Historic Movie Theaters of New Mexico · New Mexico Movie Palaces Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces,...

Historic Movie Theaters of New MexicoBy Elmo Baca, NMMS Program Associate

Fall Quarterly Meeting 2012Carlsbad, New Mexico

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Q: What picture won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2011?


Q: What is your favorite movie?Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Big Picture....Theaters and Theater on Main Street

Preserving Landmark Movie Theaters and Promoting Civic Engagement

Raton Coliseum Theater Parade - 1909


Theaters as Civic AssetsCarlsbad Cactus Theater, 1939


Before the movies there were...opry housesDuncan Opera House, Las Vegas, 1910


and Vaudeville......Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Movie Theater Typology

Silent Film Era (1900-1925)Movie Palace Era (1925-1945)Baby Boomer Era (1945-1970)Multi-plex Era (1970-present)Digital & Stadium Seating (present)

Coronado Theater, Las Vegas, NM 1920s


Silent Movie Landmark Theaters in New MexicoFountain Theater, Mesilla, 1904Kiva Theater (Mutual), Las Vegas, 1912Shuler Theater, Raton, 1912-13Luna Theater, Clayton, 1916Princess Theater, Tucumcari, 1917Pecos Theater, Santa Rosa, 1919Lyceum Theater, Clovis, 1919Silco Theater, Silver City, 1923

Shuler Theater, Raton, 1912-13, Rapp & Rapp Architects


Silent era Theater CharacteristicsModest to mid-size seating auditoriums (300-400 seats)Raked, wood plank floorsCramped lobby areasSmall, narrow seats and cramped seating patternsGenerous multi-use stage areas, sometimes with dressing rooms belowOften incorporated into “business blocks” with adjacent storefrontsNeo-classical architecture symbolic of statehood eraInadequate bathrooms (by modern standards)


New Mexico Movie Palaces

Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces, 1926KiMo Theater, Albuquerque, 1927El Morro Theater, Gallup, 1928Lensic Theater, Santa Fe, 1930El Raton Theater, Raton, 1930Odeon Theater, Tucumcari, 1935

KiMo Theater, Albuquerque, 1927


Movie Palace CharacteristicsGrand auditoriums with generous seating capacity (700 or more)Exotic and romantic architectural themes (Pueblo Deco, Mission Revival)Often incorporated large balconiesImmense stage size and picture screen areaTheatrical lighting effectsImpressive lobby areasBuilt-in display areas for movie posters, coming attractions, lobby displays


Baby Boomer CinemasHiland Theater, AlbuquerqueState Theater, ClovisGila Theater, Silver CityLandSun Theater, ArtesiaCavern Theater, CarlsbadAllen Theater, FarmingtonTotah Theater, FarmingtonPlaza Theater, TaosPlains Theater, RoswellState Theater, Las Cruces

State Theater, Clovis, 1950


Baby Boom Theater Characteristics

Streamlined and modern architectureMagnificent and iconic neon marqueesGenerous auditoriums and balconiesRetro lobbies feature recessed lighting effects“Crying” rooms“Modern” building materials include brick, glass block, chromeScreens optimized for wide-screen and Technicolor projectionSound still engineered for monoHeavy duty carbon arc projection systems


Movie Theater

PathologyWhat to look for

in theater assessment

Mark Lake at the Odeon Theater, Tucumcari


Theater checklist

• Quality of the picture and sound is the most important feature

Odeon Theater, Tucumcari


Next check creature comforts...Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Assess Systems


Finally, check structure and roofWednesday, October 10, 2012

Successful Theater Rehabilitations in New MexicoWednesday, October 10, 2012

KiMo Theater, AlbuquerqueOwned by City of Albuquerque since 197730 year restoration process as funds have become availableFirst rehabilitation in 1979, major interior restoration in 2000 ($2 million)Marquee restored, digital projection and air conditioning upgraded 2011 ($500,000)Multi-purpose performing arts theaterProposed wine bar at Fifth and Central


Lensic Theater, Santa FeVarious premieres including “Santa Fe Trail” in 1940 and “Milagro Beanfield War” in 1988Lensic coalition of eight performing arts non-profits, City of Santa Fe and private donors raise $9 million for rehabilitation by 2000Stage redesigned for orchestra pit and live theater setsSophisticated digital acoustic system for music, dance, theater and moviesOwned by non-profit and offers 250 programs per year


Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces

Original family owners gifted theater to Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC)in 1998DAAC partners with City of Las Cruces to raise funds from donors and governmentFederal Economic Development Administration(EDA) grantMulti-purpose performing arts theater with offices and streetfront art galleries

Rio Grande Theater on Main Street, downtown Las Cruces


Yam Theater, PortalesCompletely abandoned theater used as warehouse and saved by Portales Main St.Anonymous donor provides $100,000 seed funding for purchase in 2003Yam Theater deeded to City of Portales for fund-raising assistance and $600,000 EDA grantYam Theater special events center provides needed venue for weddings, parties, entertainment


Luna Theater, ClaytonOwners sell theater to Town of Clayton with funds provided by NMMs Capital Outlay fundsClayton Main Street leases and operates theater on non-profit basisClayton MS organizes volunteers to assist in clean-up, repairs and maintenanceIconic neon marquee restored with public fundsFund-raising underway to convert projection to digital


Artesia Theater DistrictArtesia Main Street raises funds to restore LandSun marquee (1998)Yates family purchases historic Ocotillo Theater (2005)Ocotillo movie theater transformed to Ocotillo Performing Arts Center with 200 seats Ocotillo Performing Arts Center owned and operated by Artesia Arts Council


Hiland Theater, Albuquerque$13 million rehabilitation of theater includes entire block (Margo’s La Mode and WalgreensNew York dance talent relocates to New Mexico after 1995, develops statewide dance education programsBernalillo County purchases Hiland Theater in 2007, signs 60 year lease with National Dance Institute (NDI)NDI rehabs theater for free rent (60 yrs.)Dance-bias theater with 5 adjacent dance studios - 6800 students statewide


Implications of Digital Conversion

• Six major movie studios agreed to eliminate 35mm film distribution by 2013-14

• “Theatrical Distribution Package” includes hard drive with multiple layers of video and sound data

• Projection systems custom engineered for each location


Implications of Digital Conversion

• Rural communities may be excluded from new releases by technology

• Community organizing and fund-raising may be necessary

• Large auditoriums at risk

• Older classics and independent, art movies may be hard to find


The (constantly) evolving movie industry

• Digital film technology rapidly evolving and relationship with film unknown

• Market for second run features, art films, independent movies tentative

• Non-theatrical shows and events a potential strategy (outdoors, mixed venues, improvised spaces) Outdoor Cinema in Bellingham, WA


And now...on with the show!Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Historic Movie Theaters of New Mexico · New Mexico Movie Palaces Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces,...

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