Comments from Simon Overton

Showing 226 - 250 of 586 comments

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Racine man's basement is home to a Mighty Wurlitzer and movie palace recreation on Apr 29, 2010 at 1:42 am

This is absolutely amaaaaaaaaaaaazing! I’m stunned!!!

God bless Fred and all of his wonderful work… may he play on forever even when he reaches the big theater in the sky.

I’ve sent the Fox video link to myself and will forward it on to all of my “theater & organ nuts”.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Grand Lake Theatre on Apr 20, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Thank you, Chuck, for an absolutely FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPH. It’s the best I’ve seen since joining CT a long time ago!

How about the recently restored awesome Oakland Fox in/outside please?

Other photographers PLEASE take regarding the above note and let’s get some totally different angles as well as some interior shots, too!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Bay Theatre on Apr 18, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Auditorium shots… Auditorium shots!!!

Too many facade shots from the same position.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Film Society needs info about taking over local movie theater on Apr 13, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Film booker Anita Monga operates in the Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco area. If she can’t find it, no one can!
Sorry, no phone number available. Try a Google search. Good Luck.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Documentary on classic Hollywood cinemas on Apr 13, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Try JOSEPH MUSIL (historian personified) he runs the fabulous American Museum of Theatrical Design in Santa Ana 714-667-6959.
He was the man behind the restoration of some southern California historical cinemas and theaters including Disney’s El Capitan, Majestic Crest, to name but a few.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about All About the Regency Village, Regency Bruin & Majestic Crest Theatres on Apr 13, 2010 at 2:42 pm

More about the Majestic Crest' (previous restoration) can be seen in a one-wall display at the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL DESIGN.
207 North Broadway, in the beautiful Santora Arts Building, 2nd floor, in historic downtown Santa Ana, Ca. 97201.

CALL FIRST for hours; 714-667-6959 and receive a personally guided tour of many model theaters built to scale surrounding Mr. Musil’s magnificent STRAND THEATRE.

A donation is recommended (the AMTD is a non-profit)and ask him about his fabulous “Symphonic Cavalcade of Music, Lights and Curtains” display -it’s like nothing else you have seen before!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about All About the Regency Village, Regency Bruin & Majestic Crest Theatres on Apr 13, 2010 at 2:42 pm

More about the Majestic Crest' (previous restoration) can be seen in a one-wall display at the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL DESIGN.
207 North Broadway, in the beautiful Santora Arts Building, 2nd floor, in historic downtown Santa Ana, Ca. 97201.

CALL FIRST for hours; 714-667-6959 and receive a personally guided tour of many model theaters built to scale surrounding Mr. Musil’s magnificent STRAND THEATRE.

A donation is recommended (the AMTD is a non-profit)and ask him about his fabulous “Symphonic Cavalcade of Music, Lights and Curtains” display -it’s like nothing else you have seen before!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Earthquake in SoCal shakes up moviegoers during showings of "Titans" on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:48 pm

When San Francisco had it’s “Loma-Pretta” earthguake at 5pm one day in 1989(?) the venerable Castro Theatre suffered minor damage, here and there.

Still visible today is the circular tent like ceiling which is out of alignment from the suspended ceiling.

By looking high above the center of the proscenium arch everything is approximately 7" off to house left or stage.

I was told by doorman Jim Lewallen that the awesome chandelier swung for more than an hour.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Joy Cinema & Pub on Apr 8, 2010 at 1:49 am

What’s happening at the Joy?

While shopping nearby a few weeks back I saw a freshly painted exterior but a blank marquee and no lights on.

Someone told me the Joy may have changed ownership before or after being remodeled late last year and they had acquired the vacant store next door converting into a snack shop plus bar.

Further more, the new format has changed to “Bollywood” flicks. I’m not to sure that the region would fully support this.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Final Season for 'At the Movies' on Apr 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm

NOT EVERYONE HAS A COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE TO CHECK EVERYTHING BUT STILL LIKE TO REVIEW A MOVIE SYNOPSIS ON TELEVISION!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Regency acquires Bruin, Westwood Village cinemas on Apr 4, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Hey Mann’s… Why don’t you get get completely out of the movie business and open up a chain of nail parlors? We really need one next to every Starbucks on each block!

And more power to Regency. I applaud your excellence in this cinematic business and will always support the single screen houses. And don’t forget the curtains -PLEASE!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Pantages Theater on Mar 23, 2010 at 12:45 pm

On last nights Fox TV News, they devoted several very interesting minutes to show viewers the in’s and out’s of this lovely old palace.

As Tacoma is within a reasonable drive from the Portland, OR., area, my wife and I plan to see a show this coming weekend. Yup!!!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Community leaders scramble to keep San Pedro's Warner Grand open on Mar 23, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Thank you for the good-to-know updated information.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Regency Village Theatre on Mar 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm

The pre-WW2 Alameda Theatre in Alameda, Ca., was finally saved after operating as a gym and is now the main entrance to a plex of cinemas smaller auditoriums.
If this simple plan were to be implemented with more historic theaters going dark then that would save many more of our nations treasures.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Cinema on Mar 20, 2010 at 1:14 am

Back in the late 1990’s, I attended a meeting about trying to save and (hopefully) restore the New Mission along with a lot of hype about City College possibly taking over the premises for their theatrical programs.

Can someone of authority please fill in the blanks about the future of this venerable theater?

As to the above article from GERMAINE ROGERS on Mar 20, 2007 about his impressive collection of Box Office Reports, etc., saved from the New Mission, Castro, Royal, Alhambra, these theaters (and others) were under the direction of Blumenfeld Enterprises.

As a former Castro doorman I suggest he contact Don Nasser who heads the Castro’s Board of Directors and ask him if he would like part of them for their historical records or to display them in the lobby with “The Castro Past”.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Inglorious Basterds cinema identified on Mar 20, 2010 at 12:40 am

“Inglorious Basterds” was really well worth seeing three times… and when released, I’ll be first in line to buy the video -because of the beautiful cinema created for the picture.

Well done EVERYONE connected to making this 4-Star film!!!!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about New Programming Format at Joy Cinema on Mar 20, 2010 at 12:31 am

As of yesterday the marquee was stripped of lettering and no lights on in the lobby. Hmmmm, what’s up doc"?

I failed to previously note in mt first submission that the Joy had earlier taken over the premises next door to the left. A wall archway was constructed from the cinema lobby and converting the space into a small cafe but pleasant.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Community leaders scramble to keep San Pedro's Warner Grand open on Mar 19, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Several years ago, I volunteered to work backstage at a concert and was very concerned about the unsafe status of the fly tower rigging.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Great Star Theater in San Francisco's Chinatown to reopen on Mar 19, 2010 at 11:11 pm

I wish this new venture tons of luck they’ll need to stay open. Too many SF cinemas and theaters have died due to the never ending parking insanity all across that fabulous city.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Virginia Theatre marquee update on Mar 19, 2010 at 11:00 pm

My ability to view this page was deemed as “Ooops, you don’t have permission to log in, etc.

Why offer this and disallow in the same breath?

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about New Programming Format at Joy Cinema on Mar 14, 2010 at 12:35 am

Hi Bob,
It is always encouraging to see an older cinema saved as well as remodeled and playing some older recent first run pictures, but you hit posed the right question regarding the Indian population. I wish them well but personally I feel they will fail in due course.

If so, I hope your purchase idea goes through. I’d love to work a single screener again!!! The motto in my cinema is “I put the SHOW back into Show Business”.

What we really need is a small cinema, like the Joy, who screen films from a couple of decades, or more, from the past -I would be first in line for this type of programming.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about "The African Queen" finally comes to DVD! on Mar 11, 2010 at 1:50 am

It’s all a bit confusing when you realize the many control implications of this ‘distribution" subject. Thanks again!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about Europe cinemas refuse to screen Alice in Wonderland due to Disney DVD release plans on Mar 7, 2010 at 4:05 pm

my (unofficial) comments about the big opening weekend of Alice in Wonderland, 2 big screens, is “lousy attendance” where I work!

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about "The African Queen" finally comes to DVD! on Mar 7, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Many thanks “CW."
Yes, I’m sure many movies were shot in England but got a US label.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton commented about "The African Queen" finally comes to DVD! on Mar 3, 2010 at 10:06 pm

I thought this news release was about THE AFRICAN QUEEN ?…

Anyhow, can someone enlighten me as to why it was shot in England ?