Marcus Theatres(R) Purchases 13 NEC Digital Cinema Projectors from Ballantyne's Strong Digital Systems Division.

Systems are Being Deployed for the July 11th Release of New Line Cinema's 3-D feature film, "Journey To The Center Of The Earth"

OMAHA, Neb. -- Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. (Amex: BTN), a provider of motion picture projection, digital cinema and cinema screen equipment and services, announced today that Marcus Theatres([R]), a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS) and seventh largest U.S. theatre circuit, has purchased thirteen NEC STARUS[TM] NC2500S Digital Cinema projector systems from Ballantyne's Strong Digital Systems (SDS) division. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The systems are being deployed in cinema complexes in six different states as Marcus expands its installed base of digital projectors and 3-D digital capabilities. Four of the thirteen systems were already installed for purposes of evaluation, and the remaining nine projectors should be installed over the next month. The purchases are planned to support the July 11th release of New Line Cinema's feature 3-D film Journey To The Center Of The Earth.

John P. Wilmers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ballantyne of Omaha, commented, "Marcus Theatres is a prime customer of our Company that we have worked closely with for over twenty years. We are pleased to extend our relationship with them through this sale and welcome the industry leadership Marcus is demonstrating through their investment in digital projection technology. We are confident that armed with state-of-the-art NEC STARUS digital projectors with 3-D capabilities, Marcus Theatres will provide one of the best theater experiences available in the market today."

About Marcus Theatres

Marcus Theatres([R]), a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), is the seventh largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or manages 678 screens at 56 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries. In addition to its Marcus Theatres([R]) division, the company's lodging division, Marcus Hotels and Resorts, owns or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in ten states, with three additional properties under development. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.marcuscorp.com.

About Ballantyne of Omaha

Ballantyne is a provider of motion picture projection, digital cinema projection and specialty lighting equipment and services. The Company supplies major theater chains, top arenas, television and motion picture production studios, theme parks and architectural sites around the world. For more information visit www.ballantyne-omaha.com.

Except for the historical information in this press release, it includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results; customer demand for the Company's products; the development of new technology for alternate means of motion picture presentation; domestic and international economic conditions; the management of growth; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may differ materially from management's expectations.