The latest movie theater news and updates

  • February 14, 2007

    Unique Theater in risk of collapse

    SALIDA, CO — Here is an article about the Unique Theater which is now in immediate danger of collapse:

    Under the threat of “imminent danger” that Unique Theater may collapse, Salida Fire Chief Don Taylor Thursday recommended a number of F Street and First Street businesses not allow people inside until it can be stabilized.

    The 118-year-old building at 129 W. First St. has been under scrutiny by Salida officials since August when a routine fire inspection and subsequent building inspection exposed problems with structural integrity of the building.

    For the full piece, go to the Mountain Mail.

  • Larry King (of the blurbs)

    Ever notice how many movies Larry King seems to like? (His quotes have been appearing on a ton of movie trailers and posters.)

    Well, the Los Angeles Times has a funny piece about CNN host Larry King’s prolific movie reviews.

    King sees movies every week, often catching a noon flick before heading over to CNN to do his show. It must keep him young. At 73, he’s slim and trim, almost boyishly petite. His hair, once gray, is now a dry brown, like the trunk of a palm tree, with gray at the temples. He seems to see everything, describing the movies in blurb-like bursts, from “Letters From Iwo Jima” (“Loved every minute of it!”) to a film about Turkish genocide called “Screamers” (“Very well done!”).

    “I know they’re only looking for a catchphrase,” he explained the other day, ensconced at his favorite table at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, where he orders a spartan salad for lunch (“Don’t give me any eggs!”). “If I like the movie, I give ‘em a quote. If I don’t like something, I’m not gonna rap it. Sometimes they don’t even use it. I gave Clint a big rave for his movie and they didn’t even need it.”

    While King could probably take a break from reviewing movies for a while, the article mentions that the CNN anchor oftens sees a film before heading into the studio each day.

    And there’s a nice story about why movies mean so much to him.

  • All types of cinema equipment wanted

    WANTED: Old amplifiers, speakers, pressure units, microphones, audio valves, crossovers, gaumont kaylee, western electric, westrix, both, etc. Clocks and lights also collected. Anything from 1930’s onwards. Good prices paid. Please .

  • Mystery Theaters

    Dear Cinema Treasures,

    I own and operate the classic film blog, Central Theater, and I’ve got a couple of mystery theaters I’m wondering if your readers can identify for me, as I added them in last week’s article.

    The images come from a 1949 trade magazine ad for the Wagner Sign Company of Chicago, IL. All of the photos were taken in 1948 (see: http://www.thephotoplayer.com/blog/neon_ad.jpg)

    I’ve positively identified all of the theaters save for two: a picture of the Olympic, which I suspect is what is now the Washington Center for the Performing arts.

    The other is an un-named theater where the vertical has been clipped from the photo.

    Do any Cinema Treasures readers have any idea what these theaters are positively?

    Best,
    Jack Theakston
    Central Theater Blog

  • February 13, 2007

    New Owner for Pomona Fox Theater

    POMONA, CA — A 1931 Clifford Balch-designed art deco palace, the Pomona Fox Theater, has been sold by the City of Pomona to a partnership of local developers who have renovated other buildings in the city’s old downtown. The city council voted unanimously to sell the theatre to Gerald Investments Incorporated for $1.6 million.

    Company representative Jerry Tessier says that work on the theater will begin within three months, and will take about nine months to complete. He hopes to have the theater opened by the end of January, 2008, so it can host the Smogdance Film Festival, a local event which left Pomona for nearby Claremont last year.

  • Looking for a venue for theatre company

    Premier Performing Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit theatre company who is currently looking for a home. We are interested in producing musical theatre. The ideal venue will have an orchestra pit, sufficent stage space, fly loft and wing space. Purchase or lease. We are open to any options. Please contact us .

  • Paramount Theatre, Lynn, MA - 1950 event info

    In 1950, the U.S. Marine Corp hosted a Bond Drive at the Paramount Theatre in Lynn, MA. I am looking for any and all information on that particular event.

    Richard Blodgett, USMCR

  • February 12, 2007

    Information on an Art Deco Piece

    I am trying to find out how to identify a piece my wife was given about ten years ago. It is a large round metal sign of some kind. It is three pieces but it bolts together. Assembled it is approx. seven and a half foot in diameter and around three inches deep. It is painted with an art deco style woman sitting with a knee up and a ball or sphere in her up-stretched hand. It looks like it is baked on enamel similar to an automobile paint job and has four colors.

    I suspect it is from the 30’s judging from the other pieces of furniture she was given at that time. The furniture pieces I am having better luck identifying. As you can see, it has a commercial art appearance. I have had several opinions that it could have been installed in a theater of the era.

    I was wondering if you have seen anything like it before?

    Thank you for any help you could give me.
    All the best,
    Sean Howard

  • Theater equipment for sale

    For Sale-

    Three 35mm Projectors:
    CF Ashcroft Super Power Type S85 52volt Lamphouses
    Simplex XL #PR1003 35mm Projectors
    RCA MI9010 Sound Heads
    Simplex Bases

    One RCA Photophone LMI Sound Attachment

    One Fairchild 315660 Sound Integrator

  • Robert Morton 4/14 for sale

    CASTRO VALLEY, CA — The Neighborhood Church which has owned and maintained a 1928 4/14 Robert Morton with many percussions and a 2M 2nd consoul since 1949 (no major rebuilds) is looking for a buyer of this fine piece of history. It was played untill a year ago. It came from the California Theater in Pittsburg, CA.

    Buyers, please contact Patrick Brandon.