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The latest movie theater news and updates
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October 17, 2013
World’s oldest cinema reopens
LA CIOTAT, FRANCE — Home of the first presentations of early films by the Lumiere Brtohers, the Eden Theatre has reopened following extensive renovations. Opening in 1889, the building hasn’t had consistent usage in over thirty years. The theatre will now house a permanent exhibition to these pioneers of film along with regular film screenings.
Read more in the Guardian.
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October 16, 2013
Lebowsky Center rebuilding progress report
OWOSSO, MI — Rebuilding of the fire damaged Lebowsky Center has reached its midway point. The $6 million project to rebuild the theater, which was almost destroyed in a 2007 arson fire, will offer several improvements which include a larger lobby and bigger seats which reduces the seating capacity of the theater. Because of the extent of the damage and cost, the theater’s original interior details could not be restored. But the Owosso Community Players, which own the theater, says that you will not be disappointed because of all the state of the art improvements made to the theater which includes a state of the art fire suppression system. Reopening of the theater is planned for next year.
Further info, including video, can be found from WJRT.
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LA Weekly names best theaters
LA Weekly announced its annual “Best of…” lists with many cinema entries in the mix. With such esoteric categories as Best Date-Night Movie Theater and Best Theater for a $5 Matinee, they try to reward some outside of the usual suspects.
What would be your favorite random category to award and what would win?
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October 15, 2013
Group raises money to reopen E. Iowa movie theater
TIPTON, IA — The Hardacre Theatre may be closed but not for long if the Hardacre Theater Preservation Association has anything to do with it. They plan to raise money by January to purchase the theatre and then make renovations to update it for today’s standards.
Read more in the Sacramento Bee.
(Thanks to Hosehead_Jones for providing the photo.)
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New York launches loan program to help local movie theaters
The State of New York is doing its part to keep small town cinemas in business. Its “Go Digital or Go Dark” campaign is offering loans to theaters through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.
Read more about the initiative in the Los Angeles Times.
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October 14, 2013
Drive-in site gets second presentation
Arthur Allen’s site on Drive-ins of Western Washington has been rediscovered through a mirror of the former Geocities pages. It’s years since it’s been updated but you can see a pretty comprehensive list of theaters not just of Washington but of the entire Pacific Northwest.
(Thanks to Andrea for providing the Puget Park pic.)
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“Gravity” reaches for new heights at the movies
Forbes had an interesting post about how the “Gravity” can help the exhibition industry by providing an experience best suited for the big screen. But if this is really what people are looking for, where does that leave less grandiose genres?
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October 11, 2013
Plans fall apart for Manhattan Drafthouse
NEW YORK, NY — The anticipated Alamo Drafthouse planned for the former Metro Theater is no longer on the slate. Since announcing plans in April 2012 Alamo cites a major rise in construction costs as the source of its demise. It would have been the chain’s first Manhattan location.
Read more in the New York Times.
(Thanks to Patrick Crowley for providing the photo.)
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City commissioners approve Bijou By The Bay’s marquee
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — After a delay to allow for deliberations, Traverse City commissioners have approved the revised marquee design for the city owned Bijou by the Bay which is being operated by the Traverse City Film Festival. It was agreed that the marquee would be owned by the city and it would not be attached to the building but instead supported by posts one inch away from the building. To satisfy objections regarding the marquee covering the ‘Con Foster Museum’ name marker, a plaque will be installed explaining the building’s history.
Because of the delay in getting the marquee approved, the planned opening date was [changed from October 11](/blog/2013/9/18/bijou-by-the-bay-officially-opens-october-11] to “to be announced.”
Further details can be found in The Ticker.
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October 10, 2013
Orbit’s Ohio favorites
Many have come and gone but Ohio still has some great Cinema Treasures. Orbit Ohio picked their Top 10 from such favorites as the Esquire and Palace. Check out what else made the cut. DO you agree?
(Thanks to Tinseltoes for providing the photo.)