What's the latest theatre to close or open you have heard about?

[Frank Cox]

If the former owner is no longer using the trademark then it should be available for the next owner as a simple matter of common sense.

I saw that someone was making a legal argument the other day that he should be able to trademark a phrase due his rights to free speech. Which is the same sort of silliness. "In the name of freedom of speech I want to lock up the right to use this particular speech so nobody else can use it."

[Jim Cassedy]

<edited>

"They mentioned that the Cinerama name can't be used any more. . ."

A friend sent me these pictures of them removing the CINERAMA™ sign from the building.
NoCinermaSign1.jpg

(It'll probably show up on E-bay in a few weeks! lol)
NoCinermaSign2.jpg

We had a similar situation here in San Francisco when the historic/iconic Cliff House Restaurant was sold. The owners
apparently had trademarked the phrase "Cliff House" as it applies to this location in San Francisco, and so when it closed
the sign came down, and the new owners cannot use the phrase "Cliff House" Restaurant when it re-opens.

I WAS THERE THE DAY THE SIGN CAME DOWN
NoClifHseSign.jpg

So, this place has been open for over a century. When it re-opens, it will still be a restaurant, and it will still be on the edge of a cliff
(overlooking the ocean) and I can't think of anybody here who will refer to it as anything other than "The Cliff House Restaurant"™
for the next hundred years when it re-opens, no matter what it may eventually wind up being re-named.
. . I have no doubt that the Seattle Cinerama™ theater will forever be known as such, with or without a sign, and no matter what the
lawyers say.

[William Kucharski]

Palace Cinema 9 in South Burlington, VT to close.

[Martin McCaffery]

The theater’s dining-focused mobile technology lets guests order from the food and drink menus from their seat. Orders are delivered directly.

SO, they are encouraging their customers to use their phones during the movie?

[Ian Puffenberger]

https://wtop.com/business-finance/2023/10/restons-new-look-cinemas-reclining-seats-in-theater-dining-and-one-super-large-screen/

Look Dine-in Cinemas reopened the theater at Reston Town Center in Reston, VA, on Nov. 2. This theater dates to (I believe) the '80s, originally operated by National Amusements, then Rave Cinemas briefly, and finally Bow Tie Cinemas, who did a full renovation (including de-twinning a couple of broom closet-sized auditoriums). They operated it for about a decade but it never seemed that busy when I visited and ultimately never recovered from the pandemic, closing in May 2022. Look has installed recliners and a full bar, and beefed up the kitchen for full dine-in service. The PLF screen is scope (no masking).

[William Kucharski]

Rohnert Park (California)'s movie theater Reading Cinemas has quietly closed after 25 years.

The multiscreen theater announced the Rohnert Park Expressway location’s closing on signs taped to the windows Wednesday afternoon.

Santa Rosa resident Katie Davis stood in front of one of the “closed” signs with her jaw dropped. She’d been going to the movies there for the last 20 years.

Davis had just picked up her three kids after school with plans on taking them to see “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” until she saw the signs.

[ … ]

Located on the west side of Rohnert Park, it was previously the Stadium 16 owned by Pacific Theaters before Reading International purchased it.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/articl...fter-25-years/

[Scotty Wright]

I hope that does not mean they intend to remove the Cinerama equipment.

As far as I know, the equipment from before closure is all still there and in working order. There is very much an intention to make full use of it when they are able. The theater is in really good cinema-loving hands.

[Ed Gordon]

Seattle Cinerama reopens on Dec 14 as the SIFF Cinema Downtown

They mentioned that the Cinerama name can't be used any more, but I hope that does not mean they intend to remove the Cinerama equipment. SIFF is a non-profit organization that may not have the money to continue showing Cinerama films occasionally. Paul Allen loved How the West was Won and could afford the luxury.

[Scotty Wright]

Seattle Cinerama reopens on Dec 14 as the SIFF Cinema Downtown

[Scott Jentsch]

Some recent closings that I didn't see listed here already:

1. Kailua-Kona, HI: Regal Makalapua Closed
2. Wilmington, NC: AMC Classic Wilmington 16 Closed
3. New Haven, CT: Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas Closed
4. Broussard, LA: Celebrity Theatres - Broussard 10 Closed
5. Mill Valley, CA: Cinemark CineArts at Sequoia Closed, Renovations Planned
6. Blair, NE: Blair 3 Theatre Closed
7. Naples, FL: B & B Naples Towne Centre 6 Closed

[William Kucharski]

Gold Hill Theatres, Woodland Park, CO.

https://www.fox21news.com/top-storie...ses-its-doors/

[Martin Brooks]

Not technically a closure, but Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre is up for sale.

https://www.thewrap.com/dolby-theatre-for-sale-oscars-academy-awards-hollywood/

Anyone who buys that theater for $70m is not going to keep it as a theater IMO in spite of the deal with the Academy, which I'm sure has some kind of cancellation clause. It will be torn down and the site used for a hotel or condo or an office tower. I never realized until this news that Dolby didn't actually own the theatre. Hopefully, no one buys it and it just continues as it has been.

[William Kucharski]

Not technically a closure, but Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre is up for sale.

https://www.thewrap.com/dolby-theatre-for-sale-oscars-academy-awards-hollywood/

[William Kucharski]

Showcase City Center, White Plains, NY.

IMG_9082.jpg

[Ed Gordon]

I've never been there but I just looked at the pictures on their website and it looks like their screen is a postage stamp.

Yes, it is a very small theater (68 seats).

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING grand about the Grand Illusion unless you value intimacy, stamina, quirkiness, seats that don't rock and the certainty that nobody involved is getting rich. It is as humble as a screening room — and no bigger than some you'd find inside mansions around town.

grand illusion theater.png
MovieHouses_Takeover.jpg

The audience can be as eclectic as the film menu. Director Quentin Tarantino might be there. When he attended the Seattle Film Festival two years ago, he showed up at the Grand Illusion and fell in love with the place, ambience and goal. He talked about dropping out to a theater like this after his Hollywood run, and bought a lifetime membership. Some day or night you might notice an old guy sashaying past the ticket table without paying. The story goes that he walked in one day, donated $1,500 and said, "I probably won't live much longer so how about I get in free for life?"

Quotes from: A Film Classic: Beyond the Hollywood hype, The Grand Illusion keeps the faith