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Landmark Theatres

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This article is about the American cinema chain. For the similarly-named Canadian chain, see Landmark Cinemas.
Landmark Theatre Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
PredecessorParallax Theatres
Founded1974; 50 years ago (1974)
FounderKim Jorgensen
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Number of locations
35 theatres (2022)
Area served
United States
Key people
  • Bill Banowsky (Co-CEO)
  • Ted Mundorff (Co-CEO)
RevenueUS$124.6 million (2023)
Owner
Number of employees
900 (2023)
SubsidiariesSilver Cinemas
Websitewww.landmarktheatres.com

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 (as of 2018).[4]

History

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1970s

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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 allowed Landmark to grow into the largest repertory/revival movie-theater circuit in the nation by the end of that decade.[citation needed]

1980s

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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

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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

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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

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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.

  • On November 7, 2013, Landmark Theatres announced they would open an eight-screen complex in Capitol Point, an emerging mixed-use development along New York Avenue in Washington, D.C.[27]
  • On January 8, 2014, Landmark announced a six-screen cinema at Atlantic Plumbing,[28] a new mixed-use community at 8th and V Streets, also in Washington, D.C. Atlantic Plumbing Cinema, a bar and movie theater, opened October 15, 2015.[29][30]
  • On November 20, 2015, Landmark Theatres acquired Albany, New York independent movie house Spectrum 8 Theatres.[31] On December 15, 2015, Landmark acquired the Nickelodeon Theatres, including the Nickelodeon and Del Mar in Santa Cruz, California, and the Aptos Cinema in Aptos, California.[32]
  • In December 2016, Landmark opened their luxury theatre The Landmark at Merrick Park located in the Shops at Merrick Park shopping center in Coral Gables, Florida.[33] This was the company's first location and currently only location in Florida.
  • In June 2017, Landmark closed their Seven Gables and Guild 45 theaters in Seattle. The official reason was to prepare for renovation, although local media disputes this saying that the theaters are closed for good.[34]
  • In September 2017, Landmark opened a new east coast flagship theatre The Landmark at VIA 57 West in Midtown West Manhattan.[35] At the start of 2018, their prior NYC flagship, the Sunshine Cinema, closed.[36]
  • In April 2018, it was made public that Wagner/Cuban had put Landmark up for sale. After initial attempts failed in 2011[37] and 2013,[38] the sale was finalized on December 4, 2018, and the theatre chain was purchased by Charles S. Cohen who also owns Cohen Media Group.[39] After the acquisition, Landmark took over booking for another Cohen-owned theater, the Quad Cinema in New York City.[40]
  • In September 2019, the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, CA closed.[41]
  • On October 24, 2019, it was announced that long-time CEO Ted Mundorff had resigned, effectively immediately.[42] Paul Serwitz was announced as the company's new COO and President on October 30, 2019.[43]

2020s

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  • In late January 2020, it was announced that Landmark Theatres would be closing two locations, the Clay Theatre in San Francisco[44][45] and the Ritz at the Bourse in Philadelphia.[46] The last day of business for both locations was January 26, 2020.
  • In February 2020, Landmark ceased operations at their last single-screen theater in San Diego called the Ken Cinema, having acquired it in the 1970s.
  • In August 2020, Landmark proceeded to close its VIA 57 West location after three years of operation. This was due in part to its distance from public transit.[47]
  • In June 2021, Landmark Theatres was evicted from Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis, due to unpaid back rent.[48] Also that month, Landmark Theaters ended their lease of the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan.[49]
  • In August 2021, it was announced that Landmark had acquired the Scottsdale Quarter luxury multiplex in Scottsdale, Arizona which was previously occupied by dine-in-cinema iPic Theatre.
  • In November 2021, it was announced that Landmark had acquired the lease to the former Arclight Cinemas at The Glen Town Center in Glenview, Illinois and that the theater would reopen as part of the company's chain.[50] The location began business the following year.[51]
  • In April 2022, Landmark assumed operation of the Annapolis Harbour Center.[52]
  • In May 2022, Landmark ceased operation of their cineplex The Landmark on Pico and The Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, and acquired the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. In September 2022, Landmark opened the Landmark Closter Plaza.
  • In June 2023, Landmark ceased operation of the Albany Twin Cinema in Albany, California.[53]
  • In November 2024, Charles Cohen put Landmark Theatres up for auction as part of his assets in an attempt to settle a lawsuit against him for unpaid loans.
  • In January 2025, Landmark ceased operation of Hillcrest Cinemas, its last theater in San Diego, California.

Locations

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Silver Cinemas

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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]

References

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  1. ^ Landmark Theatres. "About Us". landmarktheatres.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find your Nearest Movie Theatre Location | Landmark Theatres".
  3. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 27, 2022). "Kevin Holloway Named New President Of Landmark Theatres". Deadline. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  4. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 4, 2018). "Cohen Media Group Acquires Landmark Theatres From Wagner/Cuban Companies". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  5. ^ Cinema Treasures. "Nuart Theatre". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Cultivate Houston. "River Oaks Theatre". cultivatehouston.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  7. ^ OnMilwaukee (September 2, 2002). "Vintage Milwaukee Movie Theater Magic". onmilwaukee.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "History". Milwaukee Film. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Harvard Exit Theatre in Seattle, WA - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  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 ISBN 9780810876545.
  11. ^ Whiting, Sam (January 21, 2020). "Clay Theatre to close, last Bay Area single screen in Landmark art house chain". Datebook, The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Landmark Theatre Corporation | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Variety (April 23, 2001). "Oaktree Nabs Silver Cinemas". variety.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  14. ^ Film-Tech (September 23, 2003). "Cuban in Landmark deal with purchase of art house chain". film-tech.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  15. ^ Projector Central (October 24, 2005). "SONY UNVEILS MARKET-READY SXRD 4K RESOLUTION PROJECTOR FOR NEW ERA OF DIGITAL CINEMA". projectorcentral.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  16. ^ "Soderbergh's 'Bubble' Changes the Rules". NPR. January 24, 2006. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  17. ^ The New York Times (April 2, 2007). "Landmark Theatres Raise Curtain on Philadelphia Market". dealbook.nytimes.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  18. ^ Roger Ebert.com (June 1, 2007). "Theaters Try To Compete With Living Rooms". rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  19. ^ Film Journal International (June 25, 2007). "A Landmark Opening". filmjournal.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  20. ^ The Baltimore Sun (September 25, 2007). "7 screens to open at Harbor East". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  21. ^ "Dallas Mavericks Game Shown in 3-D". business-figures.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  22. ^ Los Angeles Times (April 19, 2011). "Mark Cuban puts Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures up for sale". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  23. ^ MPR News (September 12, 2012). "Uptown Theatre to reopen after facelift". mprnews.org. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  24. ^ Washington City Paper (April 26, 2013). "Comfort is Key at Newly Renovated Bethesda Row Cinema". washingtoncitypaper.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  25. ^ SF GATE (November 5, 2013). "Embarcadero Center Cinema gets makeover". sfgate.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  26. ^ Hearing Health & Technology Matters! (June 19, 2013). "Coming soon, to a theater near Chicago, Illinois's first hearing-looped movie house". hearinghealthmatters.org. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  27. ^ "Landmark Theatres to open 10-screen NoMa movie theater". bizjournals.com. November 7, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  28. ^ Washington City Paper (January 8, 2014). "Landmark Theatres Coming to Atlantic Plumbing off U Street NW". washingtoncitypaper.com. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  29. ^ Prince of Petworth (October 15, 2015). "Tonight's the Night – Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema Opens Next Door to 9:30 Club – Have a Look at the Seats". Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  30. ^ Doug Rule (October 19, 2015). "A Cinematic Toast: Inside Landmark's New Atlantic Plumbing Cinema". Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  31. ^ Amy Biancolli (October 23, 2015). "Albany's Spectrum Theatre gets new owner". Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  32. ^ Santa Cruz Sentinel (November 20, 2015). "New owners for The Nick, Del Mar, Aptos Cinemas include NBA team owner". santacruzsentinel.com. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  33. ^ Morgenstern, Hans (December 12, 2016). "The Landmark at Merrick Park Opens Friday, Mixing Mainstream and Indie Films". Miami New Times.
  34. ^ Charles Mudede (June 6, 2017). "Seven Gables and Guild 45th Theaters Closed". The Stranger. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  35. ^ Chung, Jen. "Landmark Theatres' 8-Screen Location Will Open In NYC's 'Pyramid' Building". Gothamist. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  36. ^ Ferré-Sadurní, Luis (January 21, 2018). "Sunshine Cinema, a Beloved Manhattan Theater, Goes Dark". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  37. ^ Verrier, Richard (April 19, 2011). "Mark Cuban puts Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures up for sale". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  38. ^ McClintock, Pamela (December 4, 2018). "Landmark Theatres Sells to Billionaire Charles S Cohen's Indie Film Company". The Hollywood Reporter. THR. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  39. ^ "Landmark Theatres is sold to the production company of a billionaire real estate developer". Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2018.
  40. ^ Brueggemann, Tom (April 9, 2019). "New York's Quad Cinema Is Now a Landmark Theater". IndieWire. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  41. ^ "Guild Theatre to close Thursday, will transform into a live music venue".
  42. ^ "Landmark Theatres CEO Ted Mundorff steps down". Los Angeles Times. October 25, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  43. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 30, 2019). "Longtime Regal Exec Paul Serwitz Named Landmark Theatres President/COO". Deadline. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  44. ^ Whiting, Sam (January 23, 2020) [January 21, 2020]. "Datebook: Clay Theatre to close, last Bay Area single screen in Landmark art house chain". San Francisco Chronicle.
  45. ^ Reyes, Montse (January 28, 2020). "'The last, last, last screening': Scenes from the final night of San Francisco's Clay Theatre". San Francisco Chronicle.
  46. ^ "Ritz At The Bourse Movie Theater To Close At End Of January". KYW-TV. January 19, 2020.
  47. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 17, 2020). "New York's Landmark At 57 West Theater Closes Three Years After Opening; Chain Will Seek Out Another West Side Location – Update". Deadline. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  48. ^ John Croman (June 7, 2021). "Final curtain for iconic Uptown Theater". kare11.com.
  49. ^ McLean, Jessica (June 12, 2021). "Main Art Theatre closes in Royal Oak, marquee says 'landlord kicked us out'". DailyTribune. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  50. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 30, 2021). "Landmark Takes Over Former Arclight Cinemas Glen Town Center Location In Illinois". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  51. ^ Robb, Tom (November 18, 2022). "Landmark Theaters At The Glen Opens Today (Friday)". Journal & Topics. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  52. ^ "Landmark Theatres to Celebrate Harbour Center Re-Opening With Back To The Future on June 5th". Eye On Annapolis. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  53. ^ "88-year-old Bay Area movie theater, the Albany Twin, to permanently close". sfgate.com. June 15, 2023.
  54. ^ "Silver Cinemas Webpage". Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  55. ^ Hotts, Mitch (April 19, 2015). "Silver Cinemas is out, new pizzeria is in at Macomb Mall". Macomb Daily. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016.
  56. ^ "Company Overview of Silver Cinemas Acquisition Co". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
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