Larger resolution photo from Reuters than linked in 1st post above-
http://reuters.tumblr.com/post/17505964169/a-cinema-is-burning-out-during-anti-austerity
Photo of the remains of the cinema the day after the fire:
http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/firefighter-extinguishes-one-capitals-oldest-restored-cinemas-central-photo-112735944.html
Here is a link and a few excerpts from an article which states the cinema was still open recently
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/riots-leave-athens-smouldering/story-fn6ck55c-1226270276396
A LANDMARK Athens cinema lay in ruins yesterday as stunned Greeks surveyed the damage of widespread riots.
Officials say 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire as violence erupted during demonstrations while parliament voted on Sunday for tough new austerity measures aimed at averting national bankruptcy.
“It’s culture that has gone up in smoke,” filmmaker Nikos Kavoukidis lamented as he shot footage of the crowd gathered at the ruins of the Attikon cinema. “What do we have left? Television and football?”
The Attikon was housed in a neo-classical building dating back to the late 19th century. The cinema was famed for its sumptuous decor, plush red seats and the sweeping curves of its main auditorium.
Until Sunday, the film on show was “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” starring Gary Oldman.
2009 photos by Joseph Galanakis of neoclassic entry & lobby during the Athens International Film Festival
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702440583/
mirrored lobby
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702501403/
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703141084/
The Atsy on fire February 12, 2012 in the 3rd photo here
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/world/detail/2?page=17&token=YTdlNWZlNzNhZWJiM2FmZDEwMDEwZmJkZTMxYmE1
2003 photo of signage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/straybear/51361332/
There’s no indication anybody was inside the cinemas. This one & Apollon were probably totally destroyed. The historic building housing them was one of the most beautiful in Athens! another photo of it on fire & blog:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_13/02/2012_427392
I enjoyed Hamlet in 70mm at the Paris. It was the 2nd to last “new” (not classic or restored classic) 70mm film (filmed that way or blow up) that I saw. “Titantic” a couple years later was the last.
Future projectionists, please make sure the sound is loud, use the curtain, and send ushers to eject all patrons who answer & chat on their cell phones (after the cell phones ring!) during the feature. And, please routinely replace the projection light bulbs so the picture is light enough.
Thanks to Vince Young for the last day information as below, from an ad:
“Viva Max!” was the final screen attraction. 5 shows that day, final at 6:10 PM
TONIGHT AT 10PM
Doors Open at 8 PM
BUY TICKETS NOW! All Seats $5 incl tax
“THE SUPERFIGHT”
The computerized fight sports fans will be talking about for years.
Who’s the Greatest?
Rocky MARCIANO vs Muhammed ALI
Filmed Live and in Color
This is not animation or photo tricks but live action in color, filmed in secret and edited to a computer printout programmed for over 200 variables. This great bout will never be seen on T.V. or in newsreels. There will be no second run….This has to be the greatest fight ever!"
Also played that evening: Ardmore, Astor, Benn, Cheltenham, Broadway, Logan, Nixon, State, Midway, Warner (WChester), Plaza (KoP), Waverly, Towne, and Moorestown Plaza.
In late December, AMC had a sale & I purchased it for $6. I did’t know there are invites for free advance screenings. Perhaps those invites arrive by email? Or maybe I have to buy a certain number of tickets before those invites arrive.
No shock that the exterior wasn’t more impressive than the interior. I saw a couple movies there in 1987 and 1988. As JodarMovieFan asserts, it wasn’t a “treasure.”
And here was the theater rental info, including screen size: Old Town Theater is available for:
Corporate Meetings / Business Meetings
Conferences / Conventions
Events and Parties
Birthday Parties
The Theater features:
A 400+ stadium seat venue
High Definition projector
16' by 22' screen
computer imagery
DVD, VCR, & Cable
Digital Surround Sound
Remote internet access
Microphones: Wireless & Stand
The Theater’s Restaurant Serves:
400+ Lunch and Dinner buffets
Beer and Wine
on trays stablized in the seat’s cupholders
Menu
Theater website has disappeared but here was the history on it:
The original permit to build, dated April 16, 1914, was for the purpose of “moving pictures, bowling alleys and billiards”, named the Richmond Theater, it was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. The owners reportedly operated a vaudeville theater on the first floor and a dance hall on the second floor until around 1932. Around 1932, the theater closed for renovation, the second floor dance hall was removed, and a theater balcony constructed. The Richmond was used as a motion picture and vaudeville theater until sometime in the 1940s when vaudeville was phased out, and the theater was used exclusively for motion pictures. The Richmond operated as a motion picture theater until it closed in approximately 1972, when the city movie houses were failing to draw local residents. In 1976, the National Puppet Center applied for a special use permit to use for the performances and study of the puppet arts and it is not known how long the theater may have been used for this purpose. In 1980, the theater was renovated and re-opened as a double theater under a new name, the Old Town. The Old Town operated until October 1999 when it was again closed. On Valentines 2002, the Old Town was opened after renovations were completed bringing the bathrooms up to ADA approved code, bringing the balcony back, replacing the seats to a comfortable level and adding lighting and sound systems. The screen was removed opening the stage for live plays and a comedy venue. In December 2002, the theater was closed. The Old Town Theater has reopened as a multi entertainment center featuring all forms of the performing arts including film, theater, music and children shows.
JodarMovieFan, THX has a “find theater” function. Put in this zip code & it no appear. Here: http://www.thx.com/consumer/movies/find-a-thx-certified-cinema/
As famous stars appeared on their nightly TV shows, movie theaters went dark on those nights. 90% of movie theaters closed. Many neighborhood movie theaters closed during those years & some larger movie palaces closed, too. Before TV, people went every week to movies. Some went even daily. After TV, movie attendence decreased. With new devices, attendence continues to drop.
This, the most beloved and glamorous historic movie palace of Athens, was set on fire by the rioters yesterday.
Larger resolution photo from Reuters than linked in 1st post above- http://reuters.tumblr.com/post/17505964169/a-cinema-is-burning-out-during-anti-austerity
I believe it was still an open cinema, until the riots yesterday.
Photo of the remains of the cinema the day after the fire: http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/firefighter-extinguishes-one-capitals-oldest-restored-cinemas-central-photo-112735944.html
Here is a link and a few excerpts from an article which states the cinema was still open recently http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/riots-leave-athens-smouldering/story-fn6ck55c-1226270276396 A LANDMARK Athens cinema lay in ruins yesterday as stunned Greeks surveyed the damage of widespread riots. Officials say 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire as violence erupted during demonstrations while parliament voted on Sunday for tough new austerity measures aimed at averting national bankruptcy.
“It’s culture that has gone up in smoke,” filmmaker Nikos Kavoukidis lamented as he shot footage of the crowd gathered at the ruins of the Attikon cinema. “What do we have left? Television and football?”
The Attikon was housed in a neo-classical building dating back to the late 19th century. The cinema was famed for its sumptuous decor, plush red seats and the sweeping curves of its main auditorium.
Until Sunday, the film on show was “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” starring Gary Oldman.
2009 photos by Joseph Galanakis of neoclassic entry & lobby during the Athens International Film Festival http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702440583/ mirrored lobby http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4702501403/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703141084/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iosgal/4703147736/
I don’t understand your comment as to “known narrow hill”
The Atsy on fire February 12, 2012 in the 3rd photo here http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/world/detail/2?page=17&token=YTdlNWZlNzNhZWJiM2FmZDEwMDEwZmJkZTMxYmE1
2003 photo of signage http://www.flickr.com/photos/straybear/51361332/
There’s no indication anybody was inside the cinemas. This one & Apollon were probably totally destroyed. The historic building housing them was one of the most beautiful in Athens! another photo of it on fire & blog: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_13/02/2012_427392
December 2007 photo of auditorium facing screen http://www.flickr.com/photos/50102570@N00/2195216313
September 2006 photo of auditorium http://www.flickr.com/photos/70447108@N00/249252173
Photos provided by management to Tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d2060547-Reviews-Apollon_Attikon-Athens_Attica.html
Apparently this was Athens most beloved cinema!
Some beautiful photos on this person’s blog: http://enzine-manos.blogspot.com/2010/05/attikon-cinema-2008.html
February 2010 photo of exterior http://www.flickr.com/photos/gichristof/4343342385/
February 12, 2012 photos set on fire http://www.demotix.com/news/1050171/attikon-cinema-ablaze-athens
I enjoyed Hamlet in 70mm at the Paris. It was the 2nd to last “new” (not classic or restored classic) 70mm film (filmed that way or blow up) that I saw. “Titantic” a couple years later was the last.
Future projectionists, please make sure the sound is loud, use the curtain, and send ushers to eject all patrons who answer & chat on their cell phones (after the cell phones ring!) during the feature. And, please routinely replace the projection light bulbs so the picture is light enough.
Giles, how large is the screen, esp. how many feet wide for scope films?
Thanks to Vince Young for the last day information as below, from an ad:
“Viva Max!” was the final screen attraction. 5 shows that day, final at 6:10 PM TONIGHT AT 10PM Doors Open at 8 PM BUY TICKETS NOW! All Seats $5 incl tax
“THE SUPERFIGHT” The computerized fight sports fans will be talking about for years. Who’s the Greatest? Rocky MARCIANO vs Muhammed ALI Filmed Live and in Color This is not animation or photo tricks but live action in color, filmed in secret and edited to a computer printout programmed for over 200 variables. This great bout will never be seen on T.V. or in newsreels. There will be no second run….This has to be the greatest fight ever!"
Also played that evening: Ardmore, Astor, Benn, Cheltenham, Broadway, Logan, Nixon, State, Midway, Warner (WChester), Plaza (KoP), Waverly, Towne, and Moorestown Plaza.
In late December, AMC had a sale & I purchased it for $6. I did’t know there are invites for free advance screenings. Perhaps those invites arrive by email? Or maybe I have to buy a certain number of tickets before those invites arrive.
No shock that the exterior wasn’t more impressive than the interior. I saw a couple movies there in 1987 and 1988. As JodarMovieFan asserts, it wasn’t a “treasure.”
Ah, so the 3 strip print that “might” surface later this year is of Brother Grimm itself, not the “archival video”
What’s a preview event?
And here was the theater rental info, including screen size:
Old Town Theater is available for:
Corporate Meetings / Business Meetings Conferences / Conventions Events and Parties Birthday Parties The Theater features:
A 400+ stadium seat venue High Definition projector 16' by 22' screen computer imagery DVD, VCR, & Cable Digital Surround Sound Remote internet access Microphones: Wireless & Stand The Theater’s Restaurant Serves:
400+ Lunch and Dinner buffets Beer and Wine on trays stablized in the seat’s cupholders Menu
Theater website has disappeared but here was the history on it: The original permit to build, dated April 16, 1914, was for the purpose of “moving pictures, bowling alleys and billiards”, named the Richmond Theater, it was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. The owners reportedly operated a vaudeville theater on the first floor and a dance hall on the second floor until around 1932. Around 1932, the theater closed for renovation, the second floor dance hall was removed, and a theater balcony constructed. The Richmond was used as a motion picture and vaudeville theater until sometime in the 1940s when vaudeville was phased out, and the theater was used exclusively for motion pictures. The Richmond operated as a motion picture theater until it closed in approximately 1972, when the city movie houses were failing to draw local residents. In 1976, the National Puppet Center applied for a special use permit to use for the performances and study of the puppet arts and it is not known how long the theater may have been used for this purpose. In 1980, the theater was renovated and re-opened as a double theater under a new name, the Old Town. The Old Town operated until October 1999 when it was again closed. On Valentines 2002, the Old Town was opened after renovations were completed bringing the bathrooms up to ADA approved code, bringing the balcony back, replacing the seats to a comfortable level and adding lighting and sound systems. The screen was removed opening the stage for live plays and a comedy venue. In December 2002, the theater was closed. The Old Town Theater has reopened as a multi entertainment center featuring all forms of the performing arts including film, theater, music and children shows.
Managing Partner
Roger Fons
JodarMovieFan, THX has a “find theater” function. Put in this zip code & it no appear. Here: http://www.thx.com/consumer/movies/find-a-thx-certified-cinema/
As famous stars appeared on their nightly TV shows, movie theaters went dark on those nights. 90% of movie theaters closed. Many neighborhood movie theaters closed during those years & some larger movie palaces closed, too. Before TV, people went every week to movies. Some went even daily. After TV, movie attendence decreased. With new devices, attendence continues to drop.
I see some movies at muliplexes. There are problems, but nobody herds me in or out like cattle.
I was never there, but I like that there’s a photo of the stairs & escalator.