MC: I know you do not trust the source, but the GCC information did come from Mike Rivest’s entry for the theater; he also lists a separate, GCC-operated Alexandria Mall I & II. My first thought was that the two entries might actually refer to the same theater (which is why I used the word probably) but other articles older than the one referred to with the picture, always referred to this theater as a six-plex. SDN’s comment above now supports the notion that the two theaters were separate entities.
Let us hope that the plan that would include the current State building as part of a new multiplex is the one that succeeds in getting approved. A similar plan helped bring the Alameda Theater in Oakland back to cinema use.
It is sad to report, but according to a brief mention in this article, this theater is closing as of September 6, 2010 after seventy-three years: View link
Amen to that – and I certainly agree that this has been the summer of crud as far as most of the releases are concerned. I sympathize with all small town theater owners, who, faced with all sorts of other exhibition pressures, have to contend with such a dearth of quality product from Hollywood.
Or, if that is not possible, could you perhaps narrow down the stretch of Broadway and/or the likely side street or perhaps some other landmark or building that you recall was nearby?
I sometimes find that to be true too, Simon, and more than a tad annoying; on the other hand, so many photo links on these comment pages are dead, so perhaps some redundancy helps assure that one will survive.
Grass roots efforts are being reported by the local media as already being launched by fans of the theater to help the owner rebuild, including T-shirt sales. A Facebook group has reportedly has attracted hundreds of supporters, and the owner, according to the drive-in’s website, is establishing a PayPal account for donations. I hope the efforts succeed.
I am sorry, JDC, for the inadvertent error about the date of the reopening, and be assured that I hope that someone does step forward to buy this classic theater and keep in running.
That said, it does not change the fact that the theater is closed (for whatever reason) – not “open for business” as the headline states, and that an item you posted here less than a month ago portrayed the theater’s situation in, I would suggest, a somewhat different light than one the current item places it in.
It is fascinating, not only for the theaters listed, which, if not demolished, have been converted to other uses or have had name changes over the past four decades, but also ditto for the list of hotels and stores. (And, of, course Esso/Humble Oil is a name that has not been seen in the U.S. for many years as well).
No doubt; how many theaters are there in central Illinois that were built in 1922 and have a second screen in a separate building? Also, the poster of this item posted this other item about three weeks ago: http://cinematreasures.org/news/24436_0_1_0_C/
Also, this theater is not currently “open for business;” according to its website, it is closed until September 26.
A follow-up story; apparently the dispute between the Angelika and the owners of the building that housed it had been simmering for some time: View link This article and others report that the Angelika is looking for a new venue in Houston.
MC: I know you do not trust the source, but the GCC information did come from Mike Rivest’s entry for the theater; he also lists a separate, GCC-operated Alexandria Mall I & II. My first thought was that the two entries might actually refer to the same theater (which is why I used the word probably) but other articles older than the one referred to with the picture, always referred to this theater as a six-plex. SDN’s comment above now supports the notion that the two theaters were separate entities.
Let us hope that the plan that would include the current State building as part of a new multiplex is the one that succeeds in getting approved. A similar plan helped bring the Alameda Theater in Oakland back to cinema use.
A picture of this drive-in’s decaying marquee: View link
It is sad to report, but according to a brief mention in this article, this theater is closing as of September 6, 2010 after seventy-three years: View link
A picture of the Coliseum taken in what looks like light snow (rare for the Big Easy); it was also obviously taken much later than 1915: View link
A 1955 photo of the theater: View link
A picture of the Alexandria 6 taken before its closing in 2007, accompanied by an article about the closing: View link
Amen to that – and I certainly agree that this has been the summer of crud as far as most of the releases are concerned. I sympathize with all small town theater owners, who, faced with all sorts of other exhibition pressures, have to contend with such a dearth of quality product from Hollywood.
The time the fire started is stated in the article roadsideok posted.
Or, if that is not possible, could you perhaps narrow down the stretch of Broadway and/or the likely side street or perhaps some other landmark or building that you recall was nearby?
I sometimes find that to be true too, Simon, and more than a tad annoying; on the other hand, so many photo links on these comment pages are dead, so perhaps some redundancy helps assure that one will survive.
Grass roots efforts are being reported by the local media as already being launched by fans of the theater to help the owner rebuild, including T-shirt sales. A Facebook group has reportedly has attracted hundreds of supporters, and the owner, according to the drive-in’s website, is establishing a PayPal account for donations. I hope the efforts succeed.
I am sorry, JDC, for the inadvertent error about the date of the reopening, and be assured that I hope that someone does step forward to buy this classic theater and keep in running.
That said, it does not change the fact that the theater is closed (for whatever reason) – not “open for business” as the headline states, and that an item you posted here less than a month ago portrayed the theater’s situation in, I would suggest, a somewhat different light than one the current item places it in.
1168? I did not know there were movie theaters in the Middle Ages.
Ken Roe recently added the Eureka: /theaters/33645/
It is fascinating, not only for the theaters listed, which, if not demolished, have been converted to other uses or have had name changes over the past four decades, but also ditto for the list of hotels and stores. (And, of, course Esso/Humble Oil is a name that has not been seen in the U.S. for many years as well).
There is also quite a lot of history about the Earl Carroll in another Wikipedia entry here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Carroll_Theatre
A news item about the leasing of the Texas to Aviation Cinemas and the plans for it; it is scheduled to reopen at the end of October, 2010: View link
That information can be found on the theater’s website.
No doubt; how many theaters are there in central Illinois that were built in 1922 and have a second screen in a separate building? Also, the poster of this item posted this other item about three weeks ago: http://cinematreasures.org/news/24436_0_1_0_C/
Also, this theater is not currently “open for business;” according to its website, it is closed until September 26.
Another picture is on this page; scroll down: View link
An article about the renovations being made to the former Mars Theater: View link
A follow-up story; apparently the dispute between the Angelika and the owners of the building that housed it had been simmering for some time: View link This article and others report that the Angelika is looking for a new venue in Houston.
This page from the Cinetopia Theatres website describes the “Living Room Theaters” and has a picture of one of them: View link
An additional story about the theater: View link