 2007
Benefit for Columbia Music Hall
A raising the roof benefit for the partially destroyed Columbia Music Hall, Portsmouth , Ohio, will be held in Huntington, W.Va. In addition, an account has been set up at US Bank for donations to repair the theater.
The season of miracle looms upon us, and, a Huntington live music club will hold a benefit for the rebuilding of the Columbia Music Hall, which burned Nov. 11 in Portsmouth, Ohio. An up and coming venue for all types of live music, the Columbia had originally been a vaudeville movie theatre, which opened in 1912.
Although the bands have not yet been finalized, Franklin Toland, MF Productions, said that the concert will occur at The Paradox Rift, just off Third Avenue across from the Marshall football Stadium on Dec. 14.
Read the full story in the Huntington News.
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Anchorage Alaska’s historic 4th Avenue Theater once again threatened
ANCHORAGE, AK — The historic 4th Avenue Theater is once again facing an uncertain future. The theater was strong enough to withstand a 9.2 earthquake unscathed in 1964 but may not survive plans to convert the theater to commercial interests.
Attempts have been made to protect and preserve the theater since 1985 but none have proved successful. Two companies are now mulling over deals to buy the 60-year-old building from owner Robert Gottstein who is said to be negotiating a sale to the national Hard Rock Cafe. If those negotiations are successful it would convert the theater to one of it restaurants. Meanwhile retired contractor Les Sheppard and a local non-profit group are launching a fund-raising campaign to buy and preserve the theater. The cost to purchase it is almost $3 million dollars and time is running short for proponents of preservation. A foreclosure sale has been postponed for several months but owner Robert Gottstein continues negotiations with commercial interests.
The opulent streamline moderne theater, though showing the effects of time, remains relatively intact since its opening sixty years ago. The theater ceased operation in July of 1985. The twinkling big dipper lights embedded in the ceiling no longer work. The monolithic side panels are now covered with basic black and the chandeliers are in storage.
An article on the current attempts to save the 4th Avenue along with a video and a couple of small photos can be found at 2 NEWS KTUU.
A selection photographs of the interior can be found at the Alaska Digital Archives.
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December Movies at the Palace Theatre
ALBANY, NY — The Palace Theatre will be playing two Christmas movies this December.
On the 10th of December, A Christmas Story will play at 7 PM.
On the 14th of December, It’s A Wonderful Life will play at 7 PM.Admission if $5 for both events.
A complete schedule is available on their website or by clicking here.