Sun-Ray Cinema
1028 Park Street,
Jacksonville,
FL
32204
1028 Park Street,
Jacksonville,
FL
32204
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 40 comments
And un-twin it!
Jacksonville should be rallying to keep this theatre open and viable.
This theatre should NOT be closing!
This theater closed July 6, 2024:
Jacksonville, FL: Five Points Movie Theater Closed [Jul 11, 2024]
Closing July 28, 2024 at the end of lease.
Cinerama started on November 15th, 1961. Ad posted.
Reopened as 5 Points on August 11th, 1949. Another ad posted.
The Riverside Theatre opened on March 12th, 1927. Grand opening ad posted.
From the showtimes listed on the theatre’s website it appears to be a 2-screen operation.
My recently-published 50th anniversary “Godfather” retrospective includes, among other things, a first-run bookings chronology, and, as such, I can confirm the 5 Points in Jacksonville did NOT host the longest-running engagement of “The Godfather” as previously claimed in the intro and earlier comments (and repeated elsewhere). That film’s longest run—at 41 weeks—was held at Red Rock in Las Vegas.
I’ve had a chance to research the release of “The Godfather” (1972) and can state that the 5 Points did NOT have the longest run of that film in the United States as claimed in the intro above (“It is reported to have been the home for the 1972 run of “The Godfather” that had the longest run of any theatre in the USA.”). It’s not even close! I’ve found “The Godfather” ran at 5 Points for 18 weeks, which is a lengthy run, for sure, but nowhere near the long-run record holders. It’s not even the long-run record holder for the venue (which probably belongs to “The Sound of Music” with its 31-week roadshow run in 1965). At this time I cannot state with certainty which city/theater had the longest run of “The Godfather, but I’m aware of several in the 26-ish-week range and at least two that were in the 30+ week range. So, it’s a bit infuriating to learn that someone did such shoddy research (mistaken recollection? trolling?) on this "Godfather”/5 Points matter, especially since I’ve seen the claim repeated elsewhere including in some major newspapers.
It has been said that this theater hosted the longest run of “The Godfather.” I’ve never vetted this, so I can’t say if it’s an accurate claim or not.
1949 marquee photo added, from previous dead link.
I’m doing a research paper on the history of this theater. If anyone has some great facts or has seen it evolved, can you let me know some cool information?
Nice renovated/re-opened story.
It was 50 years ago today that “The Sound of Music” premiered at the 5 Points. With a reserved-seat run of 31 weeks, it’s almost certainly the long-run record holder for this venue. (Anyone know of something that ran longer?)
Official website: http://www.sunraycinema.com/
The website gives the address as 1028 Park St. As there is a menu page showing offerings that include sandwiches, pizza, beer, and wine, it appears that the theater has become more of a dine-and-view.
New ownership has renamed it Sun-Ray Cinema.
Love the 1949 marquee look! Wish it still looked that way!
This movie theatre was still showing films at least through November 1979 – We saw “Time after Time” there the week before we lost our 15 year old son just a week after we saw that movie. I love this old theatre and I am so happy for the restoration – We try to get there at least once a month –
Roy Benjamin’s original Italian Renaissance interior of the Riverside Theatre was completely replaced by the Art Moderne style of the Five Points Theatre in the 1949 remodeling. Plans for the remodeling were by Orlando architect F. Earl DeLoe, and the new decoration was designed by Rex M. Davis of the Teichert studios.
The project was the subject of a two-part Boxoffice article by Hanns Teichert, part one in the issue of November 5, 1949, and part two (with more photos) in the issue of December 3, 1949.
Roy Benjamin also built the Marion in Ocala Florida which I hope to see next winter! The Marion has some connnection to John Travolta as he lives near Ocala in Anthony FL. He auctioned off a motorcycle from one of his movies to help with the theatre renovation. Thanks John!
I just learned of this theatre through a Florida friend, Irv Lipscomb. After clicking on Roy A. Benjamin’s name it is interesting to learn that 2 other theatres designed by him in Jacksonville are still listed as OPEN…the San Marco and the Florida Theatres!
Congratulations to Mike Shad for seeing the potential and doing something about it! It’s terrific to see an old theatre re-open, especially one with so much history. This will help the ongoing process of injecting new life into the 5 Points shopping district.
Checked out the new version of the 5 Points tonight.
A very nice restoration indeed! However, the acoustics in the theater itself could use some work. A weird echo in the hall from the film’s soundtrack that’s distracting and takes some time getting used to.
My friend, who was in bands that played at the 5 Points during it’s 90’s nightclub incarnation, remembers having to take that same echo (mostly from the drums since he was a bass player)into consideration while playing so it wouldn’t throw him off. He thinks some drapes and padding on the sides of the theater could possibly help.
Seating is a little weird, especially for those who are used to modern stadium style. Removable doctor’s office waiting room style chairs(I really don’t know how else to describe them) and church pews down front. Doesn’t bother me much. I’d sit on the floor if need be.
They’ve really done a great job with the place. Just need to work on that sound issue.