The Hollywood Theater in Dormont is ready for its much-anticipated second act.

On Saturday, the renovated theater at 1449 Potomac Ave. will open its doors, fire up its projector and popcorn machine, and welcome a new legion of fans. The 298-seat theater--which underwent $300,000 in renovations in 2007 and was previously operated as a second-run theater by the Bradley Center -- features a refurbished lobby and balcony, new seats and a new screen and projection booth with 35mm and Dolby digital capabilities.

The Hollywood is under new management by Motion Picture Heritage Corp., a nonprofit in Franklin, Ind., that rehabilitates and operates classic cinemas nationwide in partnership with local communities. The firm will sublease the space for two years, with the option for an additional six, from the Bradley Center, which leases the building from Hollywood Partners LLP.

"We don't want the Hollywood to be just a movie theater; we want it to be a complete experience," said Bill Dever, of Motion Picture Heritage.

"Potomac Avenue has a huge potential for restaurants and shops, so we want to help create foot traffic for our neighbors," he said. "We've seen situations like this where revitalized theaters have really improved local economies."

Mr. Dever said plans include a cafe, live music performances and eventually a liquor license. The theater will screen everything from Hollywood classics, cult horror and B movies to cutting-edge indies and contemporary major studio fare.

Scheduled events Saturday include a pre-party at 6 p.m. featuring a performance by local musician and B movie aficionado Weird Paul Petroskey.

Movies being screened on opening night include "Chopping Mall," "Vampire in Vegas" and "Cry of the Winged Serpent." Chopping Mall, a film remembered by anyone who rented videos in the 1980s, will be introduced by its director, Jim Wynorski. who will premier his latest film, "Vampire in Vegas" later that night.

"We are excited about the reopening of the Hollywood. This will mean that more people will be coming into Dormont and frequenting our businesses," said borough Manager Gino Rizza.

Opened in 1924, the historic theater is the last surviving single-screen theater in the South Hills. The building was gutted and rebuilt by Warner Bros. Theaters in the late 1940s. During the 1950s and 1960s, it became one of Stanley Warner's main second-run neighborhood houses in Pittsburgh and was a first-run house for a while.

The Hollywood was shuttered in 1998 and slowly deteriorated until March 2007, when it was restored with new roof, new seats and a refurbished balcony. The Bradley Center, a nonprofit organization, ran the theater as a way for at-risk youth to learn life skills. The theater closed again in May 2008.

The theater will be managed by Bruce Lentz, of Dormont, who is the owner of the video store, "Incredibly Strange Video," at 3049 W. Liberty Ave.

For a complete schedule, visit: www.hollywooddormont.com.