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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 24, 2003
92-Year-Old Empress Is For Sale
VALLEJO, CA — The historic Empress Theatre is looking for a new owner following Robert Litwin’s decision to sell the former vaudeville and movie house after growing tired of the “city’s ‘stall tactics’ in signing a deal to help renovate and run the historic theater as the centerpiece of a revitalized downtown.”
According to the Times Herald, the asking price is $850,000, with an option for the city to buy the theater first set to run out next month. Interested parties should contact Ronald Lee Re/Max Home Advantage of Vallejo.
2 comments -
Small Theater and/or Theater Seats for Sale? - San Francisco/Bay Area
I’m the director of a film festival in San Francisco and one of our long term goals is to purchase a theater for second-run, indie, classic, and community access screenings. We’re currently sharing space in a South of Market art gallery/multimedia gallery, but we’re looking to expand our focus.
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December 23, 2003
Recollections of a Cinema Projectionist
In the dim and distant past before the 1939 war, I was introduced to the rites and mystique of showing cine films for the benefit and enjoyment of others, apart from the occasional Saturday morning visit to a local cinema with most of the other noisy youngsters in our neighbourhood.
The knowledge of how these images were inexplicably thrown on to the screen did not mean anything until a very ancient hand-cranked 35mm Pathe ‘home-movie’ projector came our way together with a large box of film stock which consisted of four-inch spools of old black and white silent films, although some were tinted with blue or sepia-toned effects; not quite colour, but the idea was there.
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December 22, 2003
Paramount Theatre Deeded to Paramount Arts Center
ASHLAND, KY — According to the Herald Dispatch, the Paramount Arts Center, the long-time tenant of the 1932 art deco Paramount Theatre has now become its owner, with the Foundation for the Tri-State Community transferring the venue’s deed to the group.
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Theaters Listed for Sale on the Web
Here is a listing of all theaters I could find up for sale on the web as of 12/20/03. I post this list in hopes that people will buy them and preserve the classic theaters that remain.
Name: Capitol Theatre
Location: New London, CT
Price: Contact Building Representative
Condition: Closed for nearly 30 years
View sale pageName: Ellis Theatre
Location: Springfield, VT
Price: $335,000
Condition: Open, 2 screens
View sale pageName: Madison Theater
Location: Albany, NY
Price: $549,000
Condition: Closed 2003
View sale page -
Until Next Time…. for the “Enean”
PITTSBURG, CA — After months of plan checks and red tape, the Enean Theatre will reopen as an autoparts store. Maybe next time, next restoration, will be to bring it back.
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December 19, 2003
Cla-Zel Investors Look to the Future
BOWLING GREEN, OH — According to a report in the Toledo Blade, the current owners of the CLA-ZEL Theatre have replaced the theater’s roof, upgraded the lobby, and made many general improvements over the past few years.
But what’s next? The group plans to create a comprehensive, five-year plan for keeping the CLA-ZEL in good shape. A top priority: the theater’s marquee.
“It is the landmark of the downtown,” said Paul Yon, director of development of Cla-Zel Theater, Inc. “The marquee is vitally important for the preservation of the facility itself.”
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Future of Des Plaines Theater Still Uncertain
DES PLAINES, IL — While the Des Plaines Theater has been spared from the wrecking ball for now, with its November purchase by Dhitu Bhagwakar, the future of the 79 year-old movie house is still cloudy, according to the Des Plaines Times.
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December 18, 2003
Today’s Newsreel
The State Theatre may become part of a downtown theater district, AMC makes ADA improvements, and Lord of the Rings fans prepare for the Return of the King — all in today’s newsreel.
- AMC to Modify Theaters for People in Wheelchairs
- Plans call for theater district in downtown
- City will seek funding in state capital budget
- Developer Decides Saving Woolworth Facade Is Too Expensive
- Magic ring may save movie sales
- American Home Theater Unveils 9-Foot Screen & Projection Rental System for House Parties
- DPI sees multiple uses for Capitol
- Carmike movie theater manager suspected of embezzling $30000
- Midnight movie madness
- Undersea Cables Beam Movie Into Theaters
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December 17, 2003
Ambassador Gets New Owner, Fate Remains Uncertain
SALFORD, ENGLAND — The Ambassador Super Cinema has changed hands again, according to a report on ManchesterOnline.
The new owner, McDermott Developments, a local real estate development company, had originally planned to demolish the theater and replace it with 31 apartments. However, these plans do not appear to be finalized.
As Andrew Darbyshire, a McDermott developer, put it: “We bought it with the benefit of planning permission. But I do not want to say anything yet regarding our intentions. We don’t know what to do yet.”