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The latest movie theater news and updates
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October 9, 2006
Complete collection of Publix Opinion from 1927 - 30
A.M. Botsford entered the film industry in the 1910’s, as the press agent for Paramount star Marguerite Clark. By the late 1930’s, he was producing films for the house, including Arizona Raiders (1936) and Dancing on a Dime (1940).
But in the late ‘20s and early '30s—under the direction of division-head Sam Katz, he was telling the managers of Paramount’s theater chain division, Publix Theaters Corp. how to sell movies. And he did this through a printed newsletter called the Publix Opinion, an 11" x 16" black-and-white tabloid that reflected the format of the early movie house press books.
A complete collection of every issue of this newsletter released between April 24, 1927, and December 26, 1930, is on eBay now at this link.
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October 6, 2006
Orpheum Theater Hannibal, MO bought by Chalet Theaters (UPDATED)
HANNIBAL, MO — THe Historic Orpheum Theater in Hannibal, MO, has been purchased by Chalet Theaters of Florida. They are a small ‘chain’ that is investing in historic and vaudeville era theaters.
Chalet Theaters now has 10 theaters of this nature and has plans on geting up to 15 within the next year. The owners are interested in preserving the history of the older and grand theaters that once stood for beauty and class. With the purchase of this theater this adds to their list of these.
They bought the theater after its past owners ran out of funds and could not secure any more. Extensive repairs and remodeling has already been done and Chalet Theaters plans more starting in November 2006. They will be updating the sound and projection to state of the art, and also plan to have continued live shows. Below is the info about the theater.
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Vogue Theatre N/A
LOS ANGELES, CA — My quest to aquire the Vogue Theatre in Hollywood has failed! One of the owners, Carol, told me she was not interested in either renting, leasing or selling. There are proposed plans to convert it into another night club -such as they are doing to the Fox Theatre across the road.
Meanwhile, I’m still searching for a southern California moderate size cinema/theater to screen British Films in; independent, art, second run, etc.
If readers have any news, I’d welcome their comments and help at .
Many thanks,
Simon Overton
Santa Ana, Ca. -
10" Plastic Marquee Letters for sale (2 types)
In cleaning out my backroom, I found I have some more marquee letters, all plastic.
1st) I have 95 Adler Silhouette 10" plastic letters. They are not all perfect as some have their molded “hooks” on the back broken. Also they seem to have a shading within the plastic (maybe to make them appear somewhat 3-D even though they are mostly flat). Here is the list of letters in the group:
2) B
4) C
1) D
2) F
3) G -
Parkway Theater revamps ‘dinner and a movie’
OAKLAND, CA — Long a purveyor of a superior moviegoing experience to the people of Oakland, the Parkway Theatre receives praise for its format. Serving food and prohibiting most showings to anyone under 21, the theater is still building a loyal customer base.
Dinner and a movie is a classic combination, but Oakland’s only “speakeasy theater,” the Parkway Theater, revamps the combination.
Described by the Speakeasy Theater’s Web site as being “the anti-multiplex,” the Parkway boasts two screening rooms offering a variety of movies that include recent blockbusters, cult classics and local films not shown anywhere else.
For more, visit the Mills Weekly.
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October 5, 2006
Ouray Cinema for sale
OURAY, CO — A unique Opera House that goes back to the nineteenth century, is up for sale. For the people in this small town, it is one of the only entertainment options.
The Wright Opera House, built in 1888, is up for sale. So is the small city’s only movie theater, which has been operating in the historic building for the past six years.
Because of the small size of Ouray — about 800 people — that combination of uses could ensure the building’s commercial success, said Gary Brandon, who manages the Ouray Cinema and Theater in the building.
For more, visit the Grand Junction Sentinel.
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Stromberg Carlson theater amplifiers
As a old theater sound buff I recently found an old Stromberg Carlson AP 54 amplfier that apparently came out of an old theater in Toronto Ontario.
It mounts on a 19 inch rack and used a pair of 866A mercury vapor rectifiers and 811A output tubes.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this amplifier and or know where a second one can be found?
Thanks,
The Frogman
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Fair Theater now open
PLAINVIEW, TX — The Fair Theater has been and is now open for business.
To read more, visit the Fair Theater Webpage.
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October 4, 2006
Fox Riverside renovation
RIVERSIDE, CA — In a proposal city officials say will produce long-planned projects and make up for previously deferred upgrades, the Riverside ( Calif. ) City Council is set to vote this week on the initial plans for a $780 million citywide proposal for municipal facilities and infrastructure.
The plan contains essential cultural upgrades, including a retrofitted Metropolitan Museum , expanded Convention Center, rehabilitated Municipal Auditorium and a completely refurbished Fox Theater —– which is probably the most forward-looking aspect of the plan. Not only will it restore one of the city’s historical gems, it will finally give Riverside a first-class performance arts facility.
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Northern/ Western Electric Mirrophonic sound systems
After some research, I am almost sure that the old theater that my dad worked in as a projectionist, had this sound equipment.( The Capital, Welland Ontario).
This equipment was released around 1935, the year the Capitol opened. The speakers were huge! A three way system on a open baffle, Three 15 inch woofers, two 12 ft by 12 ft snail horns and two small flare tweeters. MGM hated this sound system because they were mainly into musicals at the time, because single step taps coming out of these huge horns sounded like two.