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The latest movie theater news and updates
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November 27, 2007
Madrid’s Central Cinemas added to CinemaTreasures.org, but sadly closing
When I first visited in 1994, Madrid seemed to be the last city to have so many historic cinemas with daily movies on its main street, the Gran Via. Hand painted billboard sized movie posters proclaimed the features. Ushers wearing jackets and ties showed you to your reserved seat. A curtain opened and closed, for commercials, for trailers, and finally for the feature. Many had one or two balconies. Full houses greeted Hollywood blockbusters, dubbed into Spanish. I eagerly experienced movies in almost all of them. By the end of the 1990’s, multiplexes were luring customers away and the historic cinemas began to close.
Cinematreasures.org listed only two of the historic cinemas on Madrid’s Gran Via: theAvenida de la Musica huge & gorgeous, but may close to be a retail mall; and the Capitol, with its stunning Art Deco exterior and auditorium.
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November 26, 2007
La Grange Theatre - needs $3.5 million for restoration
LAGRANGE, IL — The La Grange Theatre faces the challenge of many neighborhood theatres today. How do you come up with $3.5 million dollars to restore a theatre that has fallen into hard times?
An article in Suburban Life discusses the dilemma the owners of the La Grange theatre in Illinois face. “How do you find the necessary funds to save a neighborhood theatre that faces the few remaining theatres today?” Also addressed is “how viable it is to return the theatre to its former grandeur if you get the funding?”.
Sadly, in todays economic times, both questions seem near impossible tasks. The $3.5 million estimate entails a complete gutting of the structure, including rebuilding walls, and would require closing the theater for up to nine months. Still, the theater would not be classically restored to its past grandeur.
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Leasing or renting a theatre or screen in Austin area
Hi,
I am looking to rent or lease a theatre or a screen in any theatre in the Austin area to screen South Asian movies (mainly bollywood movies). It’s very urgent. Can any help me in this regard?
I am ready to pay a fee too if you can get me the theatres or a screen in Austin area. Will there be any agents who can help me out? Any one call me at 214-207-8208 any time. It’s very urgent, I am looking to hear from any one very soon….
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Golden State Theatre celebrates a week of foreign film double features
MONTEREY, CA — The Golden State Theatre opened in 1926. At the time the ornate Moorish themed 1600 seat theatre was the biggest between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It featured modern miracles that were cutting-edge for 1926: hidden lighting that imitated a colorful sunset; an electric seat annunciator system that helped the uniformed ushers seat patrons quickly and efficiently; an emergency generator; an electric central vacuum; and an internal/external telephone system. Plush carpet led the way past dramatically oversized furniture in the Grand Lobby. Reaching the inner lobby, you were torn between visiting the elegant ladies' lounge or men’s smoker, (passing the “crying windows” installed for the viewing convenience of those with small children,) or proceeding directly to the velvet portieres guarded by the ubiquitous ushers.
As theatre attendance started to drop in the 1950s the theatre suffered the ravages affecting many theatres. The entire theatre was painted two shades of gray which obliterated its ornamentation and intricate painting scheme. In 1972 it was further altered by the addition of two additional screens in the balcony and extensive “draping” of the interior.
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November 21, 2007
Fox Oakland’s $68 million dollar restoration nears completion
OAKLAND, CA — What began as a minimal renovation to reopen the Fox Oakland that was permanently closed in 1984 has launched into a near full restoration effort that when completed, will cost close to $68 million.
At a sneak peek on Thursday night, in which more than 100 people were treated to an insider’s tour of the restoration, the Fox Theater revealed how its intriguing decor once captivated Oakland Calif. audiences. Developer Phil Tagami said the restoration project of the Fox Theater has already raised $63 million, but needs another $5 million for the finishing touches.
When first opened, the Fox Oakland boasted it was the largest theater on the west coast. Among its many decorative touches are two huge Hindu deity statues, one on either side of the proscenium, sitting cross legged, each holding a bowl in their lap. During the heyday of the Fox Theater, bursts of steam were shot up through bowls in the Hindu deities laps, giving the illusion of smoke rising from the bowls as the house lights dimmed and the curtain opened.
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Plans to purchase and restore the Park Theater fall through
MENLO PARK, CA — After a year of negotiations, the Menlo Park City Council subcommittee has rejected an unpopular plan to buy and renovate the Park Theater with city money, a move that sends a would-be restorer back to the drawing board and leaves the fate of the 60-year-old landmark in question.
The Guild is the only remaining operating theater on the historic 47 mile section of El Camino Real Drive between San Francisco and San Jose. At one time there were twenty plus theaters along the scenic drive either on El Camino or within a block or two of the drive. The other theaters have either been converted to other uses or demolished.
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BEOWULF 3-D Locations
Digital 3-D = *
Imax 3-D = **ALABAMA
Auburn: Carmike Wynnsong 16
Birmingham: Carmike Summit 16
Birmingham: Rave Lee Branch 15
Cullman: Carmike 10
Daphne: Rave Jubilee Square 12
Decatur: Carmike 8
Florence: Carmike Regency Square 12
Homewood: Carmike Wynnsong 12
Hoover: Rave Patton Creek 15
Huntsville: Carmike 10
Huntsville: Rave Valley Bend 18
Mobile: Carmike 14
Mobile: Carmike Wynnsong 16
Montgomery: Carmike Eastdale 8
Montgomery: Carmike Wynnsong 10
Montgomery: Rave Festival Plaza 16
Orange Beach: Rave Wharf 15 *
Vestavia Hills: Rave Vestavia Hills 10 * -
Bow Tie Cinemas opens new theater
WEST HARTFORD, CT — Bow Tie Cinemas, based out of Ridgefield, CT and Manhattan, has opened their newest location, the six-screen deluxe Criterion Cinemas at Blue Back Square in West Hartford Center, CT. The complex features custom-designed seating, Dolby Digital sound in every auditorium, fresh popped popcorn served with Real Butter, and freshly brewed coffee and a selection of baked goods. The theater opened to the public on November 2nd.
Bow Tie Cinemas is a four-generation family run company that began in 1900 as B.S. Moss Enterprises. Visit the theater’s website.
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Mr. Movie radio show
Anyone who likes movies and the old theaters should listen to this show. It’s on the AM dial every Saturday night from Miidnight to 2AM.
He’s been doing it for 25 years and really knows his subject. He did not give himself the name of Mr. Movie. It was given to him by a reporter in Philly.
Saturdays, from Midnight to 2AM on 1210AM WPHT
TRY IT…. YOU’LL LIKE IT
Mike from ne Philly
Tyson Regal -
ISO: Old sound equipment
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.