Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
The latest movie theater news and updates
-
August 9, 2006
New Life at the State Theatre
SOUTH BEND, IN — The State Theatre has been purchased and is currently being renovated to become a cultural arts center for concerts, conferences, performances and more.
The new owner, Lester Sumrall, grandson of the late television evangelist Dr. Lester Sumrall is at the forefront of the endeavor. Updates, photos and information can be viewed on the State’s website.
0 comments -
Upcoming website on moviegoing experience
The significant drop in movie attendance has focused a lot of attention on patrons' dissatisfaction with the moviegoing experience. Bad manners, careless presentation, lackluster theaters, commercials, cell phones and high prices have all been cited as reasons why people are choosing to avoid cinemas and watch movies at home.
Currently under development is a new website for moviegoers to find and post reviews of specific cinemas, which will be rated like restaurants – on their presentation, service, ambience, showmanship, etc. A public forum for feedback can inform fellow moviegoers and give exhibitors more incentive to improve their overall quality.
-
Theater screen material wanted
We are in need of screen material for a project we are working on. The size of the material wanted needs to be around 19' x 11' in size. We do not need any of the black mat material that goes around the edges, just the white screen material.
If anyone has this material or knows where we can find a piece in the size requested, please contact us through our email address at: .
Thank you!
Mark Bialek
The Drive-In Exchange, Ltd. -
August 8, 2006
Cinemark Buys Century Theatres
Another giant merger between two chains will further conglomerate the theater playing field:
The Plano, Texas-based Cinemark USA theater chain is acquiring Century Theatres, based in San Rafael, Calif.
The two circuits announced Tuesday that they have entered into a purchase agreement under which Cinemark will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Century for a combination of cash and stock of Cinemark’s parent company.
For more, read the Full Story in the Hollywood Reporter.
-
Showbox Theater fire
SEATTLE, WA — According to Seattle tv stations KOMO-TV4, KING-TV5, KIRO-TV7, and KCPQ-TV13, the Showbox Theater in Seattle had a fire break out this morning at 5:00 AM. The fire department states the fire originated on the roof in an electrical device, probably an HVAC unit. By the time the fire department had arrived, the sprinkler system had been activated. Damage is limited to a 15 foot section of the roof.
-
2 lots of theater seats for sale
BROOKLYN, NY — I have two smaller lots of seats for sale. One group of Seating Concept seats is for a sloped floor – 100. Also a group of Irwins -120- for a level or slightly sloped floor.
All seats have cupholders, and are unassembled. Photos are available.
E-mail at -
Woolton Picture House to close
WOOLTON VILLAGE, ENGLAND — Due to the death of its owner David Wood, The Woolton Picture House will close on September 3rd, 2006.
The picture house opened on Boxing Day 1927, originally with 700+ seats. Now they have 256 seats but it’s still a single screen. It was Merseyside’s last remaining independent cinema.
-
August 7, 2006
In-seat complaint button being tested
ANTIOCH, CA — In one Bay Area theater, Regal is testing out a an in-seat device to alert theater employees of a disturbance within the theater:
Loud talking, chair kicking and other movie-theater annoyances may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new device similar to the flight attendant call button on airplanes.
Moviegoers at the Regal Deer Valley Cinema complex are testing devices that will alert a theater employee when a fellow patron is behaving badly.
For more, visit the full story on the CBS5 website.
(Thanks to _e.t. for the image)
-
Urgent - Theaters Wanted
We are wanting to lease several more theaters with a option to buy if we can. We have added 3 from Cinema Treasures and we thank each and every one of you who has helped.
If you know of a theater that is for rent or lease option, be it a drive-in or single screen, please inform us. Small towns are preferred. Even if it has been closed, let us know! Thank you!
Chalet Theaters LLC
-
August 4, 2006
Rethinking downtown projects
ITHACA, NY — Officials are currently discussing how the profitability of one movie theater affects the planning of the city:
As an elected official who has not endorsed any aspect of the Cayuga Green project, including the seizure of property through eminent domain to advance project goals, the original multiplex theater plans, and the plan to remove the helix to accommodate the preferred developer’s (Bloomfield, Schon & Partners) requests, it may come as no surprise that I plan to vote no, once again, tonight at City Council.
Last year, the operators of Seventh Art (Cinemapolis and Fall Creek Pictures) made a compelling case that a first-run movie theatre might also show those art films which would eat substantially into their profits.
For more, visit the Full Story in the Ithaca Journal.