AMC Entertainment Inc. and Loews Cineplex

[Reel Monkey]

I just got this in my mailbox and I thought it was kinda cool so I thought I"d share it, since I know a lot of you go to AMC and Loews theatres.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

AMC Entertainment Inc. and Loews Cineplex

Entertainment Corporation Complete Merger

Kansas City, Missouri – January 26, 2006 – AMC Entertainment Inc. today announced that it has completed its merger with Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation, creating a worldwide leader in the theatrical exhibition industry. In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement governing the transaction, Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation has been merged into AMC Entertainment Inc., with AMC Entertainment Inc. continuing as the surviving corporation. Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation’s holding company, LCE Holdings, Inc., has similarly been merged into Marquee Holdings Inc., the holding company of AMC Entertainment Inc., with Marquee Holdings Inc. continuing as the holding company of the merged businesses.

The merged company will be called AMC Entertainment Inc. and will continue to be headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The company will have interests in approximately 415 theatres with 5,672 screens in 29 states and the District of Columbia and 11 countries outside of the United States. Peter C. Brown will remain chairman and chief executive officer, and the combined company will have approximately 24,000 associates serving more than 250 million guests annually.



As a result of the merger, approximately 60 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Marquee Holdings Inc. will be held by the existing shareholders and approximately 40 percent will be held by the former shareholders of Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation. Our significant shareholders include: affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P. (approximately 21 percent); affiliates of J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC (approximately 21 percent); affiliates of Bain Capital, LLC (approximately 15 percent); affiliates of The Carlyle Group (approximately 15 percent); affiliates of Spectrum Equity Investors (approximately 10 percent); and other co-investors and members of management (approximately 18 percent).

“This is a momentous day in the history of the theatrical exhibition industry,” Brown said. “AMC and Loews bring together more than 185 years of combined operating history with a shared commitment to providing guests with the best possible out-of-home entertainment experience. We look forward to many years of continued growth, innovation and the opportunity to serve our guests.”

Travis Reid, former Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation president and chief executive officer will serve as a member of the board of Marquee Holdings Inc., and will be available on a consulting basis to assist with the transition and integration process.

"This merger creates one of the biggest and best movie theatre companies in the world," Reid said. “Associates of both Loews and AMC should take pride in contributing to the birth of this great new company. The Loews team has been working alongside AMC for the past several months to help position the new company for a seamless integration, and

I applaud Peter and his leadership team for their dedication to the successful completion of the merger.”

While the full integration process will take a few months, the new entity will immediately honor all gift cards, gift certificates and group tickets previously issued or purchased from AMC or Loews.

In connection with the completion of the merger, AMC Entertainment Inc. repurchased $315 million in aggregate principal amount, or 100 percent, of Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation’s outstanding 9 percent Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 that were tendered in the tender offer and consent solicitation launched December 21, 2005; issued $325 million in aggregate principal amount of 11 percent Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016; and refinanced $850 million in aggregate principal amount of the senior credit facilities of AMC Entertainment Inc. and Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation.
_________________
Playing the world's smallest violin while nothing burns.

[MotionPictures]

But will they do anything about noisy audience members? It used to be that ushers not only showed you to your seat, but showed you back out if you were a disruption during the film. THAT is a "standard of excellence" I would like to see reinstated everywhere!

(And patrons who actually answer their cell phones and converse during the movie should have their tongues placed in the film threader.)

(Woo-hoo! This post also marks my Forum Board Centennial Post!)