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/
As famous stars appeared on their nightly TV shows, movie theaters went dark on those nights. 90% of movie theaters closed. Many neighborhood movie theaters closed during those years & some larger movie palaces closed, too. Before TV, people went every week to movies. Some went even daily. After TV, movie attendence decreased. With new devices, attendence continues to drop.
Interesting. Local operator will take it over but films will be booked by Clearview which currently operates on the East Coast. Clearview books many arthouse films, so audience members will be pleased.
I added to this site the video of the blade sign installation, http://cinematreasures.org/video/jenkintown-pas-hiway-theatre-vertical-sign-is-installed
HDTV, an early showing! As I’m listed in the credits, I’m kind of an official volunteer here. If you see outright “spam” email me directly so I will have it removed. There are trivial postings, can’t help that, but this website has more interesting postings than many other blogs.
As was blogged by the Paris on its Facebook site, a recent compliment from an acrtress-
“We’re here at the Paris Theatre, which is such a romantic, old-fashioned theater. This felt like a very appropriate dress,” actress Jessica Chastain said at Tuesday night’s New York premiere of Coriolanus as she smoothed the tissue-thin lace overlay of her floor-skimming Monique Lhuillier look. “
http://www.vogue.com/parties/the-new-york-premiere-of-coriolanus/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Fashion+Instant
from Oct 25, 1999 Phila. Inquirer:
The United Artists Cinema at Oxford Valley Mall will expand and renovate its 10-screen theater complex early next year to include six new theaters.
Existing theaters also will be retrofitted with stadium-style seating and state-of-the-art sound, said Joseph C. Esposito, vice president of development for Kravco Co., the property’s manager and developer.
At a meeting last month, the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted, 5-0, to approve the expansion, which would increase seating from 2,456 to 3,584.
Enjoyed the new “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” at the Avalon on Wednesday. The surround system is excellent! Was the Swedish version of the movie shown here?
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/
As famous stars appeared on their nightly TV shows, movie theaters went dark on those nights. 90% of movie theaters closed. Many neighborhood movie theaters closed during those years & some larger movie palaces closed, too. Before TV, people went every week to movies. Some went even daily. After TV, movie attendence decreased. With new devices, attendence continues to drop.
I see some movies at muliplexes. There are problems, but nobody herds me in or out like cattle.
I was never there, but I like that there’s a photo of the stairs & escalator.
The new owner says he has is looking for community input- http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/quincy/2012/01/quincys_wollaston_theater_sold.html
Interesting. Local operator will take it over but films will be booked by Clearview which currently operates on the East Coast. Clearview books many arthouse films, so audience members will be pleased.
I added to this site the video of the blade sign installation, http://cinematreasures.org/video/jenkintown-pas-hiway-theatre-vertical-sign-is-installed
HDTV, an early showing! As I’m listed in the credits, I’m kind of an official volunteer here. If you see outright “spam” email me directly so I will have it removed. There are trivial postings, can’t help that, but this website has more interesting postings than many other blogs.
As was blogged by the Paris on its Facebook site, a recent compliment from an acrtress-
“We’re here at the Paris Theatre, which is such a romantic, old-fashioned theater. This felt like a very appropriate dress,” actress Jessica Chastain said at Tuesday night’s New York premiere of Coriolanus as she smoothed the tissue-thin lace overlay of her floor-skimming Monique Lhuillier look. “ http://www.vogue.com/parties/the-new-york-premiere-of-coriolanus/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Fashion+Instant
Is Dark Knight to be shown here in digital projection or 70mm?
Ed, if it isn’t custom built, it is fake IMAX. Sony opened Lincoln Square with a real one.
Very nice photo! That’s the auditorium built with 61 feet wide screen. Its twin is now the IMAX auditorium that you’ve also photographed.
Chris, Who’s operating the Chinese 6? If it is a separate operator, it should have a separate page here.
from Oct 25, 1999 Phila. Inquirer: The United Artists Cinema at Oxford Valley Mall will expand and renovate its 10-screen theater complex early next year to include six new theaters.
Existing theaters also will be retrofitted with stadium-style seating and state-of-the-art sound, said Joseph C. Esposito, vice president of development for Kravco Co., the property’s manager and developer.
At a meeting last month, the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted, 5-0, to approve the expansion, which would increase seating from 2,456 to 3,584.
1996 Courage Under Fire photo of theater exterior: http://www.flickr.com/photos/channaher/2853736923/
The former auditorium. See other photo for the theater’s front.
Enjoyed the new “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” at the Avalon on Wednesday. The surround system is excellent! Was the Swedish version of the movie shown here?