The latest movie theater news and updates

  • July 11, 2014

    Theater director uses innovation to draw audiences

    FORT WAYNE, IN — Being a non-profit art house isn’t easy but Cinema Center is making it work by collaborating with its community. From staging a “Dudefest” the featured a screening of “The Big Lebowski” paired with bowling, to partnering with a local Volkswagen dealership for an outdoor screening of “The Love Bug,” the theatre is definitely getting creative to reach people.

    Read more in the Bradenton Herald.

  • July 10, 2014

    Stefanie Klavens' Celluloid Dreams

    BROOKLYN, NY — Celluloid Dreams a photo exhbit of movie palaces by Stefanie Klavens', will be on display at the Fence at Photoville till October. In the write-up at Slate you can see some highlights with lush shots from theatres around the country.

  • July 9, 2014

    Garden Theatre reopens

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    PRINCTEON, NJ — The Garden Theatre reopened last week after about a month in darkness. They made upgrades to the concession stand and lighting as well as some other minor touch-ups. They converted to digital last summer. They plan on hosting a classic film series this summer and want more local input on programming.

    Read more in the Princeton Packet.

    (Thanks to Ken Roe for providing the photo.)

  • July 8, 2014

    Visiting an iPic Theater and considering moviegoing’s past, future

    LOS ANGELES, CA — After visiting the new iPic Westwood Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times contemplated the future of moviegoing. With ticket sales down, are luxury cinemas the way of the future? He looks at recent fads as well as a new appreciation for classic theaters.

  • July 7, 2014

    Pennsylvania’s Berwick Theater goes Non-Profit

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    BERWICK, PA — We are happy to announce that the Berwick Theater is now working with the Berwick Area United Way to become a non-profit community theater! It has run as a for-profit business since its construction in 1890 as an opera house. Now, with low demand and a failing building, The Berwick Theater must make a change.

    As the movie industry converts to a digital format for new release films theaters must transition to that format. This requires the installation of a digital projection system which can cost in excess of $50,000.

  • Inside the Loew’s Canal Street

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    NEW YORK, NY — Curbed posted some great new shots last weekend of the shuttered Loew’s Canal Theatre. It’s falling apart, year by year, but hopefully the recent restoration of the Loew’s Kings will spark someone to step up and save it.

    (Thanks to Ken Roe for providing the photo.)

  • July 3, 2014

    Next Act for the Alex

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    GLENDALE, CA — The art deco Alex Theatre has reopened and is better than ever. Not all the upgrades are front of house with new larger backstage areas, sound and lighting. They hope to be a new medium-sized contender for live productions.

    Read more in Variety.

    (Thanks to DavidZornig for providing the photo.)

  • July 2, 2014

    Redeveloping Woodland’s State Theatre

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    WOODLAND, CA — Shuttered since 2010, the State Theatre could be making a comeback. Unfortunately though, it won’t be coming back in its original single-screen format or even like the triplex it was turned into in the 70’s. The plan is to sell it to Cinema West and collaborate on making it into a state-of-the-art 10-screen multiplex.

    Read more in the Sacramento Business Journal.

    (Thanks to JohnRice for providing the photo.)

  • Movie Concert series coming to San Antonio

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    SAN ANTONIO, TX — The San Antonio Symphony and Majestic Theatre are teaming up next season with a tribute to film scores. On separate weekends, they’ll present a feature film, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” and a Bugs Bunny cartoon night, both with a live score.

    For all the details, go to Broadway World.

    (Thanks to Tinseltoes for providing the photo.)

  • July 1, 2014

    Big Dusk-to-Dawn, Retro Holiday Chill-fest of Horrors at the Finger Lakes Drive-in Theater

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    AUBURN, NY —

    Thursday July 3, 2014 Finger Lakes Drive-In

    Four classic, 1970’s era drive-in shockers: “Ruby,” “Burial Ground,” “Death Dream” aka Dead of Night, and a Surprise Bonus feature, plus vintage short films and trailers. Admission is $10 per person with the option of free camping on the site. Food and drinks available in the concession stand. Kick off your Fourth of July weekend with an exciting show reminiscent of once common, holiday dusk-to-dawn drive-in movie marathons.

    This will be a unique, one-of-a-kind retro movie marathon show reminiscent of Independence Day holiday dusk to dawn shows once commonplace at drive-in theaters in most every city and town of any size in the U.S, including drive-ins in the Syracuse region. I can substantiate this claim with plenty of old drive-in newspaper ads and articles from the 60’s and 70’s. The Finger Lakes Drive-in, I believe, is the only surviving drive-in in the greater Syracuse region.