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The latest movie theater news and updates
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March 2, 2007
Save the Boyd!
As you know, Friends of the Boyd are very concerned because Live Nation has put the Boyd up for sale. We don’t want Center City’s last movie palace to be sold to another real estate developer who might seek to demolish it!
We’ve mentioned previously that Live Nation is also considering turning the Boyd into a House of Blues. Friends of the Boyd were happy with the restoration plans drawn up to restore the Boyd into a venue for Touring Broadway musicals, and that Live Nation was happy to accommodate our film series. However, if the theater becomes a House of Blues, Live Nation has not specified whether the Boyd’s original, historic Art Deco features would be fully restored, and if a film series would be accommodated. Friends of the Boyd have continued to offer to fundraise for the restoration.
PLEASE TELEPHONE City Hall at 215-686-1776 and ask to be connected to Mayor Street’s office.
The Mayor’s fax is 215-686-2180 if you would like to write a letter.
1 comment -
Brand new Xenon Bulb. Osram XBO 1600W/HS OFR. on eBay
I’m selling on e-bay a brand new, still in sealed box, Xenon bulb. The brand is Osram and the model number is XBO 1600W/HS OFR. It was listed on e-bay as item number 260091944077 and the listing started 2/28/2007 and lasts for 7 days. Minimum bid is $49.99 with no reserve price. I paid $420 for it but I sold my movie theater and no longer have a use for it.
Thanks,
Larry V -
March 1, 2007
Ukiah Theatre
Hello out there,
Research is currently being done in regards to archtiect William B. David. I am looking for information regarding his possibly designing the Ukiah Theatre, in Ukiah, California.
The Ukiah was initaly designed in 1941 but was not built until 1948 because of WWII. It was built for Trinity Theaters, which was owned by George Mann (which I think was an off shoot of Redwood Theatres seeing that after it was built, Redwood is listed as owner and Redwood was owned by Mann). The Ukiah is listed in “The Show Starts on the Sidewalk” as being designed by the firm of S. Charles Lee in 1941.
I am looking for any documentation confirming that David designed it, or if it indeed was designed by the Lee firm(seeing that David had left the firm in the late ‘30s). Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you know where the S. Charles Lee archives might be I would greatly appreciate it as well.
Thank you,
William
Best of Ukiah -
Howard Theatre could return as jazz center
WASHINGTON, DC — With a renewed commitment from the community, the Howard Theater is being proposed to be renovated into an artistic center and home for jazz.
Gordon and scores of others who played hooky to see jazz and Motown greats perform at the Howard shared their memories yesterday at the Carnegie Library, where they were told of plans by a local developer to revive the historic theater, at 7th and T streets NW.
The Howard, built in 1910, was once the nation’s premier venue for black performers, an essential stop on the “chitlin circuit” that included Baltimore’s Royal, Philadelphia’s Uptown, and New York’s Apollo theaters.
For more, go to the Washington Post.
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Hippodrome ads found
CLEVELAND, OH — Just found some vintage ads for the Hippodrome:
This ad for Gentleman’s Agreement in an old Cleveland arts paper.
Also found this ad for the film Voice of the Turtle.
Posted by ClevelandSGS
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February 28, 2007
Unique Theater Needs Help
SALIDA, CO — The Unique Theater in Salida, Colorado may be destroyed to make way for another restaurant in the small mountain town. Recently, the theater was offered for sale due to structural concerns. During which time, the town council was approached requesting the 100-year-old theater be made into a historical landmark. The town council voted down the request giving the developer the possibility of destroying the theater portion while still applying for historical grants for the front area.
The current owner of the theater, John Groy, does not want the theater to be torn down, but does not have the funds to keep it going. A developer in the area is the only one offering funds and “expects” he may have to destroy the 100-foot theater section. He plans to turn the front area into a possible nightclub or restaurant, and more than likely will not continue it as a theater even if the 100 foot section is saved.
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Beach Theater help
Hi Steve,
I am a summer resident of Cape May and have already written letters of protest to the mayor and the HPC. I have also posted the Preservation Alert on this website. I’d be more than happy to help with your efforts in any way possible. Please contact me via this site as I was somehow unable to email you at your Beach Theater website. Thanks for getting involved.
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MoPix system could revolutionize theater experience for some
FORT WAYNE, IN — A student at Indiana University has created a new in-theater system to assist those hearing and visually impaired. With components including a rear captioning system and headphones, it could completely change the way people see films.
One component of MoPix is The Rear Window Captioning System, and it’s an amazingly simple concept. An LED screen mounted at the rear of an auditorium displays captions, but displays them backward.
A patron who wants to make use of the system carries a transparent acrylic panel to their seats and mounts it in the cupholder or attaches it to the armrest.
Another component of MoPix is DVS Theatrical which allows visually impaired patrons to access narration via headphones that describes what is happening on the screen without drowning out dialogue.
For more, read the Journal Gazette.
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February 27, 2007
Lebowsky Center fire investigation continues
OWOSSO, MI — While the Owosso Community Players stage “Beauty and the Beast” at Owosso Middle School, they hope to at least salvage part of the burned out Lebowsky Center as an in-depth joint investigation of the fire by federal, state and local officials takes place after the OCP’s insurance company gave the green light and will hire their own investigator to assist in the effort.
Engineers and building inspectors will determine the theater’s fate, but there is a good possibility that the undamaged front facade will be preserved. More details from theOwosso Argus-Press.
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Theatre Designer Joe Musil Presents
Legendary theatre designer Joseph Musil, will present “Silver Screen, Seashells, and Stage Shows” highlighting some of the most historically and architecturally significant theatres of the early 20th century in the Long Beach, CA area.
His presentation will be part of the annual dinner meeting of the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society held on Tuesday March 20th at the Ebell Clubhouse in Santa Ana. Tickets are $35 per person.
Additional information is at the Santa Ana History Website. Joe created and runs the American Museum of Theatrical Design and the Salon of the Theatres located at the Santora Building in Santa Ana, CA.