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554 Screens To Join Regal, UA, Edwards Chains REG To Annex Hoyts Assets KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG) confirmed on Feb. 4 that the circuit – already the world’s largest – would purchase 554 screens at 52 of Australia-based Hoyts Cinemas’ 97 U.S. sites. The buy will push Regal’s screen count past the 6,100 mark and give the chain its first cinemas in Greater Boston, the only top-10 market in which the Knoxville-based circuit does not yet operate. Hoyts, currently operating America’s 7th-largest circuit, was the first Australian exhib to develop in foreign markets when it entered the United States in the mid-1980s. The circuit currently operates 882 screens in 12 states. Arthouse Circuit Stays Indie Onex Corp. Calls Off Landmark Purchase TORONTO – Loews Cineplex’s Toronto-based parent company, Onex Corp., announced Jan. 14 that it had reversed its decision to purchase the Los Angeles-based Landmark Theatres chain. The deal would have included all of Landmark’s assets: 178 screens at 53 specialty sites and 112 screens at 14 Silver Cinemas sub-run sites (In Focus, January 2003). The decision to halt the deal came when both parties were unable to obtain the required regulatory consents for the transaction, Onex said in a brief statement. Onex currently operates 2,877 screens at 296 sites worldwide. Regal Adds 30 Screens UA, Edwards Chains Expand In The West KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group closed the year with expansions in Colorado and California under its United Artists and Edwards Theatres circuit names. The chain launched on Nov. 15 its new Edwards Renaissance Stadium 14-plex in Alhambra, eight miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The multi’s official opening was preceded by movie preview parties with $1 admissions and reduced concession rates. All proceeds went to local charities. Features at the 14-plex include stadium-style seating, high-backed rocker chairs with extra padding and retractable cupholder armrests. The facility also boasts a 6-track digital surround sound system, featuring Digital Theatre Systems, Dolby Digital and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound. The site also offers its patrons free parking as well as online and phone ticketing. Farther east, the United Artists Colorado Mills Stadium 16-plex opened its doors Dec. 18 in Lakewood, a Denver suburb. Garnished with decorative panels and inlaid stone, the facility boasts an art-deco motif reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood. All auditoriums feature stadium-style seating, high-backed rocker chairs with retractable cupholder armrests and digital surround sound. In addition, the facility houses a large-format auditorium, as well as the Walden Family Playhouse, a community space specially designed for live theatrical productions. The 16-plex’s lobby includes plasma screens offering patrons digitally projected movie previews and preshow entertainment. Patrons may join the Regal Crown Club loyalty program, available at all United Artists Theatres in Colorado, which offers movie credits for each dollar spent at the box office. “For this project we have combined the best qualities of Regal Cinemas, Edwards and United Artists Theatres to build a unique theatre that takes moviegoing to the next level,” noted REG marketing and advertising vice president Dick Westerling. Following the grand opening, the state-of-the-art plex offered a 4-day series of preview parties featuring screenings of holiday films and blockbusters from 2002. All proceeds from the $1 admission and reduced concession sales went to local charities and food banks. Knoxville-based Regal currently operates 5,711 screens at 530 sites in 36 states. Dayton Beach and Frederick R/C Debuts 26 In Florida, Maryland DAYTON BEACH, Fla. – Maryland-based R/C Theatres in November unveiled 26 screens at two new sites in Dayton Beach, Fla. and Frederick, Md. Ocean Walk 10 in Dayton Beach, which bowed Nov. 8, is a component of the Ocean Walk Shoppes at 250 N. Atlantic Ave. Boasting three stories of glassed-in lobbies with views of the ocean, the facility includes multiple food service areas, a game room, party rooms and self-service ticketing, with Internet ticket purchasing available through Fandango. All auditoria feature stadium-style seating, digital stereo and rocking seats. On Nov. 15 the circuit debuted its Westview Movies 16, located in the Westview Promenade shopping center at 5243 Buckeystown Pike in Frederick. The facility offers patrons digital projection in the lobby, party rooms and self-service ticketing with Internet ticket options. All auditoria include stadium-style seating, digital stereo and rocker seats with cupholders. The shopping center also features franchise restaurants Friday’s, Macaroni Grill, Starbucks and Champions. 14-Plex For Old Georgetown Loews Brightens Historic D.C. Area WASHINGTON, D.C. – Loews Cineplex Entertainment launched on Nov. 29 a 3,000-seat 14-plex in Washington’s historic Georgetown area. Loews Georgetown, located at 3111 K St., N.W., between Wisconsin Avenue and 31st street, is part of a new mid-rise complex containing commercial and residential spaces. Amenities include stadium-style seating, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound and Dolby Digital Sound, and plush high-backed rocker seats with retractable armrests. Patrons may also select from a large array of concession treats, such as chicken tenders, chicken quesadillas, popcorn shrimp, pizza, fries, nachos, ice cream and popcorn. Built on a site that served as home to a neighborhood trash incinerator until 1971, the new plex carries what a Loews press release describes as a “striking industrial design, reflecting the history of the structure.” The restored incinerator serves as the central lobby, interrupted by a 175-foot original smokestack that juts out of the building. Grand opening celebrations included the Loews Movie Machine (a specially wrapped Suzuki XL7), as well as the Pix Men – a group of walking “TV men” who entertained the crowds with movie giveaways and prizes. “We are thrilled to bring Washingtonians the largest state-of-the-art theatre in the city and the first brand new theatre complex in Georgetown in 20 years,” said circuit CEO Travis Reid. Loews Cineplex currently operates 2,448 screens at 262 sites worldwide.

Operator Becomes Owner Pacific Acquires L.A. Grove 14-Plex HOLLYWOOD – Pacific Theatres announced Dec. 13 that it completed the acquisition of Los Angeles’ thriving Grove 14-plex. Pacific oversaw the facility’s March 2002 launch in Hollywood’s Fairfax District (In Focus, June 2002), and the circuit’s original agreement with Caruso Affiliated Holdings included a management contract and equity share of the facility. “The customer and industry response to the location has been overwhelmingly positive and we expect that its popularity will grow in the years to come,” noted Pacific CEO Christopher S. Forman. Pacific also announced a summer 2003 launch for a stadium-style 12-plex in nearby Culver City, Calif. The Los Angeles-based circuit currently operates more than 450 screens in California and Hawaii. NY’s Waverly Converts IFC Makes Big Fat Renovations NEW YORK – “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” distributor IFC announced Dec. 19 plans to undertake a major renovation of New York City’s Waverly Theatre at Avenue of the Americas between West Third and West Fourth streets. Set to reopen late this year, the rechristened IFC Center will be managed by IFC Entertainment and serve as a national center for independent film and a focal point for the New York City independent film community. “Our hope is to show the breadth of independent film, not just recent releases from our company or others, but documentaries, retrospectives, as well as films that may warrant only a very targeted theatrical release,” said IFC president Jonathan Sehring. New to the triplex will be a digital post-production suite and filmmaker meeting rooms. The center will also feature a spacious indoor/outdoor café area. Century Specialty Arm Gilson Becomes CinéArts Marketeer SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – CinéArts, Century Theatres’ arthouse division, announced on Dec. 17 the appointment of Rebecca Gilson as its new director of marketing. Beginning her career as a photographer in New York, Gilson served as vice president of creative and marketing for iXL before joining Century. Gilson will report to Nancy Klasky, the circuit’s vice president of marketing. “We’re thrilled to have someone of Rebecca’s expertise on board to further the CinéArts brand,” said Century CEO Raymond W. Syufy. CinéArts is comprised of five sites, with a new CinéArts facility set to bow later this year in San Jose, Calif. Century currently operates 850 screens in 11 states. Exhibition Stars Awarded Anderson & Ikushima Take ShoWest Honors LAS VEGAS – ShoWest organizers revealed in January the recipients of two major convention honors. J. Wayne Anderson, chairman, president and CEO of Maryland-based R/C Theatres, will receive the Inter-society’s Ken Mason Award at the fete’s opening day breakfast. The Mason award is given “for dedication to the motion picture industry and for significant efforts to enhance the theatre-going experience.” Last year’s recipient was Ioan Allen of Dolby Laboratories. Anderson was also the 1997 recipient of ShoWest’s B.V. Sturdivant Award and was chosen for the NATO Medal of Honor in 1996. ShoWest’s International Exhibitor of the Year award will go to Yoji Ikushima, managing director of Tokyo-based Warner Mycal. Ikushima will receive his award at the convention’s May 3 international day luncheon. “Under Mr. Ikushima’s dedication and insight, the rollout of Warner Mycal’s multiplex operation in Japan was achieved in record time and it is our privilege to be able to recognize his outstanding accomplishments,” noted convention organizer Robert Sunshine. Ikushima began with Mycal in 1970 and in 1996 began working on a division involving film exhibition. In 1998, Millard Ochs, president of Warner Bros. International Theatres, appointed Ikushima as managing director of Warner Mycal, a joint venture between Japanese retailer Mycal and Warner Bros. Five years later he returned to Japan and built the circuit from 93 screens at 13 sites to 329 screens at 43 sites. ShoWest ‘03 is set for March 3-6 at the Paris and Bally’s hotels in Las Vegas. Food For Family Film NA Presents Holiday Classics Program DEDHAM, Mass. – A record 25,000 pounds of food was collected for local food banks as National Amusements presented its annual “Holiday Classics” program at participating Showcase Cinemas sites in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The amount more than doubled the 10,000 pounds of food the circuit collected the previous year. The program, which ran every Saturday for five weeks in November and December, offered patrons a free screening of a classic film in exchange for a nonperishable food item. “We are pleased with the tremendous success of this year’s ‘Holiday Classics’ program,” noted NA president Shari E. Redstone. “The amount of food we collected was an all-time record for the program - and could not have been achieved without the enthusiastic participation of our patrons.”