Do you suppose this guy is a troll? This is the third time I have responded to a post he has made on different websites regarding different theatres and he has never responded.
I am an experienced theatre operator. I would be very interested in discussing your operation and offer but I cannot find an email address for you. Please drop me a note at
Good job Bob. You and I share the same birth year and have had some of the same experiences. The only difference is that at 14 I entered the theatre business and stayed for 25 years. Thanks for the memories.
There is plenty of used 35mm equipment available which costs a lot less than new and will last for many years. Any theatre supply company can help you. Try www.iceco.com They also handle 16mm.
The guys are right. The last 16mm print was made in about 2006 and DVDs look better than an old 16mm print. If you can get what you want on DVD then I wouldn’t consider 35mm. Make sure what you are showing is covered by your public performance license or you will have to deal directly with the distributor of that film.
In ‘06 I used Frank Rash. He kept me booked at my single screener a month in advance. At that time he charged me $150 a month. His number is 402-223-5119.
If the machines are “on their last legs” it’s because someone didn’t maintain them. They both should outlive us all. The Motiograph is one of the best machines ever built as is the Century. Parts are hard to get for the Motiograph. But some theatre supply houses have a few machines. I would suggest you contact a supplier and get a quote on overhauling those machines. One I would recommend is American Cinema Equipment (www.ace.com) in Portland, OR. Several years he was ready to sell me a set of used Motiographs. I would also suggest you employ someone who knows something about the theatre business.
First you need to check the local laws in the area where you want to build to see what they require. Then you need to check with the distributors of films to see if they are available in that area. International Cinema Equipment usually has the best prices on used equipment (www.iceco.com). Aster Seating has the best prices on used seating (www.asterseating.com). Good luck.
Go to www.bigscreenbiz.co There are dozens of theatres listed for sale there. If you buy the Mack and need a GM please contact me. I have more than 25 years experience. The Mack is in a perfect location to run classic, foreign, family and inspirational films. There is a Comming Attractions Theatres multiplex in McMinnville.
My email is
I served part of my IA apprenticeship at the Fox Pomona. In 1950 it was equipped with Simplex Supers and received the preview films with sound and picture on separate films There was a separate unit attached to the sound head for threading the sound film. The Fox Pomona has been beautifully restored and has a website.
You might want to put an ad on this site naming the brand of the projectors, soundheads, lenses, lamps and related available equipment. You can do the same on www.film-tech.com and www.bigscreenbiz.com
I was GM for a not-for-profit board at a small single screener. A salary of $2,500 per month to start would be adequate. If your manager makes it a profitable operation you could consider raises and benefits. Hire someone who knows the business and don’t attempt to micro-manage the operations. Where are you located?
I agree with Ken. You might also try www.iceco.com The equipment will be used/reconditioned (if you don’t want new) but will outlast you if properly maintained.
I’ve seen the theatre from the outside. It seems like a nice little house. It’s on a main drag. I had wondered at one time if I could buy it. I’m not sure the Indian population in the Portland area is large enough to support an exclusive Bollywood format.
The age of the equipment is not as important as whether or not it has been properly maintained. There are machines still in use that were built in the 30s. Please name the projector, soundhead and lamp.
When I was managing a theatre in Iowa my supplier was Farner-Brocken in Iowa. Good prices and service. You can reach them here: http://mrc.farner-bocken.com/fbpublic/
Back in the early 70s I was the I.A.’s relief projectionist at that theatre. And yes, it’s sad to see it go. But Sterling apparently was more interested in the money than continuing in the theatre business. Sterling (as Sterling Theatres) used to own most of the theatres in the Seattle area.
I hope the Sunset board puts someone in the Grand that knows something about the theatre business and lets him/her run it because they sure have limited the opportunities at the Sunset.
Do you suppose this guy is a troll? This is the third time I have responded to a post he has made on different websites regarding different theatres and he has never responded.
I am an experienced theatre operator. I would be very interested in discussing your operation and offer but I cannot find an email address for you. Please drop me a note at
Bob Allen
I thought Coming Attractions Theatres owned the Egyptian. I wonder when they sold it to the city?
Glen – I have the same inquiry as I do on CinemaTour.
Good job Bob. You and I share the same birth year and have had some of the same experiences. The only difference is that at 14 I entered the theatre business and stayed for 25 years. Thanks for the memories.
There is plenty of used 35mm equipment available which costs a lot less than new and will last for many years. Any theatre supply company can help you. Try www.iceco.com They also handle 16mm.
The guys are right. The last 16mm print was made in about 2006 and DVDs look better than an old 16mm print. If you can get what you want on DVD then I wouldn’t consider 35mm. Make sure what you are showing is covered by your public performance license or you will have to deal directly with the distributor of that film.
I hope the city returned it to its original state rather than the cut up version left by the former owner.
In the early 60s I worked there as a relief projectionist for the Santa Maria IA local. It had Simplex XL equipment at the time.
In ‘06 I used Frank Rash. He kept me booked at my single screener a month in advance. At that time he charged me $150 a month. His number is 402-223-5119.
I’ll bet there’s a good chance it was arson. What’s in a screen tower to burn except maybe 110v for light bulbs.
If the machines are “on their last legs” it’s because someone didn’t maintain them. They both should outlive us all. The Motiograph is one of the best machines ever built as is the Century. Parts are hard to get for the Motiograph. But some theatre supply houses have a few machines. I would suggest you contact a supplier and get a quote on overhauling those machines. One I would recommend is American Cinema Equipment (www.ace.com) in Portland, OR. Several years he was ready to sell me a set of used Motiographs. I would also suggest you employ someone who knows something about the theatre business.
First you need to check the local laws in the area where you want to build to see what they require. Then you need to check with the distributors of films to see if they are available in that area. International Cinema Equipment usually has the best prices on used equipment (www.iceco.com). Aster Seating has the best prices on used seating (www.asterseating.com). Good luck.
Ron:
Go to www.bigscreenbiz.co There are dozens of theatres listed for sale there. If you buy the Mack and need a GM please contact me. I have more than 25 years experience. The Mack is in a perfect location to run classic, foreign, family and inspirational films. There is a Comming Attractions Theatres multiplex in McMinnville.
My email is
Bob Allen
I served part of my IA apprenticeship at the Fox Pomona. In 1950 it was equipped with Simplex Supers and received the preview films with sound and picture on separate films There was a separate unit attached to the sound head for threading the sound film. The Fox Pomona has been beautifully restored and has a website.
If you go 30 miles east you can see the beautifully restored 1932 Fox Pomona in downtown Pomona.
You might want to put an ad on this site naming the brand of the projectors, soundheads, lenses, lamps and related available equipment. You can do the same on www.film-tech.com and www.bigscreenbiz.com
I was GM for a not-for-profit board at a small single screener. A salary of $2,500 per month to start would be adequate. If your manager makes it a profitable operation you could consider raises and benefits. Hire someone who knows the business and don’t attempt to micro-manage the operations. Where are you located?
Bob Allen
I agree with Ken. You might also try www.iceco.com The equipment will be used/reconditioned (if you don’t want new) but will outlast you if properly maintained.
I’ve seen the theatre from the outside. It seems like a nice little house. It’s on a main drag. I had wondered at one time if I could buy it. I’m not sure the Indian population in the Portland area is large enough to support an exclusive Bollywood format.
The age of the equipment is not as important as whether or not it has been properly maintained. There are machines still in use that were built in the 30s. Please name the projector, soundhead and lamp.
When I was managing a theatre in Iowa my supplier was Farner-Brocken in Iowa. Good prices and service. You can reach them here: http://mrc.farner-bocken.com/fbpublic/
Back in the early 70s I was the I.A.’s relief projectionist at that theatre. And yes, it’s sad to see it go. But Sterling apparently was more interested in the money than continuing in the theatre business. Sterling (as Sterling Theatres) used to own most of the theatres in the Seattle area.
I hope the Sunset board puts someone in the Grand that knows something about the theatre business and lets him/her run it because they sure have limited the opportunities at the Sunset.
Same to ya guys. I’m here daily and really appreciate the site.