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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 6, 2010
Will Rogers Theater in Charleston closed by AMC
CHARLESTON, IL — Another in a recent series of theaters closed by AMC has occurred in this eastern Illinois town. The Will Rogers, which opened in 1938 and which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, closed quietly on November 28.
The theater just off the courthouse square in Charleston was popular with locals and Eastern Illinois University students through the past seven decades. But like many smaller theaters, it was losing financial ground to multi-screen movieplexes, DVD rentals and Internet downloads.
“I really liked the small-theater atmosphere,” said Cuddy, who expects to transfer his work to another AMC facility. “I’ve been here for three years. It was my first job.”
There is more in the Journal Gazette.
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Two luxury cinemas opening at Jacksonville’s Latitude 30 entertainment complex
JACKSONVILLE, FL — An upscale entertainment complex called Latitude 30 will be opening here in mid-December. In addition to boutique bowling, a restaurant, a sports bar, billiards, a high-tech arcade, and meeting and banquet facilities, the new facility features two cinemas, one seating seventy and the other three hundred, both with dining and cocktail service. An additional Latitude 30 complex is slated for Nashville, and the company is apparently looking for additional sites in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
The 50,000 square foot entertainment center is housed in the former Toys R Us store on Philips Highway, across the street from The Avenues Mall. Construction began in December 2009, but the design and concept have been in the works for more than three years, Brent Brown, managing partner of Brownstone Group, which owns Latitude 30, said Tuesday.
There is additional information in the Jacksonville Business Journal and the Latitude 30 Cinemas webpage is here.
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December 3, 2010
Jubilee Theatre is renovated and open!
WACO, TX — The “oohs” and “ahhs” were heard all day at the recent reopening of the renovated Jubilee Theatre at 1319 N. 15th. New curtains, doors, an expanded stage, more technology and even direct access to the World Cup Café for dinner theaters and Fair Trade is now a reality. A full venue of performances from plays to social justice films to talent shows and musical programs are scheduled. The “Price of Sugar,” an award-winning documentary is scheduled for Nov 14, followed by the dramatic reading of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Dec 18. See all of the new opportunities here for details. Rental fees and availability is also posted.
“Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Saturday, Dec 18, 7:00
Ticket donations for Jubilee Theatre event allow lower-income to attend
The acclaimed holiday story of the wild Herdsman children will be the first outside feature of the newly renovated Jubilee Theatre. Called “ … outrageous, lively, funny, and wonderful ” by the The Denver Post"; “could become a classic, one of the best Christmas books ever.” says Publisher’s Weekly. From the generosity of local Wacoans, over 100 tickets have been donated so that lower-income children and families can attend the event. Potter’s Cast from Tyler, Texas, will be producing the show which has become a favorite. If you are interested in attending or purchasing tickets for others, go online to theofficial website for details or call Mission Waco’s office, 254.753.4900. -
Landmark to close the Neptune in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA — Another classic movie theater will close soon in the Emerald City. Landmark Theatres has announced it will cease operations in February at the historic Neptune Theatre which opened in 1921. The lease will be picked up by the Seattle Theatre Group (STG) which will take out about five hundred seats and use it primarily as a venue for live performances, though STG says that films will still be occasionally shown.
The Seattle Theatre Group will spend about $500,000 on renovations, including updated restrooms and removal of about 50 percent of the theater’s floor seating, according to a spokeswoman.
The Neptune will reopen in spring of next year. Films will still be shown on occasion, but the venue will primarily be used for live performances.
The full story is in the online Post-Intelligencer.
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YouTube Video of New Orleans Cinemas
Using data found mostly here on CinemaTreasures.org, I’ve created a stop-motion video detailing the rise and fall of cinemas in New Orleans. Thanks a ton to everyone that has cared enough to provide the information that served as the basis for this video!
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December 2, 2010
Ridgewood Theater in Brooklyn to Become Supermarket
RIDGEWOOD, NY — According to theNew York Daily News, the Ridgewood Theatre in Brooklyn which closed in 2008 is slated to become an Associated supermarket.
The movie house earned city landmark status this year, protecting its ornate facade from alterations or demolition. Insiders insist its stage and grand staircase are beyond repair.
Still, the sale raises questions about the site’s future.
Associated can’t change the exterior without city approval, but it can wreck the largely intact lobby and other interior attributes of the two-story venue.
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Sherman Theater book
STROUDSBURG, PA — “A History of the Movie Theaters in Monroe County, PA” by Roy E. Pipher, published on July 9, 2010, details the history of the Sherman Theatre as well as other Monroe County, PA theaters—the Grand, Plaza, Stroud, Casino, and others; four drive-ins; early nickelodeons; resort (Buck Hill, Skytop, etc.) and camp theaters.
The book also details the coming of Sunday movies to the County, the coming of sound films, 3-D films, Cinemascope, and more. The books is available for $25 by mail, which covers the cost of the book ($20), packaging, and media mail postage. Book has 296 pages, 8.5 x 11, fully illustrated. Trade paperback. To order book, and specify Book Order in Subject line.
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Another AMC theater closes: the Cinema 4 in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, IL — Another small multiplex acquired from Kerasotes is being closed down by AMC. The last day for the Cinema 4 was November 28. The theater had been operating since 1971.
With the Harrisburg theater closed, moviegoers will now have to drive about a half an hour to catch the latest release on the big screen. Many people were buying tickets Wednesday night, but employees told News 3 the week nights are typically pretty slow. Still— AMC told employees there was a long-term plan.
“In June they said that in five years if our profits have gone up we were going to get a brand new theater,” said Smith, “And if not, they were going to shut us down. And it kind of came as a shock, here it is six months later.”
The story was reported by WSIL.
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December 1, 2010
Former Center Theater in Fremont to become Afghan cultural center
FREMONT, CA — The former Center Theater, also known as the Park, will soon become a center for Afghan culture and a broadcast studio targeting the Afghan community. The theater, opened in 1946, has been periodically closed over the last decade, and was also used to show Spanish and then Bollywood films. A preservationist group is disappointed at the new use, as they had hoped for something more “inclusive,” but the new operator says the programming will not be political.
While the television station will broadcast to viewers with special satellite hookups across North America, the theater also hopes to forge bonds with Afghan students in Fremont.
“We have a lot of talented people, but we don’t have anyone to guide them,” said Qader Eshpari, a 37-year-old Fremont singer, who will be in charge of sound and video production at the theater.
There is more at InsideBayArea.com
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Blue Oaks Cinema 16 opens in Rocklin
ROCKLIN, CA — A sixteen-screen, all-digital cinema has opened here on November 19. The new theater, which is locally-owned, features an immersive Ultra Digital Cinema (UDC) screen, sophisticated Klipsch surround sound in all screening rooms, and remote control of projection and HVAC systems.
The owner, Dan Tocchini, stated that the theater is the first in the world to feature elevated digital projectors that do not require any projection booth. The technology allows them to maximize usable space and give the audience a better experience. Continuing with the advanced features in the theater, Tocchini stated that every aspect of each theater is controlled by an iPhone looking device: lights, projections, air conditioning and sound can be adjusted instantaneously — allowing for each movie to get a personalized touch.
The story, with pictures, appeared in the Sacramento Press.