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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 11, 2007
Theater Closing on Chicago’s Westside
CHICAGO, IL — It becomes my sad duty to report that the Inner City Entertainment’s(I.C.E.) Lawndale Theatre here in Chicago’s Lawndale Community was closed and boarded-up permanently this past Monday due to declining attendance. Ironically this theater is only two blocks from the old building that was formally B&K’s Central Park Theater.
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Byrd on the road to restoration
RICHMOND, VA — The Byrd Theatre Foundation has finally secured a deal that gives control over the namesake theatre. Now the fight to restore the building to its former luster begins.
Luckily for Byrd fans, the Warren heirs finally agreed on a date and a price. On May 31, the Foundation announced that its persistence (and $1.2 million) had paid off as the organization was the proud new owner of The Byrd.
However, now that the organization holds ownership of the building, the real work can begin, said Bertie Selvey, the other co-vice president of the Foundation and president of Byrd Watchers, a separately formed entity of community volunteers that raises money and awareness for preservation of The Byrd.
“This has been a long struggle,” Selvey said. “When I came in here and found out what hadn’t been going on, I realized that if we didn’t do something we would lose it. But we are putting all that behind us and we are jumping ahead. Now we have a big job…and the first thing we need is the new roof so we can get rid of those 21 buckets up there.”
To read more, go to Richmond.com.
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Four ways to save big on movie tickets
This piece provides some interesting tips on how to cut dollars away from your moviegoing expenses.
If you enjoy going to the movies, you don’t have to spend a fortune on tickets.
While most people purchase their tickets for full price at the ticket window, there are numerous ways that you can see your favorite summer movies for less. Always read the fine print on discount movie tickets. While many are good at any time, some may have restrictions for newly released movies.
Anyone have any other pointers?
For the full report, go to TheStreet.com.
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Theatre to be used as Church
CONCORD, CA — After a long court battle, a church is finally going to be able to use a shopping center’s theater as their home base.
The Harvest Church won a round in court today in its effort to use a former movie theater in Concord’s Park & Shop shopping center as its congregation gathering spot.
The California 1st District Court of Appeal upheld decisions by the City Council and a Superior Court judge to allow the use.City officials fought the plan for years, saying the proposed use conflicted with the city’s effort to implement more intense retail uses in the downtown core. City leaders eventually approved the plans, and business owners in the area challenged that decision.
For more on the new chapter of this growing trend, read the Contra Costa Times.
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June 8, 2007
The forgotten homage
And here I thought I had Los Angeles covered. I’ve visited most of the surviving theaters and spent countless hours studying the ones lost but I’d never looked closely at one particular stretch of Main Street. I sure was surprised when someone sent me notice of the taking down of Frank Romero’s “Homage to the Downtown Movie Palaces” in the L.A. Downtown News.
I had to go see it in person. Now I don’t know much about art that adorns parking garages but I’m willing to bet this comes up at the top of the list. L.A. native Frank Romero has built a name for himself with an impressive portfolio spanning almost fifty years of paintings, ceramics and of course his large-scale murals. One of his most famous pieces of work was the “Going to the Olympics” mural that hung from the 101 in downtown Los Angeles.
In 1988, he completed the “Homage to the Downtown Movie Palaces” mural as a tribute to the theaters he grew up in on Broadway. It was about to reach its 20th Anniversary when the city announced a plan supported by the Community Redevelopment Agency to revitalize the street area in front of the parking structure on which it hangs. Part of the initiative includes taking down the mural and placing something more modern in its place.
While the plans are already in motion, I thought it would be worthwhile to get the artist’s take on the whole ordeal and maybe learn a bit more about the piece as well:
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Gettysburg Classic Movie Series
GETTYSBURG, PA — The Majestic Theater will be presenting a Classic Movie Series Wednesday evenings throughout the Summer. Titles include Casablanca; 2001, A Space Odyssey; Doctor Zhivago; The Sound of Music; Gone With The Wind, among others.
The Majestic, built in 1929, recently underwent a $16M renovation returning it to its original splendor, which also included the construction of two smaller cinemas at the rear of the main theater. These cinemas, which are open nightly, feature “art films” which seldom play at the local multiplexes. The films in the Majestic’s classic series will be presented in the main auditorium.
More details can be found on their website.
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Wanted: Motion Picture Almanacs / Film Daily Annuals
Looking for the following for my private library:
Motion Picture Almanacs years – Pre-1936, 1937-1938 1938-1939, 1940-1941, 1941-1942, 1943-1944, 1964, 1971, 1980, 1984, 1992-1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006.Film Daily Annuals – just getting started on these so need any available in very good or better condition at reasonable price.
Also interested in BoxOffice Barometer magazines.
Thanks. Rick
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ISO theater in need
I’m looking for an old performing arts theatre in need of renovation. No seats-no problem.
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June 7, 2007
Sky-Vue Drive-in construction under way
TYLER, TX — A new one screen drive-in is slated to open in mid June on U.S. Highway 69 north. Sky-Vue Drive-In will have a screen 35 ft by 70 ft. with spaces for 180 cars.
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Watseka Theatre update
WATSEKA, IL — The Watseka Theatre opened in 1931 but started to fall on hard times in the late 60’s early 70’s. These hard times forced its closing in the 90’s only to see it’s upcoming rebirth later this year!
Charles Gomez has purchased the theatre and preservation efforts are already under way! The Watseka Theatre/Iroquois Performing Arts Center is now planning a New Years Eve Grand Re-Opening! New life is once again being placed in this Art Deco Gem! A Theatre Cafe and Bed and Breakfast are in the plans for the adjoining store fronts & those with fond old memories are asked to . That’s “Watseka Theatre Memories”!