AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Bijou theater chicago closing12/28/2023 He married Helen Kinkade, the piano player for silent movies at the Jefferson Theatre, who later became the leading theater operator in Fort Wayne. Quimby had come to Fort Wayne after World War I and quickly realized the growing popularity of film and that other new medium, radio. Great electrical sign spelling "Emboyd" was the largest anywhere in the state. Shortly after the opening, the owner of the theater, Clyde Quimby,Ĭhanged the name to the Emboyd Theatre in memory of his mother, Emma Boyd. It was accompanied by the theater orchestra led by Wilbur Picket, with Percy Robbins at the Page Organ. Opening night, for a 60-cent admission, was the special film attraction "Easy Come, Easy Go," starring Richard Dix. There were Romanesque barrel vaults with Wedgwood icing and grandly colored reliefs staircases, columns and floors intricately marbled, and all reflected in the Art Deco mirrors andīeyond all this was advertising that described the Embassy as being "cool as a mountaintop - refreshing as a seashore," for it was the only air-conditioned theater in town. Strauss, with theater architect John Ebetson, the rococo interior was, as one enthusiast put it, "a phantasmagoric celestial environment." In the lobby alone, the theatergoer was delighted to be among opulent Neo-Middle Eastern arches. It was the largest and most ornate theater Fort Wayne had seen. Jefferson Blvd., began in 1926, and the theater opened on May 14, 1928, as the Fox Theatre and Hotel. It was into this world of stage and celluloid that the Embassy was born - ornate and magical in the old style.Ĭonstruction of the Embassy Theatre, 121 W. Santikos owns and operates 10 theaters in the San Antonio area.The 'Golden Age' of Fort Wayne's stage came early in the 20th century, as stage productions and film presentations intermixed to form the staple fare of a new age in popular entertainment. “These are exciting times for Santikos, we opened two new theaters this year, Santikos New Braunfels and Santikos Westlakes, we just finished a remodel of our IMAX auditorium at Palladium, we have plans to announce future developments and remodels later this year, and we remain the most financially sound theater operator in the country,” Brooks said. Starting this summer, “Bijou Series” art films will be shown across all Santikos theaters. Santikos will continue to support independent filmmakers and art films. “We’re also pleased to continue serving the Balcones Heights community with our Santikos Northwest Theater, located just across the highway, less than 1 mile away from the Bijou,” Brooks said. Santikos has operated the Bijou since December 1987.īrooks said while the company is sad to announce its closing, they’re excited about the future of Santikos. “It’s this changing dynamic of art films, and our lease coming up for renewal that led to the decision to close The Bijou,” Brooks said. “There was a record bidding war between Amazon, Netflix and Apple, and Apple won with a $25 million purchase.”Īs art films are exploring new ways to be profitable and gain exposure, it’s not always going to mean that they get shown in traditional theater settings. “‘CODA’ which won Best Movie (at the Oscars) was allowed to play in our theaters for only one week prior to opening on Apple,” Brooks said. The theater was located at Wonderland of the Americas in Balcones Heights.Īndrew Brooks, the executive director of sales and marketing for Santikos, confirmed the closure on Tuesday, saying the closure was due, in part, to the changing art-film dynamic during the COVID-19 pandemic. BALCONES HEIGHTS, Texas – The Bijou theater, San Antonio’s arthouse theater, is closing its doors after 35 years.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |