How sad that this beautiful old theater has fallen into disuse as a movie house. I grew up blocks away and spent every Saturday afternoon with my friends enjoying movies for 25 cents. We enjoyed playing in the huge lobby and on the grand staircase pretending it was our castle. Ah, those were the days. The interior was spectacular and will be forever remembered for the great times we had there in the early 60’s. The times and neighborhood have changed since those days, so it was inevitable the theater would go. A movie at the glorious Nortown and barbecue from Sally’s across the street was the best way to spend leisure time.
Liked the renovation of the theater. Wouldn’t it be spectacular if they began and ended each film by opening and closing the stage curtains as in the glory days of theaters? Who doesn’t remember the excitement when the lights went down and the movie flickered as the curtains parted to show the huge screen. It appears there are curtains hanging, why not use them?
Dallas: Owner hopes abandoned movie house can still project new life
01:50 PM CST on Saturday, March 4, 2006
By DAVID FLICK / The Dallas Morning News
The most eagerly awaited coming attraction at the Casa Linda Theater now seems unlikely to make it to the silver screen.
AP
The Casa Linda Theater, which closed in 1999, is one of the most distinctive features of the Casa Linda neighborhood on the east side of White Rock Lake.
One of the theater’s owners said his company â€" Theatre Brothers Ltd. â€" is looking for other suitors after negotiations with Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas deadlocked.
The question was who would pay to renovate the 61-year-old structure.
Alamo Drafthouse had planned to lease the abandoned movie house and turn it into a restaurant and theater.
“I always remain optimistic,” Barry Waranch, co-owner of the building, said of the negotiations. “My business is about keeping things going.”
Nonetheless, Mr. Waranch, said, he would not dispute characterizing the Drafthouse deal as dead.
John Martin, president of Alamo Drafthouse, did not return several phone calls asking for comment.
The theater, crowned by a lighted cylindrical tower, has long been one of the most distinctive features of the Casa Linda neighborhood on the east side of White Rock Lake.
Its closing in 1999 prompted fears of a downturn in the area.
Those fears turned to elation last summer when Alamo Drafthouse signed a letter of intent. The Casa Linda structure would have housed the company’s eighth Alamo Drafthouse, high-profile cinemas that are known for hosting glitzy special events and celebrity screenings.
Last summer, Entertainment Weekly hailed the Alamo Draft- house as “the best theater in America.”
The collapse of negotiations marked another setback for the site, but neighborhood leaders said they remained optimistic that the theater would be revived.
“There were a lot of people who were waiting in line to take over that theater,” said Cindy Bourne, president of the Casa Linda Estates Neighborhood Association.
“Hopefully, Barry Waranch will be able to get one of those people in there.”
How sad that the management company has no vision and won’t allow this treasure to be restored to its former glory. But what can you expect from a group that destroyed the wonderful old Mobil gas station on the same property? Bringing back the old theater would certainly liven up this dreary old strip center. What a loss for theater lovers.
I heard that Mark Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks, recently purchased the Inwood. It would be lovely if his company restored this old theater to its original glory.
A new banner has appeared on the theater. It reads “Keith or Barry – 972-231-4600.
Hopefully someone will try to reopen this theater.
How sad that this beautiful old theater has fallen into disuse as a movie house. I grew up blocks away and spent every Saturday afternoon with my friends enjoying movies for 25 cents. We enjoyed playing in the huge lobby and on the grand staircase pretending it was our castle. Ah, those were the days. The interior was spectacular and will be forever remembered for the great times we had there in the early 60’s. The times and neighborhood have changed since those days, so it was inevitable the theater would go. A movie at the glorious Nortown and barbecue from Sally’s across the street was the best way to spend leisure time.
Liked the renovation of the theater. Wouldn’t it be spectacular if they began and ended each film by opening and closing the stage curtains as in the glory days of theaters? Who doesn’t remember the excitement when the lights went down and the movie flickered as the curtains parted to show the huge screen. It appears there are curtains hanging, why not use them?
Casa Linda Theater revival falls through
Dallas: Owner hopes abandoned movie house can still project new life
01:50 PM CST on Saturday, March 4, 2006
By DAVID FLICK / The Dallas Morning News
The most eagerly awaited coming attraction at the Casa Linda Theater now seems unlikely to make it to the silver screen.
AP
The Casa Linda Theater, which closed in 1999, is one of the most distinctive features of the Casa Linda neighborhood on the east side of White Rock Lake.
One of the theater’s owners said his company â€" Theatre Brothers Ltd. â€" is looking for other suitors after negotiations with Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas deadlocked.
The question was who would pay to renovate the 61-year-old structure.
Alamo Drafthouse had planned to lease the abandoned movie house and turn it into a restaurant and theater.
“I always remain optimistic,” Barry Waranch, co-owner of the building, said of the negotiations. “My business is about keeping things going.”
Nonetheless, Mr. Waranch, said, he would not dispute characterizing the Drafthouse deal as dead.
John Martin, president of Alamo Drafthouse, did not return several phone calls asking for comment.
The theater, crowned by a lighted cylindrical tower, has long been one of the most distinctive features of the Casa Linda neighborhood on the east side of White Rock Lake.
Its closing in 1999 prompted fears of a downturn in the area.
Those fears turned to elation last summer when Alamo Drafthouse signed a letter of intent. The Casa Linda structure would have housed the company’s eighth Alamo Drafthouse, high-profile cinemas that are known for hosting glitzy special events and celebrity screenings.
Last summer, Entertainment Weekly hailed the Alamo Draft- house as “the best theater in America.”
The collapse of negotiations marked another setback for the site, but neighborhood leaders said they remained optimistic that the theater would be revived.
“There were a lot of people who were waiting in line to take over that theater,” said Cindy Bourne, president of the Casa Linda Estates Neighborhood Association.
“Hopefully, Barry Waranch will be able to get one of those people in there.”
How sad that the management company has no vision and won’t allow this treasure to be restored to its former glory. But what can you expect from a group that destroyed the wonderful old Mobil gas station on the same property? Bringing back the old theater would certainly liven up this dreary old strip center. What a loss for theater lovers.
I heard that Mark Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks, recently purchased the Inwood. It would be lovely if his company restored this old theater to its original glory.