See a movie in MN in the 70s or 80s?

posted by Jesse Hoheisel on December 13, 2005 at 8:00 am

MINNESOTA — As a man of only 25, I missed out on all the great cinema-going experiences in the 70s and 80s. Stuck in the multiplex-riddled times of now (at least until we discover time travel), I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me paint a picture of local theaters in my area.

Several theaters around here are not listed on the Cinema Treasures website, but I am interested in anything from way back then. I have no clue what the Jerry Lewis Cinema of Highway 13 and Cedar was like, nor the downtown theaters or even any of the many, many drive-ins.

Any insight or comments can be posted here or emailed to . I appreciate your assistance!

Comments (6)

fmbeall
fmbeall on December 13, 2005 at 9:17 am

The book to seek out is “Show Houses Twin Cities Style” by Kirk J. Besse (Victoria Publications – 1997). It covers all the downtown theatres and many nabes. Well issustrated.

Jesse Hoheisel
Jesse Hoheisel on December 13, 2005 at 12:05 pm

I love that book! But there are several smaller theaters that didn’t make the cut, and those are the ones I am more interested in. Thanks though!

JimRankin
JimRankin on December 14, 2005 at 12:23 am

You might do well to E-mail or visit the Archive of the Theatre Historical Soc. of America at: www.historictheatres.org Their address and other such details are among their links on their front page. They have photos and records of many thousands of theatres across the country and some in other countrires as well, and have kept such records and published their quarterly magazine MARQUEE, since 1969. That magazine has had more than one article about Minnesota theatres over the years.

regisgoat
regisgoat on December 15, 2005 at 12:29 pm

Saw A Fish Called Wanda at one show-place theater in Minneapolis; they had the stars in the ceiling effect going—the only time I’ve seen it done beside my native Berkeley at the Shattuck.

Jesse Hoheisel
Jesse Hoheisel on December 18, 2005 at 11:45 am

I am looking for information on

WESTGATE
JERRY LEWIS CINEMA
TRAIL 4
100 TWIN DRIVE IN
VALLEY WEST
ABC BROOKDALE (THE MALL SINGLE-SCREEN)
CAMDEN

Any information or pictures (!) would be greatly appreciated!!!!

nelsonexpert
nelsonexpert on January 18, 2006 at 6:55 am

The “Show Houses Twin Cities Style” book by Besse has many mistakes in it and omissions, so it should not be taken as the final word on the subject of Mpls.-St. Paul movie theatres.

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