Hollywood Theater to show ‘Black Panther’
Grand reopening Friday
Dormont’s historic Hollywood Theater plans to make a splash with a grand reopening Friday: First up is a two-week run of the blockbuster “Black Panther.”
“This was ‘we’re big, we’re open, we are doing this,’” said Richard Fosbrink, executive director of the theater’s new owner, the Theatre Historical Society of America.
“We are probably the only single-screen theater in America that is playing ‘Black Panther’ in the second week [of its national opening],” Mr. Fosbrink said. He explained how a small indie theater was able to book the country’s biggest ticket.
“Our board is made up of people who are involved in cinema chains, or are bookers, or are involved in theater restoration, and they have relationships with people. So, phone calls and a couple more phone calls to the right people, and Disney said ‘OK.’”
The nonprofit THS recently completed its purchase of the Hollywood for $375,000. The seller was real estate firm Kelly-RiellyNell-Barna Associates.
The proposed acquisition had been protested by another nonprofit, the Friends of the
Hollywood Theater, which since 2011 had raised money for improvements while renting the theater. It had hoped to buy the building on Potomac Avenue and launched an online petition in that spirit after learning of the pending sale to the historical society.
“We are focused on relocating our events and finding a new home, permanent home,” said Suzan Mazur, president of the FOHT board of directors. “We wish them well,” she said of the historical society.
Mr. Fosbrink, a former board member of the Friends of the Hollywood Theater, said one of the first tasks by the new owners was to replace the Digital Cinema Projection, which was done over the weekend. The digital projection will complement the theater’s existing dual 35mm projectors, which allow for the showing of archival films such as “The Wizard of Oz,” on March 10-11.
Randy Collins, a Pittsburgh native and University of Pittsburgh film studies grad who once ran the Oaks Theater in Oakmont, will program the new Hollywood lineup. Mr. Fosbrink said early decisions on film and event choices will be a team effort, with THS board member Craig Zellner of Cinema Services of New Jersey and Mr. Fosbrink also involved.
The “old” Hollywood prided itself on keeping it “weird,” with innovative choices that spanned genres such as anime, horror and documentaries. Mr. Fosbrink said he anticipates a diverse lineup of content after “Black Panther” finishes its run. The theater also plans to continue showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Physical renovations are underway; workers are expected to “freshen” the lobbies and restrooms this week, covering dark blue paint with a lighter bluegray. The carpets will be cleaned and sanitized as well. As for historic restoration of the theater itself, that appears to be a job for THS board member Craig Morrison, who has written extensively on historic theaters.
“He cannot wait to get here. We want to go back to 1948 as much as possible. The theater was built in 1925 but in 1948 was completely gutted inside. So we want to shoot back to that design as much as possible, while keeping the modern upgrades.”
For patrons with hearing issues, the Hollywood has purchased headset-based systems for “assisted listening” — increased volume — and “descriptive listening” — voiceover explanation of action. Personalized closedcaptioning devices also will be available.
Tickets will be $7 general admission, $5 for THS or FOHT members. On Tuesdays, all tickets will be $5 and, as with previous management’s policy, there will be BYOB options.
For now, the “Coming Attraction” windows are blank, and the marquee lists past programming.
“When will the marquee get changed?” Mr. Fosbrink said, “as soon as I can find the letters.”