Comments from SteveFratelli

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SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Auto Vue Drive-In on May 16, 2017 at 6:47 pm

I’ll be generous and give it a B minus. I have yet see the new screen. However, it has plenty of charm, decent prices and great snack bat food. They seem to be getting more current films these days. And usually have a triple feature on Labor Day, the last weekend of the season. The one major detractor is location, Colvile is in the northeast corner of the state. About a 80 minute drive from Spokane.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Blue Fox Drive-In on May 14, 2017 at 10:55 am

The Blue Fox Drive-In got their named from the recently closed Blue Fox Drive-In Restaurant. The neon sign was available, so they took it.
These days, there is a Blue Fox mascot at the drive-in that shows up around town for parades and stuff.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about 10th Avenue Drive-In on Dec 18, 2016 at 10:34 am

This drive-in was featured in the 1974 film “Thunderbolt & Lightfoot” with Clint Eastwood & Jeff Bridges.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Hollywood, CA - Famous handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre covered up by souvenir stalls on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:02 pm

Vintage Los Angeles posted a new photo today (10/3) Most if not all the stall are gone. A protest happened this morning as well.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about South Salem Drive-In on Sep 5, 2016 at 12:43 pm

The marquee was torn down last year after it became a safety issue. Regal Cinemas decided it was easier to tear down than spend the money to bring it up to code.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Avalon Cinema on Jul 12, 2016 at 11:22 am

I believe the Avalon closed in 2007. I believe part of the reason is the OLCC denied their liquor license.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Cinemark Century 16 Santa Fe Station and XD on Jul 11, 2016 at 5:38 pm

Cinemark bought out Century

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Holly Theatre on Oct 17, 2015 at 11:54 am

The Holly has been giving tours for some time now, the first Saturday of the month. Its a 90 minute look that takes you on stage and up to the booth. Some of the highlights: construction started in 1929 and opened in 1930 at a cost of $150,000. While primarily built for film, they had the foresight to add dressing rooms and a flywall for live theater as well. There are many access points into the underbelly of the theater. This has helped the many engineers and contractors determine its safety. As such, the Holly does not need any extra retrofits.

  One feature separates the Holly from others, it has no balcony.  At 1200 seats, it might have been the first uses of stadium seating.  There are 2 ramps at the main level that come out at the 'orchestra' level Staircases go up to the 2nd or 'mezzanine' floor.  There is enough space here to rent out for meetings, receptions etc.  Another staircase will take you to the 'balcony' level. There are 5 office size spaces that will be fixed up and rented out. You can access the projection booth from here too.  
                 The stage & pit area are rather small. There is not enough room to put on a full theatrical show. But they can modify the pit for live music or extra seating as well. On the right side of the stage are the dressing rooms as well as a new green room for performers. 
                 The booth has been gutted of course, there would have been no need to keep the projectors after 30 years. It is all steel & concrete to eliminate any fire danger. A cry room is adjacent.  The final seat total is 1003 seats. They are making room for ADA standards as well as putting in new seats that will accommodate today's audiences. 
                 There is no timeline on the opening, I expect that will depend on fundraising. They are almost halfway thru now. One of the benefits they hope to achieve is the Holly will be the anchor for new west side development. 
                
SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Holly Theatre on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:40 pm

The ‘H’ signifies where the original box office was located and about the size of it too.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Red's Crescent Drive-In on Oct 1, 2015 at 5:17 pm

The info I have for Red’s. Originally opened in 1951 or ‘52 as the Ocean drive-in. Bought by 'Red’ Thomas in 1980 and changed names to Red’s Crescent drive-in. They bought out the Terrace drive-in up north in 1959, and that was the first ‘Red’s’ drive-in. That drive-in Brookings closed down the fall of 1980 due to windstorm. Both screens blew down & they were only able to rebuild in Crescent City.

Red’s Crescent is now closed for the 2015 season. They were not able to convert to digital and I doubt they can open up next year. According to a Facebook post, the land is set to become a storage facility.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Starlight Drive-In on Aug 19, 2015 at 7:22 am

It’s my understanding this is a relatively new drive-in, built in the mid 90’s. Jay Daulat, who owned the Hillcrest drive-in at the time in Surrey, B.C. ran it for a few years. They converted to digital in 2012, when faced with the fact that film ptint availability would be delayed much longer than usual. After experiementing with furst run movies, they are now back to an off the break booking schedule.

Capacity is around 250 cars, with what might be the first drive-in balcony. Extra space carved into the hillside. The season runs from May to late September. Screen tower is 50' high by 125' wide.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about El Cerrito Cinemas on Aug 4, 2015 at 9:24 pm

Some background info on this failed chain of theaters. http://cinelog.org/cinelog/2009/03/28/fantasy-failure-with-jerry-lewis-cinemas/

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Marysville Drive-In on Apr 22, 2015 at 3:12 pm

That is the ultimate sign of karma. 10 years ago, Bob Golding got shown the door, although he passed away suddenly and there went the last efforts to keep it going until the bitter end. I’m not surprised this end of town has never seen development. When they came in with the wrecking ball a few years back (and this was so they could present a more favorable look of the land) There was no care taken in the inventory left in the snack bar. I’m sure some fans would have paid to have a keepsake of the Marysville drive-in.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about N. Division Drive-In on Apr 12, 2015 at 10:38 am

I found a listing for the Auto Vue drive-in at 6800 N. Division aka Hwy 2 & 395 in Spokane. It is now a Lowes store.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Midway Drive-In on Mar 16, 2015 at 4:51 pm

You can consider this one demolished now since the screen was torn down as of March 10, 2015. While the fate of the property is to be determined, it is reportedly the spot for a Murdoch’s Home & Ranch Supply Store. The 10 acre site is a prime commercial corner at one of Flathead Valley’s busiest intersections.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Olympic Theatre on Feb 8, 2015 at 3:23 pm

The Olympic closed in July 2014 with owner Norma Pappas retiring and not wanting to convert to digital. The Lifeway Foursquare Church has bought the theater and will reopen in 2015. They have raised over $80,000 in Kickstarter funds to buy a new projector. The screen will light up again soon when renovations are complete.

In addition to using the space for Sunday morning services, the adjacent cafe will be a new coffee house with proceeds helping out local charities.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about David Minor Theater & Pub on Feb 7, 2015 at 12:48 am

This theater morphed from Ronny’s Home Video store during the day and a theater at night. And then finally a full fledged theater in 2008. They screen movies via Blu-Ray DVD only.
Their prices & programming have evolved over the years, they now allow all ages until 7pm. That gives you the chance to see something like Boxtrolls or The Lego Movie with your kids and have a beer at the same time. They also partner with the nearby restaurants, you can order food & beverages from your seat.

The theater is named in honor of David Minor, a family friend. He passed away in a bike accident at the age of 27.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Birkenfeld Theater on Jan 28, 2015 at 10:17 am

While on a trip out to Astoria, I stopped by here and found that, yes it is still standing and happens to be under restoration. The city owns the building and has raised over 3 million in grants to turn it into a multi-use facility. The original auditorium will be used for live performing arts. There is a ballroom upstairs that can be used for wedding receptions etc. The rest of the space will be offices & bathrooms.

It looks like most of the framing is already done and an elevator has been installed. The target opening date is summer of 2015 as they already have dates booked in August.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Coliseum Cinema on Jan 28, 2015 at 10:08 am

This theater was closed for the better part of 2014 as it transitioned into new ownership. Ted Bump, owner since 1995 handed the keys over to Shiela & Matthew Zerngast in August of 2014.

They went into remodel mode with a new snack bar and digital conversion. The City of Tillamook gave them a $35,000 grant from the Urban Renewal Fund whicj allowed them to put new carpet & tiles in the lobby as well as a heat pump for the front area. The auditorium was the only part that had warmth until then.

The Grand Opening was Nov. 1 with showings of BoxTrolls & Gone Girl. They also have live performances too with Comedy nights and a Hypnotist show. The next step is to reopen the balcony with 21+ seating serving beer and wine. The space might evolve into a second screen. I counted 234 seats on the main floor.

the new website is tilamookcoliseum.com and the FB page is Tillamook Coliseum Theater. Both sites have before & after photos of the remodeling and grand opening.

SteveFratelli
SteveFratelli commented about Columbian Theatre on Jan 28, 2015 at 9:42 am

What a neat theater, thjis place has sub run & arthouse fare. A bit small, 180 seats overall, with a small balcony that is 21+ for beer & wine service. There are couches on both levels that are quickly snagged up. Better yet, there is pizza service from their own resturant nexxt door. Delivery was quick with little disruption. The regular concession prices are affordable. A digital conversion was funded thru online donations. I would come back again next time in town.