3-D on its way to Danbarry Cinemas

MIDDLETOWN — Danbarry Cinemas in Middletown soon will enter the third dimension.

“Middletown will have 3-D before the summer,” said Danny Heilbrunn, the owner of the theater chain, who said he hopes to have the system installed on one screen in time for the May 21 release of “Shrek Forever After,” the fourth and reportedly final film in the Shrek series.

A 3-D system also is planned for a second screen at the theater on 3479 Dixie Highway, in time for the June 18 release of “Toy Story 3,” Heil-brunn said.

Movies in 3-D have been a financial boon for film studios and theaters, with the financial success of “Avatar,” the biggest box office hit of all time, and “Alice in Wonderland,” the biggest hit so far this year.

The latest 3-D film, “How to Train Your Dragon,” took in $43 million last weekend, with 68 percent of that gross coming from higher-priced tickets for 3-D shows, according to The Associated Press.

The 3-D prices at the Danbarry are not yet known, Heilbrunn said. Other area theaters charge $2.75 more per ticket for a 3-D presentation. Danbarry’s current prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children and matinees.

It costs $100,000 per screen to install a 3-D system, which includes a digital projector, a new lens and a new screen, Heilbrunn said.

Danbarry’s Dollar Saver Cinemas, which include locations near the Dayton Mall and at Cincinnati Mall, also could eventually have 3-D.

“That’s not on our immediate plate. When we get further down the road, we’ll certainly look at it,” Heilbrunn said.

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