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The latest movie theater news and updates
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March 15, 2007
Marquee letters wanted
We are seeking 17" Red Wagner plastic marquee letters. Our large marquee on a 1935 small town theatre is designed for Wagner letters only. We try to keep everything authentic. But Wagner has apparently discontinued the 17" Reds. We have Zip-a-tone flat letters to trade. We don’t use these and have boxes and boxes in several sizes. Also have some Wagner 10" and 17" to trade. Also have 1935 Heywood Wakefield deco seats with chrome back outline and deco velvet fabric.
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March 14, 2007
Limited time deal for Paramount concert
BROOKLYN, NY — Theatre Historical Society’s New York City Director, Orlando Lopes, has secured a reduced price ticket deal for the 2:30 matinee of the Classic Rock -n- Roll Show at the former Brooklyn Paramount on Sunday April 1!!
Cousin Brucie will MC this blast from the past show featuring all the artists who made the Brooklyn Paramount shows part of American History.
Our group rate will be $35 for the bleacher seating area. This seating could be considered a better seating area than the higher priced floor seating since the bleachers are elevated and give a full view of the stage as well as the lattice ceiling which will be fully lit for this very special show!
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Lebowsky Center fire blamed on arson
OWOSSO, MI — While test results are still pending, fire investigators believe the fire which destroyed the Lebowsky Center was deliberately set.
Reward posters have been placed on the theater offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction on arson charges.
The Owosso Community Players have 15 days to demolish the portions of the theater deemed unsafe, particularly the sagging east and west walls.
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Do HDTV owners prefer movie theaters?
Despite having the technology at home, HDTV owners still made it out to movie theaters in record numbers in 2006, according to the MPAA.
According to the MPAA, owners of big-screen HDTVs, Digital Video Recorders and other high-tech gadgets, went to the movie theater 10.5 times in 2006 compared to 7.1 visits for non-tekkies.
The MPAA didn’t offer an explanation for why the tech-savvy would be more likely to leave home, although they may have a high-def set and surround sound system at home that can offer a theater-like experience (and perhaps a better picture).
For more, go to TV Predictions.
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Pricing old theater items
Not sure if i’m interested in selling yet, but can anyone tell me where i can find out what some of this stuff is worth?
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March 13, 2007
Lake Manawa Drive-In theatre is officially demolished
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — Just saw on the news today that the big screen of the Council Bluffs Drive-In is coming down and the property will be a barren lot soon. They say that another will be reconstructed in 2008 but time will tell.
The theatre operated for over fifty years. The company who bought the land is using it for “future economic development of a specific use and function.” Luckily, I got to see a movie there last summer with my best friend…I will miss the theatre very much!
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Loew’s Kings still fighting for survival
BROOKLYN, NY — Not much news on the future of the Loew’s Kings. Proposals have been received for its future but nothing more. However, the article does go in detail into the genesis of the term, “wonder theater.”
Last fall, the New York City Economic Development Corporation asked for suggestions from developers on what to do with the Kings. Andrew Brent, a spokesman for the agency, will say only that more than one proposal has been received and that the city will try to move beyond the initial stage of the project later this spring. In its solicitation, the city noted that the building had suffered “substantial damage and deterioration.” For instance, the roofs over its retail spaces have collapsed.
What distinguished the five wonder theaters from the other Loew’s picture palaces was never really clear. Indeed, a 1930 ad in The New York Times included the Loew’s Pitkin, also in Brooklyn, as one of its “Big 5 Wonder Theaters” although theater-history buffs do not include it on their lists.
To read the full article, go to the New York Times(reg rq'rd)
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Capitol Theatre may file for bankruptcy
WINDSOR, CANADA — The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is on the verge of bankruptcy. It postponed bankruptcy filing Friday while waiting for word on a bail-out loan from the city of Windsor.
The Capitol Theatre on Friday postponed signing of bankruptcy papers after the city held off on a promised bail-out loan.
“We’re not trying to buy time so much as we’re trying to give the city a chance to formally reply to us,” said a frustrated Tom Lynd, the Capitol’s acting general manager.
More details from The Windsor Star.
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StarCite 18-Ste Foy closed
STE-FOY, QUE — StarCite 18 in Ste-Foy, an suburb of Quebec City has been closed by Cinemas Fortune, Inc. It had 4,184 seats. It is next door to an 14-plex called Ste-Foy 14.
In January, Cinemas Fortune closed 6 screens out of 12 of the Galeries de la Capitole.
As a result, Quebec City lost about a third of its movie screens. -
March 12, 2007
Travolta steps up for film causes
OCALA, FL — For the opening of his new film ‘WILD HOGS’ John Travolta wanted to do something to help his community. There were over 200 tickets sold to a VIP event at Club Blue adjacent to the Hollywood 16 theaters in Ocala, Florida. Proceeds went to the Florida Tornado Victims, The Historic Marion Theatre, and to the Film Commission of real Florida.
John Travolta presented a check to Mayor Max Pullen, of Lady Lake Florida, for $15,000 from the event and to top it off he also matched it with a personal check for $15,000. Proceeds also went to help restore the historic Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala. The building has been under construction since October of 2006 and is slated to finish June of 2007. This was a wonderful event and it helped causes that the Travoltas are passionate about.
Congratulations!
