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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: Closed cinema visits
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Andy Frodsham
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 238
From: Stoke on Trent, Staffs, UK
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 07-15-2008 03:38 AM
Thomas, really pleased you raised this topic.
Quite by chance I came across some of the pictures taken last year inside our local ABC in Hanley (sadly, now demolished). Although fascinating, they are really, really sad (particularly, because it was only built in the early sixties and before being tripled, had a magnificent 70mm screen). I was interested to know who would have taken ownership of their electric rewinds (still pictured in the photographs) and other, still functioning, gear. The pictures taken inside the Wakefield cinemas are also fascinating.
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Jim Cassedy
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/4115a.jpg)
Posts: 1661
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 07-16-2008 07:09 PM
I was able to get permission & keys to the CORONET theater here in San Franicsco shortly before it was torn down last year. It had been closed for about 2.5 years.
It was pretty much intact, but was a sorry sight! Mold had grown on the screen and all the seats. Pigeons and rodents had found their way into the building, making a mess of everything. Mice had chewed out the speaker cones and made nests inside the enclosures.
Most the the equipment had been removed but there was still an assortment of projector pieces and spare parts up in the booth and a complete workin Christie AM-5 automation system that was in use when the place closed.
The good news, is that with the owners permission, I was able to go on a scavenger hunt and retrieve quite a bit of working equipment and stuff to "recycle" at other theaters.
These included: >2 working ice cream freezers >the aforementioned automation system >large wall mirror from the ladies room >curtain & masking motors >2 Audio Racks (empty, but even empty racks aren't cheap)> >Heater & blower assemblies from the popcorn warmers. I'd have prefered to take the whole warmers but they were pretty much built into the counter and could not be removed without destroying them. >Several new, unused carbonation machines, still in boxes. >Strings of Tivoli lights and several Tivoli transformers >Large Indoor Trash Recepticles (These are over $300 new!)
While some of these items are still in storage, most have been redistributed and have found new use at several several other San Francisco theaters. The popcorn warmer parts were used to repair a broken warmer at another theater.
A WORD OF ADVICE to anyone thinking of exploring closed theaters:
Go as though you were going to explore a cave.
Closed theaters usually have no electricity and are 'black holes' light-wise.
Plenty of LED flashlights, and preferably head-lamps are a MUST. Gloves and a face-mask should also be worn.
In my case, a headlamp kept me from putting my eye out from a piece of metal sticking out of the wall that had been removed as part of the pre-demolition asbestos abatement.
While exploring old theaters can be fun, it can also be dangerous if you're not careful.
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