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The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 12, 2006
Chicago Theatres featured in October issue of Chicago Magazine
The new October issue Chicago Magazine (www.chicagomag.com) features a six-page article about the White Way Sign and Maintenance Company which has kept the lightbulbs shining brightly on Chicagoland’s movie house marquees since 1923. The article includes a number of incredible vintage black and white photos of theater marquees, including the Garrick, Woods, and Oriental Theatres in Chicago’s Loop.
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Fine Arts Cinema to close
GREENBURGH, NY — After 34 years, the Fine Arts Cinema is set to close. Working under a
handshake lease deal since 1992, the cinema succumbs to market pressure and must close its
doors.The full story is available in the The Journal News.
Editor’s Note: In the back of my mind, I always knew this day was coming. I never was old enough to appreciate the art deco movie palaces of our past. Instead, this non-descript few hundred seat theater was my gem growing up. I loved when high-profile independent films would open in limited release and in the NY Metro area they would just be playing at the Angelika, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and this theater. The Fine Arts always had high-quality programming and a warm feeling inside.
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Opera at your local theater
NEW YORK, NY — Like the rock concert broadcasts that are becoming increasingly more popular, The Metropolitan Opera has plans to transmit its shows to theaters all over the world.
Coming soon to your multiplex in the mall: bel canto fireworks and bass-baritone rumbles, love duets and orchestral colors, divas, tenors and trills.
The Metropolitan Opera announced yesterday that it would begin broadcasting live performances into movie theaters across the United States, Canada and Europe, rubbing shoulders with professional wrestling and rock concerts.
The broadcasts are part of a strategy by the Met’s new general manager, Peter Gelb, to widen the house’s appeal by branching out into new media.
You can read more on this in the New York Times.
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Blair Theater in danger
HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA — The Blair Theater is in danger of being sold and demolished for office space.
The old Blair Cinema on Allegheny Street may have a new owner soon.
Samuel Britz, a certified public accountant of Britz & Associates, said he has teamed up with a group of investors and already made a deposit on the building.
The group will purchase it with a contingency that a parking variance can be obtained from the borough’s zoning board.
To read more, visit the Altoona Mirror.
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September 11, 2006
Cinema Ad Firm to roll out digital equipment
Maybe it’s a sign that we are only going to be seeing more advertising at our local theaters very soon or possibly a right step towards cleaner digital presentations. Nevertheless, Screenvision and National Amusements are getting together to bring you a more digital moviegoing experience.
Screenvision, one of the nation’s leading cinema advertising companies, signed an exclusive, multiyear deal with National Amusements Inc. to invest more than $10 million in high-definition digital equipment for more than 1,000 screens.
New York-based Screenvision said it would begin to roll out by year’s end its satellite, networking and projection systems designed to deliver advertising, cartoons and sports for viewing before a film starts.
Screenvision said the systems would be compatible with digital cinema projectors showing feature films.
You can read more in the LA Times.
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Looking for Warner Huntington info
HUNTINGTON PARK, CA — For the purpose of preparing a preliminary feasibility study for the Warner Theater in Huntington Park, we are searching for the original architectural plans.
In order to properly evaluate things like exiting issues, accurate dimensions of the building are needed. However, we do not have access to the building, which is why the original design plans would be of great help in coming up with potential future uses for the building.
Supposedly, there is an archive that keeps the drawings of B. Marcus Priteca, the theater’s architect, but I have not been able to locate it.
Does anybody know where I can find those plans?
Thanks,
Guido
Historic Consultants, Inc. -
Tacora Theatre to close
AURORA, MN — The Tacora Theatre is closing due to rising costs of maintaining the theater as well as the economic conditions of its patrons.
Tonight at 7, the lights will dim at the Tacora Theatre for the showing of the movie “World Trade Center.”
The film will play on a large silver screen that’s been displaying motion pictures since 1955 — one of the few remaining old-time screens in the region.
Movie-goers will have the chance, as they have for a number of years, to order a custom-made pizza as a concession, delivered to them at a table in the theater’s auditorium — or to get free refills of large sodas and popcorn, just as they have in the past.
For more, read the full story in Mesbi Daily News.
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September 9, 2006
Victory Gardens Theater to hold Open House
CHICAGO, IL — As Victory Gardens' long renovation of the historic Biograph Theater in Chicago begins to draw to a close, they celebrate this weekend with an Open House. Although much work remains to be done – the exterior of the building alone presently lacks second-floor windows, a marquee, a box office, and brickwork around the entry – the building is well on its way to taking shape for next month’s premiere of “Denmark”, Victory Gardens' world premiere in the new 299-seat Zacek-McVay auditorium.
The open house will be held Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 from noon-5pm.
For more, read theChicago Sun-Times Story.
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September 8, 2006
Merced Theatre renovation update
MERCED, CA — The Merced Theatre is in the midst of a detailed restoration. With the goal of eventually restoring the theater to its original single-screen glory and making it yet again the center of Merced, they are well on their way.
Currently, the roof is being replaced and the tower is getting a structural upgrade. Additionally, they are working to reactivate the ground floor store fronts and attract new tenants. All this should be done in time for their Diamond Jubilee Gala on October 21st. Tickets for this event are sold out right now but you can call 209-722-3266 as the event approaches to see if anything opens up.
They also hold a film series in one of the existing theaters inside of the current quad. “Top Hat” will be shown on September 23 and 24th followed by “West Side Story” and “Doctor Zhivago” later in the season.
To rent the theater, volunteer for the film series, make a donation, or any other inquiries, call 209-722-3266 or write to:
Merced Theatre Foundation
P.O. Box 716
Merced, CA 95341 -
Boyd Theatre renovation
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Renovations are underway for the Boyd Theatre to reopen in 2007. Cinematical has just published an interview with Howard Haas of Friends of the Boyd.
It’s been a small-but-persistent little news story in Philadelphia over the past several years: The last remaining old-school, ultra-cool, Art Deco movie palace in the city was in serious danger of being destroyed, thus removing any reminder of Golden Age cinematic history from The City of Brotherly Love.
How could this happen? How could one of the oldest, largest and most unquestionably awesome cities in the nation be stripped of its last remaining movie palace?
Well, it came pretty darn close to Wrecking Ball Central, but thanks in large part to the efforts of one local attorney, the beautiful Boyd Theater is now enjoying a long-overdue facelift.
For the rest of this story as well as the interview, please visit Cinematical.