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October 7, 2005
Hurricane Katrina vs The Silver Screen of Biloxi
BILOXI, MS — After over twenty four hours of mother natures worst the Silver Screen of Biloxi has suffered more distruction then you possibly ever see on any Hollywood motion picture. Management and employees have survived and are doing ok. But fear not my fellow movie lovers we shall return. If you would like to see what a bad storm can do to at good movie theater check out our before and after pictures on our web site at http://www.silverscreenbiloxi.com/ and let us know what you think.
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September 27, 2005
Main Art Theatre Running Out of Time to Find New Home
ROYAL OAK, MI — Landmark Theatres' Main Art Theatre, which will be razed in a few years for redevelopment, is having trouble finding a new home.
Details in this story from the Detroit News: Main Art Theatre running out of time to find new home
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September 2, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Damages LA/MS Theaters
NEW ORLEANS, LA — It appears that several theaters in Southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi were damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
A spokesperson for Clear Channel Entertainment, which programs legit tours at the Saenger — a palatial 2,800-seat house that was built for movies and stage shows in 1927 — told Playbill.com, “No one can get near the theatre — we have no idea how bad it is.”
Hattiesburg American: How our community and neighbors fared
At the historic Saenger Theater downtown, the wind had blown pieces of a traffic light through the lobby windows. Shattered glass covered the sidewalks outside.
The theater’s manager, Philip Tapia, and a production technician, Joshua Williams, came out about 7 a.m. to put up plywood to keep any more water from getting into the building if it rained before they could get the windows replaced.
Our hearts go out to everyone in New Orleans and other affected areas. If you haven’t made a donation, please consider doing so.
Donation websites:
• Amazon.com: American Red Cross Hurricane Relief
• American Red Cross — Donate! -
August 26, 2005
Yonkers Movie House
In South Yonkers, New York, there’s a movie house just waiting for someone to come along and renovate it. Everyone seems to agree that this facility, if restored and resusitated as a movie house can help in the revitalization of the South Yonkers area.
The movie house, originally built as a twin theater in 1926, seats 460 downstairs and about the same number in the upper level. The property is privately-owned and it is located in a retail corridor in transition. Special economic development benefits from the city and State are available.
The local non-profit group seeking to develop this movie house can also serve as an important resource, as it represents all property owners and merchants in the corridor. There’s an information packet available for any developers or operators wanting to know more. Call 914-438-4721 or e-mail
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August 23, 2005
How You Can Help the Uptown Theatre
CHICAGO, IL — The following email was sent by “UptownAdviser”:
“HOW YOU CAN HELP (worth reading!)
Donations and memberships are needed at this time
Help share the cost of publicity, communications and events Further the Friends missionJoin us.
The concept and function of “Friends of the Uptown” has been an active force in maintaining and promoting the UPTOWN THEATRE, Chicago, since the mid-to-late 1970s. That’s when volunteers began petitioning the ownership at the time (Plitt Theatres) to find additional rental income for the building, including special events and rock concerts. Volunteers also provided after-hours cleaning and maintenance that kept the UPTOWN from complete ruin. When the building closed in 1981, volunteer work continued.
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August 9, 2005
Woodsfield, Ohio
This is my first post and I really didn’t know where to put it, so I just picked news. I live in a very small (pop under 3,000) town in East Ohio called Woodsfield. When I was younger, I knew that we had two theaters in town and after some snooping around, I learned that there was three active at the same time. That in itself is hard for me to believe.
The first was opened by the Shannon Brothers of Sistersville, WVa. on March the 19th, 1930. It was located at 138 South Main Street here in Woodsfield. The first film ever shown in town was called “Desert Song”. The place closed in the early ‘40’s. Then in October of '38, Glen and Mena Flieman opened the Monroe Theater at ao2 North Main Street. It was open till the '70’s. And in 1939, Jesse Shannon opened the New Life Theater. It was open till the '70’s and then Re-opened in the '80’s by Ellis Smithburger who changed the name to Swissland Cinema. The last picture was shown in the mid '80’s. It’s now a church.
The main reason I am writing this is to get any help on how to save and re-open an old theater. The Monroe Theater still stands today. I can remember it being used as an auction house and then as an antique mall. Now it stands there empty. This town needs something to be excited about again. I think a theater could be just what it needs.
I would like to know how I might get the ball rolling or at least getting people to care about the theater again.
-Dan
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July 1, 2005
Looking For Box Office Software
I am looking for box office software to make reservations for my theater and to sell tickets. (it is a theater but not showing movies anymore) it is now a music hall. If you know of a inexpensive software that someone may have or don’t need anyone that has one could you contact me. I want an in-house program not an online software. Thanks.
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Rodgers Theatre In Danger
ANNA, IL — The following email was sent by Kurt Petrich:
“I am writing you today to ask for your assistance in preserving one of Anna’s most prized historic buildings, the Rodgers Theatre. The Rodgers is in danger of being razed at taxpayers expense for someone elses personal gain. There are councilmembers that are bending to the every whim of two local business owners and are completely ignoring the historic value of our building. This letter is to inform you of the importance of preserving the Rodgers Theatre.
To understand our small theatre’s importance, we must first understand its creator. Isaac Walter Rodgers was born just north of us near Neoga, IL in 1875. He was born with show-business in his blood and started his career early in his life traveling the Midwest with a phonograph machine. He opened his first movie house in New Orleans in 1896 where he charged 10 cent admission and the films were only about a minute long. He then purchased a gas powered projector and again traveled the Midwest showing his films at opera houses, churches, schools, or wherever else he could darken the house. Rodgers was the first man to try and trade films with other exhibitors, although he was laughed at and told that moving pictures were a “passing fancy” and that nothing would be heard of them in years to come.
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June 30, 2005
Concerns Over Historic Alameda Theater Project
ALAMEDA, CA — The following email was sent in by Jennifer V:
“City Officials are endorsing a development deal to partially rehabilitate the historic Alameda Theater, and attach a new 2-story 7-screen multiplex with a 6-story parking garage.
As details of the plans have been made available, many citizens are horrified to learn that the Alameda Theater will not be completely renovated: the balconies will be inaccessible, the exterior will not be painted, the main theater will house stadium seating, and a historical mural that was painted over will not be restored. Futhermore, at least 3 holes will be made to connect the old theater to the new cineplex.
Citizens for a MegaPlex-Free Alameda has been formed, and our website, www.stopalamedamegaplex.com has the latest artist rendering, as well as additional information about the project and our concerns. There are also links to petitions, letters, and flyers.
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June 1, 2005
Community Seeks Investor to Restore Art Deco Theater
OWATONNA, MN — A task force associated with Owatonna’s Main Street program is searching for a way to save one of the city’s landmarks. The State Theater in downtown Owatonna is an Art Deco building that opened in 1935 as a movie theater, but has been vacant since 1996. The building is in danger of being lost to deterioration if it is not put back into use soon.
Interested persons with the skills, resources, and passion necessary to “Save the State” are encouraged to contact the task force with their ideas.