There has been a long evolution to the currrent situation at the Bridge. Some will remember that at first it was Sundance who planned the theatre and included aspects such as screening rooms for short artists films, seminar rooms for discussion or filmmaking groups, and a thought that this could be an overall "film center". It was really exciting, til Sundance pulled out during a period of economic downturn.
Redford talked a good line, but never produced anything. His involvement was never more than a photo-op. This was his first attempt at a commercial venture. He had a lot of ideas, but no business sense (and evidently zero funds).
Sundance Cinema (Robert Redford) never put up any money for the project. He just "lent his name" to the deal. The project was being funded (i.e. constructed) by General Cinema and Penn. General Cinema was to be the "Operator" of the theaters.
To quote from the Penn Gazette, October 1998:
"Sundance is a joint venture between Redford and GC Companies, Inc., the parent company of General Cinema Theatres, Inc., which will share with Penn the cost of developing the property."
http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/1198/1198gaz1.html
http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/v45/n06/100698.html
In October of 2000, General Cinema went belly-up (declared bankruptcy), and left Penn holding the bag for all costs associated with the project. Redford was never heard from again.
[Of course, this allowed the City to declare the 40th and Chestnut intersection as a "blighted area. But that's another story...]
The construction had already begun and so it was a great relief when UA took on the project, though it was clear that the community and cultural aspects were no longer a part of the plan, nor would the films shown be in any way "art films".
Penn then cast about for another "Operator" since Redford had no further interest in things (i.e. he was not willing to put money where his mouth was). UA - United Artists - does not, and has never had anything to do with the project. UA was the operator of the "old" theater which was demolished to make way for the new project in about 95.
The new Operator is National Amusements.
"The University of Pennsylvania has resurrected plans for a six-screen movie theater at 40th and Market Streets that had the backing of Robert Redford until his financial partner filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000."
. . .
"National Amusements opened the first "Bridge" movie house in Los Angeles last summer [2001- whm], and this will be the second. Shari Redstone is the daughter of Sumner Redstone, who is chairman of National Amusements and Viacom Inc., which owns CBS, Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon and Blockbuster."
. . .
" National Amusements will outfit the movie house with fixtures, carpeting and other interior wares, Blaik said. The company has signed a contract to operate the movie theater for 15 years, he said. Blaik said National Amusements expects to sell about 600,000 movie tickets a year at Penn. "
http://westphillydata.library.upenn.edu/NewsArchive/PENNTheater.htm
If you go to National's home site and look at the Bridge in LA, you will discover that they "mix and match" photos of Phila with LA...
http://www.thebridgecinema.com/home/home.asp
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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