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The latest movie theater news and updates
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August 4, 2010
Filmmaker Michael Moore wants to restore Michigan theaters
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore hopes to use the profits from his film “Capitalism: A Love Story” as part of an effort to reopen and restore classic movie theaters. The intent would be to provide seed money, tap into other sources, and provide technical support to cities that have a closed theater as well as providing similar support to towns without a theater.
Moore said theaters that receive project grants would have to become nonprofit theaters. Owners and operators would come here to learn about the State’s volunteer-based model.
He’s spoken to officials in Flint and his hometown of Davison about the project, and was in Manistee on Saturday to scout a long-shuttered downtown movie theater.
The idea excites those who live in towns with theater infrastructure but without the resources to make them vibrant.
The full story is in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
20 comments -
Wanted: Drive-in theater equipment
Hello, I’m in need of very unusual drive-in speakers. Ones that no one has seen before…the truly bizarre!!! Odd shapes, “stereo”“ones with multiple cones per unit, Polemounts! I’m paying over $200 for each speaker I can add to my collection. Contact me even if it’s just to share pictures.
I have hundreds of photos of many nice, unique speakers. Also, I can send you a list of everything made in speakers to help you organize your collection. I also collect weird junction boxes and heaters and catalogs/brochures for drive-in equipment. Finders fees paid…Any help appreciated. Mathew…(408) 923-0919
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August 3, 2010
Ridglea Theater in danger
FORT WORTH, TX — The beautiful Ridglea Theater is in peril now. The local news has broadcast that the current owners want to demolish it to make way for retail sales. The locals are trying to figure out how to save it. It was reported that the group “Historic Ft Worth” are now giving tours of the theater for this purpose. These folks really need help to save this treasure!!
The Ridglea Theatre is still more-or-less where we left it last time – the threat of demolition hanging over it, with Bank of America looking at demolishing almost the entire structure to build a drive-through bank branch. Councilman Zimmerman still refuses to try to get the building designated historic (and when even Chuck Silcox said it should be designated and the current councilman won’t, that’s not a good sign), and preservation groups including Historic Fort Worth are still arguing for the complex’s significance.
Read more in the Pegasus News.
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Two theaters coming to Pooler area
POOLER, GA — The Georgia Theatre Company has begun construction on the Pooler Stadium 12 at the Pooler Marketplace development. The theater plans an opening by Thanksgiving. At nearby Godley Station, the ten-screen Royal Cinema at the Towne Center is also anticipating a late November opening.
“We plan to open by Thanksgiving. Later expansion to 14 screens is in the design. We have purchased in excess of 9 acres adjacent to the new Publix in Pooler Marketplace,” said Aubrey Stone, president of Georgia Theater Co.
“Due to an increase in market demand, we have decided to open with a 12-screen theatre instead of the originally announced 10-screen complex,” Stone said. “We believe the Pooler area deserves to have what will be the largest movie theater in all of Coastal Georgia. We will have all of the latest Dolby stereo audio and Christie visual equipment with all digital projectors including multiple 3D auditoriums.”
The full story is at SavannahNow.com.
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Looking for theater to buy
Hello,
I am new to the site and hope to get info on theaters for sale in the US. I was raised in California and have seen these theaters one by one be distroyed or turned into all type of other things. Now I am in a position in my life to buy some of these theaters and see if I can bring some of them back to their glory days.
If any of you know of a theater for sale ,please email me as much info as you can. Over the next 12 months, I plan to start the process of buying and bringing them back to life. If you can help me out that would be great. I want to save this part of history. I am mostly looking for single screen with seating from 600 and above.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for offering such a great site.
Thanks again,
Ron -
August 2, 2010
Marshall Cinema closing
MARSHALL, MO — The Marshall Cinema 3 will soon be closed by its current owner, B&B Theatres. According to this article about the imminent closing, the theater building is over a century old.
“They are moving toward larger communities and larger theaters,” he said.
Nationally theaters have been undergoing the slow, expensive process of upgrading from traditional projectors to digital projectors.
The upgrade to digital costs about $70,000 and the 3-D add-on can run another $30,000. Vermillion said there is an industry consortium that helps small theaters make the transition.
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Searching for investors for new theater company
I am trying to start my own movie theatre company, by acquiring locations that are mismanaged or neglected and renovating them with the latest technology and amenities to increase their profits. The company will be based in California and I am already in negotiations for 1 location there with several other prospects in California and Florida.
I have come up to a road block with my funding, and I am looking for investors. If interested, please and I will respond to you as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your time
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Beautiful cinema converted into a bookstore
Like movie theaters, more and more independent bookstores are closing as they struggle to find their place in the modern world. However, these two entities have combined forces to create some pretty interesting theaters turned bookstores over the years. This piece in the Huffington Post describes some of the most unique bookstores still standing including the one in the space of the former Cine Teatro Grand Splendid.
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July 30, 2010
Save the Palm Beach Paramount
PALM BEACH, FL — This grand old theatre is fighting for its life. Due to safety regulations, the town is planning on demolishing it. But there is a group trying to safe it by having it declared a Palm Beach Landmark. Here is what they are planning:
PRESERVE THE HISTORIC PARAMOUNT
PUBLIC MEETING
Monday, August 2, 5:00 pm
Paramount Church Fellowship Hall
139 North County Road, Palm Beach -
Hartlepool Council to decide on future of Odeon Cinema
HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND — Hartlepool Borough Council officials will meet on Friday 30th July, to discuss the future of the towns run-down former Odeon Cinema. The last film was shown in October 1981, since then the building has only been partially re-used as the Joe Pools American bar and Caesars Palace Nightclub, between 1994 & 1999.
The building has been left to gradually deterioate, to the extent where the council has been forced to close off parts of the footpaths round the building due to falling masonry from the windows. The owners have failed to come up with any re-use plans and despite continued warnings, have also failed to maintain the building, which has become rife with pigeons, using open windows as access. Water ingress has also created problems, with damp patches appearing on the auditorium external walls.
The recommended option is to enter into partnership with a private developer, other public sector bodies or a community, voluntary or charitable group.
That would involve a legal agreement being drawn up and ownership transferred to the development partner if a sale could be agreed. The cost of recruiting a partner would come from within existing council budgets for derelict land and buildings.
Read the full story in the Hartlepool Mail.