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The latest movie theater news and updates
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November 8, 2006
Photos of hidden features of endangered Metro of San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — There was news that the Metro Theatre of San Francisco was closing.
The Metro’s original neoclassical design of 1924 was quite different from the Art Deco renovation it received in 1941 from architect Timothy Pflueger.
Gary Parks posted that he was one of the historic advisors for the 1998 rehab, which restored the 1941 Art Deco murals in the auditorium, and returned the lobby to its original 1924 design. Gary offered to share photos he took of original 1924 columns which are hidden in the auditorium behind the 1941 murals, and of 1941 Art Deco design that’s no longer visible in the lobby.
Gary sent me a CD of his photos so that I can post them on my flickr gallery and link it, starting with this photo that he included with his own photos.
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November 7, 2006
Adler Theater marks it’s 75th Anniversary
DAVENPORT, IA — The Adler Theatre has just reopened after over a year of extensive renovation to the stage so it can attract more broadway plays. Plus, it will be celebrating it’s 75th anniversary this year.
The Adler reopens this weekend after $9 million in improvements – including a deeper stage, a loading dock, additional dressing rooms, improved sound and computerized rigging systems – just in time for the 75th anniversary of the former RKO Orpheum Theatre.
The changes will allow a wider array of Broadway shows and concerts to be performed on the Adler stage.
The renovations came after the City of Davenport purchased the adjacent Mississippi Hotel so the Adler stage could be expanded.
Paul Westlake, the architect for the project, said it was the most complex of 75 theater renovations in which he has participated.
To read more about this restoration and it reopening, visit the Quad City Times.
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Rheem Theater’s new face
MORAGA, CA — A new corporation has taken over the Rheem Theatre and has brought an enormous change.
The staff is always properly dressed and professional. They have put a great amount of money to enhance consumer experience from walking into the lobby to sound and picture. They have introduced foreign movies, so now you can enjoy a nice cup of Espresso while watching an Italian classic.
They have done miracles with the place and I would urge you to visit it again.
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Granada theater restoration
SANTA BARBARA, CA — The Granada Theatre is being renovated/expanded into a performing arts center which will include cinema showings.
They will be restoring the loge and balcony sections along with acoustic improvements. The lighting and backstage equipment will be updated as well.
For more information, check out their website at http://www.GranadaSB.org/.
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November 6, 2006
Save the Franklin Theatre Event
FRANKLIN, TN — The historic 70 year old Franklin Cinema is currently scheduled to close in December 2006. This is an open invitation to a block party and gala to rally support and learn more about saving this beloved landmark.Both the block party and gala will take place on Thursday, November 9, 2006 between 6:30 PM and 9 PM in front of the cinema on 419 Main Street in Franklin, TN. There is a $10 donation requested for the block party. The gala is $50 per person and will take place in the theater.
Advance tickets are required for the gala and can be purchased by calling (615) 591-8500. Should be great weather for this event and hope to see you there!
(Thanks to John Coursey for providing the photo.)
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Projection and sound equipment price quotes
I just need to know what a good low budget option would be for the equipment I would need and what the cost is. I made a post earlier but I didn’t get a good answer to my question.
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Palace Theatre demolished - Superior WI
SUPERIOR, WI — What a sad day… brings a tear to my eyes. What a shame. Click on this link to the Superior Telegram for Palace Demolition and of which you can view 18 pictures,
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November 3, 2006
Salem Mall Cinemas come tumbling down
TROTWOOD, OH — The Salem Mall Cinemas are no more. After 39 years of service, the cinemas were demolished yesterday. The Cinemas were a part of the now defunct Salem Mall which was being demolished over the summer to make way for new retail and a city center developement.
The Cinema originally opened in 1967 as a single screen. Later a second screen was added to the building and in the late 70s the original screen was twinned. A fourth screen was added that was accessed through a utility hallway. This I believe is the last mall in the Dayton area that had a cinema actually in the mall.
(Thanks to Jonathan Flynn for providing the photo.)
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Demolition of the Rosewood Theater
CHICAGO, IL — Demolition of the Rosewood Theater building on Montrose Avenue in Chicago, began Monday, October 30, 2006. The theater opened in 1916 and closed in 1953. The building is coming down to allow for expansion of the adjacent Montrose stop on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Ravenswood line.
I have a number of recent photographs of the exterior of the building before demolition and am taking more pictures as the demolition progresses. Email me at if you would like copies of the pictures.
The building was rather plain, but what interested me was the barrel-vaulted concrete roof that was supported from the outside by an exposed Pratt truss system, which meant that support columns were not needed in the auditorium.
(Thanks to Robert Feldman for providing the photo.)
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Historic York Theater demolished
YORK, ME — A sad followup to our story regarding their closing two months ago.
The York Beach Cinema was demolished on Tuesday, October 31st. The theater was originally built in the 1850s to house horses. It was converted to an opera house in the early 1900s. It switched to a silent-movie house in 1928, and has been showing films up to this summer. The theater was demolished so that a hotel can be built on the site.
Crews began knocking down the York Beach Cinema at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
By noon, construction manager Butch Mellette expected the 78-year-old movie theater to be a pile of rubble.
“It shouldn’t take more than four hours to get it down,” said Mellette. “We have to be careful though because of the adjacent building.”
For more information, see the Portsmouth Herald Maine news story.