Landmark Theatres Explained

Landmark Theatre Corporation
Type:Private
Predecessor:Parallax Theatres
Founder:Kim Jorgensen
Location City:Los Angeles, California
Locations:35 theatres (2022)
Area Served:United States
Owner:
Subsid:
  • Silver Cinemas

Landmark Theatres is a movie theatre chain founded in 1974 in the United States. It was formerly dedicated to exhibiting and marketing independent and foreign films.[1] Landmark consists of 34 theatres with 176 screens in 24 markets. It is known for both its historic and newer, more modern theatres.[2] Helmed by its President, Kevin Holloway,[3] Landmark Theatres is part of Cohen Media Group .[4]

History

1970s

Landmark Theatre Corporation began as Parallax Theatres and was founded in 1974 by Kim Jorgensen with the opening of the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles, the Sherman in Sherman Oaks, the Rialto in South Pasadena, and the Ken in San Diego. Steve Gilula and Gary Meyer became partners in 1976, as the chain expanded as Landmark.[5]

In 1976, the River Oaks Theatre[6] in Houston (which originally opened in 1939) and the single-screen Oriental Theatre[7] in Milwaukee were acquired. The Oriental originally opened in July 1927 and was the only standard movie palace ever built to incorporate East Indian décor.[8] The Harvard Exit Theatre in Seattle was acquired in 1979.[9] The film programming in Landmark Theatres was a mix of repertory/revival double-features that changed daily. This mix also included smaller independent and foreign films and

1980s

In the early 1980s, Landmark reoriented most of their theatres to exhibit first-run specialized, foreign, and re-released classics on longer, open-ended runs. Larger single screens were converted into two or three-screen theatres while preserving the external architecture. In 1981, Landmark acquired the Neptune Theatre in Seattle. The following year, Landmark merged with Movie, Inc. of Santa Fe, NM, which also focused on showcasing foreign, alternative, and classic films. In 1988, The Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee underwent a conversion into a triplex by adding two theaters underneath the balcony, while preserving the original artwork of the main auditorium. Additionally, Landmark opened Canal Place Cinema (4 screens) on the edge of New Orleans' French Quarter, marking its first new build. In 1989, Landmark merged with the Seven Gables theater circuit from Seattle and Portland.[10] Subsequently, Heritage Entertainment acquired Landmark.

1990s

In the early 1990s, Landmark began renovations of its historic buildings and began developing new multiplex theaters of its own. The new locations included the Westside Pavilion in Los Angeles, the Embarcadero in San Francisco's Financial District, the Embassy in Waltham near Boston, the Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis, the Century Center in Chicago, and the Renaissance in Highland Park near Chicago. In 1991, the Clay Theatre of San Francisco was purchased.[11] In 1998, Landmark was acquired by Silver Cinemas and began operating a small group of discount theaters including the Bell Road, the Superstition, The Yukon, the Golden Triangle, the Macomb, the Joliet, the Budget South, the East Town Green Bay, the Market Square and the Poughkeepsie theaters.[12] Landmark was acquired by the Samuel Goldwyn Company in 1990.

2000s

Landmark was brought out of Silver Cinemas' bankruptcy by Oaktree Capital,[13] allowing the construction and opening of the Sunshine, Bethesda Row and E Street Cinemas. On September 24, 2003, Landmark was acquired by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban's 2929 Entertainment,[14] the Magnolia Pictures exhibition wing folded into Landmark Theatres. Digital Cinema was introduced.

In 2005, Landmark was the first exhibition circuit to deploy Sony 4K cinema;[15] in-theater digital signage was introduced. In Indianapolis, Landmark opened the Keystone Art Cinema & Indie Lounge. The cinema had 7 auditoriums; the lounge featured plasma televisions and allowed all moviegoers to bring their drinks into the auditoriums. And, the Inwood Theater and Nuart Theater were renovated.

2006 brought the introduction of vertical integration with the release of Bubble by Steven Soderbergh.[16] The film played day-and-date, as it was simultaneously released in Landmark Theatres, broadcast on HDNet Movies and sold on DVD.

In 2007, Landmark Theatres acquired the Ritz Theatre Group[17] in Philadelphia which consisted of the Ritz East, Ritz at the Bourse and Ritz V. Landmark opened their flagship theatre in Los Angeles,[18] The Landmark.[19] Later that year, Landmark also opened Harbor East[20] in Baltimore and The Landmark Theatre, Greenwood Village in Denver.

In 2008, Landmark held its first live 3D/HD NBA game televised live via satellite to the Magnolia Theatre in Dallas. On March 1, Landmark assumed operation of the 7-screen Gateway Theatre, located in Columbus, Ohio. The theater featured a café, bar, and event space.[21]

The Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley received a comprehensive remodel in 2009 including new theater seating, lighting and carpets. Lot 68, a bar and café adjacent to the lobby, also opened its doors inside the Shattuck. Landmark entered the 3D arena with 3 locations operating 3D Projection: the Harbor East in Baltimore, the Tivoli in St. Louis, and The Landmark in Los Angeles.

2010s

Landmark assumed operation of the Glendale 12 in Indianapolis in 2010 as well as the Olde Town Stadium theater in Arvada, Colorado. In addition, the Piedmont Theatre in Oakland, California was restored, receiving new screens and new auditorium seating in addition to carpets and lighting. In Spring 2011, Landmark Theatres was put up for sale,[22] and after receiving multiple bids, was taken off the market.

Beginning in 2012, Landmark continued renovating its theaters. The Uptown,[23] Minneapolis, reopened in its new incarnation on September 14, 2012, which included reserved ticketing and full bar service while still preserving a balcony and a 50-foot tower, originally placed to mark the Uptown area. In October 2012, the Chez Theatre, Denver, and the Magnolia, Dallas, were extensively renovated. Upgrades to the theaters included Barco Digital Projection, upgraded digital sound and leather-style seats as well as The Magnolia Bar, a cocktail suite attached to the theater.

Renovations and upgrades continued at many of Landmark's theaters in 2013. The E Street Cinema in Washington, D.C., opened a bar. The Bethesda Row Cinema[24] in Maryland, located outside of Washington, D.C., was completely renovated in May 2013 with new, reserved seating in all eight auditoriums and a full-service bar featuring local brews and film-themed cocktails. Located in downtown Highland Park, Chicago, Landmark¹s Renaissance Place Cinema was renovated in July 2013 with the addition of a full-service bar and lounge, an expanded concession menu and leather seating as well as two screening lounges. The Embarcadero Center Cinema, located in San Francisco¹s financial district, reopened in October 2013 after an extensive remodel which included reconfiguring the theater space to allow for two more theaters, bringing the total screen count to seven; a lounge featuring a wide variety of wine and beer was added as well as stadium seating and four Screening Lounges with electric recliners.[25] Additionally, the Embarcadero was the first movie theater in San Francisco to feature a new assistive listening system for the hearing impaired.[26] Coils were installed in each auditorium that wirelessly send pure sound to hearing aids that have the 'telecoil,' eliminating background noise and the need for a headset.

2020s

Current Locations

Silver Cinemas

Landmark Theatres also owned the theater chain Silver Cinemas, which primarily showed second-run movies. Down to just three cinemas entering the COVID-19 pandemic, the final of three Silver Cinemas remaining was transferred to its Landmark nameplate with the other locations closed in 2020 and 2022.[54] [55] [56]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Landmark Theatres . About Us . landmarktheatres.com . October 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100222092057/http://www.landmarktheatres.com/AboutLandmark/AboutIndex.htm . February 22, 2010 .
  2. Web site: Find your Nearest Movie Theatre Location | Landmark Theatres.
  3. Web site: Kevin Holloway Named New President Of Landmark Theatres. Fleming. Mike Jr.. January 27, 2022. Deadline. en. January 27, 2022.
  4. Web site: Cohen Media Group Acquires Landmark Theatres From Wagner/Cuban Companies. D'Alessandro. Anthony. December 4, 2018. Deadline. December 4, 2018.
  5. Web site: Cinema Treasures. Nuart Theatre. cinematreasures.org . October 15, 2014.
  6. Web site: Cultivate Houston. River Oaks Theatre. cultivatehouston.com . October 15, 2014.
  7. Web site: OnMilwaukee. Vintage Milwaukee Movie Theater Magic. September 2, 2002. onmilwaukee.com . October 15, 2014.
  8. Web site: History . August 5, 2023 . Milwaukee Film.
  9. Web site: Harvard Exit Theatre in Seattle, WA - Cinema Treasures . 2023-08-05 . cinematreasures.org.
  10. Cline, John & Weiner, Robert G. & Gore, Chris (2010). From the Arthouse to the Grindhouse: Highbrow and Lowbrow Transgression in Cinema's First Century. Scarecrow Press Chapter 12 Art and Grind in Seattle by Dennis Nyback pp. 158-161 .
  11. Web site: Whiting . Sam . January 21, 2020 . Clay Theatre to close, last Bay Area single screen in Landmark art house chain . 2024-01-16 . . en-US.
  12. Web site: Landmark Theatre Corporation Encyclopedia.com . 2023-08-05 . www.encyclopedia.com.
  13. Web site: Variety. Oaktree Nabs Silver Cinemas. variety.com. October 15, 2014. April 23, 2001.
  14. Web site: Film-Tech. Cuban in Landmark deal with purchase of art house chain. film-tech.com. October 15, 2014. September 23, 2003.
  15. Web site: Projector Central. SONY UNVEILS MARKET-READY SXRD 4K RESOLUTION PROJECTOR FOR NEW ERA OF DIGITAL CINEMA. projectorcentral.com . October 15, 2014. October 24, 2005.
  16. Web site: January 24, 2006 . Soderbergh's 'Bubble' Changes the Rules . October 15, 2014 . NPR.
  17. Web site: The New York Times. Landmark Theatres Raise Curtain on Philadelphia Market. dealbook.nytimes.com. October 15, 2014. April 2, 2007.
  18. Web site: Roger Ebert.com. Theaters Try To Compete With Living Rooms. rogerebert.com. October 15, 2014. June 1, 2007.
  19. Web site: Film Journal International. A Landmark Opening. filmjournal.com. October 15, 2014. June 25, 2007.
  20. Web site: The Baltimore Sun. 7 screens to open at Harbor East. baltimoresun.com. October 15, 2014. September 25, 2007.
  21. Web site: Dallas Mavericks Game Shown in 3-D. business-figures.com. October 15, 2014. October 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141020010043/http://www.business-figures.com/mavericks-3d-game.html.
  22. Web site: Los Angeles Times. Mark Cuban puts Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures up for sale. Los Angeles Times. October 15, 2014. April 19, 2011.
  23. Web site: MPR News. Uptown Theatre to reopen after facelift. mprnews.org. October 15, 2014. September 12, 2012.
  24. Web site: Washington City Paper . Comfort is Key at Newly Renovated Bethesda Row Cinema . washingtoncitypaper.com . October 15, 2014. April 26, 2013.
  25. Web site: SF GATE. Embarcadero Center Cinema gets makeover. sfgate.com . October 15, 2014. November 5, 2013.
  26. Web site: Hearing Health & Technology Matters!. Coming soon, to a theater near Chicago, Illinois's first hearing-looped movie house. hearinghealthmatters.org . October 15, 2014. June 19, 2013.
  27. Web site: Landmark Theatres to open 10-screen NoMa movie theater. bizjournals.com . October 15, 2014. November 7, 2013.
  28. Web site: Washington City Paper. Landmark Theatres Coming to Atlantic Plumbing off U Street NW . washingtoncitypaper.com . October 15, 2014. January 8, 2014.
  29. Web site: Prince of Petworth. Tonight's the Night – Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema Opens Next Door to 9:30 Club – Have a Look at the Seats. January 27, 2016. October 15, 2015.
  30. Web site: Doug Rule. A Cinematic Toast: Inside Landmark's New Atlantic Plumbing Cinema. January 27, 2016. October 19, 2015.
  31. Web site: Amy Biancolli. Albany's Spectrum Theatre gets new owner. October 15, 2014. October 23, 2015.
  32. Web site: Santa Cruz Sentinel. New owners for The Nick, Del Mar, Aptos Cinemas include NBA team owner. santacruzsentinel.com . December 20, 2015. November 20, 2015.
  33. Web site: The Landmark at Merrick Park Opens Friday, Mixing Mainstream and Indie Films. Hans. Morgenstern. December 12, 2016. Miami New Times.
  34. Web site: Charles Mudede. Seven Gables and Guild 45th Theaters Closed.. The Stranger. January 30, 2018. June 6, 2017.
  35. Web site: Landmark Theatres' 8-Screen Location Will Open In NYC's 'Pyramid' Building. Chung. Jen. Gothamist. December 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181208222332/http://gothamist.com/2017/08/24/landmark_theatres_pyramid_building.php. December 8, 2018.
  36. News: Sunshine Cinema, a Beloved Manhattan Theater, Goes Dark. Ferré-Sadurní. Luis. January 21, 2018. The New York Times. December 4, 2018. 0362-4331.
  37. Web site: Verrier . Richard . Mark Cuban puts Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures up for sale . The Los Angeles Times . 20 November 2023 . 2011-04-19.
  38. Web site: McClintock . Pamela . Landmark Theatres Sells to Billionaire Charles S Cohen's Indie Film Company . The Hollywood Reporter . THR . 20 November 2023 . 2018-12-04.
  39. Web site: Landmark Theatres is sold to the production company of a billionaire real estate developer. December 4, 2018. Los Angeles Times.
  40. Web site: New York's Quad Cinema Is Now a Landmark Theater. Tom. Brueggemann. 9 April 2019. 27 June 2021. IndieWire.
  41. Web site: Guild Theatre to close Thursday, will transform into a live music venue.
  42. Web site: Landmark Theatres CEO Ted Mundorff steps down. October 25, 2019. Los Angeles Times. en-US. November 8, 2019.
  43. Web site: Longtime Regal Exec Paul Serwitz Named Landmark Theatres President/COO. Mike Jr. . Fleming . October 30, 2019. Deadline. en. November 8, 2019.
  44. News: Sam . Whiting . Datebook: Clay Theatre to close, last Bay Area single screen in Landmark art house chain . San Francisco Chronicle . January 23, 2020 . January 21, 2020 .
  45. News: Montse . Reyes . 'The last, last, last screening': Scenes from the final night of San Francisco's Clay Theatre . San Francisco Chronicle . January 28, 2020 .
  46. Web site: Ritz At The Bourse Movie Theater To Close At End Of January . KYW-TV . January 19, 2020 .
  47. Web site: New York's Landmark At 57 West Theater Closes Three Years After Opening; Chain Will Seek Out Another West Side Location – Update. 17 August 2020. Anthony. D'Alessandro. 27 June 2021. Deadline.
  48. Web site: Final curtain for iconic Uptown Theater . John Croman . June 7, 2021 . kare11.com.
  49. Web site: McLean. Jessica. Main Art Theatre closes in Royal Oak, marquee says 'landlord kicked us out'. DailyTribune. June 12, 2021. July 9, 2022.
  50. News: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Landmark Takes Over Former Arclight Cinemas Glen Town Center Location In Illinois . 4 December 2021 . Deadline Hollywood . 30 December 2021.
  51. News: Robb . Tom . Landmark Theaters At The Glen Opens Today (Friday) . 8 December 2022 . Journal & Topics . 18 November 2022.
  52. Web site: Landmark Theatres to Celebrate Harbour Center Re-Opening With Back To The Future on June 5th . 1 June 2022 . Eye On Annapolis . 1 June 2022.
  53. Web site: 88-year-old Bay Area movie theater, the Albany Twin, to permanently close. sfgate.com. 15 June 2023.
  54. Web site: Silver Cinemas Webpage. January 27, 2016 .
  55. News: Mitch . Hotts . Macomb Daily . Silver Cinemas is out, new pizzeria is in at Macomb Mall. April 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213603/http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20150419/NEWS/150419512 . February 4, 2016 .
  56. Web site: Bloomberg Business. Company Overview of Silver Cinemas Acquisition Co.. January 27, 2016 .

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