This is topic Hoyts out of US? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 01-03-2003, 07:04 AM:
 
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Hoyts plans to sell part of its US circuit to Regal Entertainment Group. Oz-based Hoyts would close the theaters that Regal doesn't want.

At least this would improve things for moviegoers in New England and upstate New York. Regal also gets more theaters in Pennsylvania and the Washington DC area.
 

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Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 01-03-2003, 07:19 PM:
 
What sort of presentation standards have Hoyts in the States?
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-03-2003, 08:40 PM:
 
Low. Just like most of the major chains.
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 01-03-2003, 08:53 PM:
 
Scott,

You are too kind. Hoyts has the worst presentation of any theatre I have ever been to. Now to be fair, I have only seen two films in a Hoyt's theatre. One was Desperado at a Hoyt's in Hyannis Port, MA and one was a Hoyt's in Dennis Port, MA. On both occations I went to find an usher and it had no effect so I would go and beg for a Manager. In both cases the Manager was "out."
 

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Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 01-05-2003, 11:19 AM:
 
My best option here would be to be to not post at all.

However as per normal I cant help myself.

My comment will have to to be 'No Comment'

Bill.
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-06-2003, 08:31 AM:
 
As with any circuit, presentation quality is often more dependent on the expertise and dedication of the local management and staff. You can have a few great theatres in a poorly run circuit, or a few bad theatres in a well-run circuit.
 

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Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 01-09-2003, 03:25 AM:
 
I have my own reasons for not wanting to say nice things about Hoyts ... and I will keep them to myself.
In general, when dealing with big companies - you shouldn't be surprised when you get treated like a number instead of a person.

Business-wise, my theater decimates the nearest Hoyts!

...of course, we also put on a much better presentation!
 

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Posted by Paul Cassidy (Member # 951) on 01-09-2003, 04:51 PM:
 
Strange is that here in NZ I ragarded their Cinemas the Best of the Major circuits as they employed people with cinema experience , they tended to be the older workers who knew how to look after customers and real projectionist in the box,I used to buy my Carbons from them as they had a large stock and they were always helpful, when ever I took my family to a movie at the Mid City Complex (as theatre people some times don't have time to watch in there own cinema)I would get a Free family Pass , so my experience with the staff has been a good and lasting one , as the Mid City is no more some of the staff now run the Mighty Civic and work in the Sky City Casino ,so I think it is the people who make a difference to a Company and not the name of the place and the sooner these HR & management people realise this maybe stanards could once again be raised in All areas of the Industry
 

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Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 01-22-2003, 02:39 PM:
 
Paul,

Good point, H**ts do employ people with knowledge and experience. (In bio/mgr)

Hence the fact they have not fired me, because of some of the dumb things I've said on this forum. (Yup they DO read it, thats why I got in trouble - Because I said some mis-informed stuff)

I have also noticed lately that a lot of people post with a disclaimer like 'This is my opinion, NOT that of the company I work for'

Though my effort was a direct 'They screwed this UP' which they DID not. So I'm happy they went easy, but gezz, I didn't broadcast it on CNN. Or is Film-tech the CNN of the cinema industry?

Bill.

[ 01-23-2003, 08:05 AM: Message edited by: Bill Langfield ]
 

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Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 01-22-2003, 03:24 PM:
 
Well ... maybe Hoyts is better when it's outside of the US ...

But as I said above, I've got my reasons to spout negativity about that company, so I'll be quiet.

Don't want to stir up any trouble or something stupid like that.
 

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 01-22-2003, 03:47 PM:
 
Calling Film-Tech the CNN of the exhibition industry is a very good analogy. I've learned over the years to be very carefull what I say here. EVERYONE reads this site. Even if the person or entity you are talking about doesn't read what you say, chances are someone who knows them will read it and pass it along to them.

Bottum line, don't say anything here that you wouldn't say to the persons face or the companies CEO.
 

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Posted by Andrew Duggan (Member # 1302) on 01-22-2003, 10:08 PM:
 
This Regal sale has been a murmured rumor for quite a while now. I first heard it almost a year ago, right about the time I was leaving my job at our local Hoyts super-gigantoplex. It should be interesting to see how things change there in the upcoming months. Anybody know how Regal is regarding presentation and other booth related things?

I've worked for Hoyts in 2 different places, and visited several others recently. Quality differs greatly from place to place, regardless of the company & it's policies. Although I can't say I've ever witnessed a problem as irresponible as all managers being "out" or "unavailable" before (thankfully) When I worked at our local 12plex for a year, I can say (with extreme personal bias, of course ) that the quality was A+

This also has me thinking though. In Albany we have 2 Hoyts Theaters in the same mall. The 18plex, which shows first runs, and the afrementioned 12plex that shows 2nd runs from the 18plex, and the occasional first run and indie film. They both do pretty decent business and on paper they consider the whole thing to be a 30plex, but I really hope they don't decide to shut the doors at the 12plex. That would break my heart, since that's where I *REALLY* learned the most about this profession, and a place that I poured a lot of energy into.
Hey Regal/Hoyts lurkers: Keep the Crossgates 12plex open!!
 

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Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 01-23-2003, 08:32 AM:
 
Gracia,

Right or wrong, it's a pitty we feel afraid to post our REAL thoughts here. Clearly I'm not the only one to get in trouble for it.

Like Dustin says

quote:

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I've learned over the years to be very carefull what I say here. EVERYONE reads this site. Even if the person or entity you are talking about doesn't read what you say, chances are someone who knows them will read it and pass it along to them.

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Thats what bit me several times. And it's not fair. What do we do? Create a 'Dead Poets Society' ?

Hell, even Joe Redifer has included disclaimers in some of his posts, but going by his humour, which I love, I'm not sure if that is to make us who worry look like, erm scared cats, fools and that we should just say it how we see it, Right OR Wrong

Bill.
 

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Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 01-23-2003, 12:36 PM:
 
I saw Minority Report at the Hoyts 12 in Branford, CT. I think the presentation was pretty good -- no major flaws. But this was one of the newer buildings I think.

Now on the other hand an old manager of mine moved back to Mass. and ran the Acton 4 - an old hole in the wall and they had AWFUL presentation... but they had awful site lines, awful screens and awful equipment. But then again -- even outside the booth it was an awful theatre.

I'm sure just like many large chains it's just a matter of where the money goes. I'm sure Hoyt's has some GREAT locations that get all the attention... but then there's always a lot of them red-headed step children runnin around too.
 

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Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 02-04-2003, 01:19 PM:
 
Regal buys Hoyts Locations

It's official.
 

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Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 02-04-2003, 01:54 PM:
 
Actually, I haven't caught any grief from my employers over anything I've posted here.

Then again, I tend to stick to posting things that I know to be true. And damnit, if telling the truth is going to cause me to catch hell from someone, there's something wrong with the bigger picture!
 

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Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 02-04-2003, 04:46 PM:
 
Congratulations to Regal. From bankruptcy to monopoly. Only in America!
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-04-2003, 08:49 PM:
 
What will happen to the Hoyts locations which Regal will not be purchasing? Will they remain part of Hoyts, close, or be sold to someone else?
 

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Posted by Andrew Duggan (Member # 1302) on 02-05-2003, 12:09 AM:
 
It was my understanding that Hoyts isn't interested in keeping any (or maybe it was *most of*) their Northeastern theaters, so whichever ones Regal dosen't want will probably close. So there might be some interesting opportunities for smaller chains and independent operators to come out of this as well.
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-07-2003, 06:46 AM:
 
More in today's Screen Daily:

Regal moves in on Hoyts America cinemas
07 February 2003 04:05
No-one in Australia is publicly commenting on Regal Entertainment Group's widely publicised to buy 554 Hoyts America screens.

But then Australia's richest man, Kerry Packer, whose family company Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH) is apparently getting $200m split evenly between cash and stock from the sale, is not known for encouraging a culture of openness. And neither is the deal signed...(go to link for complete article)


http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=11119
 

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Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 02-10-2003, 01:07 PM:
 
The following is just my opinion and NOT of any company I work for.

Iv'e worked for a certain company for about 6 years.

About 5 years ago Hoyts WERE going places and changing things for the better. Then a RICH person bought a controlling interest,(about 4 years ago) and everything changed.

It was a company going to higher places. It makes me sad to always read the news of Hoyts failing / selling out.

And I don't even understand why. They make sure everything is run perfectly, mystery customer checks (thats a love hate thing), projectionists that have experience, candy/box staff that know their job, screens cleaned / sound checked (Fully - not just relying on head projectionists doing it) through the whole circuit every six months.

Even though I have complained in the past about not being able to get parts or things fixed, in the end end at always gets done, IN THE END! Oh I hope that is not near.

Bill.
 

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Posted by Tom Doyle (Member # 1474) on 02-12-2003, 08:34 PM:
 
More news today in the Hartford (CT) Courant:

Hoyts Selling State Theaters
February 12, 2003
By TOM CONDON, Courant Staff Writer

The dozen Hoyts movie theaters in the state, including the arty Hoyts Cinema City in Hartford's South Meadows, will soon belong to somebody else.

The full story is here:

http://www.ctnow.com/entertainment/stage/hc-hoytsale.artfeb12.story
 

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Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 02-13-2003, 11:22 AM:
 
Based on that story, the only Hoyts sites Regal is getting in Connecticut are Branford (near New Haven), Stonington (near New London) and Waterford (near New London). The other sites are too small, too old, dumps or any combination thereof.

Hoyts said Cinema City in Hartford has a "very loyal following". That place is a world-class DUMP! Mono sound, 2:1 fixed screens -- and it's across the street from a water treatment plant.
 

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Posted by John Spooner (Member # 1565) on 02-13-2003, 12:01 PM:
 
The comments regards the cinema chain in Question is interesting as the same things can be said about them in Australia.
Our Union (Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance) has been battling them for years to ensure fair wages. This chain was foremost in the introduction of Enterprise Bargaining which erodes into worker`s entitlements and job security.
As a matter of interest on which you can form your own opinions, I applied for a job with H***s, in a conversation with the interviewer I stated I had in excess of 20 years continuous experience as a projectionist (since then I have joined the Australian Cinema Pioneers). I was advised that all this was not relevant. Sad but true. Obviously experience is not a requirement, maybe I should be 16 again.
When the corporate changes occured, most of the original and highly experienced projectionists were paid out or resigned.
If anyone would like to check further for their academic information, the Union is www.alliance.org.au .
Regards. John Spooner. South Australia.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 02-14-2003, 01:05 AM:
 
Okay, Paperboy ... once again, we need to get our facts straight.

The Cinema City 4 in Hartford was built in 1973, prior to the water treatment plant.

It is a clean, pleasant-looking theater that appears to be managed pretty well, by a manager who is probably a really nice guy. Just because it doesn't have all the glitz and glamour of the Sony Lincoln Square or the AMC Empire 25, doesn't mean it's not a nice place to catch an independent film. Please check the thread about the Crest in Sacramento if you need a refresher on what an independent film is. (I will admit, though, that I don't quite understand the Final Destination 2 booking for this weekend.)

As you can see from the photos, yes, houses 2 and 3 are mono houses with center aisles. I, personally, don't mind watching a film in mono as long as it's not an action movie and the mono sound is properly tuned. (Hell, I'll even go so far as to say that I'll sit through an action movie, too. When I was managing a 6-plex in 1997, I had 2 Dolby auditoriums and 4 mono houses and had to play Goldeneye in a mono house.)

Houses 1 and 4 are both Dolby A houses with continental seating. Decent-sized auditoriums with (*gasp* look at that!) EV surround speakers and (*shock*) full anamorphic aspect ratios! Don't miss the booth photos -- there's a Dolby CP-55 up there.

Just to spite Charles, I think that this autumn's trip to New England will include a show at the Cinema City 4 in Hartford by the entire group of Cinematour and Film-Tech members that assembles. Since the theater has a loyal following, I'm sure someone will still be operating it. Maybe we'll even have commemorative T-shirts made.
 

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Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 02-14-2003, 03:45 AM:
 

quote:

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Just to spite Charles, I think that this autumn's trip to New England will include a show at the Cinema City 4 in Hartford by the entire group of Cinematour and Film-Tech members that assembles. Since the theater has a loyal following, I'm sure someone will still be operating it. Maybe we'll even have commemorative T-shirts made.

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Sometimes major companies forget that its only tickets and popcorn.

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