I guess I am still missing the point. Whether spelled ‘airdomes’ or ‘airdromes’, these theaters existed in significant numbers, particularly in the silent era, before the advent of air-conditioning and were often seasonal or short-lived operations. One list I came across lists over twenty in NYC alone, c. 1913). There is some history of airdomes/airdromes here.
Regardless of whether they were temporary or lacked plush or fixed seating, why should they not be listed? They are an important part of film exhibition history (especially in a number of American cities), which is all the more important because they were so ephemeral.
I am sure that in the case of the Block E, AMC could certainly afford the conversion, but it is an investment that they are not going to make as the lease is not going to be renewed. The situation at the Cottage View Drive-in is a different story.
According to data at Drive-ins.com for this theater, it opened in 1972, was put up for sale in 2003, and, as noted, demolished in 2004. here are additional pictures of the theater on its gallery page there.
I do not see why it should matter at all that the theaters listed under nearby theaters existed at different times. It seems to me comparable to a person’s writing, say, in a particular theater’s introductory headnote something like this: “The X Theater opened in 1915. It was torn down in 1932 and the Y theater was built on part of the site, and its sister theater, the Z was built two blocks away in 1940.”
The point of the list to help readers to develop an image of an area where multiple theaters existed which I think is highly valuable. I would agree that theaters that were not in near proximity should not appear in the list, but this is a matter, which like any other inaccurate detail, can be corrected. I think the feature is quite valuable and I am sure that, over time, each listing will become more accurate as the method and algorithm of establishing these lists becomes more sophisticated.
This webpage has pictures and history of the Lido. Using a translator site, I was able to read most of the text. According to the article, the Lido was once equipped with a curved screen to show Kinopanorama, the Russian version of Cinerama.
Scroll down about one-quarter of the way down on this webpage to see two old postcard views that show the theatre as the Vaudeville. (Postcards Nos. 8-856 and, especially, 19-Kb-09).
The Portage Theater and the surrounding building has been sold to new but undisclosed owners (who may or may not be the same as the ones who operate the Congress Theater). The theater’s future remains unclear. View article
There are some pictures of this drive-in on its gallery page at Drive-ins.com.
I guess I am still missing the point. Whether spelled ‘airdomes’ or ‘airdromes’, these theaters existed in significant numbers, particularly in the silent era, before the advent of air-conditioning and were often seasonal or short-lived operations. One list I came across lists over twenty in NYC alone, c. 1913). There is some history of airdomes/airdromes here.
Regardless of whether they were temporary or lacked plush or fixed seating, why should they not be listed? They are an important part of film exhibition history (especially in a number of American cities), which is all the more important because they were so ephemeral.
Here on CT there are listed a temporary ‘boat-in’ theater as well as a temporary outdoor theater in Hong Kong with beanbags for seating. The definition of what constitutes a ‘theater’ here on CT appears to be very (and, in my view, justifiably) broad.
I am sure that in the case of the Block E, AMC could certainly afford the conversion, but it is an investment that they are not going to make as the lease is not going to be renewed. The situation at the Cottage View Drive-in is a different story.
According to data at Drive-ins.com for this theater, it opened in 1972, was put up for sale in 2003, and, as noted, demolished in 2004. here are additional pictures of the theater on its gallery page there.
There are several pictures of the theater on its page at CinemaTour: View link
The Rivest List puts the Maisonneuve Theatre at 4219 Ontario St., two blocks east of Pie-IX.
I do not see why it should matter at all that the theaters listed under nearby theaters existed at different times. It seems to me comparable to a person’s writing, say, in a particular theater’s introductory headnote something like this: “The X Theater opened in 1915. It was torn down in 1932 and the Y theater was built on part of the site, and its sister theater, the Z was built two blocks away in 1940.”
The point of the list to help readers to develop an image of an area where multiple theaters existed which I think is highly valuable. I would agree that theaters that were not in near proximity should not appear in the list, but this is a matter, which like any other inaccurate detail, can be corrected. I think the feature is quite valuable and I am sure that, over time, each listing will become more accurate as the method and algorithm of establishing these lists becomes more sophisticated.
This webpage has pictures and history of the Lido. Using a translator site, I was able to read most of the text. According to the article, the Lido was once equipped with a curved screen to show Kinopanorama, the Russian version of Cinerama.
A contemporary view of the former theatre building: View link
An exterior photo of the cinema: View link
This page has some pictures of the theatre.
There are additional photos here; smaller ones will enlarge if clicked upon.
There is additional information about the theatre here.
There is a picture of the theatre as the Electric on this webpage; it will enlarge slightly if clicked upon.
There is additional descriptive and historical detail about the theatre on this webpage as well as several pictures.
Scroll down about one-quarter of the way down on this webpage to see two old postcard views that show the theatre as the Vaudeville. (Postcards Nos. 8-856 and, especially, 19-Kb-09).
Well, they did not hesitate to do it (and continue to do so) when digital 3-D came along. I’m surprised at the decision not to do so.
Judging from this old postcard view of the Luna Theater, it was open well prior to 1941 as the films advertised date to 1914.
This theater’s page at CinemaTour includes some pictures of the stores that now occupy the space once occupied by the cinema.
This webpage has additional detail and pictures the this theatre over the years.
The Portage Theater and the surrounding building has been sold to new but undisclosed owners (who may or may not be the same as the ones who operate the Congress Theater). The theater’s future remains unclear. View article
Apparently the damage was not too severe; see the comments for this theater.
A picture of the Scala building as of 2004: View link
A picture of the supermarket that occupies the site: View link
An article about the two brothers and their work to revive the Clay: View article