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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 12, 2007
The (Mann) National Theatre loses final battle for historic landmark status
LOS ANGELES, CA — The National Theatre, once the Mann National Theatre, opened March 27th, 1970 in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. It was one of the last single giant screens to be built and remained in operation until it’s final closure on October 2007.
After an exhaustive study, tours, and two hearings, the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission denied Historic Monument status for it at their Nov 28th meeting. Demolition on the not so historic theater should begin in January and the new LEED-certified glass box with parking on top structure (retail building) should be built shortly thereafter."
The theatre’s lobby substituted for that of the Northpoint Theatre, in San Francisco, in the recent film “Zodiac”. The Northpoint, another large screen theatre built in 1967 closed in 1997. The shell of the theatre remains but was gutted after it closed.
A lengthy discussion on the theatre and the pros and cons of declaring it an historic landmark can be found here, at the Cinema Treasures at the National page.
A brief article on the Mann National theatre can be found at the Curbed Los Angeles web site.
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First step to save Regent Theater taken
SPRINGFIELD, OH — C. Howard Crane, also the architect of the Detroit Orchestra Hall, designed the Regent Theatre which opened on August 16, 1920. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Regent is described as a light neo-classical or Adam style, which is evident by the decorative details on the facade, and the proscenium, balcony and mezzanine decorations of the interior.
The Regent was built as a legitimate theater, but was later adapted to show moving pictures. Springfield’s famed booking agent, Gus Sun, utilized the Regent for his various productions and vaudeville acts. Sun’s booking agency, which was located on the second floor of the theater, was nationally known, and he is credited with giving many young acts, including the likes of Bob Hope, their start in the business.
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Edgewater Cinema 10 closes
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — This theatre has closed for good; according to locals, it showed its final films this past summer, a victim of the competition provided by the new Grand Theatre 16, which features stadium seating at slightly cheaper prices.
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December 11, 2007
Orpheum Theatre unveils its latest restoration project
WICHITA, KS — The Orpheum Theatre, designed by noted theatre architect John Eberson, debuted its latest restoration efforts over the weekend. The public was invited to see the newly restored vestibule and box office completed at a cost of $700,000. It was the first atmospheric theatre built in the United States when it opened on September 4, 1922.
Originally a vaudeville house the theatre converted to films in the 1930s. It closed in the 1970s and remained vacant for 20 years. A restoration project was created in 1993 after the theatre narrowly escaped a conversion to condominiums and commercial space. So far $3.5 million has been spent on renovations said Mary Eves, president of the Orpheum. A total of $13 million is still needed to complete the project.
The theatre reopened in 2000 and is currently being used for both live entertainment and an ongoing film series.
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Loew’s Pitkin stars in new book on Brownsville
A new book on Brownsville, Brooklyn is being readied for January 2008 release via Amazon.com.
Title: Brownsville:The Jewish Years
There is a chapter in it dedicated entirely to the Loew’s Pitkin experience. Other cinemas are mentioned in the text, but the Pitkin is properly the star — I have gathered a series of photos to give people an idea of what is was like in its heyday as well as some current shots. Delicious.
Sad to say, Poko Development has hung out a sign in front of the building — does destruction lurk?
Creativa
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The Official “Kiddie Matinee Stole my Adolescent Brain” Contest
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEMORIES!!! See your very own recollections of the 1960’s and 1970’s “Children’s Matinee” transpire on the big screen in… “THE WONDER WORLD OF K. GORDON MURRAY”, an ALL-NEW feature length documentary film.
Now, unless you were in a cave… or behind a million mountains, some part of your life must have been touched by the wonderfully surreal “kiddie” matinee releases of K. Gordon Murray and others. Those of you who experienced these treasures in the grand movie houses of the past… here’s your chance to share with the world YOUR STORY.
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December 10, 2007
Parent company of Technicolor Digital to install more digital systems at theaters worldwide
Thomson has agreed to install digital projectors in a number of major theater chains around the world. This includes Clearview Cinemas here in NJ, although this story is not as big as the IMAX/AMC deal.
Thomson intends to complete the first phase rollout of digital projection systems in up to 5,000 screens over the next three to four years, with 15,000 screens in the United States and Canada over the next 10 years.
All hardware and software placed in each site will conform to industry-standard specifications published by Digital Cinema Initiatives LLC (DCI). Furthermore, the Technicolor Digital Cinema plan is technology agnostic, enabling both exhibitors and studios to benefit from the best available technology, including both 2K and 4K projection.
Read the full story in Business Wire.
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Lebowsky Center owner receives title to donated building
OWOSSO, MI — In a formal ceremony held at the newly dubbed Lebowsky Center Complex on December 4, the Owosso Community Players, received the title to the 9,000 square foot Miner Building from Chemical Bank which had occupied it. The donation was announced last August. Chemical Bank also donated $5,000 to the OCP’s fundraising campaign.
The adjacent Miner building was the location of Chemical Bank’s loan office and storage space before the fire last February which gutted the adjacent Lebowsky Center. The OCP is calling this building the West Annex. Before the bank occupied it, it had housed Kline’s department store. The second floor, with renovations nearly finished, will continue to be leased out to tenants. The first floor is being used as a reception area and rehearsal space. Dinner theater is planned for that space. The basement is currently costume storage. Renovations to the first floor and basement will take place over the next few months.
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IMAX will expand into AMC theaters
Imax will expand into 100 AMC theaters, doubling the number of large format 3-D theaters in the US. Imax has struggled, in the red, so this is a huge help. Digital projectors for 3-D cost half a million dollars each….
Imax and AMC Entertainment are teaming up to open 100 Imax theaters, doubling the number of large-format 3-D outlets in the United States and adding momentum to Hollywood’s growing interest in the genre.
The deal involves equipping 100 of AMC’s existing auditoriums with next-generation Imax projection systems, which rely on digital images rather than film and are meant to provide an immersive viewing experience.
Imax will shoulder the expense of the projectors, which cost about $500,000 each. AMC, one of the world’s largest movie theater chains, will pay to retrofit auditoriums in top-performing movie complexes in 33 cities, reconfiguring the seats and enlarging the screens.
Read the full article in the new York Times.
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December 7, 2007
Benefit for Columbia Music Hall
A raising the roof benefit for the partially destroyed Columbia Music Hall, Portsmouth , Ohio, will be held in Huntington, W.Va. In addition, an account has been set up at US Bank for donations to repair the theater.
The season of miracle looms upon us, and, a Huntington live music club will hold a benefit for the rebuilding of the Columbia Music Hall, which burned Nov. 11 in Portsmouth, Ohio. An up and coming venue for all types of live music, the Columbia had originally been a vaudeville movie theatre, which opened in 1912.
Although the bands have not yet been finalized, Franklin Toland, MF Productions, said that the concert will occur at The Paradox Rift, just off Third Avenue across from the Marshall football Stadium on Dec. 14.
Read the full story in the Huntington News.