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The latest movie theater news and updates
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February 3, 2004
Astor Plaza to Close Soon?
NEW YORK, NY — Cinema Treasures superfan William sent in this potentially tragic news about the Astor Plaza…
“Times Square will be losing another theatre later this year, when Loew’s Astor Plaza Theatre closes. Plans call for the theater to be turned into MTV studio space.
The information came from the company that has a contract for servicing of projection equipment for the Loew’s company in the city. And most of the tenants on the ground floor at the 1515 Viacom building closed and moved out as of last week. Also the Loew’s State Theatre (4plex) in the Virgin Megastore is going to be dropped too.
My office is just down the street and in the last week a lot of things have changed in that building. Because Viacom has MTV and Comedy Central, they want some more high profile studio space in Times Square."
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February 2, 2004
Save the Empress in Vallejo, CA
VALLEJO, CA — A vote will be held by the Vallego City Council on Feb 10, 2004 to decide the fate of the Empress Theater, according to this detailed report in the Vallejo News.
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Wheaton’s Grand Theatre Rocks On
WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton Grand Theatre has found a new calling, as a rock venue drawing bands and their fans from across the western suburbs of Chicago, according to a report in the Wheaton Sun.
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Cascade’s Roxy Theatre Hits the Market
CASCADE, ID — The Roxy Theatre in Cascade, Idaho (pop. 937) is for sale. A turnkey operation, including land and building, is built into the $325,000 asking price.
More information can be found at this address:
http://www.cascade-id-realestate.com/Html/listings.htm -
January 30, 2004
Adelaide Regent Closes After 75 Years
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – On Wednesday, the 75-year run of the Regent Theatre came to an end with a screening of the Billy Wilder film Seven Year Itch, according to a report in the Advertiser.
As chronicled in a previous report on Cinema Treasures, the theater is being closed by the Hoyts theater chain due to poor attendance and escalating operating costs.
Here’s a roundup of coverage on the Regent’s long goodbye:
• Curtains close on 75 years of film magic
• Curtain falls on last picture show -
TheatersforSale.com Seeks Theater Buyers/Sellers
We are working behind the scenes as the premiere source for serious motion picture industry mergers & acquisitions of theaters across the country… TheatersforSale.com.
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Thomaston Opera House Receives Grant
THOMASTON, CT — The Thomaston Opera House has received a grant to begin a multimillion dollar restoration project intended to return the theater to its original 1883 glory, according to a report in the Republican-American.
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Bentonville’s Plaza
BENTONVILLE, AR — The Plaza, located on the square downtown, is an old theater that was closed in the early 70s. It was gutted and renovated into office space and most recently a hair salon. I have dreamt of renovating this old building back to its original use as a theater since I first laid eyes on it 18 years ago.
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January 29, 2004
Berkshire Music Hall to Open This Spring
PITTSFIELD, MA — The former Union Square Theatre and Berkshire Public Theatre is now the Berkshire Music Hall, according to the Berkshire Eagle. Raymond Schilke is spending $500,000 to bring back the theater which last hosted performances in 1995. Both live shows and movies will play at the newly renovated Music Hall once it reopens.
Here are a few recent photos of the theater. (More details are also available on the Berkshire’s official website.)
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The Paramount Center for the Arts Continues its Renovation Project
PEEKSKILL, NY — The Paramount Center for the Arts is putting the finishing touches on an extensive renovation project.
To celebrate the completion of the Paramount improvements, a special reception will take place on Thursday, February 19th, at 7:30 PM, which will unveil the renovated theater. Those attending the reception will see firsthand the great accomplishments that have been made in such a short amount of time, such as:
• Restoring the theater’s intricate French renaissance ceiling to its original design
• Re-plastering and painting of the theater walls
• New and improved house lighting provided by the New York Power Authority
• New curtainsHere are a two shots taken during the renovations: