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The latest movie theater news and updates
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November 13, 2007
Live Nation selling Chicago theaters
CHICAGO, IL — Live Nation is selling its interest in historic Chicago theaters including the Palace and the Oriental, for $60 million dollars to Nederlander.
In a statement that accompanied the filing of its third-quarter results, the entertainment company Live Nation said Thursday that it entered into a definitive agreement with entities wholly owned by Nederlander to sell its interest in Broadway in Chicago — and associated ownership of the Oriental — for $60 million.
Broadway in Chicago, which presents Broadway shows like “Jersey Boys” and “Wicked” in Chicago, had been operating as a 50-50 partnership between the Nederlander Organization and Live Nation (once part of Clear Channel Entertainment). However, the ownership of the Loop theaters controlled by the entity remained separate.
You can read the full story in the Chicago Tribune.
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Haunted Cimemas and theatres!
Hi, I am currently researching my third book, HAUNTED THEATRES AND CINEMAS OF EAST SUSSEX, UK and wondered if anyone had any spooky stories or snippets of interesting info about haunted theaters and cinemas. I am also looking for illustrations to use in this publications – and would welcome any submissions.
Look forward to hearing from anyone about those things that go bump in the night!
Tina -
Pittsburgh Garden Theater headed toward landmark status
PITTSBURGH, PA — The currently closed Garden Theater in Pittsburgh’s historic North Side is a step closer to being designated a historic landmark. This means the former adult theater will not be torn down. No one yet knows what its use will be.
The designation now must go before the city planning commission for a vote. If approved, City Council will conduct a public hearing and then vote on whether the designation should receive final approval.
A historic designation would require developers to preserve the 92-year-old building’s beaux arts terra cotta exterior. Historic status does not regulate what can be done to the interior.
More info in this article from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
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November 12, 2007
Magnificent Morton Wonder Organ plays again at The Loew’s Jersey
JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Loew’s Jersey Morton Wonder Organ was removed nearly 40 years ago and has been restored after 10 years of dedicated effort by the volunteers and members of the Garden State Theatre Organ Society. The magic of live organ music returned to The Loew’s Jersey on November 3, 2007.
The Bob Balfour Memorial Robert Morton Wonder Organ, named in memory of the GSTOS member who was instrumental in acquiring and leading the effort to restore an organ to The Loew’s Jersey, was celebrated during a Garden State Theatre Organ Society members event at the classic “wonder palace.” This organ, originally installed at the Loew’s Paradise (Bronx, NY), is a twin to the organ that was removed from The Loew’s Jersey and is currently installed at The Arlington Theatre (Santa Barbara, CA).
This Robert Morton Wonder Organ was only one of five ever built from among the over 6,000 organs the Robert Morton Company produced. It consists of 4 ranks, 23 banks and 1,774 pipes. The console, which rises and rotates from a position on the house left side of the orchestra pit, features 228 stops.
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New owner for Paradise
The Paradise Theatre in North Kansas City Missouri has been purchased by Butch Rigby and will become part of his Screenland Theatres operation. It will be completely restored and will be re-named the “Screenland Armour”. The theatre was built in 1928 as the “Armour” and will reopen in 2008. It will seat approximately 320 patrons.
Screenland currently owns and operates the 1929 Atmospheric in Kansas City, Kansas known as the Screenland Granada, as well as the Screenland Crossroads in Kansas City, Missouri.
The website is www.screenland.com.
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The Rockville Drive-In (Rockville, Maryland)
The Rockville Drive-In!! That was one of the most treasured aspects of my childhood. My family lived in the neighborhood of Montgomery Square (near the intersection of Montrose and Seven Locks), and going to see a movie or two at the Rockville Drive-In was always a big occasion. Dad would pop a big pot of popcorn, dump it in a brown paper grocery bag (usually from Giant), then we’d all pile into the white Oldsmobile stationwagon and go. The first time I saw my favorite movie of all time, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” was at the Rockville Drive-In. The first R-rated film I ever saw, “Blazing Saddles,” was at the Rockville Drive-In. It had a terrific playground, plus a great outdoor seating area in front of the concession stand. Such a shame that cool old drive-ins like that are such an endangered species.
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November 9, 2007
“Oswald’s” restored Texas Theatre to reopen January 2008
DALLAS, TX — After nine years and 3.5 million dollars the Texas Theatre in Dallas will reopen on January 19th. Lee Harvey Oswald was captured at the Texas Theatre after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The theatre will show the PBS documentary, “Oswald’s Ghost,” for the opening.
Standing just a few feet from the seat where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured, Oak Cliff Foundation Chairman Monte Anderson said the nine-year, $3.5 million renovation is nearly complete.
“This blighted theater what it was, back in action, is very important for the culture of this neighborhood and the restoration of this neighborhood,” Anderson said.
A complete article with a couple of pictures can be found atWFAA.
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A November to Remember at Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre
JERSEY CITY, NJ — If you thought October was a month full of classic movie excitement, then “You ain’t heard nothin' yet!”
The Loew’s Jersey Theatre proudly presents:
THE JAZZ SINGER: A SPECIAL 80TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING (1927-2007)
Starring the legendary Al JolsonSaturday, November 10th, 7:30 p.m.
See the movie that changed Hollywood forever with the introduction of sound, in the only ANNIVERSARY-YEAR screening scheduled for the Greater New York City metropolitan area, and one of only a select few on the East Coast. Nationally, other notable anniversary screenings include one presented on October 5th by AMPAS in Beverly Hills, California. Friends of the Loew’s obtained a new, pristine-condition 35mm print from Warner Bros. for this special occasion.
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Capri Theatre Adelaide South Australia
GOODWOOD, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA — It’s not often on this site that you hear of a theatre in Australia(South Australia), especially suburban, that has survived the onslaught of TV, Multiplexes, DVD’s, Home Theatre and the list goes on.
Check out the Capri in Adelaide South Australia. Truly loved by many, supported by Volunteers and owned by TOSA. If you are visiting S.A., have a peek you will always be made welcome.
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Mayfair Theatre in Baltimore in development package
BALTIMORE, MD — Deals are being made that could compromise the building of the Mayfair Theater.
The Mayfair Theater site on North Howard Street headlines a list of long-vacant properties set to be redeveloped on the west side of downtown, as the city announced Monday that it has selected developers to help improve the area.
The intersection of Howard and Franklin streets, once at the heart of Baltimore’s retail district, could see more than 30,000 square feet of new retail space and nearly 80 apartments in buildings that are now city-owned, according to the Baltimore Development Corp. This amounts to an estimated $27.5 million in spending between two developers announced Monday by the BDC. Both companies will now have the exclusive right to cut a deal with the city for the properties.
Here is the article on the development plans from the Maryland Daily Record. The article does not clarify if the Mayfair will be restored or used as part of the development plans to add 80,000 square feet of retail and apartments spaces.