Thruway 1 & 2
310 S. Stratford Road,
Winston-Salem,
NC
27103
310 S. Stratford Road,
Winston-Salem,
NC
27103
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A lot of 70mm presentations played first run at Winston-Salem’s Thruway Theatre during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when it was a 780 seat single screen ULTRAVISION theatre.
A chronology of Winston-Salem’s 70mm presentations has been published. The Thruway gets several mentions in the article.
The overview lists a seat-count of 950. However, grand-opening newspaper coverage lists 780 as the seat count of this venue in its initial single-screen configuration. “New Thruway Theater Will Open Tonight,” Winston-Salem Journal, February 20, 1969, p27.
Anyone familiar with this theater know which figure is correct?
Reopened with two screens on June 17th, 1977, with a marathon showing of “For the love of Benji” and “A Bridge Too Far”. Grand opening ad posted.
You might be the guy that wouldn’t let my Buddy and me in to see Porky’s because we were only fifteen. I had to wait for the beta.
I have the original ads. Contact INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM did not play first-run at Winston-Salem’s Thruway Twin Theatres.
Winston-Salem and Greensboro were absent from the 70mm-6 Track Dolby Stereo engagement presentations of “Temple of Doom”. Only Raleigh and Charlotte upon its opening on May 24,1984 were the only two cities in North Carolina that presented “Temple of Doom” in 70mm.
“TEMPLE OF DOOM” played first-run at Hanes Mall Cinema on 2 screens on May 24,1984. It did not play at the Thruway.
June 1,1984…..
“STAR TREK III:THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK” was the Thruway’s only 70mm-6 Track Dolby Stereo presentation in the Carolinas. The film played first-run in its largest auditorium seating 600 for its Triad Exclusive.
Opened on February 16,1969 as a single screener with a seating capacity of 600. Named the THRUWAY THEATRE or THE THRUWAY ULTRAVISION THEATRE
Second Auditorium opened in 1977 with a seating capacity of 350,and was renamed the Thruway 1 & 2 under ABC Theatres.
Carmike Cinemas closed this theatre in 1994.
THEATRE HISTORY:
1969-1971 Wilby-Kincey Corporation/Paramount Theatres
1971-1978 ABC Southeastern Theatres
1978-1987 Plitt Southern Theatres
1987-1991 Cineplex Odeon/Plitt Southern Theatres
1991-1994 Carmike Cinemas
I was the manager after Mr. Mumford
To SteadyRed805: Yes, the capsule is still there. It’s 50 years: the opening date is set for Feb. 14, 2019. I wasn’t at the dedication in ‘69, though I saw the plaque during many a Saturday Kiddie show there. I hope to make it down to Winston on that date myself.
TOP GUN played here in DOBLY STEREO IN 1986.
THE RETURN OF THE JEDI
THE 70MM-6 TRACK DOBLY STEREO EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENTS:
Winston-Salem: Thruway 1 & 2
Charlotte: Park Terrace
These were the only two cities within North Carolina that was given the 70MM exclusive engagement showings.
www.in70mm.com/news/2008/jedi/index.htm
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
THE 70MM-6 TRACK DOBLY STEREO EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENTS:
Raleigh: Cardinal 1 & 2
Fayetteville: Bordeaux Triple
Charlotte: Park Terrace
Greensboro: Terrace
Winston-Salem: Thruway 1 & 2
www.in70mm.com/news/2003/empire/index.htm
filmbooks: from your comment on august 7,2010; STAR WARS played at the Parkview Twin first-run on June 16,1977. It was one of five exclusive engagement running of the film playing here in the Carolinas,and one of them was here in Winston-Salem. Other cities within North Carolina didn’t get the film until July 1,1977.
About it’s re-release: The Thruway was not one of the cinemas that played STAR WARS as a re-release. The re-release of the film STAR WARS played at two theatres in Winston-Salem from July 21,1978 until September 1,1978. There are listed below:
-Reynolda Cinema 1 & 2 -Parkview Twin -Bright Leaf Drive-In(Mount Airy) *I have the information.
February 14, 2019, is the open date: http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/428323_10150590260539570_610159569_8774187_1080429158_n.jpg
I graduated from NC school of the arts in the summer of 79. Which put me about 5 years older than the author. I remember being there that day in 1969 when they planted that time capsule. I don’t remember it as being the opening of the theatre, which it very well may have been, but as an 8yrs old I was fascinated with the concept of how old I would be when it was opened. Strangely enough, I think that it was a 45yr capsule, because I think that the open date is 2014. Neither my older sister nor mother remembers the event as it held little interest for them, but for me it was a foundation stone. I live in California now and for the past 32 years, but I would gladly fly to Winston-Salem to view the opening if anyone will confirm its existence and open date which I remember being inscribed on a copper plaque.
The Thruway Theatre opened on February 16,1969 with the Steve McQueen feature “Bullitt”.
Speaking of “The Godfather”,that movie didn’t play at the Thruway. It played at the Reynolda Cinema.
Irwin Mumford was managing here June 3 1983.
Arby is correct about “Bullitt” being the first movie shown at the Thruway Theatre. According to the book “Winston-Salem,” by Molly Grogan Rawls, the house opened in February, 1969.
I think the first movie I saw at the Thruway was Bullitt with Steve McQueen. It seems like this might have been its first movie. Never one to pass on 70MM, I also remember seeing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom here.
I saw Star Wars at Parkway Twin, but worked at Thruway many years later on and off. I sold an ungodly number of tickets to Top Gun in the summer of 86. Loved working with that group and especially loved the Tron machine in the lobby!
I saw the movies ‘The Hand That Rocks The Cradle’ and ‘Jungle Fever’ at this theatre in the early 90’s with my dad. Probably not very appropriate choices for a kid, but oh well, fond memories all the same.
The Winston-Salem first-run engagement of the original “Star Wars” was not at the Thruway; it was at Parkview Twin. Perhaps, Chip, you’re recalling seeing it at Thruway during one of its many re-releases.
I grew up with this movie theater, and clearly remember going to see Star Wars (A New Hope), plus Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. I remember when ROTJ came out opening day, the line to get in was wrapped all the way around the building.
I saw many other films from the 1980’s besides the Star Wars Trilogy at this theater. I also remember many snow days spent watching movies here, when not much else in town was open. Seems like this theater closed in the later 1980’s when Market Place Six opened. Now Market Place Six is closed! The plaque indicating the time capsule is still present today.