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The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 14, 2006
Drive-in theater plan cruises
WAPELLO, IA — Plans are being executed for a new drive-in, north of Grandview, Iowa.
Property owners Greg and Shilah Lindle are the parents of Kelly Daniels. The Daniels are proposing to use about 5 of the 15 acres to construct an outdoor drive-in movie theater called Cruise-in Drive-in with enough space for up to 300 vehicles. They requested a 15-acre rezoning to avoid claims of spot zoning, which is illegal.
Bob Simmering of HWS Engineering of Muscatine said plans call for a 50- by 35-foot screen on the west end with an entrance on the east end of the 5-acre location. Near the center would be a concession stand/projection booth/arcade, Simmering said. There would be a 1,500-gallon sewage system.
For more, read the Muscatine Journal.
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Commercials in theaters
This week I saw “Hollywoodland” at my closest local cinema, the Trumbull Crown Marquis. I thought I had the system bucked; I saw when the movie was slated to start, so I arrived shortly afterward, dawdled at the concession, and walked into the shoebox…er…showplace, hoping to avoid the commercials. Was I ever stymied!
Though the commercials had long since begun, there was no hint at an end of a steady stream, that involved not only the usuals, but commercials of several TV shows, and even a commercial for feminine hygiene spray! Of course, these were followed by several previews of coming attractions. Mercifully, the movie did begin sometime that evening, but I was ready to shout “I’m mad as (expletive deleted) and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
Judging by your followers' responses, to last week’s poll, many of the CT regulars also are fed up with the annoying and ever-growing intrusions of these commercials into an arena that cannot possibly charge much more and expect any kind of a decent patronage. I feel that this experience, coupled with your followers' comments last week, might warrant a new section on your excellent site: You already list theaters by location, local and worldwide, whether they are open, closed, or demolished. How about featuring a state-by-state list of all theaters that are known TO AVOID COMMERCIALS.
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Closed theaters – resources for SERIOUS researchers
Within the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) “Vault” is a short film titled “The Case Against the 20% Federal Admissions Tax on Motion Picture Theatres”. I recorded it sometime within the last decade and want others to be informed of its existence. It was produced circa 1952 (references “since 1946” and “within the past six years”) about 4500 theaters had closed (“one out of every four in the country”). Serious researches ought access the source files both in the Los Angeles archives of the AMA and the archived historical papers of the various State Representatives (Congress) who submitted data for the report.
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September 13, 2006
Watch a drive-in movie, from bed
FAIRLEE, VT — The Fairlee Motel & Drive-In as well as a theater in Colorado make their business over the summer by providing lodging adjacent to an outdoor theater.
The Fairlee Motel & Drive-In Theater combines the best of roadside America. Drive in, and you have your classic outdoor experience. Check in, and a picture window and NuTone speaker give you the same show from your king-size bed — with air conditioning and no mosquitoes. Please don’t wipe popcorn butter on the sheets.
Someone taller than about 5-foot-8 can even watch the movie from the shower, through the tiny bathroom window.
The Fairlee is one of at least two drive-in motels in the United States. Another is the Best Western Movie Manor in Monte Vista, Colorado. The Movie Manor claims to be unique, but according to the motels' histories, the Fairlee’s combination came first, in 1960.
To read more, visit CNN Travel.
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Original floorplans to the Fabian Theatre for sale
PATERSON, NJ — Fabian Theatre floorplans are for sale. I have a partial set of floorplans dated in 1924, designed by F.W. Wentworth. I also have a full set of original floor plans for the Alexander Hamilton Hotel also dated in 1924 by F.W. Wentworth. If anyone would like to make an offer or have any questions or would like to see some photos, please .
Thank You,
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Victorville Theater to open in fall
VICTORVILLE, CA — After some delays that left residents frustrated for convenient entertainment, Cinemark’s new multiplex in Victorville is scheduled to open in the next few months.
Stadium seating, surround sound and 16 screens are all coming to the Mall of Victor Valley this fall — but 18 extra stalls for the women’s restroom might just steal the show.
After demolishing the old mall movie theater in 2005, Cinemark is able to add things like more women’s restrooms to the new theater — and in the process, it has also nearly doubled the square footage, from 35,000 to 65,000 square feet.
To read more, visit The Victorville Daily Press.
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Marquis Theatre could be razed
EASTON, PA — Plans are starting to take shape for the Marquis Theatre to be razed for condos.
Ashley Development received preliminary approval Wednesday for its second major Downtown condominium project.
Bethlehem-based Ashley proposes razing the former Marquis movie theater at 175 S. Third St. to make way for the nine-story Majestic building.
The project would include 100 two-bedroom condominiums and 43 one-bedroom condos atop roughly 7,000 square feet of retail space fronting South Third Street.
For more, visit the Express-Times.
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September 12, 2006
Chicago Theatres featured in October issue of Chicago Magazine
The new October issue Chicago Magazine (www.chicagomag.com) features a six-page article about the White Way Sign and Maintenance Company which has kept the lightbulbs shining brightly on Chicagoland’s movie house marquees since 1923. The article includes a number of incredible vintage black and white photos of theater marquees, including the Garrick, Woods, and Oriental Theatres in Chicago’s Loop.
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Fine Arts Cinema to close
GREENBURGH, NY — After 34 years, the Fine Arts Cinema is set to close. Working under a
handshake lease deal since 1992, the cinema succumbs to market pressure and must close its
doors.The full story is available in the The Journal News.
Editor’s Note: In the back of my mind, I always knew this day was coming. I never was old enough to appreciate the art deco movie palaces of our past. Instead, this non-descript few hundred seat theater was my gem growing up. I loved when high-profile independent films would open in limited release and in the NY Metro area they would just be playing at the Angelika, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and this theater. The Fine Arts always had high-quality programming and a warm feeling inside.
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Opera at your local theater
NEW YORK, NY — Like the rock concert broadcasts that are becoming increasingly more popular, The Metropolitan Opera has plans to transmit its shows to theaters all over the world.
Coming soon to your multiplex in the mall: bel canto fireworks and bass-baritone rumbles, love duets and orchestral colors, divas, tenors and trills.
The Metropolitan Opera announced yesterday that it would begin broadcasting live performances into movie theaters across the United States, Canada and Europe, rubbing shoulders with professional wrestling and rock concerts.
The broadcasts are part of a strategy by the Met’s new general manager, Peter Gelb, to widen the house’s appeal by branching out into new media.
You can read more on this in the New York Times.