The latest movie theater news and updates

  • 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.

  • Looking for a theater for sale in Southern California

    If anyone has information about a theater for sale in the Orange County, Los Angeles or the Southern California area, please contact David at

  • Interview with QuVIS on digital cinema

    FirstShowing.net had the chance to speak with Larry Jacobson, President of QuVIS' Entertaintment Division, to discuss many aspects of digital cinema and digital theatre, including its future and QuVIS' involvement in it. A great interview from the guys over at FirstShowing.net!

    For the whole story, visit the Full FirstShowing Interview.

  • August 3, 2006

    Miramar Theatre in danger

    SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Since a newspaper article recently advised people to email the city of San Clemente their views about the Miramar Theater, apparently a couple dozen emails have come into City Hall in favor of demolishing the theater!

    This is obviously a well-orchestrated campaign to barrage City Hall with one developer’s plans to raze the theater building.

    WE MUST FIGHT BACK NOW!!