The latest movie theater news and updates

  • September 27, 2010
    Theaters

    City offers $200,000 as incentive to lure new theater

    PRINCETON, IN — Fearful that AMC will be closing the Princeton Theater, the city is offering $25,000 each year for eight years to Showplace Cinemas of Evansville to build a new theater on a former Kmart site. While acknowledging that the use of economic development tax funds for this purpose is controversial, the mayor feels that the investment is in the best interests of the community. If and when the Princeton does close, the mayor hopes to possibly convert it into an arts center. Currently a quad, the theater opened as a single screener in 1948.

    Stilwell said if the theater isn’t successful in Princeton, the city won’t get any money back, but won’t be obligated to make future payments.

    Councilman Jim Coomer asked about the prices of admission. It was estimated that they would be similar to Evansville for first run movies.

    Hurst said he previously contacted Kerasotes Theaters, former owner of the existing Princeton Theater, about the need for improvements, but got no where. The downtown theater building is now owned by AMC, which Hurst said has been closing theaters in small communities like Princeton.

    There is more in the Princeton Daily Clarion.

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  • September 24, 2010
    Theaters

    Smithsonian receives $5 million grant from Warner Brothers

    WASHINGTON, DC – A five million dollar grant from Warner Brothers will enable the Smithsonian Institution to convert its nearly fifty-year-old Carmichael Auditorium into a theater which will present the history of American film. It will be equipped for both 35mm and digital projection.

    The full story is in the Washington Post.

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  • Renovations

    Burlington’s Capitol to be renovated; will become performing arts center

    BURLINGTON, IA — A block party was held recently held to raise funds for the renovations that will begin soon to transform the 1937 Capitol Theater and an adjacent building into a performing arts center. The event gave people a chance to visit the theater and reminisce before the interior demolition begins. The new center is expected to open in 2012.

    nside the Capitol Theater, Burlington natives gazed with wide-eyed nostalgia as they recounted favorite movies from their childhoods. The walls were damaged and corroded, the movie theater seats ripped out long ago, but the magic was still there.

    The nonprofit Capitol Theater Foundation recently received a $1 million state I-Jobs grant, but the group still needs to raise another $1 million from the community. The money will be used to rip out the interior of the theater and adjoining annex building, then completely renovate both buildings.

    The full story can be found in the California Chronicle.

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  • Openings

    Frank Theatres and Entertainment Centers coming to Murrells Inlet, SC in 2011

    MURRELLS INLET, SC — After extensive renovations, the Inlet Square 12 is reopening this Winter under Frank Theatres.

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  • Jobs

    Questions regarding renovating theater

    There is an old theater in our town I would like to buy, renovate and reopen. Small community of about 25,000. Any suggestions/advise from someone who has done this?

    Thanks

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  • For Sale

    Theatre equipment for sale

    Our church in Foley, Alabama has recently purchased a theater. We are in the process of selling most of the remaining equipment conveyed in the sale of the property which includes projectors, sound systems, consoles, platters, splicing tables, seats and other materials. We ask that all buyer(s) inspect the equipment prior to making written offers. In addition we ask that buyer(s) make preparations to ship or pick up the equipment. In total there are 12 sets of equipment as well as 4 splicing tables, and 300-400 theater seats.

    Please call Jason at 251.213.4570 for pictures, models, price and other information. Accepting all offers.

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  • September 23, 2010
    Closings

    Schuylkill Mall theaters closing in October

    FRACKVILLE, PA – After three decades, the Schuylkill Mall 4 theaters will be closed by Regal as of October 4. It opened as as the UA-operated The Movies at Schuylkill Mall, one of a group of theaters with similar names that UA opened around the country in the 1970s and 80s.

    The four-theater complex began operations when the Schuylkill Mall opened in 1980. Regal Entertainment was formed in 2002 when United Artists Theaters and two other theater chains became part of the new parent company.

    Mall general manager Elaine Maneval received the bad news Friday by e-mail.

    “We knew that the lease was coming up for renewal,” said Maneval, “so you always put a company on your radar for when the lease is almost up.”

    The full story is in the Republican Herald.

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  • Demolitions

    CityPlace project approval spells doom for St. Francis Theatre

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Board of Supervisors has approved a developer’s plan for a new retail development on Market Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets which would result in the demolition of the St. Francis Theatre which opened in 1910 as the Empress. An attempt to at least preserve the facade failed.

    Some opponents also wanted a historic theater facade renovated rather than torn down with two other buildings to make way for affordable electronics, sporting goods and other stores.

    Transit and bicycle advocates said they didn’t want to stop the project but to ensure adequate safeguards for cyclists and pedestrians and limit parking to the 70 spaces allowed under the downtown plan.

    The full story is at SFGate.

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  • Openings

    Studio Movie Grill fails in Kansas City

    KANSAS CITY, MO – Open for less than half a year since its April opening, the Studio Movie Grill which originally was called the Majestic Theater, has closed. The closure is said to have resulted from its inability to compete for newly released films. The parent company’s operations in Texas and Georgia are apparently unaffected. The story is in Kansas City.com.

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  • September 22, 2010
    Industry

    Left in the Dark: Portraits of San Francisco Movie Theatres

    Book Release and Events:
    LEFT IN THE DARK: PORTRAITS OF SAN FRANCISCO MOVIE THEATRES
    Photographs by R.A. McBride
    Edited by Julie Lindow
    Literary essays by: Rebecca Solnit, Katherine Petrin, Melinda Stone, Eddie Muller, Liz Keim, D. Scot Miller, Gary Meyer with Laura Horak, Elisabeth Houseman with Joshua Grannell, Sergio de la Mora, Chi-hui Yang, and Sam Sharkey.

    Available now at www.leftinthedark.info http://www.leftinthedark.info/ for $39.95. The book will be available for purchase at bookstores in September 2010. Published by Charta Art Books, distributed by D.A.P. (Distributed Art Publishers). 10 x 8 cardstock cover, 59 photographs, 168 pages, 11 chapters

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