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The latest movie theater news and updates
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August 31, 2006
Customer service keeps small-town theater open
LIVINGSTON, AL — The Sumter Theatre in the this small Alabama town stays alive by going the extra mile for each of its few customers.
Livingston, outside the University of West Alabama, is a town of 3,048 in Sumter County, some 172 miles north of Mobile. It’s a sleepy town that got sleepier when Wal-Mart moved out in January.
Smitty said he’s not a natural businessman. He ran a store in town that failed. The movie theater isn’t doing much better financially, but he doesn’t have the debt this time. “We tread water,” he said. Some days he only has one person watch a movie. Fifteen is a good day, he said.
For more, read the full story in the Press-Register.
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Pickerington movie theater getting ‘UltraScreen’
PICKERINGTON, OH — Following in the footsteps of their property in North Columbus, Marcus Theatres is building a separate new 400 seat theater adjacent to their Pickerington Cinemas. The theater will house a significantly larger screen than normal along with luxury seating.
For an extra 50 cents a ticket, moviegoers will be able to enjoy an extra-wide screen at Marcus Cinema Pickerington beginning next spring.
Marcus Theatres Corp. said Wednesday it will house a 70-foot wide UltraScreen — nearly three times wider than regular screens — in a building adjacent to its 16-screen Marcus Cinema Pickerington.
For all the details, read the article in the Columbus Bizjournals.
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August 30, 2006
Small theater chain owners find niches
DURHAM, NC — The Phoenix Theatres chain is succeeding by avoiding competition and offering audiences new amenities. By putting extra thought into the markets they open theaters in and their specific clientele, the chain is becoming extremely popular in its respective areas.
“There is no theater in the north of Durham. You don’t get another theater [heading north] until you get to Roxboro,” said Zacheretti, flashing a smile as he contemplates the competitive landscape. Phoenix Theatres operates 84 screens from Kansas to Florida.
In an industry where the giant chains keep consolidating, small operators such as Phoenix and even smaller independents still find ways to entice moviegoers and make a buck.
For more, read the full story in the News & Observer.
(Thanks to Phoenix Theatres for allowing us to use a photo of their Legends 14 in Kansas City, KS)
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Capawock to reopen in November
VINEYARD HAVEN, MA — Despite rumors saying otherwise, the Capawock Theatre’s owners still aim to reopen the theater in a few months.
A sign posted last week over the Capawock Theatre’s entrance on Main Street in Vineyard Haven reads, “Reopening November 1st or earlier.”
Despite costly and time-consuming setbacks in renovating the vintage 1912 movie theater building, the prospect of operating a business that loses money, a mounting campaign of public criticism, and veiled threats of eminent domain, the Hall family set a date to reopen the movie theater after its screens have been dark for almost two years.
The full story is availablein the Martha’s Vineyard Times.
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Theater in need of curtains
We have a small theater in Hollywood that is in need of some theater curtains. If anyone has some that are going to waste, we could use them. We don’t have a budget and we are not a cinema. We are a live theater, but we do teach students to prepare for the Silver Screen. Please email me if you have any info that may help us find what we need.
Thanks so much.
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August 29, 2006
Theater Seats for sale
The seating for sale here was made by the American Seating Co. in 1927 (still in business today!). These seats were top of the line at there time and have been well kept. The cushions are comfortable and in a beautiful shade of emerald green.
A somewhat matching color tape hides tears in the fabric on some of the cushions. Cast iron engraced framwork appear to be rust and corrosion free; painted bloody brown. The end pieces have isle lighting fixtures built in, however, the electrical hardware has not been tested.
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Now showing: Too much
REDWOOD CITY, CA — Downtown Redwood City was expected to be booming with the opening of a new complex. Instead, it looks like people might have overestimated the need for another multiplex.
The fate of the old movie house off Highway 101 remains a cloudy script, although city officials and business leaders still hope Century Theatres will close it to enhance the draw at the new cinema-retail complex downtown.
As it stands, keeping Century Park 12 along the highway in business has partly been blamed on the sluggish start of the On Broadway complex a mile away. The centerpiece of the complex, a 20-screen cinema, opened July 28.
For more, read the full story in Inside Bay Area.
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York Beach Cinema to close
YORK BEACH, ME — A long-standing summer tradition will be gone in a few weeks when the York Beach Cinema closes its doors.
For 78 years, no summer was complete for locals, seasonal residents and visitors alike without taking in a movie at the York Beach Cinema. Like tasting that first Goldenrod kiss of the season, it was tradition.
But in a few short weeks, as August gives way to September, this beach stalwart will be closing its doors for good.
For more, read the full story in Seacoast Online.
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Vintage Trailers for sale
I have several vintage trailers for sale.
Never a Dull Moment, 1968, Dick Van Dyke, Color & Sound, 136 feet.
Moonspinners, 1964, Color & Sound, 156 feet.
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August 28, 2006
TCU razing former movie theater
FORT WORTH, TX — The Frog Theatre is closing and set to be demolished for a campus bookstore.
Texas Christian University, having ordered the demolition of the old TCU Theater on South University Drive, is preparing to remake the northeast corner of the busy intersection with a campus bookstore as the centerpiece.
TCU officials aren’t ready to announce what the bookstore will look like or what its footprint will be, but the acquisition of the former movie theater in late July and its razing this week significantly opened up the corner of Berry Street and University Drive.
For more, read the full story at The Star-Telegram.