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The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 13, 2010
Plaza Theatre Closes; Future Unknown
CARPINTERIA, CA – The Plaza Theatre, opened in the 1940s as the Del Mar Theatre, closed on Thursday, September 9, after nearly five years of operation by the Metropolitan Theater Corporation. The theater was, according to president David Corwin, who is quoted in the Santa Barbara Independent, “not viable as a stand-alone operation.” The list of operating single screen theaters in California continues to dwindle …
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Ritz Theater may become a dinner theater and events showplace
ESCONDIDO, CA — Closed for a decade, the Ritz Theater may have another life as a cabaret dinner theater and special events venue if a proposal in front of the City Council is adopted and parking concerns resolved. The theater opened in 1938 and has had several names over the years.
The Boroughs also had planned to remodel and re-open the cinema when they bought it in 2003, but those plans never materialized.
Maguire said Monday that the key to reviving the cinema, which opened in 1937, is coming up with a more ambitious approach to operating it.
“The place has been unprofitable for so long that you don’t really know what will work,” Maguire said. “So our plan is to blend the old with the new.”
There is more detail in the North County Times.
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September 10, 2010
Admiral Twin Drive-In Screens May Be Rebuilt
TULSA, OK – The owners of the Admiral Twin Drive-In, whose twin screens were recently destroyed by fire, are examining the possibility of rebuilding and reopening the five decades-old theater. The drive-in plans a number of fundraising events and, according to Tulsa World, donations can be submitted through the Select Cinemas site or by sending payment to “Admiral Twin Drive-In” at Security Bank, P.O. BOX 471316, Tulsa, OK 74147. “Any inquiries regarding fundraising ideas and opportunities can be sent to .”
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Historic Texas Theatre goes high tech!
DALLAS, TX — The Oak Cliff Foundation has officially handed the keys to the historic Texas Theatre over to Aviation Cinemas, Inc., a newly formed movie theatre company with the expressed goal of renovating the theatre by installing a 35mm changeover system, tweaking the existing digital projection system to meet I-Cinema compliance, and installing a new adjustable 40 foot screen. This will allow the theatre to screen movies of various exhibition formats, utilizing state of the art equipment. The large screen will be moveable to allow for other kinds of entertainment including plays and concerts. The old school style film changeover system will allow the Texas to screen repertory film prints that would not normally be allowed to be spliced together on a platter. Additional exhibition for small format films and filmmaking will be supported by the addition of 16mm and Super 8mm projection. Plans also include constructing a concession stand and a separate full-service bar in the main lobby and soundproofing the area between the theatre and the bar.
“Phase one is to get the theatre in good working condition in order to exhibit films in traditional and digital formats,” said Barak Epstein, President and CEO of Aviation Cinemas. “Long term goals to restore the theatre to its original condition still exist; but in order to realize those goals we’ve got to be on par with competing theaters. Attracting audiences is the only way this theatre will survive.”
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Brooklyn Theatre Index
The Brooklyn Theatre Index
Volume I
Adams Street to Lorimer StreetFrom 19th Century playhouses to the opulence of the 1920s movie palace and the multiplexes of today, The Brooklyn Theatre Index acts as a resource guide to the borough’s performance spaces.
After three years of research the first volume of the Index has finally been published. It begins with Gothic Hall on Adams Street and ends with a “moving picture show” at Lorimer and Meserole Streets. Over 500 pages of information detailing Brooklyn’s theatrical past.Theatre Talks LLC
More info here.
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ISIS Theatre, Chicago: was it ever built?
(Southtown Economist, October 6, 1926)
NEW ISIS THEATER PLANNED FOR HEART OF LARGE TERRITORY
Ada and 69th Sts. Site Brought $48,000 from Movie Palace Building CorporationThere is probably no district in Chicago so thlckly populated as the immediate neighborhood of 69th and Ada sts. that lacks amusement facilities as does the community in whioh the Isis Theater and building Corporation will erect its $750,000, 1,800 seat theater and office building.
When completed, the new theater, on the southeast corner of 69th and Ada sts. will be operated by the Isis interests or turned over to one of the large theater corporations now operating in Chicago, according to W. J. McDonnell, who represented both parties in the transfer of the property. The site was purchased for a reported price of $8,000.
Z. Erol Smith has been secured as the architect to draw plans for the theater and the 15 apartments, seven stores and four offices which will occupy the building.
The theater, both as to exterlor and interior finish, has been designed in the Egyptian style, following closely the original model of the temple to the Goddess Isis on the island of Philae, above the first cataract of the Nile. The temple was first built by Nekhinehf, the last of the native Egyptian kings, about the year 350 B. C. The Roman emperor Justinian I closed its altars in the sixth century A. D.
(Artist’s rendering included in article.) -
September 9, 2010
Garden Theatre announces new season
WINTER GARDEN, FL — The Garden Theatre will kick off its 2010-11 live theatrical season October 15 through November 7 with “Noises Off”, produced by the Jester Theater Company. Other productions include “A Christmas Carol”, “Shhhh!”, and “Greater Tuna”. The season will conclude in April-May with the theatre’s second home produced show, “The Sound of Music”.
The Garden, truly a success story in small town theatre restoration and operation, is now governed by its own board, independent of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. The Foundation restored the theatre and then administered the house since its opening in 2008. Tremendous support is also given by the City of Winter Garden, and the theatre’s patrons. The Garden is also frequently booked for private events.
Ticket information can be had by calling 407-877-4736, ext. 0. The Garden is located at 160 W. Plant Street in the historic downtown.
(Thanks to Irv Lipscomb for providing the photo taken during rehearsals of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” last April)
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Antique theater seats for sale
We have 183 antique theater seats for sale in Southern Illinois. They were installed in our church in the early 60’s and are believed to be from the Art Deco age (1920-1930). I do not know a lot of history but have been told they came out of a local movie theater in West Salem, Illinois. We have 21 rows of 5 seats and 13 rows of 6 seats. They are in very good shape. The padded seats were recovered in the early 80’s. They are cast iron frames with wood backs and wood arm rest.
If anyone is interested please . I can provide pictures of the seats.
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Please vote to help the historic Crandell Theatre win $25K. We need a new roof!
CHATHAM, NY — Please help the Crandell Theatre, an independent nonprofit movie theatre, win $25,000 in a community challenge. The Crandell opened in 1926 and is the largest and oldest movie theatre in Columbia County, NY.
Just click on this link and vote for the Crandell in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matters” contest. It doesn’t cost anything and you can opt out of receiving any further emails from them. Please do this now. You must vote before September 15th.
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September 8, 2010
Houston’s Angelika Film Center abruptly shuttered
HOUSTON, TX — The Angelika Film Center here closed on August 29, its lease apparently terminated. It had operated for thirteen years. Recently it had had air-conditioning failures.
Brown paper was placed over the full-length doors, blocking the view into the lobby and a white sign reading “We regret to inform you that The Angelika Film Center has closed today. After 13 years of continued service to the Houston community, the Angelika’s lease has been terminated by the Angelika’s landlord, Bayou Place Limited Partnership, an affiliate of the Cordish Company” hangs in the box office window.
Movie goers showing up to catch the first scheduled films of this Sunday were met by a woman in the box office who reimbursed the parking costs of those who parked in the garage with cash and turned them away. “They may relocate, but probably not,” the Angelika worker told CultureMap’s Nic Phillips.
There is more at CultureMap.com.