The latest movie theater news and updates

  • April 22, 2005
    Fundraising

    Donations Accepted for Broadway in Pitman, NJ

    PITMAN, NJ — Chamber of Commerce Helping to Save Vaudeville Era Gem. Broadway May Become Performance Venue, Courier-Post Reports

    “The projector at the Broadway Theatre has likely flickered for the last time,” reports Tim Zatzariny in the Courier-Post online edition on April 21, 2005. “But there’s a good chance the bankrupt, 79-year-old former vaudeville house will live on as a performance venue, a court-appointed trustee said Wednesday.”

    After a sheriff’s sale was averted by a consent order given by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the trustee has 90 days to find a buyer. “I’ve had a couple of people look at it,” the Courier-Post quotes the attorney in charge. “The two that have shown the most interest are looking at it as a live theater. It will no longer be a movie theater. That doesn’t seem to be a consideration.”

    2 comments
  • Today's Newsreel

    Today’s Newsreel

    1 comment
  • Industry

    Transforming a Historical Theatre into a Performing Arts Center

    The following was sent in by “focus”:

    “Performing Art Centers Of Indiana, LLC. was established to work with historical theatre owners and communities, to restore classical downtown theatres into state of the art performing art centers.

    ‘Restoration of a historical theatre is an important contribution to the theatre culture of each community they serve,’ said Mr. Monde President of the company, ‘but the success of the theatre goes beyond the restoration phase.’

    0 comments
  • April 21, 2005
    Industry

    The Ups and Downs Of A ‘Better’ Moviegoing Experience

    NEW YORK, NY — The travails, quirks, and general trend of luxury, reserved seating—from a New York City perspective—via this recent New York Times article).

    0 comments
  • Jobs

    Services For Historical Theaters

    Performing Art Centers Of Indiana, LLC., is currently looking for classcial venues throughout the Mid-West region. We are currently developing a network of historical theaters and have over forty venues established already.

    We offer historical theater consulting, business plans, talent brokering, equipment sales & rentals and management services. If your profit or non-profit organization is interested in affiliation, and the type of services we offer, you may find more additional information on our web site at www.onstagein.com

    Here at Performing Art Centers Of Indiana, showbusiness is our business.

    Acting In Your Interest!

    0 comments
  • For Sale

    200 Rocker Movie Theater Seats for Sale

    Below is information on the 200 theater seats I have available.

    NUMBER: 200
    TYPE: Irwin Carousel Rockers
    YEAR: 1995
    COLOR: Shire Rain Forest Fabric (Green/Brown)
    LOCATION: Michigan
    PRICE: $15/seat

    Let me know if you are interested. Pictures available upon request.

    Thanks,
    Dan

    0 comments
  • April 20, 2005
    Theaters

    Skokie Theater to Become Concert Venue

    SKOKIE, IL — The Skokie Theater, which was closed in November of 2004, will be renovated for use as a concert hall, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

    The former movie house, which was built in 1915 and remodeled in Art Moderne style during the 40s, was purchased last week by the Cavalcade of Music Foundation, which is based in the North Shore suburb of Kenilworth. Bob Acri, the foundation’s executive director, says the theater will be used as a showcase for jazz, classical, folk, and other musical styles (except rock).

    The foundation is kicking off a fundraising campaign, and it is expected to cost between $750,000 to $1 million to renovate the Skokie. Work will include repairs to the exterior, upgrades to lighting and sound systems, conversion of the projection area to a conference room, making the building handicap accessable, and reducing seating from 314 to 161. Work could begin in a month and be completed in the fall, according to Acri.

    1 comment
  • Jobs

    Strand Theatre

    I am researching some of the old buidings in Port Arthur, Texas for a slide presentation of before and after. Pictures of the Strand Theatre are needed since the building was torn down. This theatre in Port Arthur was noted for the stripes on the sidewalk which do still exist. I grew up in Port Arthur during the 40’s and 50’s. Thanks for any input provided.

    0 comments
  • April 19, 2005
    Openings

    Another Drive-In Drives Off Into The Sunset

    CHURCHVILLE, MD — From a high of 47 in 1958 to a total of one today — that is the current state of the drive-in theater in Maryland following the announcement of the closure of the 53 year-old Bel Air Drive-In. According to the Baltimore Sun, patronage had fallen off dramatically and its operators could no longer afford the rent.

    To read (and see) more about the end of the Bel Air, visit WBAL-TV, Channel 11 Baltimore’s website. For a forum about drive-ins and a survey about your own drive-in patronage (or lack thereof), visit our weekly poll.

    For more information on drive-ins, check out Kipp and Jennifer Sherer’s wonderful website, drive-ins.com. [Editor’s note: I’ve been using it for years to visit drive-ins around the country.] Like our friends at CinemaTour and other sites, drive-ins.com is part of a growing community of like-minded enthusiasts, preservationists and fans. For more drive-in related websites, visit our drive-in theater links.

    As the Bel-Air goes dark, perhaps forever, it offers another reminder of how quickly decades of memories can be extinguished. Here today, gone tomorrow. It’s another reason to pay homage to your favorite theaters with your good wishes and your attendance.

    (Thank you to Edward Lopez who alerted us to this story.)

    1 comment
  • April 18, 2005
    Theaters

    Off The Multiplex Path In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY — A recent Daily News article focused on some of NYC’s alternative ‘Cinema Treasures’, including Ocularis in Brooklyn and the Millennium Film Workshop in the East Village.

    0 comments