Four and a half years ago we started a journey to save and protect the beautiful Plaza Theatre. After losing money for a decade the Plaza’s fortunes were soon to change, in only 4 months the Plaza showed its first profit. Today the Plaza is financially sound and has a long bright future.
Over the years of my tenure at the Plaza we have achieved much together with a complete renovation of the facility, restoring the Plaza’s historic integrity while bringing state of the art technology. Our programming has been cutting edge all the while pushing the envelope.
Today I’m happy to announce that we have agreed in principle to sell the Plaza to Christopher Escobar this September. Christopher is well known in the Atlanta film community as the Director of the Atlanta Film Society and is a tireless advocate of the Plaza. I feel that our original goals when purchasing the theatre have all been met and it’s time to pass the torch so that Christopher can take the theatre to the next level.
Let me say to our patrons Thank you!!! With you we have seen a 500 percent improvement in attendance over the last four years, that’s an amazing accomplishment, your loyalty to the Plaza is what makes it so successful today.
Thank you to all the staff that helped us achieve these goals. Special thanks to my business partner John Brieger who worked so hard on the Theatre’s behalf. I would also be remiss if I did not thank Candace and the cast of Lips Down on Dixie who have always been there for the Plaza, their efforts have helped make the Plaza the success that it now is.
In 1939 the Plaza projected its first film and in 2017 the picture looks brighter than ever. And remember: movies were made to be seen in theaters.
Wishing you all the best,
Michael Furlinger President Furlinger Cinema Services Plaza Theatre
So I was at the World Premiere of Star Wars last night and the presentation was flawless . Picture and sound were amazing . The seats are comfy but have and odd tilt when sitting .
The rest of the theatre looked tired and not well maintained.
Michael Furlinger, president of Atlanta’s Plaza Theater, may have been the last man standing. Early on Wednesday he pledged not to deviate from his scheduled Christmas Eve premiere.
“I’d never stand for something like that,” he said. “As an independent we have more flexibility.”
Ultimately, it wasn’t his decision.
“I hate this,” he said after the final announcement. “This is blackmail.”
Atlanta’s Plaza Theatre planned to go ahead with its plan to screen “The Interview” until Sony decided to cancel the project altogether.
No one has a problem finding the theatre, it’s main problem is the shifting movie patterns in the city .
I have worked there when we have done $60,000 a day
For sale as of today
Dear Friends of the Plaza,
Four and a half years ago we started a journey to save and protect the beautiful Plaza Theatre. After losing money for a decade the Plaza’s fortunes were soon to change, in only 4 months the Plaza showed its first profit. Today the Plaza is financially sound and has a long bright future.
Over the years of my tenure at the Plaza we have achieved much together with a complete renovation of the facility, restoring the Plaza’s historic integrity while bringing state of the art technology. Our programming has been cutting edge all the while pushing the envelope.
Today I’m happy to announce that we have agreed in principle to sell the Plaza to Christopher Escobar this September. Christopher is well known in the Atlanta film community as the Director of the Atlanta Film Society and is a tireless advocate of the Plaza. I feel that our original goals when purchasing the theatre have all been met and it’s time to pass the torch so that Christopher can take the theatre to the next level.
Let me say to our patrons Thank you!!! With you we have seen a 500 percent improvement in attendance over the last four years, that’s an amazing accomplishment, your loyalty to the Plaza is what makes it so successful today.
Thank you to all the staff that helped us achieve these goals. Special thanks to my business partner John Brieger who worked so hard on the Theatre’s behalf. I would also be remiss if I did not thank Candace and the cast of Lips Down on Dixie who have always been there for the Plaza, their efforts have helped make the Plaza the success that it now is.
In 1939 the Plaza projected its first film and in 2017 the picture looks brighter than ever. And remember: movies were made to be seen in theaters.
Wishing you all the best,
Michael Furlinger
President
Furlinger Cinema Services
Plaza Theatre
Theatre #1
A sad day indeed !
It gives me no joy that I was correct on this closing in 2016. The Ziegfeld can be proud of its rich history and excellence .
So I was at the World Premiere of Star Wars last night and the presentation was flawless . Picture and sound were amazing . The seats are comfy but have and odd tilt when sitting . The rest of the theatre looked tired and not well maintained.
And it must run 4 times a day …
There is a 4 week minimum on the new Star Wars !
Why would they remove the name from the building ???
Could be but the name is gone .
I think when they took down bow tie the old Walter Reade name was there.
It is stuck in limbo with no operating company behind it … ( like a bow tie ) I know that they are looking for a way out of the lease .
I have been on this site since day one and never said before the days are numbered . I hope but would be shocked if it makes it to 2017.
Plaza total restoration completed in 2015 with new seats in the upstairs theatre . This was the last project to be completed.
From what I can tell now the theatre is on borrowed time . My guess 2016 is the end .
The name should be Garden Hills not Fine Arts .
Just announce theatre to close January 2015. Once one of the busiest theaters in the nation .
This theatre busiest in the nation I doubt this is in any danger of closing .
Not to take away from this story but Cinema Treasures only coverage on this story is this ??? The biggest movie story in decades .
First theatre in the nation to announce there playing The Interview .
Well it’s official today’s our Birthday – 75 years young today ……. Happy Birthday Plaza theatre !
You’ve come a long way baby !
Michael Furlinger, president of Atlanta’s Plaza Theater, may have been the last man standing. Early on Wednesday he pledged not to deviate from his scheduled Christmas Eve premiere. “I’d never stand for something like that,” he said. “As an independent we have more flexibility.” Ultimately, it wasn’t his decision. “I hate this,” he said after the final announcement. “This is blackmail.”
Atlanta’s Plaza Theatre planned to go ahead with its plan to screen “The Interview” until Sony decided to cancel the project altogether.
I still have a curtain in my large auditorium.
Can’t say this is a surprise as it has been loosing money for the last 20 years . Shocking it lasted this long .
No one has a problem finding the theatre, it’s main problem is the shifting movie patterns in the city . I have worked there when we have done $60,000 a day