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Starts With Former Megastar 16-Plex In Mass. Marquee Adding 59 In Early 2004 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Marquee Cinemas expects to add a total of 59 screens in a process that began March 19 and is expected to conclude in June. The circuit on March 19 assumed operation of the former Megastar 16-plex located at 1250 Saint James Ave. in Springfield, Mass. The 6-year-old facility features stadium-style seating and digital sound. Marquee also announced that an 8-plex was set to bow May 7 in Tiffin, Ohio, while four other sites were slated to open in June: a triplex in Welch, W.V.; a 10-plex in Aurora, Ohio; an 8-plex in Scranton, Penn.; and a 14-plex in New Hartford, N.Y. Beckley, W.V.-based Marquee currently operates 146 screens at 16 sites.   Precipitates Pensacola Plan New REG 16-Plex For West Florida PENSACOLA, Fla. – Regal Entertainment Group on March 22 announced plans to replace its existing sloped-floor 8-plex at Simon’s University Mall in in Pensacola, Fla., with a new stadium-style 3,500-seat 16-plex. The new 75,000-square-foot site is expected to feature high-backed rocker seats with retractable cupholder armrests, digital sound and the Regal Crown Club loyalty program. “Regal’s modern design and its myriad of customer amentities will greatly enhance the entertainment offerings at University Mall,” said Simon Property development director Scott Richardson.   No Fooling In Ft. Wayne Regal Debuts Indiana 14-Plex KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG) celebrated the April 2 opening of its Coldwater Crossing Stadium 14 in Fort Wayne, Ind. The 3,600-seat 14-plex was the site of special March 27 preview events showcasing $1 movies, popcorn and soft drinks with proceeds benefiting local charities: The Boys and Girls Club of Fort Wayne and Camp Watcha- Wanna-Do. An April Fools Day “No Jokin’ Free Films!” event allowed radio listeners to win tickets to their choice of 14 selected comedies. Replacing the circuit’s Coldwater Crossing 8-plex in the same location, the new facility features stadium-style seating, plush, high-backed rocker chairs with retractable cupholder armrests and the Regal Crown Club loyalty program. “Fort Wayne’s north side will now enjoy the latest in theatre amenities at Regal Coldwater Crossing Stadium 14,” noted circuit senior vice president of marketing and advertising Dick Westerling. Knoxville, Tenn.-based REG currently operates 6,045 screens at 550 sites in 39 states.   Waycross 7-Plex Renovation GTC Goes Stadium On Georgia Multi WAYCROSS, Ga. – Georgia Theatre Company (GTC) was in May expected to complete a major renovation of its 7-plex in the South Georgia town of Waycross. Plans called for converting all seven auditoria to stadium-style seating and replacing all seats with new high-backed chairs with retractable cupholder armrests. The venue also gets new drapes, Dolby Digital sound, a completely remodeled lobby and a brand new concession stand. “I am excited about this project for so many reasons,” noted circuit vice president of construction Scott Bagwell. “When we get finished in May this will be one of the finest theatres in our circuit.” St. Simons Island, Ga.-based GTC currently operates 255 screens at 27 sites in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.   Associations Become CERTA-fied NATO Joins Counterparts To Form Retail Coalition WASHINGTON, D.C. – Five leading trade associations joined together April 14 to form the Coalition of Entertainment Retail Trade Association (CERTA). The group – comprised of NATO, the Video Software Dealers Association, the Na-tional Association of Recording Merchan-disers, the Digital Media Association and the Interactive Enter-tainment Merchants Association – was established to address common concerns and explore potential collaborations. The new association will focus first on public policy matters, according to a CERTA press release. “By partnering we can use our individual industries’ resources more efficiently,” noted NATO president John Fithian. “Ultimately that should result in more knowledge of the marketplace, more innovation and more value for consumers.” Among other issues, CERTA was expected to focus on combating piracy through enforcement and education, as well as focusing on entertainment product rating and labeling issues. CERTA members, including NATO, have declared June 2004 “Entertainment Ratings and Labeling Awareness Month.” During June, NATO members and other coalition participants will reemphasize their ratings policies to their employees and educate their customers.

Plexes in Curitiba, Sao Paulo Cinemark Launches 13 For Brazil Market PLANO, Texas – Cinemark International was slated to unveil in May two new Brazil multis: an 8-plex in Curitiba and a 5-plex in Sao Paulo. Located in the heart of Curitiba, the 2,200-seat Mueller Shopping Theatre is part of an existing 5-level mall. The 40,904-square-foot facility is the circuit’s second site in the southern city. Part of a major regional mall development, the 29,064-square-foot Center Norte Theatre is Cinemark’s 14th facility in the Sao Paulo market. The development was set to include restaurants, chain retailers and a large supermarket. Both facilities were expected to feature stadium-style seating, high-backed rocker chairs with cupholder armrests, Dolby Digital sound and wall-to-wall screens. Plano, Texas-based Cinemark currently operates 3,181 screens in 33 U.S. states, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Taiwan.   Bainbridge Plex Cleveland Takes Over Ex-Megastar Ohio 14 BAINBRIDGE, Ohio – Cleveland Cinemas on April 9 commenced operation of its newly acquired Chagrin Cinemas 14-plex in Bainbridge, Ohio. Located east of Chagrin Falls on Route 422, the Chagrin was previously operated by Megastar Cinemas. Like other Cleveland Cinemas venues, the Chagrin now programs a diverse selection of films, including Hollywood blockbusters, family films and independent and specialized selections, according to circuit president Jonathan Forman. Its concession stand now features fresh baked pastries and cookies, specialty coffees, drinks, juices and bottled waters. Also available are discount ticket opportunities, such as $5 “bargain Mondays” with free popcorn. Cleveland, Ohio-based Cleveland Cinemas currently operates 53 screens at seven sites.   Greendale Due November Developer Enters Biz With 10-Plex GREENDALE, Ind. – Commercial real estate developer Maxwell Construction Co. announced on April 9 plans to enter the exhibition industry with a new 10-plex in Greendale, Ind. As part of a 35-acre site, which will also house a Comfort Inn, a restaurant and other developments, the cinema will be located off the Interstate 275 Lawrenceburg/Greendale exit in southeast Indiana. Construction is slated to commence in July, with an expected opening in November. The 35,000-square-foot facility is expected to feature stadium-style seating, rocker seats with cupholders, a game room, digital sound and wall-to-wall screens. Greendale-based Maxwell Construction has completed more than 2 million square feet of design-build construction since its founding in 1988.   North Carolina Agency Consolidated CEO Joins Film Council CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Consolidated Theatres president and CEO Herman Stone was on Feb. 5 appointed by Gov. Michael Easley to serve a 3-year term on the North Carolina Film Council. Sworn in by state speaker Jim Black, Stone joins a 25-member advisory board that aims to promote film and television. “I have enjoyed being part of the growth in the North Carolina film industry over the past 40 years and I welcome the opportunity to further that cause,” said Stone. “Our state has so much scenic beauty. From the mountains to the coast, and the picturesque piedmonts in between, we have much to offer the film industry.”