The 1991-92 remodeling had two of the original auditoriums chopped up into smaller houses. The 900 seat house was chopped off into four smaller houses in late fall 1991, followed by the 1100 seat auditorium into four smaller houses in early 1992. The other three houses in between were left intact, including the 700 seat auditorium.
The Pennsauken theatre had one auditorium capable of showing 70mm. My dad and I saw ‘Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade’ in 70mm Memorial Day weekend in 1989.
Theatre 5 has to be the Eric II in Pennsauken. That theatre was built in 1971, to complement the bigger theatre which was next door in a separate building. Though it was called Eric Twin Pennsauken, the theatres weren’t exact twins, they were separate buildings. Eric I was the bigger one, with 1500 seats, and Eric II was the smaller one, with 900 seats. When the bigger theatre was cut into two, Eric II was renamed Eric I, and the old Eric I was renamed Eric II & III, with one narrow auditorium created from the twinning, and the bigger auditorium having 1100 seats. Around 1983, two more auditoriums were built, and a new central lobby connected the two existing buildings.
That theatre was owned by General Cinema Corporation, which also had Cinemas in Cherry Hill and Echelon, NJ, and NE Philadelphia. Originally a single-screen theatre, was twinned in the mid-70s. Official name was Plymouth Meeting Cinema I & II.
‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.
The Chinese theatre complex is underutilized, since it doesn’t have enough seating capacity to show a major blockbuster like ‘The Dark Knight’ on at least 3 screens.
In the New York Times, Warner Bros. and Sony Picturesmovie ads no longer have theater listings posted. They just say NOW PLAYING Check Your local listings for theatres and showtimes. Paramount, Fox, and Dreamworks have done the same thing, but their theatre listings are for Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island only. No LI, Westchester, Conn. or NJ.
I think the cinema was twinned in the early 1970s. The Cherry Hill Mall had a CINEMA marquee on both Rt 38 and Haddonfield Road, and they listed two movies (1 & 2) on the signs.
What is the interior like now? They could have spent this time remodeling the theatre for the summer blockbuster season. Now it seems the National won’t be able to book any first-run blockbuster hits (Shrek the Third, Spiderman 3).
The old drive-in property still sets there empty, alongside a former department store site, which has been used as a ballroom. Those two sites may be redeveloped into new retail space.
I think the name of the theatre was the Somerville Circle Triplex. It was operated by General Cinema from the 70s to the late 80s. It was near the circle intersection of US Routes 202/206 and 22.
Just checked the Mann Theatres website, and I was surprised there were no movies scheduled for either this week or next week at the National. ‘Poseidon’ may play at the Bruin instead.
So have they announced which films will play at the Grauman’s Chinese during May? There are 4 big films opening in May (MI3, Poseidon, The DaVinci Code, and X-Men 3), and only two big-screen theatres in Hollywood that can play them: The Grauman’s Chinese and the Dome at Arclight Hollywood. And isn’t it shocking that Grauman’s Chinese showed a trailer for ‘United 93’ nearly a month ago, and it would cause a lot of bad feedback from patrons?
Now that AMC bought out Loews, when will the AMC name replace both the Loews and Cineplex Odeon brand names? Can’t wait to see the AMC name dominate the NY Times theatre listings.
The 1991-92 remodeling had two of the original auditoriums chopped up into smaller houses. The 900 seat house was chopped off into four smaller houses in late fall 1991, followed by the 1100 seat auditorium into four smaller houses in early 1992. The other three houses in between were left intact, including the 700 seat auditorium.
The Pennsauken theatre had one auditorium capable of showing 70mm. My dad and I saw ‘Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade’ in 70mm Memorial Day weekend in 1989.
Taken from the New York Times, Dec. 13, 1991.
The old Plaza Theatre in King of Prussia wasn’t acquired by Sameric until 1980.
Theatre 5 has to be the Eric II in Pennsauken. That theatre was built in 1971, to complement the bigger theatre which was next door in a separate building. Though it was called Eric Twin Pennsauken, the theatres weren’t exact twins, they were separate buildings. Eric I was the bigger one, with 1500 seats, and Eric II was the smaller one, with 900 seats. When the bigger theatre was cut into two, Eric II was renamed Eric I, and the old Eric I was renamed Eric II & III, with one narrow auditorium created from the twinning, and the bigger auditorium having 1100 seats. Around 1983, two more auditoriums were built, and a new central lobby connected the two existing buildings.
Can you add picture 4 to the REG United Artists Pennsauken listing?
Number 5 is the Eric II theatre in Pennsauken, NJ. It was an addition to the Eric I theatre. I recognize Route 73 in the background.
That theatre was owned by General Cinema Corporation, which also had Cinemas in Cherry Hill and Echelon, NJ, and NE Philadelphia. Originally a single-screen theatre, was twinned in the mid-70s. Official name was Plymouth Meeting Cinema I & II.
I know this theatre was owned by RKO Stanley Warner. They also owned the Moorestown Plaza Theatre before both were bought by Sameric.
‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.
The UA Redwood City opened around the mid-70s because ‘Return Of The Jedi’ was shown there.
The Chinese theatre complex is underutilized, since it doesn’t have enough seating capacity to show a major blockbuster like ‘The Dark Knight’ on at least 3 screens.
Well the Indy movie is playing at both the MEadow 6 and the Meadow Plaza 8.
‘Speed Racer’ opens May 9 at the Village.
In the New York Times, Warner Bros. and Sony Picturesmovie ads no longer have theater listings posted. They just say NOW PLAYING Check Your local listings for theatres and showtimes. Paramount, Fox, and Dreamworks have done the same thing, but their theatre listings are for Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island only. No LI, Westchester, Conn. or NJ.
Does one of the auditoriums have THX Dolby Sound?
Yes, it was a General Cinema theater. The CINEMA name had a common design used for all GC owned theatres.
I think the cinema was twinned in the early 1970s. The Cherry Hill Mall had a CINEMA marquee on both Rt 38 and Haddonfield Road, and they listed two movies (1 & 2) on the signs.
What is the interior like now? They could have spent this time remodeling the theatre for the summer blockbuster season. Now it seems the National won’t be able to book any first-run blockbuster hits (Shrek the Third, Spiderman 3).
The old drive-in property still sets there empty, alongside a former department store site, which has been used as a ballroom. Those two sites may be redeveloped into new retail space.
I think the name of the theatre was the Somerville Circle Triplex. It was operated by General Cinema from the 70s to the late 80s. It was near the circle intersection of US Routes 202/206 and 22.
Just checked the Mann Theatres website, and I was surprised there were no movies scheduled for either this week or next week at the National. ‘Poseidon’ may play at the Bruin instead.
So have they announced which films will play at the Grauman’s Chinese during May? There are 4 big films opening in May (MI3, Poseidon, The DaVinci Code, and X-Men 3), and only two big-screen theatres in Hollywood that can play them: The Grauman’s Chinese and the Dome at Arclight Hollywood. And isn’t it shocking that Grauman’s Chinese showed a trailer for ‘United 93’ nearly a month ago, and it would cause a lot of bad feedback from patrons?
Now that AMC bought out Loews, when will the AMC name replace both the Loews and Cineplex Odeon brand names? Can’t wait to see the AMC name dominate the NY Times theatre listings.
I don’t think Brunswick Square split into a five-plex. Around 1983, Movie City 5 and Brunswick Square Twin each operated separately.