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The latest movie theater news and updates
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July 4, 2007
Demolition of Wyandotte Theater imminent
WYANDOTTE, MI — The long limbo of Wyandotte’s large art deco theater is about to end; unfortunately, with its destruction, as reported in Detroit’s metromode.
The Wyandotte was the first multi-screen theater built in Michigan when opened in 1936. Ironically consultants to the city reportedly claimed that the theater couldn’t be viable now without ten or more screens. It only ever had two, and couldn’t be renovated to include more than six.
While the deco styling was cool, even when I was a kid, it seemed a little sparse for the huge space in the main theater, and I was always struck more by the large Indian heads motifs, which seemed very unique.
Though the theater went through the inevitable descent through second-run films, it’s been closed for years, and weathered a couple of attempts at failed renovations that have left it gutted. Though my friends and I rode our bikes or made long summer walks to see matinees, my best and last first-run memory of the place is sitting with feet on the backs of seats, only a couple of rows back from the massive screen, watching “Stand By Me.” Even the empty and closed presence of the theater rekindled those memories. It’ll be missed.
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Ohio Theatre for sale
LIMA, OH — The Ohio Theatre is for sale on ebay for $575,000. The converted nightclub still has many original features intact. The listing has a video component as well.
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Roosevelt update
KENOSHA, WI — The City has ordered a raze-or-repair order for the Roosevelt Theatre. I don’t think the building is that bad, as I was in it in the Spring. The proscenium arch is gone but the rest of the interior structure looks presentable. The building has two usable store fronts and large upstairs apartment. For more, call me at (262) 652-3034.
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July 3, 2007
Lebowsky Center to be rebuilt!
OWOSSO, MI — The Owosso Community Players' Board of Directors have decided to rebuilt the fire gutted and now partially demolished Lebowsky Center. The theater was gutted by a fire blamed on arson on February 13.
At the press conference held Wednesday, June 27, OCP President John Morovitz said the group will go ahead with Phase One of the rebuilding which involves demolishing unusable parts of the theater, cleanup, building new exteriors walls, a new roof, a n ew rooftop heating unit, basic lighting, restoration of electrical systems, new exterior doors along Park Street and replacing damaged portions of the adjacent Hoddy Building.
OCP officials hope to recycle some of the bricks salvaged during the demolition for use in reconstructing the wall along Park Street. Phase One rebuilding costs are estimated at $476,000, all but $100,000 covered by insurance. The OCP will launch a fundraising campaign to raise the $100,000.
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Need cup holders for theater seats
Hello, I’m having a hard time finding cup holders for some theater seats. I don’t know the manufacturer of the seats and I’d like to know where I could find some?
Any suggestions? I would preferably like some used cup holders. I’d want black arm rest cup holders.
Please me with any information.
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New heating and a/c for Rhode
KENOSHA, WI Lakeside Players Inc., thanks to the city of Kenosha and Mayor John Antaramian for the much needed funding, are currently renovating the heating & air conditioning at the Rhode Opera House. Lakeside Players are currently installing a brand new system that should be completed just in time for the start of the 2007-08 season!
The system is using much of the original ductwork from the original 1927 heating and cooling system. The original blower fan will be used as well. Unfortunately the original heating and cooling system was too far gone to restore, so a new, energy efficient system is being installed. However, these upgrades will be done without any further damage to the classic building. It should also mean more regulated temps year round in the facility.
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July 2, 2007
Top theatre historian passes away
Joseph R. DuciBella, ASID, of Chicago, arguably the most influential and prolific theatre historian in the United States, died Friday, June 29. He was 62.
Known internationally for being a founding member (1969) and longtime Chicago-area director of Theatre Historical Society of America, DuciBella was an accomplished designer of theatre, office, residential and commercial interiors. A Chicago Academy of Fine Arts graduate, he operated an independent interior design firm for 24 years. During that time, he was the designer of choice for Classic Cinemas, of Downers Grove, Ill., an independent, family-owned company of more than 80 screens in the region. DuciBella led the renovations of two of Classic Cinemas' most historic theatres, the Tivoli Theatre, in Downers Grove, Ill., and the Lake Theatre, Oak Park, Ill.
A passionate researcher and storyteller of Chicago history, he had the unique ability to weave with words the complex religious, ethnic, labor, political and architectural histories of Chicago into near-epic tales – neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, and theatre to theatre. He was most recently featured in the documentary film “Uptown: Portrait of a Palace,” which gave a glimpse of his knowledge about the challenges of historic theatre renovation and reuse.
DuciBella was a frequent speaker and informed tour guide for events and symposia related to architecture and historic preservation – particularly theatre buildings. He rallied enthusiasm and anticipation for decades for his comprehensive book, “The Theatres of Chicago,” that has not yet been published. However, he published articles and lectured on theatre design history extensively for more than 30 years.
A quiet but methodical activist, DuciBella worked steadily in many historic preservation efforts in Chicago, including support of the Wicker Park (neighborhood) historic district, the Chicago Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, the Uptown Theatre, the Congress Theatre and St. James Cathedral. He was a proud owner of a National Register home in Wicker Park, in which had been a tenant. He out-stayed the other boarders, bought the building and restored it over time to its original Victorian beauty.
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Waikiki Theater reopens as retail complex
HONOLULU, HI — This art deco beauty is gone forever as a movie house, but at least the new owners have paid tribute by incorporating many original details into the building and loading it with fascinating memorabilia.
You can see more photos of the Waikiki Theater at
this website.(Thanks to Bob for providing the photo.)
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Nortown Theater under demolition
CHICAGO, IL — The Nortown Theater, designed in 1930 by J.E.O. Pridmore in what the late founder of the Theatre Historical Society, Ben Hall, described as “King Neptune-Gothic-Atmospheric” style, is currently being demolished.
After suffering years of neglect under a series of owners, starting with triplexing, use as a church, and later a Pakistani community center, the Nortown was left a ghost of its former self, damaged and stripped multiple times.
The current demolition work is limited mostly to the interior, while parts of the shell will likely remain up for a while. The small fraction of decor that remained to this point is being carefully salvaged by Urban Remains, a Chicago salvage firm.
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Concession History
A nice article from Slate tells the story of the rise in popularity of theater concessions. Contrary to popular, they weren’t always the backbone of a theater’s revenue like today.
What movie snack you choose to indulge in is not a decision to treat lightly. When else is it socially acceptable to consume 8 ounces of Reese’s Pieces by yourself? And yet few among us spend much time dithering at the concession stand. Maybe you’re a Raisinets guy. Or perhaps you prefer the salty magic of popcorn. Elaine Benes is a Jujyfruits kind of gal. Me, I’m a Red Vines person trapped in a Twizzlers world.
Whatever our concession allegiances, they tend to be deeply ingrained. And for most, a trip to Live Free or Die Hard won’t be complete without some goodies, even if it’s the kind of goody we might otherwise avoid—particularly at such egregious prices. How exactly did we form this cultural habit? Today, concessions are the lifeblood of the theater business: According to the National Association of Theatre Owners, they account for approximately 40 percent of theaters' net revenue. But it wasn’t always this way.
For the full story, go to Slate.
Story submitted by Bryan Krefft