Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
The latest movie theater news and updates
-
May 18, 2007
Capitol Theatre hopes for “Semi-Pro” world premiere
FLINT, MI – After the producers of the film “Semi-Pro” spent $20,000 to restore the Capitol Theatre’s marquee, Troy Farah whose family owns the Capitol Theatre building hopes the film will have its world premiere at the theater. The last time the theatre was open was during Flint’s sesquicentennial in 2005 and had free showings of classic Disney cartoons.
A Christie digital projector was brought in for that presentation and the screen is in working order.But the theater’s heating system is not in good working order. To keep the theater from freezing during the winter, two regular gas furnaces are set up in front of the theater’s stage with PVC pipes leading to two holes in an exit door to exhaust the fumes.
1 comment -
NY Projectionists: Licensed by fire departments?
Is it still required that a fire department license must be obtained for all new theater projectionists? Wondering how so many non union teens are running ( and sometimes ruining) projection booths throughout NY State. One NYC union projectionist union rep told me the test was dumbed down.
And how did the once strong projectionist’s unions lost their footing? The local based in Mount Vernon, NY years back was very, very strong throughout Westchester County, NY.
Thanks
-
May 17, 2007
Simultaneous release a possibility?
Sure to be shot down by the theater chains, but regardless very tempting to the studios, Comcast is re-inciting discussion on the idea of simultaneously releasing new films to homes and theaters. They won’t say who but have claimed studios are interested if viewers at home would be willing to pay $30-$50 per showing.
How much would you pay to see a new theatrical release in the comfort of your own home? Comcast is trying to make the “simultaneous release” dream happen, but with prices being proposed in the $30-50 range per screening, the dream looks more like a Hollywood acid trip.
Comcast COO Stephen Burke told attendees at last week’s national cable confab that studios are interested, but that interest must be limited, for he didn’t name names and the studios aren’t talking. It is the first time we’ve heard some quasi-solid pricing details from a major player, however.
The idea behind “simultaneous release” is that technology-in particular, bandwidth to the home-has advanced to the point where day-and-date distribution of new films is not only technically feasible, but desirable.
For more, read Ars Technica.
-
Need someone to help me post to this site
This NOT a paid job. I am interested in old theaters and from time to time come upon info that should be on this site, but I don’t have the time to research it, organize it, write it or have a place to host pictures. For instance, I travel a lot and was in Pittsburgh and West Virginia last weekend. I have pix and info on a WV theater not in the database, pix of one that is, a newspaper article with lots of history on a theater that closed in Pittsburgh two months ago.
While I was in Wheeling, WV I came upon the Capitol Theatre that had just closed. I went online and found an article and posted it here, but really didn’t summarize the article the way it should have been. So, what I’m looking for is someone I can email links, or digital pix, or notes, or actual physical articles and brochures (from my travels) who will then post this stuff in the proper way.
If it matters, I’m in Los Angeles. (I also have pix of the demolition of a theater in Inglewood, CA a few months ago.) One more thing. I’m not looking for an email pal. Just for someone with a lot more time on his hands than I have.
-
May 16, 2007
Final tour of Fox Theatre before restoration
POMONA, CA — This past weekend, the Pomona Fox opened its doors to the public one last time for a tour of the theatre before its upcoming renovation. The theatre should be ready by next year.
They lined up early, cameras – and memories – in hand. The Fox Theater opened its battered doors on Saturday afternoon for a sneak peek, a chance to give the historic landmark one last look before work begins to restore it to its former glory.
Except for the art-deco ceiling, the gilt is mostly gone. So is some of the plaster. Caution tape is everywhere, and so is graffiti from the Fox’s late, not-so-great rave days.
For more, go to the Daily Bulletin.
-
Greenport Theatre opening May 24th
GREENPORT, NY – I’m the new GM for the Greenport Theatre and we are pleased to announce our opening for the year and not the season on Thursday May 24th with a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 3! Our official grand opening is May 25th where we will be showing Pirates 3, Shrek 3, Spiderman 3 and either Waitress or Away From Her.
We are all very excited about the new beginning here at Greenport Theatre and hope to see you all very soon. Any questions or comments can be directed towards my email at .
-Scott Fioretta
-
May 15, 2007
Lebowsky demolition update
OWOSSO, MI — Most of the demolition of portions of the Lebowsky Center has taken place as I write this. Demolition required a lot of coordinated preparation. Two blocks of Park Street were closed on either side of the theater to protect the utility lines. One truck used to install utility poles was being used to support a pole. Chains and support cables were strung on the poles alongside the unstable east wall in case the wall fell in one big chunk on the lines.
According to WLNS, the demolition was delayed a day due to problems getting the heavy equipment on site. The big Caterpillar machine brought in for the demolition is so heavy that the treads easily gouge the asphalt pavement.
The actual demolition began Wednesday morning. The demolition crew worked slowly and determined which parts of the theater could be saved with the help of machine’s big arm. The Owosso Community Players which own the theater is saving the bricks. Upon my return visit late Thursday, the bricks the machine took down had already been removed. There was still a lot of cleanup work inside what’s left of the theater. More info about the demolition and salvage efforts from WLNS.
-
Mystery Star Theatre
Hi. I have a photograph of a theatre, which unfortunately doesn’t have a name – only a Star. I presume, therefore, that the name is Star Theatre. Problem is, a number of google image searches and title searches – even in your terrific website – has left me unsure about what Star Theatre it is.
Could you help me track down the location of this theatre?
I’d like to feature this pic on my blog.
Andy
-
May 14, 2007
Captiol Theater to close
WHEELING, WV —. The great Capitol Theatre is scheduled to close and can be yours for $850,000.
Nearly 80 years after opening its brass-trimmed doors, the Capitol Music Hall — West Virginia’s largest, most famous and arguably most beautiful theater — is for sale and on the verge of closing.
A brief reprieve brokered by Gov. Joe Manchin III and Wheeling Mayor Nicholas Sparachane is expected to keep the historic hall open long enough for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra to hold the final concert of its Masterworks series May 18.
Here’s the rest of the story on the closure from the Post Gazette.
Here’s more more history on the theater.
-
Heinz to grant money to revitalize Pittsburgh’s New Granada
PITTSBURGH, PA — A grant was awarded to help revitalize the long vacant New Granada Theater in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The grant, awarded by Heinz Endowments, is another step into helping the revitalizaton of the Hill. For further info, read the article at the link below….
Read more about it in the Post Gazette.