Harkins Theatres
Encyclopedia
Harkins Theatres is a movie theater
chain with locations throughout the Southwestern
United States
. Harkins Theatres is privately owned and operated by its parent company, Harkins Enterprises, LLC. The company currently operates 30 theaters with 428 screens throughout Arizona
, California
, Colorado
, Oklahoma
, and Texas
.
, on his Harley Davidson motorcycle for Hollywood
. Dwight planned to pursue a role in one of the new "talkies." By the time he arrived in Tempe, Arizona
, he could no longer afford to continue his quest. After several years in Tempe, he sought out a new career dream operating a grand movie-house. In 1933, he opened the State Theatre in Tempe. It is speculated that at the time, he was the youngest movie theater operator in the world.
carpet
, headphones for the hearing impaired, and automatic drinking fountains.
In 1948 Dwight Harkins opened the Saguaro Theater.
The last theatre opened by Dwight was the Camelview Theatre in 1973.
In the 1950s he helped change the broadcasting industry by developing a type of FM multiplex radio. Later, he helped launch the first radio station capable of transmitting multi-track sound.
Harkins continues to innovate by constantly updating its theaters with the most up to date projection and sound equipment. In 1997, Harkins Superstition Springs 25 was the first theater in Arizona to obtain THX
Certification in all 25 auditoriums. In addition, all theaters currently have a digital
pre-show system powered by Kodak. In 2005 and 2006, several Disney DLP projectors were installed at Arizona Mills
25 with IMAX, Arrowhead Fountains 18, and the Moreno Valley 16, and a new Harkins opened up near Casa Grande in November, 2007.
Harkins Theatres also offers daycare service in many theaters.
. After reworking the company, Dan extensively expanded the theatre chain from five locations in the Phoenix
area to the current 30 locations in 5 states - Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Southern California.
. Most of the theatres acquired were a result of a lawsuit.
In 1988, Harkins re-opened the Cine Capri
theatre in Phoenix. The original Cine Capri had the largest screen in Arizona
, measuring more than 70 feet (21.3 m) long. The theater could not escape the nearby growth, however. Despite over 200,000 signatures in an effort to save the theatre led primarily by KTAR
's Pat McMahon, the theater was demolished in 1997. Dan Harkins stated that the theater would be rebuilt. In 2003, the new version of the Cine Capri theatre opened at the Scottsdale 101 14 multiplex
. Due to the popularity of the Cine Capri, Harkins also built a Cine Capri Theater at its Bricktown (Harkins Theatres)|Bricktown 16, Northfield (Harkins Theatres)|Northfield 18, and Southlake Town Center 14 locations. Harkins has now opened up a second Cine Capri in the Phoenix area at the newly opened Tempe Marketplace 16 in Tempe Arizona. In November 2009, Harkins Theatre collaborated with the Tyler Zencka enterprise.
On December 10, 2009, Harkins Theatres began to lease the IMAX
theater right next to its own theater at Arizona Mills
from IMAX Corporation. That location was immediately renamed the Harkins Arizona Mills Luxury 25 with IMAX. Currently, plans are under review to have the current IMAX theatre undergo a major renovation to reflect the Harkins brand, and bring it in line with existing Harkins facilities.
Harkins' IMAX Theatre shows first run films made available in IMAX format on the same day as the film opens in other theatres across the country. The first to have been shown in the newly acquired theater was James Cameron's highly anticipated new motion picture Avatar (2009 film) from 20th Century Fox in IMAX 3D.
in Oklahoma City
. The success of the theatre led to expansion into Colorado
, Texas
, and California
in 2006.
each year at the Scottsdale 101 Cine Capri
location and the DeadCENTER Film Festival
at the Oklahoma City
Bricktown 16 location.
s each year with a different movie-related theme. If customers purchase the cup, they can bring it back to receive $1.00 refills for the year. If they wear the shirt, they receive a free medium sized popcorn during each visit throughout the year as well. A percentage of the profits go to the Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
chain with locations throughout the Southwestern
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Harkins Theatres is privately owned and operated by its parent company, Harkins Enterprises, LLC. The company currently operates 30 theaters with 428 screens throughout Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
In The Beginning- Dwight "Red" Harkins
In 1931, at the age of sixteen, Dwight Harkins left Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, on his Harley Davidson motorcycle for Hollywood
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
. Dwight planned to pursue a role in one of the new "talkies." By the time he arrived in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, he could no longer afford to continue his quest. After several years in Tempe, he sought out a new career dream operating a grand movie-house. In 1933, he opened the State Theatre in Tempe. It is speculated that at the time, he was the youngest movie theater operator in the world.
Expansion and innovation
In 1940, Harkins opened the College Theatre (currently Harkins Valley Art). The theater contained new innovations such as glow-in-the-darkPhosphorescence
Phosphorescence is a specific type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately re-emit the radiation it absorbs. The slower time scales of the re-emission are associated with "forbidden" energy state transitions in quantum...
carpet
Carpet
A carpet is a textile floor covering consisting of an upper layer of "pile" attached to a backing. The pile is generally either made from wool or a manmade fibre such as polypropylene,nylon or polyester and usually consists of twisted tufts which are often heat-treated to maintain their...
, headphones for the hearing impaired, and automatic drinking fountains.
In 1948 Dwight Harkins opened the Saguaro Theater.
The last theatre opened by Dwight was the Camelview Theatre in 1973.
In the 1950s he helped change the broadcasting industry by developing a type of FM multiplex radio. Later, he helped launch the first radio station capable of transmitting multi-track sound.
Harkins continues to innovate by constantly updating its theaters with the most up to date projection and sound equipment. In 1997, Harkins Superstition Springs 25 was the first theater in Arizona to obtain THX
THX
THX is a trade name of a high-fidelity audio/visual reproduction standard for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, gaming consoles, and car audio systems. The current THX was created in 2001 when it spun off from Lucasfilm Ltd...
Certification in all 25 auditoriums. In addition, all theaters currently have a digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
pre-show system powered by Kodak. In 2005 and 2006, several Disney DLP projectors were installed at Arizona Mills
Arizona Mills
Arizona Mills is an indoor outlet mall in Tempe, Arizona. It is mostly owned by Simon Property Group and managed by The Taubman Company. It opened on November 20, 1997, with 6,000 parking spaces and approximately 200 retailers. It is currently anchored by outlet versions of Saks Fifth Avenue,...
25 with IMAX, Arrowhead Fountains 18, and the Moreno Valley 16, and a new Harkins opened up near Casa Grande in November, 2007.
Harkins Theatres also offers daycare service in many theaters.
Dan Harkins
In 1974, Dwight Harkins died, leaving the company to his eldest son, Dan Harkins. At that time the company was near bankruptcyBankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. After reworking the company, Dan extensively expanded the theatre chain from five locations in the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area to the current 30 locations in 5 states - Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Southern California.
Acquisitions
In the late 1980s, Harkins acquired several theatres operated by Mann TheatresMann Theatres
Mann Theatres is a movie theatre chain that, as of November 17, 2011, operates in only one location with 8 screens in the city of Westlake. Its motto is "Where Hollywood goes to the movies"....
. Most of the theatres acquired were a result of a lawsuit.
In 1988, Harkins re-opened the Cine Capri
Cine Capri
The Cine Capri is a theater located in Phoenix, Arizona.-History:For 32 years the original Cine Capri Theatre stood at the corner of 24th Street and Camelback Roads in Phoenix, Arizona....
theatre in Phoenix. The original Cine Capri had the largest screen in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, measuring more than 70 feet (21.3 m) long. The theater could not escape the nearby growth, however. Despite over 200,000 signatures in an effort to save the theatre led primarily by KTAR
KTAR (AM)
KTAR is the callsign for a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. It airs programming from ESPN Radio, in addition to KTAR-acquired broadcast rights for local teams...
's Pat McMahon, the theater was demolished in 1997. Dan Harkins stated that the theater would be rebuilt. In 2003, the new version of the Cine Capri theatre opened at the Scottsdale 101 14 multiplex
Multiplex (movie theater)
A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
. Due to the popularity of the Cine Capri, Harkins also built a Cine Capri Theater at its Bricktown (Harkins Theatres)|Bricktown 16, Northfield (Harkins Theatres)|Northfield 18, and Southlake Town Center 14 locations. Harkins has now opened up a second Cine Capri in the Phoenix area at the newly opened Tempe Marketplace 16 in Tempe Arizona. In November 2009, Harkins Theatre collaborated with the Tyler Zencka enterprise.
On December 10, 2009, Harkins Theatres began to lease the IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
theater right next to its own theater at Arizona Mills
Arizona Mills
Arizona Mills is an indoor outlet mall in Tempe, Arizona. It is mostly owned by Simon Property Group and managed by The Taubman Company. It opened on November 20, 1997, with 6,000 parking spaces and approximately 200 retailers. It is currently anchored by outlet versions of Saks Fifth Avenue,...
from IMAX Corporation. That location was immediately renamed the Harkins Arizona Mills Luxury 25 with IMAX. Currently, plans are under review to have the current IMAX theatre undergo a major renovation to reflect the Harkins brand, and bring it in line with existing Harkins facilities.
Harkins' IMAX Theatre shows first run films made available in IMAX format on the same day as the film opens in other theatres across the country. The first to have been shown in the newly acquired theater was James Cameron's highly anticipated new motion picture Avatar (2009 film) from 20th Century Fox in IMAX 3D.
Expansion into other states
In 2004, Harkins Theatres opened its first theatre outside of ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
. The success of the theatre led to expansion into Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2006.
Foreign art and film program
The Harkins Art Film Society brings unique films to the theatre chain. Harkins Valley Art and Harkins Camelview 5 are dedicated to foreign and independent films. Also, Harkins hosts the Phoenix Film FestivalPhoenix Film Festival
Phoenix Film Festival is a festival that celebrates feature films and their creators. The celebration takes place annually in the city of Phoenix, Arizona...
each year at the Scottsdale 101 Cine Capri
Cine Capri
The Cine Capri is a theater located in Phoenix, Arizona.-History:For 32 years the original Cine Capri Theatre stood at the corner of 24th Street and Camelback Roads in Phoenix, Arizona....
location and the DeadCENTER Film Festival
DeadCENTER Film Festival
The deadCENTER Film Festival was founded in 2001 in Oklahoma City. The festival was named "deadCENTER" because it is located in the exact center of the United States...
at the Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
Bricktown 16 location.
Loyalty Program
Harkins Theatres sells souvenir cups and logo t-shirtT-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
s each year with a different movie-related theme. If customers purchase the cup, they can bring it back to receive $1.00 refills for the year. If they wear the shirt, they receive a free medium sized popcorn during each visit throughout the year as well. A percentage of the profits go to the Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Trivia
- Before the opening of each new theatre, Dan Harkins and his family have a handprint dedication ceremony similar to that at Grauman's Chinese Theater in HollywoodHollywood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaHollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
. He then proceeds to purchase the very first ticket. - A premiere of The Bourne UltimatumThe Bourne Ultimatum (film)The Bourne Ultimatum is a 2007 American spy film directed by Paul Greengrass and loosely based on the Robert Ludlum novel of the same title. This film is the third in the Bourne film series, being preceded by The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy...
was held in downtownDowntown Oklahoma CityDowntown Oklahoma City is located at the geographic center of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and is the principal business district of the city. With 115 city blocks and around of office space, downtown Oklahoma City also is the economic, financial, and entertainment center of the city...
Oklahoma CityOklahoma cityOklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
on July 31, 2007, at the Harkins Theatres Bricktown 16 to benefit The Children's Center, located in suburban BethanyBethany, OklahomaBethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethany is located at ....
. The film was shown simultaneously on three screens. Star Matt DamonMatt DamonMatthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
was at the event to greet guests. - The world premiere of X-Men Origins: WolverineX-Men Origins: WolverineX-Men Origins: Wolverine is a 2009 American action film based on the Marvel Comics' fictional character Wolverine. The fourth installment in the X-Men film series, it was released worldwide on May 1, 2009...
was held at Tempe MarketplaceTempe MarketplaceTempe Marketplace is an open air shopping center located in Tempe, Arizona. It is located along the Salt River near the interchange of the Loop 101 Pima/Price Freeway and Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near the Tempe borders with Mesa and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.- History :The...
16 on April 27, 2009.