Theatres in Whitecourt, AB
Find accurate info on the best theatres to visit in Whitecourt. Get reviews and contact details for each business, including phone number, address, opening hours, promotions and other information.
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Results from the 'Theatres' category in Whitecourt
Closed now
5023 51 Ave, Whitecourt, T7S 1P3
(780) 778-2212
One of Rainbow/Magic Lantern's strengths is that it has a variety of cinemas, in many types of locations. We have small town single screen theatres; we have large city multiplex theatres; we have discount theatres and we have art/alternative theatres. We are not a "one-size-fits-all" company because we see the value in diversity of movie-going experiences. The next Rainbow Cinema was at Promenade Mall, Thornhill. Once, on a trip through Montana, the owners stopped at Great Falls. They noticed the facades of what had been big, important theatres on Main Street. One of them was named the Rainbow Theatre (after the rainbow effect at the Falls). The comment was made: "That is a real good name for a theatre....must remember it". In the early 1990s, a new type of cinema was springing up in the United States. The Discount, or Dollar Theatre. Unlike the older "dollar cinemas" — usually first-run cinemas that dropped the prices because they were old, or run down, or badly located — these were new-built multiplex theatres that showed movies, after their first run, and charged very low prices. They depended on volume of attendance to make money. Magic Lantern decided to build a Discount Cinema, after studying the success of this new idea. Saskatoon was chosen, and the name... well, why not use the one from Great Falls? Rainbow Cinema was born. A couple years later, a sister theatre was built in Regina, so there were two Rainbows in Saskatchewan. Further expansion of this concept was stymied, however, because the cost of land and taxes was too high in cities where Rainbow discount theatres could have been successful. The year 2000 was a tough year for the film exhibition industry in North America. Most movies that year were not big moneymakers. Also, many major movie exhibitors went bankrupt or struggled with big losses because they had overbuilt the expensive, stadium-type-seating gigaplexes. 
Magic Lantern Vista Theatre in Whitecourt is praised for its friendly staff, clean theatre, and reasonable prices. The seats are described as semi-comfy and the popcorn is a highlight. Some customers appreciate the new management and improvements, while others mention issues with movie scheduling. Movies are generally enjoyed, and the screen is clear.