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

[Ryan Gallagher]

The first one would appear to be the Landmark Cinema Brooks (or perhaps Oasis Cinema under a former name). (was the only cinema in town it seems).

The 2nd appears to be the Landmark Cinema Edson (apparently the ONLY cinema in Edson). (also only cinema in town it seems).

(links are to the google maps page with photos). Both seem kinda charming little small town single screen cinemas, I hope they survive or become community spaces.

[Frank Cox]

I have been advised that two of Landmark's theatres in Alberta are available for sale.

These are not my theatres, I know nothing further about them past what you see here.

Here is what I got:

We wanted to share an exciting opportunity that may be of interest to you or your network. Landmark Cinemas currently has two single-screen theatres available for sale in Alberta. Whether you're looking to expand your portfolio or invest in a unique community property, these listings offer both potential and character.

* Brooks, Alberta:
* Single screen / currently “Closed”;
* Listed Price - $230,000.00 [Includes land, building & all equipment];
* Listing Agent:
Brad Stolsonland
Broker / Owner
ReMax Main Street Realty
Phone: [403] 793-3776
Email: stolson@telusplanet.net<mailto:stolson@telusplanet .net>

* Edson, Alberta:
* Single screen / currently “Open & Operating”;
* Listed Price - $550,000.00 [includes land, building & all equipment];
* Listing Agent:
Karen Spenser-Miller
Broker / Owner
Twins Century 21 Realty
Phone: [780] 712-3333
Email: kspenser.miller@century21.ca<mailto:kspenser.mille r@century21.ca>

If either property is of interest, please feel free to reach out directly to the listing agents for more information or to schedule a viewing. And if you know someone who might be interested, we’d greatly appreciate you passing this along.

[Frank Cox]

Were they existing non-conforming uses under the current zoning bylaw for the district? If they were not, then of course there would be no issues with re-opening (other than the usual public health stuff and whatnot).

[Allan Barnes]

Hi Frank
I am not sure that statement is legally correct. I bought 2 drive in theatres that were closed.... and had no issue in re-opening. STARLITE DI in STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO in 1988-89

[Frank Cox]

I'm sure anyone interested in that property would know this already, but that real estate listing shows the property as "legal non-conforming", which means that it isn't an allowed use under the current zoning bylaw but it's allowed to continue as a drive-in as long as that use is uninterrupted, but if that use ceases (closes, goes out of business, etc.) it can't be re-opened as a drive-in.

So if the current owner stops operating it before selling it to the next guy, said next guy is outta-luck if he wants to reopen it as a drive-in.

[Allan Barnes]

for sale....MUSTANG DRIVE IN THEATRE (aka JEM DRIVE IN) in GUELPH, ONTARIO in CANADA. ONLY 3.4 million Canadian dollars. 11.6 ACRES
****ONE SCREEN**** Owner John D’Addetta

Here is the link as of June 1st 2025.......... https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/2...pheramosa-east

[Leo Enticknap]

...a bottle of acetone...

It was used to clean the blades and mating surfaces of cement splicers. Agreed that if the projectionist who bought it was also using the Lucky Strikes in proximity to the splicer, the acetone (which itself is highly volatile and flammable, as well as the nitrate film it was used to help splice) and the film, that would certainly explain why the county and the fire marshal "had concerns!" It would have been a somewhat unlucky strike if one of them had struck a 2,000ft reel.

However, if those concerns persisted until 1958, they could also be related to battery maintained emergency lighting, crush bars on doors, sprinkler systems, and a whole bunch of other requirements in today's fire code that likely weren't in 1958's.

[Ed Gordon]

My hope would be they reimplemented 35mm capacity. Or added digital. If they kept original equipment it that would be a very interesting booth to work in, carbons perhaps, older simplex maybe?

Yes, probably they probably used carbon arc. The projection booth was added to show silent/sound so it must be have been built to meet the standards for showing nitrate film. I do know that there are 35mm projectors from the early 1900's that have be re-furbished and work just fine. I doubt any digital projectors will last that long.

That theater is a two hour trip from me. It might be fun to contact them and ask for a tour!

We're off to see the wizard,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!
We hear he is a whiz of whiz if ever a whiz there was
If ever oh ever a whiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because
because, becuase, because, because, becaaaauuuussseee...
Because of the wonderful things he does...
We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!!!!

[Frank Cox]

No details are given as to why the fire marshal and the county as relaxing the rules

I suspect they realized that nitrate film won't be used in the theatre today.

[Ryan Gallagher]

My hope would be they reimplemented 35mm capacity. Or added digital. If they kept original equipment it that would be a very interesting booth to work in, carbons perhaps, older simplex maybe?

[Ed Gordon]

Here is a story of a theater that opened in 1906 in the small town of Port Gamble, Washington.

When the movies came, Port Gamble converted its theater to offer both silent films and “talkies.” They converted a portion of the balcony into a projection booth. This projection booth was in use until 1958 when the last film was shown. While exploring the projection booth when we first moved in, we found 2 projectors, a bottle of acetone, and a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes next to the bottle. We have always wondered about that.

From 1958 to 2011, the theater was used only on occasion for local community events. The theater could be used only under strict rules, as the fire marshal and county had concerns.

Source: https://portgambletheater.com/theater-history

image.png

It took 67 years, but this month movies will be returning to the Port Gamble theater.

May 17 1pm and 6:30PM

VINTAGE CINEMA RETURNS

Cinema is BACK after a 68 Year Hiatus!

Join us as we celebrate the return of the BIG screen with our Vintage Cinema Series- Starting with the 1939 Hollywood Golden Era classic- The Wizard of Oz. Dress your favorite character with a costume parade, familiar tunes and Featuring a special guest appearance of Paul Schneider from the Wizard of Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas for a deep dive into the OZ landscape. This is a 'pay what you can' event!

No details are given as to why the fire marshal and the county as relaxing the rules that the "theater could be used only under strict rules". I suspect the management of the Port Gamble promised local authorities that the projectionist who smoked Lucky Strikes would not be returning.

[Allan Barnes]

Memory Lane Drive-In (MONROE MI) PERMANENTLY CLOSED. To quote from their website and FaceBook page.................

We sincerely regret to inform everyone that the decision has been made to permanently close Memory Lane Drive-In.
In the last 4 years 35% of the remaining drive-ins in the United States have closed their doors forever citing a combination of multiple reasons including but not limited to poor attendance, streaming, and lack of concessions support. The last one is key especially for drive-ins. Memory Lane has suffered the same fate for the same reasons.

We will continue to operate the Sundance Drive-In located in Oregon, Ohio with hopes that it can survive given its 76 year history and proximity to a larger population. Renovations to the drive-in have already been started with a newly remodeled concessions stand and many more updates are planned for the future. If you love going to a drive-in please visit us and help keep this part of American history alive.

Thank you to EVERYONE that has visited us at Memory Lane Drive-In. We greatly appreciate you supporting what we fought so hard to bring to the area.

[Bobby Henderson]

I remember visiting that theater the summer Santikos opened it in 2013. I saw Star Trek: Into Darkness there. The theater location is in the Western exhurbs of the Houston metro, next to the Grand Parkway (Houston's third loop highway). I don't know why the location apparently isn't working for a big movie theater. Plenty of retail stores are nearby and the housing in the surrounding areas is all somewhat upper income. Maybe the residents are tapped out with what they're paying for mortgages and property taxes; not enough spare change left over to visit the cinema.

[Scott Jentsch]

The Cinemark Long Meadow and XD, IMAX, ScreenX in Richmond, Texas has closed. This was originally a Santikos location and then switched from Regal to Cinemark in 2023.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

I think AMC normally just puts in 1 Dolby Cinema screen. Those actually (at least the two I've been two) have very good presentation because Dolby is supplying all of the equipment. I'm surprised they did a 14 screen new build. With the current state of the industry and the shrinking exclusive windows I would think 10 screens is the max necessary.

One screen is't going to help that place. Until they learn where the volume control is at