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The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 19, 2007
The other Broadway
When it comes to neighborhoods with potential, downtown Los Angeles is about as rich as it gets. In it houses the largest collection of pre-war movie theaters still standing anywhere. While cities like New York and San Francisco have all but done away with their treasures, their Los Angeles counterparts are still in existence, albeit most in a shuttered state.
In this case, the area’s decline actually helped preserve the history. Instead of the land cost rising so enormously that supporting a theater seemed like bad business, the historic core of Los Angeles has yet to fully recover from its urban plight of the latter half of the last century. For that reason, keeping the theaters up for film shoots, special events or even storage is as practical a use as any these days.
However, a revival has been slowly gaining speed. With the western business corridor of downtown already in the midst of its renaissance, eyes are starting to turn towards the entertainment center, Broadway. Numerous theaters are making a steady income, but one classic has yet to be revitalized, one of the earliest palaces still standing in its ranks, the Million Dollar Theater.
This is the palace Sid Grauman built before the Chinese or even the Egyptian. Its opening on Broadway in 1918 ushered in a new age of extravagance in L.A. theaters. Since closing for movies, it’s had new life as a church but that even stopped years ago. Since, it’s one of the last large theaters intact on Broadway that’s still not operational for performances.
Hearing conflicting rumors swirling around the past few years regarding its return, I figured it was about time I went straight to the source. I got on the phone with the Million Dollar’s owner, the Yellin Company, and they put me in touch with its current tenant Robert Voskanian. I’d heard that he had planned to reopen it again after some renovations but I wasn’t quite sure which stage they were in or the extent of their plans:
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Fairbanks theater returns
FAIRBANKS, AK — No longer having miscellaneous tenants, the Empress Theatre is returning as a home for the local Shakespeare Company’s Bard-a-thon.
The Empress Theatre doesn’t look much like it did in 1927 anymore. But after 80 colorful years, the sturdy old building can still put on a show.
After a long hiatus, the Empress — or at least a remodeled version of it — will emerge again next weekend, when Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre hosts its annual Bard-a-thon, a week-long, round-the-clock reading of Shakespeare’s plays.
For more, go to the Fairbank Daily News.
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Former Cannon Cinema, Stockport
I am researching the Cannon Cinema which was demolished in mid 90’s. Originally built in 1936 as Carlton Cinema & acquired in 1948 by Essoldo Group. Designed by architects Drury & Gomersall of Manchester. Any external photos or building plans would be most helpful.
Many thanks in anticipation
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Galaxy Triplex fades away
GUTTENBERG, NJ — $5 tickets and a pipe organ aren’t enough to save the Galaxy Triplex. After 30 years of service, the theater is folding due to attendance not paying for its rent.
Galaxy Mall owner Martin Sergi said that the theater is a victim of flagging attendance – a trend in the industry.
“Unfortunately, the neighborhood theater is more behind us than ahead of us,” Sergi said. “We supported it for as long as possible, but we couldn’t do it any longer.” The 17,000-square-foot theater will be converted to offices, he said.
To read more, go to the Jersey Journal
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January 18, 2007
Green Theater’s search for identity
LAPLATA, MO — The Green Theater Restoration committee is busy raising funds and looking for a purpose for the long closed movie theater.
The Green Theater Restoration committee has been busy since first buying the 1935 theatre in 2006. They have raised more than $32,000 through various fundraisers and took possession this week of an adjacent building that shares a door with the theatre.
They have also hired an architect, Linda Derrick, who met with the group Monday night at the Depot Inn and Suites. She told the 20 supporters they need to agree on a direction and a purpose and they need to put it in writing.
To read more on this story, go to theKirksville Daily Express.
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Wanted: Single screen in STL
Looking for small movie theater in St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
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dave-bronx: Drop me a line please, had a question
dave-bronx,
Drop me a line please. I have a question or two about your General Cinema postings. No email listed for you.
Thank You Much.
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January 17, 2007
Art House chains show improvement
LOS ANGELES, CA — No longer just a niche product, art house theaters are now sprouting up as the backbone of shopping centers. With the Laemmle and Landmark chains leading the pack in L.A., the independent film market is becoming a more profitable sector.
But lately, Laemmle Theatres has been going uptown. The chain has been attracting a new group of fans — community planners, developers and powerful homeowner associations — that has taken art houses from dusty afterthoughts to project anchors.
The theaters are in demand, not only for their highbrow offerings, but because they also attract an upscale, generally well-behaved crowd that can help set the tone for business developments.
For more, go to the Los Angeles Times.
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AMC closes its Tyrone Square 6 movie theater
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — After a long run since its opening at an early mall, the AMC Tyrone Square is closing.
AMC has closed its Tyrone Square 6 movie theater after a 33-year run, officials said Tuesday.
AMC is expected to build a new theater on Tyrone Square Mall property, but specifics were not available early this week.
An Old Navy store will go into the vacated space, said Jeni Wilson, a mall spokeswoman. She said it could be open by early summer.
To read the full story, go to St. Petersburg Times.
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Vintage postacard of the Brandeis Theater for sale
Vintage Postcard of the Brandeis Theater for sale. This card is dated Sept.11, 1911 (Almost 100 years old) and is in great condition.
For more info and to see a picture, .
This card was circulated soon after the opening of this majestic building and is a rare find!