Dinuba Platinum Theatre & A Night At The Movies

Jan 28, 2012 | 2012 Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Lorie Lewis Ham

Pat Gabriel

Kings River Life Magazine has had the privilege of working with Dinuba Platinum Theatres over the past year or so to be able to bring movie reviews to our readers. They have also given our readers a coupon with every review. I took the time to sit down recently and talk with Pat Gabriel, their General Manager ever since their grand opening in June 2003, about the theatre and all they have to offer the community now and in the future!

KRL: How did you working at Dinuba Platinum Theatre?

Pat: After relocating here in 2000 from the San Francisco Bay Area I was in search of a new and exciting opportunity where I could use my many years of management experience and past experience in the entertainment business. Being the general manager of Platinum Theatres also has allowed me to be very involved in the community of Dinuba, which I thoroughly enjoy.

KRL: Why do you feel it’s important to have something like the theatre in this area?

Pat: The Theatre has been a wonderful addition to not only Dinuba but the surrounding area. Over the years, we have given all the area residents the opportunity to see first run movies without having to travel outside the area. And also giving thousands of schoolchildren the opportunity to come see movies on field trips that would never have the opportunity without a theater close by. We also have employed an average of 22 people at a time for the last eight and a half years.

KRL: Besides the latest movies, what does DPT have to offer?

Pat: We offer first run movies and a full concession stand. On screen advertising for your business and/or your nonprofit organization. We sell Gift Cerificates and Debit cards which make a great gift for any occasion. We offer Birthday Party Packages, discounted group rates, special showing for school groups, etc. and theatre rental. How about having your next company meeting at the theatre?

KRL: Future goals?

Pat: We are currently looking into purchasing digital projectors. The movie studio’s have already cut down the amount of 35mm film that is being produced and distributed so they are pretty much forcing our hand to convert to digital. This is a large investment for us but we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible product. We will working on the project over the next 12 to 18 months. We also will be purchasing new hardware and software so we can start taking Credit Cards for our customers’ convenience.

KRL: What do you like best about what you do?

Pat: Being given the opportunity to serve this community. It gives me great pleasure to see my customers come in and enjoy their experience.

KRL: How are the movies picked that you show?

Pat: Booking movies for Platinum Theatres Dinuba 6 is not always an easy process. There are a lot of factors involved in this process. Because of the fact that we only have six screens it is very hard for me to get a movie in that is not a wide release. Plus, weeks where there are three and four new movies coming out I don’t always have room for everything. There are times of the year that I will miss out on something popular when it first opens but I always try to bring it in two or three weeks after so our customers can still enjoy it. I do at times have to plead my case with the studios that our demographics will handle certain movies. And last but not least, I try to listen to my customers about what they want to see.

KRL: Anything big coming up?

Pat: The next fun event will be Tuesday, January 31 where we will be celebrating free popcorn night for the 1,200 people that liked our Facebook page. Watch our Facebook page for details. This spring and summer lineup for 2012 looks to be full of lots of choices for all of our customers.

KRL: Details on hours and ticket prices?

Pat: Winter hours (when school is in session) Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to midnight and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight. Summer & holiday’s hours open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. We are open 365 days a year for your movie watching convenience. We do deviate from our regular schedule only for Christmas Eve Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Our ticket prices are $6.50 for matinees, which is any movie, starting before 6 p.m… After 6 p.m. adults
are $9.00, student $7.75, children and seniors (55 years and older) $6.50. We offer a Tuesday night special where all seats are six bits all day excluding special engagements.

Check out our Facebook page for weekly updates on what movies will be showing and also biweekly movie trivia contests where you can win a buy one get one free movie pass.

If you’re looking to go see a movie, there’s no reason to head all the way to Fresno or Visalia and spend the extra gas with the current economy. Instead, head out to Dinuba and support a local business. You can contact DPT as Movieline 591-SHOW (7469). Check out their website www.platinum.theatres.com and find them on Facebook. And keep coming back to KRL on Mondays where you can find our movie reviews!

See what is now playing at Dinuba Platinum Theatres 6. Showtimes can be found on their website.

Print this coupon and enjoy a special discount for Kings River Life readers only!

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.