Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
The latest movie theater news and updates
-
February 1, 2011
After 87 years, Lakewood’s Detroit Theatre closes its doors
LAKEWOOD, OH — Truly a survivor of a past age, the nearly ninety-year-old Detroit Theatre in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood is closing as of January 30. The theater, opened in 1927, was twinned in 1987.
There is a little more at Cleveland.com
4 comments -
The Sebastiani’s Season of Classic Films
SONOMA, CA — Along with showing first run films and showcasing performing artists of all types the venerable Sebastiani presents a season Hollywood Classics starting in February.
The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation presents VINTAGE FILM SERIES #2 with classic movies showing one Monday each month, through June, 2011. Movie lovers of all ages now have the opportunity to experience these classic films the way they were meant to be seen, on the big screen! A fundraising effort by the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation, the Sebastiani Vintage Film Series brings some of the most memorable classic films back to the historic Sebastiani Theatre on the Sonoma Plaza.
Sebastiani Vintage Film tickets can be purchased for $8 per individual movie. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. No senior discounts are offered, but Sebastiani Theatre Movie Lovers Club member discounts will be honored.
Read more at the Sebastiani Webpage.
-
January 31, 2011
UltraStar upgrades its Garden Walk Theater in Anaheim
ANAHEIM, CA — Since taking over the financially-ailing former Cinema Fusion Theater at Anaheim’s Garden Walk center, UltraStar Cinemas has been spending heavily on what is now the Anaheim Garden Walk making significant upgrades. D-Box seats have been installed and the former IMAX auditorium now sports one of the chain’s proprietary UltraMax screens. The former 21+ seating will be restored later this year.
“We felt we could do it better,” said Damon Rubio, vice president of operations for UltraStar. “We think the visuals and sound we’ve introduced will really knock your socks off.”
Theater officials say the UltraMax technology allows for digital projection of 3D images at an extremely fast rate with greater pixel resolution.
There is more in the Orange County Register.
-
Current operator closes the Fox in Taft; removes equipment
TAFT, CA — The most recent operator of the Fox Theatre in Taft has closed the theater and begun the removal of equipment. The mayor is convening a special meeting of the City Council in February to see what action can be taken to stop further removal of furnishings and equipment. The theater had been facing foreclosure last November, but it was thought then that a solution has been found.
Lockwood said that the theater was losing money because of lack of attendance, and that he had finally decided to close the theater.
Lockwood said that he is willing to sell the equipment, fixtures and theater seating if he found a willing buyer.
The recent news about the change of events is here.
-
January 28, 2011
Meaning behind cinema names
Not quite news, but nowhere else to post.
Has anyone researched the derivation of what I (in my younger years) took to be perfectly ‘normal’ cinema names, yet are really quite strange?
Locally (in North Staffs) we had the Essoldo, Danilo, Gaumont, Odeon, Ritz, Roxy, Rio and probably a few more that I can’t recall.
My brief research reveals:
Essoldo – from Esther, Solomon & Dorothy Schenkman
Gaumont – from Leon Gaumont – French cinema entrepreneur
Odeon – small Greek amphitheatre
Ritz – Cezar Ritz of classy hotel fame.I can’t find anything relevant to the remainder
Thank you
-
Milwaukee Motion Picture Commission information wanted!
Milwaukee Grad Student seeks anyone who has any first-hand knowledge of the old Milwaukee Motion Picture Commission. The MMPC was a censorship board that screened and rated all films to play in the city. The commission also occasionally either demanded that scenes be cut from films, or barred films from showing all together. I have not been able to find anyone who actually dealt with the group and any help would be very much appreciated.
-
Sidney Bernstein’s Granada Cinema Dover
Hi,
I am researching Sidney Bernstein’s flagship Granada Cinema Dover, UK. I am especially interested in the stage equipment and organ lift. Maybe this was a standard specification used in all Granada’s of the time. Are there any examples anybody is aware of?
Also there are only a few interior photos of the auditorium around and I wondered if there is such a thing as a Bernstein archive that is viewable.
Thanks for reading,
Andy -
January 27, 2011
LAST WEEK to take advantage of THS 2 for 1 membership offer!
Don’t let this opportunity slip away! NEW members joining THS from this posting will receive 2 years of membership for the price of 1! Call the THS office at 630-782-1800 or email our office at to take advantage of this New Years Special Offer!
-
Ohio theater for lease?
Hello,
I’m looking for a theater or to lease a screen in the Columbus, Ohio area.
Thank you
-
January 26, 2011
Liberty Theater reopens
CAMAS, WA — A cornerstone of the neighborhood, the Liberty Theater will reopen in March.
Opening the doors of the historic Liberty Theater is a big win for Downtown Camas and local merchants, helping push the downtown as a ‘destination’ for the entire community and surrounding areas. “The Liberty has always been at the heart of our Downtown with theater goers taking advantage of the many great restaurants, merchants and services we have here in Camas. We are very excited and welcome this catalyst to Downtown’s revitalization,” commented Carolyn Mercury, Downtown Camas Association President.
Read more at the official website.