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The latest movie theater news and updates
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May 25, 2012
Celebrating the Original STAR WARS on its 35th Anniversary
A long time ago in a theater far, far away….
Celebrating The Original STAR WARS On Its 35th AnniversaryCompiled by Michael Coate
Wow! Has it really been thirty-five years? Where has the time gone? It seems like only a short time ago that George Lucas’ endearing space fantasy caught the world by surprise.
A lot has happened over the years in regard to STAR WARS, and for a lot of people the STAR WARS saga and George Lucas have worn out their welcome. There is no denying, however, that there was a time when STAR WARS was fresh and exciting and had inspired a generation. That time began thirty-five years ago today. To celebrate, presented here is: (1) a list of the theaters where the movie played during its first week of release (to honor those venues famous for being among the first anywhere to show the landmark movie), and (2) a list of the theaters where the movie played for more than one year (to help illustrate the movie’s staggering success).
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Is Paramount movie studio getting into the hotel business?
Hollywood-themed hotels could be coming to cities around the world thanks to new company, Paramount Hotels & Resorts. While not owned by the movie studio, they’ll use the brand to offer luxurious properties with mini movie theaters inside. None are planned for the U.S.
Rad more in USA Today.
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May 24, 2012
REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 50: Portland)
Back by popular demand!
The following is Part 50 in an ongoing, semi-regular series of retrospectives on CINERAMA, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. These easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to honor the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.
Part 1: New York
Part 2: Chicago
Part 3: San Francisco -
Fortner remembers the grand old days of Greer theaters
GREER, SC — Some forgotten cinemas will be popping up in a new book. “Single Screens of South Carolina” will have a chapter by local Dan Fortner about long lost theaters like the Greer, Grand and Rialto.
Read more at Greer Today.
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May 23, 2012
U.K. exhibitor Vue acquires Apollo Cinemas
Vue is increasing its assets in Britain with its acquisition of the 14 cinema Apollo chain. The deal for 20 million pounds gives Vue these esteemed independent theaters with top-of-the-line equipment.
Read the full story in the Hollywood Reporter.
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Firefighters get practice on Detroit Theatre
LAKEWOOD, OH — The soon to be demolished Detroit Theatre has been serving as a practice area for local firefighters. Since the building has already been vacated, they’ve been setting fires to simulate the typical situations that arise in similar older buildings.
Read more in the Lakewood Patch.
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May 22, 2012
AMC to be sold to Wanda Group
Hinted at weeks ago, AMC is being sold to China’s Wanda Group for $2.6 Billion. Their headquarters will remain in Kansas City and the new owner will continue their strategic upgrades plan.
Read more in the Huffington Post.
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Historic Strand Theatre to have grand reopening this week
MOUNDSVILLE, WV — It’s been a long road back but the Strand Theatre is finally reopening this week. Closed since 1996, the current owners took 12 years to get $1.2 Million in place to renovate it and there’s still work to be done.
Read more at WTOV.
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May 21, 2012
The futuristic movie theater: A BaltTech perspective
BALTIMORE, MD — A writer in the Baltimore Sun has a few ideas on how theaters can be more successful in the future. From fully automating the process to letting patrons have more of a say on what’s shown, look at what he’s come up with.
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Boutique movie theater coming to North Bethesda
NORTH BETHESDA, MD — A new 12 screen theatre is being built by Silverspot. They’ll offer modern amenities like a health-conscious menu and reserved stadium seating. The complex will open in 2014.
Read more in the Gazette.