Correct, unfortunately not saved from fire, here are photos of its destruction followed by 2 articles & a link we can only hope comes true….
http://www.demotiximages.com/news/1051923/attikon-cinema-day-after-riots-athens
http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/news.php?id=726
excerpt-
The riots in Athens have claimed a historic victim – the 19th century Attikon cinema, famous as one of the city’s most beautiful new-Classical buildings. The key venue for the Athens International Film Festival, it attracted film fans from around the world every September and was a popular destination for tourists at other times of year.
With its sweeping galleries, arching sky-blue ceiling and lush red velvet seats, the cinema was admired by lovers of film and architecture alike, but today all that remained was a smouldering ruin following an arson attack. It had been operating as a cinema since 1912 and the previous night had been screening Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/02/14/attikon-the-death-of-a-cultural-icon/
entitled “Attikon: The Death of a Cultural Icon”
ATHENS – As Greeks awoke on Feb. 13 after a night of violence and arson that destroyed 45 businesses in the capital city, they saw nothing was left of one of its most historic venues, the Neo-Classical building that housed the century-old Attikon theater, one of the lushest old movie palaces in Europe, gone now with the ashes that flitted into the night air like celluloid film burning away. It burned along with the adjacent Apollon, restored half a century ago.
A few hundred anarchists infiltrating a crowd of more than 100,000 demonstrators, protesting more austerity measures being imposed by the government so that international aid to keep the country from going bankrupt would keep coming, battled riot police deep into the night as Parliament approved more pay cuts for beleaguered Greeks. The firefights of Molotov Cocktails versus stun grenades and tear gas left Greeks, already inured to violence after two years of protests, riots and strikes, shocked at what they saw in the morning after: banks and businesses gone, livelihoods lost, more people out of work in a country with more than one million unemployed, and the movie theaters where many went to escape the misery of reality in modern Greece reduced to a pile of smoldering debris.
Not lost on most is that the Attikon and Apollo were nearly adjacent to the burned-out hulk of a former Marfin Bank branch that was firebombed by arsonists on May 5, 2010 in the first major riot against austerity. It killed three bank workers trapped inside, including a young expectant woman. No one has been arrested for those murders and riot police watched the movie theater burn away too. The beautifully restored Apollon, a historic 1960’s theatre, and the Attikon just next door, operated year-round showing the latest releases, and also hosted the Athens International Film Festival.
In a city filled with filthy, grey concrete buildings, the Attikon was one of the few neo-classical buildings left, and during the economic crisis had begun offering 2-for-1 admission ticket nights so that Greeks with little disposable income left could get away from their everyday lives and disappear into a movie. It dated back to 1870 and was a mainstay on one of the city’s main avenues, Stadiou Street, where one in four stores has closed during the last five years of recession, and was just around the corner from another theater that was burned, the Asty, whose owner said he was warned by anarchists earlier they would torch his business unless he paid a huge sum in protection money.
Ironically, the Attikon had survived occupation by the Nazis during World War II, who left it alone, while the Gestapo used the underground Asty as a torture chamber. It is adjacent to a WWII museum now gone too. The Attikon began operating in 1912 – now dead on its 100th anniversary. It was reminiscent of the golden days of movie palaces, with thick, lush seats, a giant screen, balcony and side boxes, luxurious and comfortable, a place where you could sink into your seat, the antithesis to boxy mall cinemas, a testament to a time gone past, which it now joined.
Anarchists roam at will during the protests in Greece, looting, burning, killing and destroying banks and buildings and luxury car dealerships. None have been arrested as Greeks complain that police instead apprehend innocent protesters. The perpetrators are not hard to spot: they come to their work wearing hoods, face masks, and often carrying barrel staves or other wooden poles with which to battle police.
Nikos Konstandaras, the respected editor of Kathimerini newspaper, wrote that what Greeks lost in the fires was more than just buildings. “The neoclassical building that housed the Attikon cinema was one of the most beautiful in Athens, among the very few that reminded us of what our city could have become if we had respected its past, if we cared about its present and its future. Perhaps it was a fitting sacrifice – a symbol of our rush to destroy because we cannot create, an expression of our need to abandon memories and pass into the future, blackened with ashes and rage,” he said sadly. Visitors also wrote lovingly of their time at the Attikon, as one earlier noted during an on-line review, stating, “The service was great the atmosphere fantastic and the surroundings were very nice.” It was a site recommended to tourists by the travel guide Lonely Planet, and now it has been lost.
With lit candles in their hand and tears in their eyes, a crowd of sorrowful citizens gathered outside Attikon yesterday to mourn the cinema’s destruction. Among the Athenians in the crowd who had fond memories of watching movies at the Attikon since they were children, were a number of artists who came to commemorate the building’s significance for the arts in Greece. In addition, reporters from several international media outlets gathered to express their shock and dismay at the burning of the Attikon, and wondered if it was really necessary for such a historic and culturally significant building to be destroyed as a result of Greeks’ rage against the government and additional austerity measures.
This blog has an interesting assertion, that though part of the movie theater was destroyed, that the main hall was saved from the fire.
http://athenswalker.blogspot.com/2012/02/athens-hooliganism-and-attikon-cinemax.html
This article states the rioters yesterday said they wouldn’t burn down the theater or shops if the owners gave them money: http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2012/02/13/athens-rioters-asked-money-in-order-not-to-burn-down-shops/
Larger resolution photo from Reuters than linked in 1st post above-
http://reuters.tumblr.com/post/17505964169/a-cinema-is-burning-out-during-anti-austerity
Photo of the remains of the cinema the day after the fire:
http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/firefighter-extinguishes-one-capitals-oldest-restored-cinemas-central-photo-112735944.html
Here is a link and a few excerpts from an article which states the cinema was still open recently
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/riots-leave-athens-smouldering/story-fn6ck55c-1226270276396
A LANDMARK Athens cinema lay in ruins yesterday as stunned Greeks surveyed the damage of widespread riots.
Officials say 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire as violence erupted during demonstrations while parliament voted on Sunday for tough new austerity measures aimed at averting national bankruptcy.
“It’s culture that has gone up in smoke,” filmmaker Nikos Kavoukidis lamented as he shot footage of the crowd gathered at the ruins of the Attikon cinema. “What do we have left? Television and football?”
The Attikon was housed in a neo-classical building dating back to the late 19th century. The cinema was famed for its sumptuous decor, plush red seats and the sweeping curves of its main auditorium.
Until Sunday, the film on show was “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” starring Gary Oldman.
2009 photos by Joseph Galanakis of neoclassic entry & lobby during the Athens International Film Festival
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702440583/
mirrored lobby
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702501403/
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703141084/
The Atsy on fire February 12, 2012 in the 3rd photo here
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/world/detail/2?page=17&token=YTdlNWZlNzNhZWJiM2FmZDEwMDEwZmJkZTMxYmE1
2003 photo of signage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/straybear/51361332/
There’s no indication anybody was inside the cinemas. This one & Apollon were probably totally destroyed. The historic building housing them was one of the most beautiful in Athens! another photo of it on fire & blog:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_13/02/2012_427392
I enjoyed Hamlet in 70mm at the Paris. It was the 2nd to last “new” (not classic or restored classic) 70mm film (filmed that way or blow up) that I saw. “Titantic” a couple years later was the last.
Future projectionists, please make sure the sound is loud, use the curtain, and send ushers to eject all patrons who answer & chat on their cell phones (after the cell phones ring!) during the feature. And, please routinely replace the projection light bulbs so the picture is light enough.
Thanks to Vince Young for the last day information as below, from an ad:
“Viva Max!” was the final screen attraction. 5 shows that day, final at 6:10 PM
TONIGHT AT 10PM
Doors Open at 8 PM
BUY TICKETS NOW! All Seats $5 incl tax
“THE SUPERFIGHT”
The computerized fight sports fans will be talking about for years.
Who’s the Greatest?
Rocky MARCIANO vs Muhammed ALI
Filmed Live and in Color
This is not animation or photo tricks but live action in color, filmed in secret and edited to a computer printout programmed for over 200 variables. This great bout will never be seen on T.V. or in newsreels. There will be no second run….This has to be the greatest fight ever!"
Also played that evening: Ardmore, Astor, Benn, Cheltenham, Broadway, Logan, Nixon, State, Midway, Warner (WChester), Plaza (KoP), Waverly, Towne, and Moorestown Plaza.
In late December, AMC had a sale & I purchased it for $6. I did’t know there are invites for free advance screenings. Perhaps those invites arrive by email? Or maybe I have to buy a certain number of tickets before those invites arrive.
No shock that the exterior wasn’t more impressive than the interior. I saw a couple movies there in 1987 and 1988. As JodarMovieFan asserts, it wasn’t a “treasure.”
And here was the theater rental info, including screen size: Old Town Theater is available for:
Corporate Meetings / Business Meetings
Conferences / Conventions
Events and Parties
Birthday Parties
The Theater features:
A 400+ stadium seat venue
High Definition projector
16' by 22' screen
computer imagery
DVD, VCR, & Cable
Digital Surround Sound
Remote internet access
Microphones: Wireless & Stand
The Theater’s Restaurant Serves:
400+ Lunch and Dinner buffets
Beer and Wine
on trays stablized in the seat’s cupholders
Menu
Theater website has disappeared but here was the history on it:
The original permit to build, dated April 16, 1914, was for the purpose of “moving pictures, bowling alleys and billiards”, named the Richmond Theater, it was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. The owners reportedly operated a vaudeville theater on the first floor and a dance hall on the second floor until around 1932. Around 1932, the theater closed for renovation, the second floor dance hall was removed, and a theater balcony constructed. The Richmond was used as a motion picture and vaudeville theater until sometime in the 1940s when vaudeville was phased out, and the theater was used exclusively for motion pictures. The Richmond operated as a motion picture theater until it closed in approximately 1972, when the city movie houses were failing to draw local residents. In 1976, the National Puppet Center applied for a special use permit to use for the performances and study of the puppet arts and it is not known how long the theater may have been used for this purpose. In 1980, the theater was renovated and re-opened as a double theater under a new name, the Old Town. The Old Town operated until October 1999 when it was again closed. On Valentines 2002, the Old Town was opened after renovations were completed bringing the bathrooms up to ADA approved code, bringing the balcony back, replacing the seats to a comfortable level and adding lighting and sound systems. The screen was removed opening the stage for live plays and a comedy venue. In December 2002, the theater was closed. The Old Town Theater has reopened as a multi entertainment center featuring all forms of the performing arts including film, theater, music and children shows.
JodarMovieFan, THX has a “find theater” function. Put in this zip code & it no appear. Here: http://www.thx.com/consumer/movies/find-a-thx-certified-cinema/
Correct, unfortunately not saved from fire, here are photos of its destruction followed by 2 articles & a link we can only hope comes true…. http://www.demotiximages.com/news/1051923/attikon-cinema-day-after-riots-athens
http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/news.php?id=726 excerpt- The riots in Athens have claimed a historic victim – the 19th century Attikon cinema, famous as one of the city’s most beautiful new-Classical buildings. The key venue for the Athens International Film Festival, it attracted film fans from around the world every September and was a popular destination for tourists at other times of year.
With its sweeping galleries, arching sky-blue ceiling and lush red velvet seats, the cinema was admired by lovers of film and architecture alike, but today all that remained was a smouldering ruin following an arson attack. It had been operating as a cinema since 1912 and the previous night had been screening Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/02/14/attikon-the-death-of-a-cultural-icon/ entitled “Attikon: The Death of a Cultural Icon” ATHENS – As Greeks awoke on Feb. 13 after a night of violence and arson that destroyed 45 businesses in the capital city, they saw nothing was left of one of its most historic venues, the Neo-Classical building that housed the century-old Attikon theater, one of the lushest old movie palaces in Europe, gone now with the ashes that flitted into the night air like celluloid film burning away. It burned along with the adjacent Apollon, restored half a century ago.
A few hundred anarchists infiltrating a crowd of more than 100,000 demonstrators, protesting more austerity measures being imposed by the government so that international aid to keep the country from going bankrupt would keep coming, battled riot police deep into the night as Parliament approved more pay cuts for beleaguered Greeks. The firefights of Molotov Cocktails versus stun grenades and tear gas left Greeks, already inured to violence after two years of protests, riots and strikes, shocked at what they saw in the morning after: banks and businesses gone, livelihoods lost, more people out of work in a country with more than one million unemployed, and the movie theaters where many went to escape the misery of reality in modern Greece reduced to a pile of smoldering debris.
Not lost on most is that the Attikon and Apollo were nearly adjacent to the burned-out hulk of a former Marfin Bank branch that was firebombed by arsonists on May 5, 2010 in the first major riot against austerity. It killed three bank workers trapped inside, including a young expectant woman. No one has been arrested for those murders and riot police watched the movie theater burn away too. The beautifully restored Apollon, a historic 1960’s theatre, and the Attikon just next door, operated year-round showing the latest releases, and also hosted the Athens International Film Festival.
In a city filled with filthy, grey concrete buildings, the Attikon was one of the few neo-classical buildings left, and during the economic crisis had begun offering 2-for-1 admission ticket nights so that Greeks with little disposable income left could get away from their everyday lives and disappear into a movie. It dated back to 1870 and was a mainstay on one of the city’s main avenues, Stadiou Street, where one in four stores has closed during the last five years of recession, and was just around the corner from another theater that was burned, the Asty, whose owner said he was warned by anarchists earlier they would torch his business unless he paid a huge sum in protection money.
Ironically, the Attikon had survived occupation by the Nazis during World War II, who left it alone, while the Gestapo used the underground Asty as a torture chamber. It is adjacent to a WWII museum now gone too. The Attikon began operating in 1912 – now dead on its 100th anniversary. It was reminiscent of the golden days of movie palaces, with thick, lush seats, a giant screen, balcony and side boxes, luxurious and comfortable, a place where you could sink into your seat, the antithesis to boxy mall cinemas, a testament to a time gone past, which it now joined.
Anarchists roam at will during the protests in Greece, looting, burning, killing and destroying banks and buildings and luxury car dealerships. None have been arrested as Greeks complain that police instead apprehend innocent protesters. The perpetrators are not hard to spot: they come to their work wearing hoods, face masks, and often carrying barrel staves or other wooden poles with which to battle police.
Nikos Konstandaras, the respected editor of Kathimerini newspaper, wrote that what Greeks lost in the fires was more than just buildings. “The neoclassical building that housed the Attikon cinema was one of the most beautiful in Athens, among the very few that reminded us of what our city could have become if we had respected its past, if we cared about its present and its future. Perhaps it was a fitting sacrifice – a symbol of our rush to destroy because we cannot create, an expression of our need to abandon memories and pass into the future, blackened with ashes and rage,” he said sadly. Visitors also wrote lovingly of their time at the Attikon, as one earlier noted during an on-line review, stating, “The service was great the atmosphere fantastic and the surroundings were very nice.” It was a site recommended to tourists by the travel guide Lonely Planet, and now it has been lost.
With lit candles in their hand and tears in their eyes, a crowd of sorrowful citizens gathered outside Attikon yesterday to mourn the cinema’s destruction. Among the Athenians in the crowd who had fond memories of watching movies at the Attikon since they were children, were a number of artists who came to commemorate the building’s significance for the arts in Greece. In addition, reporters from several international media outlets gathered to express their shock and dismay at the burning of the Attikon, and wondered if it was really necessary for such a historic and culturally significant building to be destroyed as a result of Greeks’ rage against the government and additional austerity measures.
Rebuild? http://mydesignstories.net/profiles/blogs/we-will-rebuild?xg_source=activity
This blog has an interesting assertion, that though part of the movie theater was destroyed, that the main hall was saved from the fire. http://athenswalker.blogspot.com/2012/02/athens-hooliganism-and-attikon-cinemax.html
This article states the rioters yesterday said they wouldn’t burn down the theater or shops if the owners gave them money: http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2012/02/13/athens-rioters-asked-money-in-order-not-to-burn-down-shops/
This, the most beloved and glamorous historic movie palace of Athens, was set on fire by the rioters yesterday.
Larger resolution photo from Reuters than linked in 1st post above- http://reuters.tumblr.com/post/17505964169/a-cinema-is-burning-out-during-anti-austerity
I believe it was still an open cinema, until the riots yesterday.
Photo of the remains of the cinema the day after the fire: http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/firefighter-extinguishes-one-capitals-oldest-restored-cinemas-central-photo-112735944.html
Here is a link and a few excerpts from an article which states the cinema was still open recently http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/riots-leave-athens-smouldering/story-fn6ck55c-1226270276396 A LANDMARK Athens cinema lay in ruins yesterday as stunned Greeks surveyed the damage of widespread riots. Officials say 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire as violence erupted during demonstrations while parliament voted on Sunday for tough new austerity measures aimed at averting national bankruptcy.
“It’s culture that has gone up in smoke,” filmmaker Nikos Kavoukidis lamented as he shot footage of the crowd gathered at the ruins of the Attikon cinema. “What do we have left? Television and football?”
The Attikon was housed in a neo-classical building dating back to the late 19th century. The cinema was famed for its sumptuous decor, plush red seats and the sweeping curves of its main auditorium.
Until Sunday, the film on show was “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” starring Gary Oldman.
2009 photos by Joseph Galanakis of neoclassic entry & lobby during the Athens International Film Festival http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702440583/ mirrored lobby http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702501403/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703141084/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703147736/
I don’t understand your comment as to “known narrow hill”
The Atsy on fire February 12, 2012 in the 3rd photo here http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/world/detail/2?page=17&token=YTdlNWZlNzNhZWJiM2FmZDEwMDEwZmJkZTMxYmE1
2003 photo of signage http://www.flickr.com/photos/straybear/51361332/
There’s no indication anybody was inside the cinemas. This one & Apollon were probably totally destroyed. The historic building housing them was one of the most beautiful in Athens! another photo of it on fire & blog: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_13/02/2012_427392
December 2007 photo of auditorium facing screen http://www.flickr.com/photos/50102570@N00/2195216313
September 2006 photo of auditorium http://www.flickr.com/photos/70447108@N00/249252173
Photos provided by management to Tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d2060547-Reviews-Apollon_Attikon-Athens_Attica.html
Apparently this was Athens most beloved cinema!
Some beautiful photos on this person’s blog: http://enzine-manos.blogspot.com/2010/05/attikon-cinema-2008.html
February 2010 photo of exterior http://www.flickr.com/photos/gichristof/4343342385/
February 12, 2012 photos set on fire http://www.demotix.com/news/1050171/attikon-cinema-ablaze-athens
I enjoyed Hamlet in 70mm at the Paris. It was the 2nd to last “new” (not classic or restored classic) 70mm film (filmed that way or blow up) that I saw. “Titantic” a couple years later was the last.
Future projectionists, please make sure the sound is loud, use the curtain, and send ushers to eject all patrons who answer & chat on their cell phones (after the cell phones ring!) during the feature. And, please routinely replace the projection light bulbs so the picture is light enough.
Giles, how large is the screen, esp. how many feet wide for scope films?
Thanks to Vince Young for the last day information as below, from an ad:
“Viva Max!” was the final screen attraction. 5 shows that day, final at 6:10 PM TONIGHT AT 10PM Doors Open at 8 PM BUY TICKETS NOW! All Seats $5 incl tax
“THE SUPERFIGHT” The computerized fight sports fans will be talking about for years. Who’s the Greatest? Rocky MARCIANO vs Muhammed ALI Filmed Live and in Color This is not animation or photo tricks but live action in color, filmed in secret and edited to a computer printout programmed for over 200 variables. This great bout will never be seen on T.V. or in newsreels. There will be no second run….This has to be the greatest fight ever!"
Also played that evening: Ardmore, Astor, Benn, Cheltenham, Broadway, Logan, Nixon, State, Midway, Warner (WChester), Plaza (KoP), Waverly, Towne, and Moorestown Plaza.
In late December, AMC had a sale & I purchased it for $6. I did’t know there are invites for free advance screenings. Perhaps those invites arrive by email? Or maybe I have to buy a certain number of tickets before those invites arrive.
No shock that the exterior wasn’t more impressive than the interior. I saw a couple movies there in 1987 and 1988. As JodarMovieFan asserts, it wasn’t a “treasure.”
Ah, so the 3 strip print that “might” surface later this year is of Brother Grimm itself, not the “archival video”
What’s a preview event?
And here was the theater rental info, including screen size:
Old Town Theater is available for:
Corporate Meetings / Business Meetings Conferences / Conventions Events and Parties Birthday Parties The Theater features:
A 400+ stadium seat venue High Definition projector 16' by 22' screen computer imagery DVD, VCR, & Cable Digital Surround Sound Remote internet access Microphones: Wireless & Stand The Theater’s Restaurant Serves:
400+ Lunch and Dinner buffets Beer and Wine on trays stablized in the seat’s cupholders Menu
Theater website has disappeared but here was the history on it: The original permit to build, dated April 16, 1914, was for the purpose of “moving pictures, bowling alleys and billiards”, named the Richmond Theater, it was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. The owners reportedly operated a vaudeville theater on the first floor and a dance hall on the second floor until around 1932. Around 1932, the theater closed for renovation, the second floor dance hall was removed, and a theater balcony constructed. The Richmond was used as a motion picture and vaudeville theater until sometime in the 1940s when vaudeville was phased out, and the theater was used exclusively for motion pictures. The Richmond operated as a motion picture theater until it closed in approximately 1972, when the city movie houses were failing to draw local residents. In 1976, the National Puppet Center applied for a special use permit to use for the performances and study of the puppet arts and it is not known how long the theater may have been used for this purpose. In 1980, the theater was renovated and re-opened as a double theater under a new name, the Old Town. The Old Town operated until October 1999 when it was again closed. On Valentines 2002, the Old Town was opened after renovations were completed bringing the bathrooms up to ADA approved code, bringing the balcony back, replacing the seats to a comfortable level and adding lighting and sound systems. The screen was removed opening the stage for live plays and a comedy venue. In December 2002, the theater was closed. The Old Town Theater has reopened as a multi entertainment center featuring all forms of the performing arts including film, theater, music and children shows.
Managing Partner
Roger Fons
JodarMovieFan, THX has a “find theater” function. Put in this zip code & it no appear. Here: http://www.thx.com/consumer/movies/find-a-thx-certified-cinema/