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of their screens. The
Senator's former owner, Tom Kiefaber explained: "We eventually overcame the (rival multiplexes') clearance, but without equal access to the first-run lifeblood of the film exhibition industry during that difficult period, we were forced to accumulate debt that is a continuing detriment to the economic viability of The Senator Theatre.“ The good news is that "if we are able to avert the auction sale...our district will soon become a ’free zone’ and the primary impediment to our profitability, a restrictive film clearance...by an independent Baltimore multiplex... will soon come to a blessed end.“
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549:"(O)ur well-established, activist, anti-film clearance position (has been) outlined... in the national, media coverage we have received over the years on the subject... in The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Small Business Magazine, USA Today, CBS Sunday Morning, and ABC News among others."
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The
Senator Theatre boasts a massive, modern 40 ft curved screen, state of the art projection systems, and Dolby Digital sound with surround EX. Today, the Senator Theatre mainly showcases first run movies. It is able to screen films in 35mm or 70mm. Equipment includes a Bauer U2 projector with
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On March 16, 2009, a town hall meeting was held by the local neighborhoods to rally support to save the
Senator Theatre from the pending foreclosure and make it into a cultural center. No general agreement could be made to determine an effort in moving forward in the community's efforts to save the
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The
Senator's struggles have been attributed to a practice known as “clearance“. Movie "clearing" or blocking occurs when rival theatres, usually multiplexes, invoke agreements with distribution houses to exclude a nearby theatre from ever concurrently running the same films that are running on any
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The lobby still features the original terrazzo floors, and art deco murals about the history of performing arts. A massive gold curtain still opens to dramatically reveal the screen before each performance. The theatre's interior is accented by a back lit sun-burst at the apex of the screen, and
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New owners have renovated the theater and plan additional renovations following its scheduled
October 15, 2010, reopening. These include an additional screen, a small-plate restaurant, and a bar inside the lobby. They have uncovered original wooden paneling in the lobby's rotunda.
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Managers Buzz and
Kathleen Cusack renovated the theater and reopened it on October 15, 2010. The theater closed again for more renovations on April 26, 2012. It has since reopened, with three smaller theaters adjacent to the main one. It shows first run movies as well as classics.
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On May 19, 2003, the
National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored owner Tom Kiefaber with the “2003 Business Leadership Award”. The award was “in recognition of his tireless advocacy for historic, independent movie theaters".
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American Dreams Inc., the developers of this web site; nationalregisterofhistoricalplaces.com, is not affiliated in any way with the U.S. Dept. of
Interior, the National Park Service, or the National Register of Historic
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The
Baltimore Sun noted the following on March 17, 2009: "The Senator Theatre stopped selling tickets Sunday night, as owner Tom Kiefaber unexpectedly closed the financially troubled movie house."
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The
Senator Theatre is an Art Deco landmark built by E. Eyring for Durkee Enterprises at an original cost of $ 250,000. It opened to the public October 5, 1939. The first movie it featured was
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on Sunday evening, March 15th, was the final first-run film to be shown at the renowned theatre in its 70 year history." It was revealed the theatre was again facing possible foreclosure.
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The August 5, 2005, issue of Entertainment Weekly Magazine ranked the Senator Theater fourth on the list of “10 Theaters doing it right... movie houses that make watching films a dream”.
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Each December, the Senator holds an annual Holiday Classics Series on the large screen as a means of raising donations of food and cash to the Maryland Food Bank. "
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The Senator Theatre ceased showing first run movies on March 15, 2009. According to their website, "Senator Theatre management has announced that the screening of
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The Senator theatre was scheduled to be auctioned on February 21, 2007. The auction was avoided due to $ 109,000 (USD) in donations through a grassroots campaign.
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The Senator Theatre also has two skyboxes for private parties. They are connected by a mezzanine overlooking the outer lobby and can host up to 40 people.
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The Senator Theatre has been the site of extended camp-outs where diehard fans await tickets for premieres of epic movie offerings, including series like
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The City of Baltimore bought the mortgage to the Theatre in May 2009, and purchased the property (essentially from itself) at auction on July 23, 2009.
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The snack bar offers traditional movie house snacks, and freshly popped, hot popcorn, with real butter upon request. Tickets are now $ 9 each.
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In 2001, the National Trust for Historical Preservation designated the Senator as America's quintessential independent historic movie house.
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In its September 29, 2003, edition, USA Today declared the Senator Theatre to be one of America's best “Places to see a classic cinema”.
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The Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) designated the Senator Theatre as an "exterior"
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premiere most of their films at the Senator. It often hosts East Coast premieres of films shot in and around Baltimore, including
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On February 22, 2007, the Senator Theatre hosted an American Heart Association Go Red for Women campaign fundraiser starring
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In 2003, the Senator was selected to become the first venue to complete the Historic Cinema Certification Program offered by
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The Senator Theatre's facade has been featured in many movies and commercials. It was featured prominently in the cult film
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in 2007. It further designated the interior of the Senator Theatre as another Baltimore City Landmark on June 24, 2011.
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The sidewalk in front of the theatre features a ‘walk of fame’ which highlights local cinematic accomplishments.
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The Senator Theatre routinely hosts special events that have raised millions of dollars for local charities.
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The Senator closed in September 2012, and reopened on October 10, 2013, with a screening of Baltimore local
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The Senator also hosts free screenings classic films in cooperation with community enrichment initiatives.
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Many celebrities have attended movie premieres, fundraisers, and screenings at the Senator. They include:
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rainbow prisms in the recessed ceiling. "Originally, it had 1150 seats but that has gone down to 900."
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theatre. Attendees were told to wait a few more days as the neighborhood trust releases more details.
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Motion Picture Exhibition in Baltimore: An Illustrated History and Directory of Theatres
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716:"National Register of Historical Places - Maryland (MD), Baltimore County"
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was screened on February 19, 2007. It was accompanied by live music from
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392:. The theatre also showcases films starring Baltimore area natives like
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1063:"City takes over ownership of Senator; Raucous auction draws 1 bidder"
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672:"National Register of Historic Places Registration: Senator Theatre"
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Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Baltimore
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Commission for Historical & Architectural Preservation
698:"S.O.S. – SAVE OUR SENATOR! (Interview with Tom Kiefaber)"
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Category:National Register of Historic Places in Maryland
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Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation
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1089:"Baltimore's beloved Senator Theatre is in good hands"
289:, the San-Rafael, California based company founded by
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Several books feature the Senator Theatre, including
997:"Senator Theatre Forced To Close, Rotunda To Follow"
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The Senator Theatre has been used as a venue within
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History of the National Register of Historic Places
1061:Linskey, Annie; Chris Kaltenbach (July 23, 2009).
629:"Spruced-up Senator slated for Oct. 15 reopening"
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953:"Historic Senator Theatre to be sold at auction"
670:Janet L. Davis and Fred B. Shoken (April 1989).
871:"Places to see a classic cinema - USATODAY.com"
355:. The Senator was also featured prominently in
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738:"Baltimore City's Designated Landmark List"
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1179:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
771:Baltimore City's Designated Landmark List
722:. American Dreams Inc. February 9, 2007.
37:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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696:Zoldessy, Michael (February 16, 2007).
1487:Cinemas and movie theaters in Maryland
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720:National Register of Historical Places
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601:"National Register Information System"
413:Exit: A History of Movies in Baltimore
1492:Buildings and structures in Baltimore
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889:"2003 Business Leadership Award]"
747:. City of Baltimore. 2012. p. 70
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262:The Senator Theater was added to the
1035:Kaltenbach, Chris (March 17, 2009).
606:National Register of Historic Places
264:National Register of Historic Places
213:National Register of Historic Places
1482:Art Deco cinemas and movie theaters
1037:"Is this curtains for the Senator?"
1014:Kaltenbach, Chris (July 19, 2009).
627:Sragow, Michael (October 6, 2010).
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1087:Rodricks, Dan (October 19, 2013).
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1477:Art Deco architecture in Maryland
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538:Senator Theatre with 2008 marquee
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502:The 1928 silent comedy classic "
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518:'s 2007 Humanities Symposium.
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853:"10 Theaters doing it right"
18:United States historic place
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677:. Maryland Historical Trust
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835:"Book - Cinema Treasures"
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63:Senator Theater, May 2005
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277:Technical specifications
145:Architectural style
875:usatoday30.usatoday.com
271:Baltimore City Landmark
234:Stanley and Livingstone
217:Baltimore City Landmark
46:Baltimore City Landmark
1202:Keeper of the Register
979:"Clearance discussion"
939:"Humanities Symposium"
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493:Maryland Film Festival
389:The Accidental Tourist
1497:Mid-Govans, Baltimore
1217:National Park Service
1197:Contributing property
913:"Heart Assoc Benefit"
611:National Park Service
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523:To Kill a Mockingbird
521:A free screening of "
448:It's a Wonderful Life
140:Zink, John J.; Et al.
105:39.36361°N 76.61083°W
1133:at Cinema Treasures
985:on October 21, 2006.
823:on October 21, 2006.
805:on October 21, 2006.
454:" are usually shown.
215:and is a designated
76:5904-5906 York Rd.,
1406:South and Southeast
1391:North and Northwest
959:on February 8, 2007
901:on October 6, 2006.
839:cinematreasures.org
641:on October 9, 2010.
310:Matthew McConaughey
189:The Senator Theatre
179:Designated BCL
110:39.36361; -76.61083
101: /
78:Baltimore, Maryland
1401:East and Northeast
1396:West and Southwest
1003:on March 20, 2009.
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466:Special screenings
398:Jada Pinkett Smith
359:2002 music video "
124:less than one acre
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1207:Historic district
1093:The Baltimore Sun
1067:The Baltimore Sun
1041:The Baltimore Sun
1021:The Baltimore Sun
799:"70mm Discussion"
778:City of Baltimore
634:The Baltimore Sun
613:. March 13, 2009.
477:Lord of the Rings
452:A Christmas Carol
334:Cecil B. Demented
245:. The architect,
195:movie theater on
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637:. Archived from
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963:February 9,
575:John Waters
514:as part of
506:" starring
438:Fundraisers
368:John Waters
322:Salma Hayek
243:Nancy Kelly
237:, starring
203:section of
108: /
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1471:Categories
1356:Washington
1346:St. Mary's
1326:Montgomery
1296:Dorchester
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587:References
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300:Reputation
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1301:Frederick
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266:in 1989.
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197:York Road
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488:movies.
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148:Art Deco
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1281:Carroll
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450:" and "
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1100:2013
1074:2009
1048:2019
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