Phipps Plaza 1 & 2 and Penthouse Theatre
3500 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30326
3500 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30326
4 people
favorited this theater
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I wonder what happened to Mickey and Suzanne. I think Mickey managed Phipps after Promenade.
Fifty years ago today THE EXORCIST opened here (on the Penthouse screen) and was among only two dozen in only twenty-one North American markets to play the film at release launch.
Boxoffice of December 17, 1973 said that the 516-seat addition to ABC’s Phipps Plaza Theatre, slated to open December 26, had been designed by the Columbus, Georgia firm Brookbank, Murphy & Shields.
New article out on Atlanta’s large format and roadshow history. This and several other Atlanta cinemas receive plenty of coverage in the piece.
The twinning of the original PP was bad news to anyone who valued quality presentation. With its big curved screen, almost square auditorium, continental seating, and Ultravision projection system, it provided a moviegoing experience far better than anything else available.
This lame lineup for the grand reopening was a fitting booking for the introduction of the twins. “Prisoner” was a pale effort by Neil Simon to follow up on his two previous NYC hits, Odd Couple and Out Of Towners. It did poor business in this neighborhood that would always turn out for a movie aimed at the older audiences. As for the other one, silly story, over produced, and nice Cole Porter music ruined by two stars who could not sing.
And for this they ended the Christmas Attraction run of Young Frankenstein while it was still doing sell out business.
As for the Penthouse the photo section has some pictures taken from the booths that show how high the ceilings were.
Closed 1991
3 screens on March 28th, 1975.
Phipps Plaza Twins opening · Fri, Mar 28, 1975 – 36 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Newspapers.com
I think I remember the penthouse having a lower ceiling
The 2nd screen, the Phipps Penthouse opened on December 26th, 1973. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
Grand opening ad:
Phipps Plaza Theatre opening · Sun, Dec 7, 1969 – 139 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Newspapers.com
treadway, you are right. Both theaters (the one downstairs was single screen when it opened and the Penthouse upstairs) were plush and made the film you were seeing a memorable experience.
Phipps Plaza was the fanciest mall we knew of at the time in the early 1980s. It was the best place to see the 1st run movies. All of the stores were cutting edge and the theater was great.
Phipps Plaza was the place to see movies in Atlanta in the 70’s and 80’s. Took my family to many good ones and one or two that was not so good. Phipps was such a neat place to go in those days, we always went in Abercrombie & Fitch long before it became just another teen clothing store, it was on two levels, need khakis no problem, or a canoe.
I remember going here with my dad on my 9th birthday to see The Empire Strikes Back. At the time the movie opened on May 21, 1980, it started out as playing as a limited engagement in select theaters, including this one. Not only that, Phipps showed the 70MM print! And there was either a rep or a bookstore guy out front in the lobby selling copies of the storybook from Random House, so you know who got a copy of that on the way in to see it. :)
I remember buying tickets in one part and seeing the film somewhere else. I also remember that at least one of the two theaters was very mod at the time, featuring the egg shaped chairs in the lobby. That was glorious fun for a kid.
As my memory serves me, the Phipps Plaza Theatre was originally a single screen downstairs. They added the Penthouse upstairs at a later date. I was thinking they split the original theatre downstairs into two screens. The original theatre was one of the most comfortable with more leg room per seat… great when someone had to get by you to get to their seat, or exit to the lobby.
“Monty Python and The Holy Grail"goes on Seven weeks at the Penthouse.Between Jacksonsonville and Atlanta screens it has grossed over $300,000.A dozen addition markets are set to open next week. Sept.22.1974,BOXOFFICE.
Admission Prices set for “JEDI” and “SUPERMAN” from the Knoxville District is that Child will go to $2.50 and Adult will go to $4.50 on “JEDI” and $4.00 for “SUPERMAN”.
Saw MAS*H at the original PPT in late 70 or early 71. Place was packed.
Was it at Phipps where you bought the tickets at one location in the mall, then
walked to the theater in another? Idea was to “acquaint” the customer with more
mall merchants. Anybody remember that, or is it just another of my
Baby Boomer memory tricks?
That mall was like a cemetery at one point in the early 80s. You could walk through
and about the only people you’d see were store employees and uniformed security
people. Lenox Square, on the other hand, would be packed. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Atlanta, I guess Phipps has recovered. Hope so, it was a beautiful mall.
Phipp’s Fountain and Tea Room? Things always taste better there, I don’t know WHAT they do to it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtS7lKIXafQ
Hahaha…no, I had retired and moved to Jacksonville, Florida by that time!
Robin, were you still in ATlanta when these movies played?
Now showing Oct 15 1988, “LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST”,“RUNNING ON EMPTY” and “PUNCHLINE”
Now Showing March 28 1988, “A NEW LIFE” rated PG-13 Going into 11 weeks is “GOOD MORNING VIETNAM” rated R.
Great shots. I know you are glad you took a few. I have searching everywhere for pictures.I think I have found them. Any for STONEMONT? I am going to look now. Bye.