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
-
April 19, 2007
Syracuse International Film Festival 2007 opens on April 18th
SYRACUSE, NY — The upcoming Tribeca Film Festival isn’t the only film event that New York has to offer – the 2007 Syracuse International Film Festival will celebrate its official opening night this Wednesday, April 18th at 7 p.m. at the historic Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre (“SALT”) the program will feature a silent film screening along with a live concert performance, followed by a reception.
Award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Native American composer/musician Brent Michael Davids will join the nationally-recognized Society For New Music and members of the Syracuse Symphony to present his orchestrated full score for the 1920 silent film, “The Last of the Mohicans”.
Davids' original score will accompany the screening of the 73-minute classic silent film starring Wallace Beery. During the concert, Davids will perform with a large number of Native American percussion instruments and a handmade flute fashioned from quartz crystal, which he created. Randall Craig Fleischer (of the Anchorage Symphony) will conduct the orchestra, consisting of the Society For New Music core ensemble along with members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
0 comments -
Port Theatre to be demolished
CORONA DEL MAR, CA — With the permits granted, the Port Theatre’s demolition seems inevitable.
The only question is when.It was named one of Newport’s landmark buildings in 2003, but that designation apparently won’t save the historic Port Theater from bulldozers.
The single-screen Art Deco movie theater on East Coast Highway, which opened in 1950, once hosted the Newport Beach Film Festival and was an art house theater for nearly a decade until it closed in 1998.
In March, Port Theater owner Rick Aversano got a city permit to demolish the building, then he sold it. The new owner is Pand Realty LLC, but no plans for the property have been submitted to the city and it’s not clear when demolition will start.
To read more, go to the Daily Pilot.
-
Free popcorn with admission at Grand Lake
OAKLAND, CA — To combat competition and slowness before the summer rush, the Grand Lake Theatre is offering free popcorn with admission during the week.
Owner Allen Michaan came up with the idea to offer a bucket of fresh popcorn — plus seconds — as a way to battle the mega-movie complexes, such as the UA Emerybay 10 in Emeryville.
“It’s getting harder and harder for the old theaters to compete with the megaplexes. They won’t survive unless they are supported by the movie-going community,” Michaan said.
Michaan launched the popcorn experiment last week at the Grand Lake and the Orinda Theater in Orinda.
For all the details, go to the Oakland Tribune.
-
April 18, 2007
Mann National goes dark
LOS ANGELES, CA — After a long period of rumors of the plug being pulled, it appears the Mann National is finally closing tomorrow.
For more, go to LA Observed.
I’ll try to dig up some more information on this one and report back.
-
The very first shopping center theater: Stamford, CT or Seattle, WA ?????
Read in the postings for the Ridgeway, Stamford, CT that it opened in the summer of 1951 as America’s first shopping center theater, yet similar comments for both Northgate, Seattle, WA and Cinema Shopper’s World in MA claim that same distinction, yet both opened a few months after the Ridgeway.
Can anybody clarify any of this??
Thanks
-
Sloped floor solution
I am looking for the least expensive method of leveling out a sloped floor in a theater I am looking to purchase. As this is a multi-screen building, my plan is to utilize part of the building for other venues and keep a few of the theater rooms as is so movies can be shown. Any ideas in regards to wood flooring, steel supports etc.
-
April 17, 2007
Classic Films - Timeless Romance at the Loew’s Jersey
The joy of finding love is equaled in intensity only by the despair of fearing that it is not meant to last.
Time and fate can be treacherous allies in love.
Little wonder, then, that some of the finest literature and greatest movies are about love transcending time. This month, the Landmark Loew’s Jersey presents three of the most legendary such films.
Wuthering Heights Friday, April 27 at 8PM
Starring Laurence Olivier & Merle Oberon. Directed by William Wyler. Produced by Samuel Goldwyn. (1939, 110mins., B&W, United Artists) Though repeatedly re-made, this is considered the definitive version of Emily Bronte’s classic novel. Olivier and Oberon give outstanding performances in this story of love, loss and time.The legendary screen-writing team of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur wrote the script, with uncredited input from John Huston. A timeless classic not to be missed by lovers of film.
-
National Amusements' two remaining drive-in theaters will open this year
BURTON, MI and LOUISVILLE, KY — The last two remaining drive-in theaters out of many operated by National Amusements will open for the season.
While National Amusements does not maintain web sites for each of these drive-ins, individual webmasters unaffiliated with National Amusements are maintaining drive-in web sites on their own.
This contributor, Gary Flinn who is not connected with any drive-in theater, maintains a web page devoted to the Miracle Twin DI in Burton, MI outside Flint. The Miracle Twin DI will open for the season on April 20. The management of this drive-in has an April special. During the month of April, admission is $10 a carload!
-
“Admit One” exhibition at Museum of Brisbane
BRISBANE, AUS — Currently running at the Museum of Brisbane within City Hall is an exhibition celebrating the history of Brisbane’s cinemas. There is a small theatre that includes many features typical of local cinemas of the past. The varied and interesting exhibits also include a special slide show about the Regent Theatre, of which only the original foyer remains to remind us of its past grandeur.
The exhibition runs until 19 August. More can be found at
the Our Brisbane Website. -
April 16, 2007
Terra Cotta from Venetian Theatre
MILWAUKEE, WI — Did anyone save any of the terra-cotta from the Venetian? Unfortunately with today’s sue happy society, most wreckers will not let people on site.
Fortunately back in 1990 when the Parkway Theatre (Milwaukee) was torn down, I was able to purchase salvage rites to the theatre. I gathered up anyone I could find and we took down the entire facade and adjoining business section consisting of over 3000 pieces of terra-cotta all chiseled out by hand. Now it awaits a second showing at a site yet undetermined. I even have the original blueprints from 1921.
In the mid 1980’s the owner of the Venetian sold off the interior lady lobby statues. A dealer in Denver purchased four and I purchased the other one. Fortunately they were removed otherwise they would be crushed surely. I will post photos later. Greg F.