Lanark Thorton

Lanark Thornton started his life-long love of film and the motion picture exhibition industry as an 18-year-old usher for General Cinema Theatres in Bradenton, Florida. This role led to promotions and transfers at various locations in central Florida, followed by Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston where he was General Manager of the company’s Flagship location in Framingham. There he oversaw numerous initiatives including several remodels and the introduction of a Premium Cinema, a luxury auditorium and restaurant for guests 21 and over that became a precursor to many upscale amenities now common in the industry. Additionally, Framingham was the original test location for WGBH-Boston’s MOPIX initiative that has led to technologies that afford hearing and visually impaired accessibility in today’s theatres.

In May 2007 he relocated to the Washington DC area to become General Manager of the Bethesda Row Cinema. In the fall of 2007, he was asked to take over the E-Street Cinema and remained there until his retirement in 2024. From 2015 to 2020, he was also General Manager of the West End Cinema. Lanark was honored as Regional and National General Manager of the year in 2015 by Landmark Theatres.