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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 11, 2006
Piano/organ accompanists for silent films
Are there archival records of piano/organ accompanists for silent films shown at theaters? Of particular interest is information of such records for Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.
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Information wanted on theater equipment
I recently purchased a 1938 single screen theater in Gilchrist, Oregon. I am seeking information on the original equipment. I have 2 projectors that are still working, screen, and other equipment that may be for sale. I have pictures and more information available. Please contact me at or 541.433.5525.
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December 8, 2006
Theater parking lots and you
We’ve all heard the story so many times. Wouldn’t it have been great to wakeup and be in the 1930’s. Not because of the economic conditions and not because of anyone in particular, but for the movie theaters. This was golden age and it was going well until the suburbs came along twenty years later by kneading the population across a much larger landscape.
For the past decade, we’ve been at a new crossroads as well. A lot of our favorite triplexes and early multiplexes are getting phased out for new grander megaplexes. However, this transformation coincides with the last one. Just as people began going to smaller neighborhood theaters due to convenience, the same applies today. Not only because of the material amenities becoming more and more standard but because of the most precious commodity in some cities today, parking.
How much has the amount of available parking doomed or celebrated your local theater? Expansive exterior parking lots seem to go hand in hand with the new stand alone megaplexes. One can hardly find a more irritating experience than circling around a tight lot for a prized space. As a result, huge pieces of property have been partitioned off to make sure this doesn’t happen, at least during anytime but the most high traffic days.
The ease of parking has also been improved quite a bit. From different sized spaces to high tech lots that tell you the precise number of available spots on any given level. Let’s not forget about how much easier it’s gotten to get out of them. Prepay machines and lots where you in advance by space number are all the more common.
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Movie Theatre History Book
ST. LOUIS, MO — Wehrenberg Theatres is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year. They have had a number of fun promotions throughout the year including $1.00 admission days and $1.00 sodas and popcorn.
The neatest thing they have done is document their history in a new book called “100 Years of Reel Entertainment” by Stephen Debellis. The book weaves the circuit’s history into the history of Hollywood complete with pictures of their old and new theatres in the Midwest. The book is available online at their website.
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Demolition of DuPage Theatre gets underway
LOMBARD, IL — Demolition work has begun on the 78 year-oldDuPage Theatre in downtown Lombard. Expected to take about 4-6 weeks to complete, the project is beginning at the east end of the long-vacant building, and includes lifting off the roof of the auditorium.
Plasterwork from the auditorium and foyer areas has already been removed for potential reuse. The facade and marquee will be saved as well. The DuPage is not completely lost, but will allow for the future redevelopment of the property.
At the present, there are three main plans for the theater’s future being weighed: complete demolition, allowing special tax funding to redevelop the theater, the construction of condos with retail and a theater as part of the development. Last night, at a village board meeting, a public hearing was held regarding extending the life of a special tax funding district around the downtown area.
To read more, go to, The Daily Herald.
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December 7, 2006
Historical significance of Cape May’s endangered Beach Theater
CAPE MAY, NJ — The Beach Theater is now the subject of a demolition application. Let us hope that people are aware of the historical significance of this structure.
First of all, the theater was designed by the noted architect William H. Lee of Philadelphia who designed many theaters along the Jersey shore. Unfortunately, this is one of the last of his theaters that remains, particularly in the southern part of the state.
It is also one of the first, if not THE first theater in the country to be designed with retail stores attached, a style that is still duplicated today on a much larger scale, in many shopping malls. Secondly, the builder of the theater was Mr. William C. Hunt. Mr. Hunt began one of the nation’s first “nickelodeons” in Camden, NJ and built an empire in the theater business.
Any and all efforts should be made to save this structure before it is too late. Any suggestions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Time is crucial, as a hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2006 before the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
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“Preserve Me a Seat” doc to screen in Alaska this week!
This week, my documentary, “Preserve Me a Seat,” which chronicles the on-going battles to save and preserve historic movie theatres in the U.S., including the Indian Hills Cinerama Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska; Gaiety Theatre in Boston, Michigan Theatre in Detroit; DuPage Theatre in Lombard, Illinois; and Villa Theatre in Salt Lake City, will screen this week as part of the 2006 Anchorage Alaska International Film Festival.
This will be the fourth film festival screening for the documentary since its premiere last July.
For more information, go to the Anchorage film festival website.
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AMC Loew’s $6.00 Bargain Matinees continue
Many people are still unaware of this, so I just wanted to repost this after enjoying a few films in AMC Loews NYC theaters early Sunday mornings for an incredible $6.00 as opposed to $10.25 charged after 12 Noon. And it’s not mentioned in their NYC ads either.
You get your choice of seats and can arrive at the box office only minutes before showtime. No long lines or trash elements to contend with. It’s great!!
This bargain matinee rate is in effect everyday at all of their theaters nationwide.
This is probably one of the best consumer bargains in NYC and elsewhere other than the few remaining cheapo second run houses out there.
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Canadian music legend Tommy Hunter comes to Sarnia
SARNIA, ONTARIO, CANADA — “Canada’s Country Gentleman”, Tommy Hunter will perform at the Imperial Oil Centre for the Performing Arts on Monday, December 22, 2007.
More details can be found at the Imperial Theatre web site.
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December 6, 2006
Happy 100th, Baker Theater!
DOVER, NJ — Yesterday, the Baker Theater celebrated its 100th Birthday. In great shape after a recent renovation, the theater currently hosts as many as ten events each month.
When it opened 100 years ago with the showing of a romantic play, the Baker Theater was billed as the largest and finest vaudeville playhouse in New Jersey and the surrounding region.
The theater then went through ups and downs as it transformed over decades from a major vaudeville playhouse to a movie theater — it featured the first talking motion picture shown in Morris County — to a rock concert hall to its current state as a venue for weddings, sweet-16 parties, concerts and shows.
For more, go to The Daily Record.
To hear more about their events, go to The Baker’s Website.