“Inside Deep Throat” (the “Inside” is blurred on the photo, but it’s there) was among the NC-17/unrated exclusives that are a Gateway specialty (along with occasional fare for the local gay/lesbian community). With the closure of the neighboring Galleria Cinemas, more mainstream Hollywood movies appeared more frequently at the Gateway this past summer, although they still maintain a steady diet of indies.
By the time it closed (mid 1990s), this particular Florida had four screens and went second run, with competition from AMC and Cobb/Regal multiplexes not too far away. It was also among the last venues managed by Wometco before they exited the film exhibition business.
My brief encounters with the Florida included the first Broward County run of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the local premiere screening (albeit by one hour before the first regular showing) of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” A trekker friend sculpted a replica of the Starship Enterprise, hoisted to the top of the domed lobby.
I’m told a restaurant (Boston Market?) now occupies the space.
Beneath the all-too-1970s wall treatments, some auditoriums at the Gateway still have an architecturally creative touch from its early years: curved walls, originally meant to suggest ocean waves. This theme also continued in, of all places, the curved (and narrow) entrances to the restrooms (proceed slowly)…
One of the few theatres in South Florida where the audiences put their various realities on hold, and become involved with the films (I’ve never had to change seats to get away from talkers). Another nice touch: the “comment pillar” in the lobby, where patrons are invited to jot down quick comments on index cards (most frequent warning of subpar entertainment: “Bring a pillow!”)
Glad to see the Inwood’s alive and well. Made my acquaintance during the theatre’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1997 (with beautiful prints of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “Out of the Past”). Temporarily worked in Big D for a couple of months then, and returned each time they had a new feature. Also had the dangerous combination of a bookstore nearby and several CD trade-in stores not too far away.
A belated “Happy 80th” to the Gusman/Olympia! Spent most of Februarys there for the first 18 years of the Miami Film Festival, with periodic visits for the likes of Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Dead Can Dance (what turned out to be one of their final performances), Nina Simone (ditto), and the now-defunct Florida Philharmonic.
We came close to losing this one to demolition for a parking garage (until Coppertone suntan products mogul Maurice Gusman stepped in), and it’s almost fallen victim to political whim through the years, including one city commissioner’s proposal to convert the space to a flea market.
Favorite Gusman/Olympia evening: the Miami Film Fest’s 1989 revival of “The Wind” (Lillian Gish), accompanied by the Florida Philharmonic under guest conductor Carl Davis. Ten minute standing ovation, continuing with calls of “Bravo” to musicians down the streets, all the way to the parking garage.
Arcadia (mid 80s, along with the Cinematheque in Coral Gables and the short-lived Grove Harbour in Coconut Grove, run by Miami Film Festival founder Nat Chediak: he had a tiny framed quote in the lobby that gave the literary source for “Arcadia,” sorry, I’ve forgotten)
Lumiere Cinema (late 80s, early 90s)
Astor Cinema
New Theatre (due to move in 2006, due to pending redevelopment)
The New Theatre (they’re used to moving, but still hope for a permanent home) will now relocate to Coconut Grove… and if memory gives a second helping, I think to the former Grove Harbour space!
Before its life as the Art Towne Twin (1983-1987), the Towne operated as a single-screen suburban cinema from the late 60s/early 70s. Twinning divided the auditorium into a 2/3 vs. 1/3 configuration (woe to widescreen features in the latter house, and the muffled audio didn’t help the likes of ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT). Its main claim to fame was hosting the “world premiere engagement” of a 1973, locally produced, G-rated GODFATHER parody titled THE GODMOTHERS, starring Mickey Rooney (never saw it).
Various owners opened (and closed) the Towne as it became a second-run bargain house, while UA and General Cinema opened first-run multiplexes nearby… until it became the West Broward complement to the former Manor Art Cinema in East Broward (Wilton Manors/Ft. Lauderdale, closed 1987). Aside from a long run of THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY, the Art Towne hosted the Broward County exclusives of the restored A STAR IS BORN, all 15 ½ hours of BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ, and a mixture of revivals and 1980s arthouse fare.
After the Art Towne’s sudden closure in 1987, it had one more go as a $1.25 cinema before its demolition for an office complex (itself lost to the aforementioned fire a few years later).
Hurricane Wilma has now claimed the Galleria Cinemas among its victims. Storm-related damage shuttered the theatre on October 24, 2005, and despite Sunrise Cinemas' intent to reopen, they’ve now quietly posted the message “THEATRE CLOSED” on their website (and taken the photos down).
Although not a surprise—as mentioned above, the neighboring McDonalds and savings & loan vacated the premises many years ago—and gentrification has invaded the surrounding area, this moviegoer’s stll sad to see the Galleria fade out. A long stretch of memories there: a late 1970s reissue of FANTASIA in the one auditorium that had yet to be twinned — beautiful presentation and my first encounter with stereo sound at a cinema; my first date with my first girlfriend (for BEING THERE); an occasional early 80s infatuation with specialty fare along the lines of ATLANTIC CITY, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, GALLIPOLI, LOCAL HERO and FANNY AND ALEXANDER that would’ve otherwise meant a trek to Miami; a few latter-day 70MM engagements (GHOSTBUSTERS and BRAINSTORM, although the effect was severely diminished due to twinning) and a magnet for preview screenings until the late 90s.
“Inside Deep Throat” (the “Inside” is blurred on the photo, but it’s there) was among the NC-17/unrated exclusives that are a Gateway specialty (along with occasional fare for the local gay/lesbian community). With the closure of the neighboring Galleria Cinemas, more mainstream Hollywood movies appeared more frequently at the Gateway this past summer, although they still maintain a steady diet of indies.
By the time it closed (mid 1990s), this particular Florida had four screens and went second run, with competition from AMC and Cobb/Regal multiplexes not too far away. It was also among the last venues managed by Wometco before they exited the film exhibition business.
My brief encounters with the Florida included the first Broward County run of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the local premiere screening (albeit by one hour before the first regular showing) of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” A trekker friend sculpted a replica of the Starship Enterprise, hoisted to the top of the domed lobby.
I’m told a restaurant (Boston Market?) now occupies the space.
Beneath the all-too-1970s wall treatments, some auditoriums at the Gateway still have an architecturally creative touch from its early years: curved walls, originally meant to suggest ocean waves. This theme also continued in, of all places, the curved (and narrow) entrances to the restrooms (proceed slowly)…
One of the few theatres in South Florida where the audiences put their various realities on hold, and become involved with the films (I’ve never had to change seats to get away from talkers). Another nice touch: the “comment pillar” in the lobby, where patrons are invited to jot down quick comments on index cards (most frequent warning of subpar entertainment: “Bring a pillow!”)
Glad to see the Inwood’s alive and well. Made my acquaintance during the theatre’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1997 (with beautiful prints of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “Out of the Past”). Temporarily worked in Big D for a couple of months then, and returned each time they had a new feature. Also had the dangerous combination of a bookstore nearby and several CD trade-in stores not too far away.
A belated “Happy 80th” to the Gusman/Olympia! Spent most of Februarys there for the first 18 years of the Miami Film Festival, with periodic visits for the likes of Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Dead Can Dance (what turned out to be one of their final performances), Nina Simone (ditto), and the now-defunct Florida Philharmonic.
We came close to losing this one to demolition for a parking garage (until Coppertone suntan products mogul Maurice Gusman stepped in), and it’s almost fallen victim to political whim through the years, including one city commissioner’s proposal to convert the space to a flea market.
Favorite Gusman/Olympia evening: the Miami Film Fest’s 1989 revival of “The Wind” (Lillian Gish), accompanied by the Florida Philharmonic under guest conductor Carl Davis. Ten minute standing ovation, continuing with calls of “Bravo” to musicians down the streets, all the way to the parking garage.
If memory serves, here’s the succession order:
Cinema Take One (early 80s)
Arcadia (mid 80s, along with the Cinematheque in Coral Gables and the short-lived Grove Harbour in Coconut Grove, run by Miami Film Festival founder Nat Chediak: he had a tiny framed quote in the lobby that gave the literary source for “Arcadia,” sorry, I’ve forgotten)
Lumiere Cinema (late 80s, early 90s)
Astor Cinema
New Theatre (due to move in 2006, due to pending redevelopment)
The New Theatre (they’re used to moving, but still hope for a permanent home) will now relocate to Coconut Grove… and if memory gives a second helping, I think to the former Grove Harbour space!
The PBICA closed March 27, 2005, due to low attendance and high expenses.
Before its life as the Art Towne Twin (1983-1987), the Towne operated as a single-screen suburban cinema from the late 60s/early 70s. Twinning divided the auditorium into a 2/3 vs. 1/3 configuration (woe to widescreen features in the latter house, and the muffled audio didn’t help the likes of ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT). Its main claim to fame was hosting the “world premiere engagement” of a 1973, locally produced, G-rated GODFATHER parody titled THE GODMOTHERS, starring Mickey Rooney (never saw it).
Various owners opened (and closed) the Towne as it became a second-run bargain house, while UA and General Cinema opened first-run multiplexes nearby… until it became the West Broward complement to the former Manor Art Cinema in East Broward (Wilton Manors/Ft. Lauderdale, closed 1987). Aside from a long run of THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY, the Art Towne hosted the Broward County exclusives of the restored A STAR IS BORN, all 15 ½ hours of BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ, and a mixture of revivals and 1980s arthouse fare.
After the Art Towne’s sudden closure in 1987, it had one more go as a $1.25 cinema before its demolition for an office complex (itself lost to the aforementioned fire a few years later).
Hurricane Wilma has now claimed the Galleria Cinemas among its victims. Storm-related damage shuttered the theatre on October 24, 2005, and despite Sunrise Cinemas' intent to reopen, they’ve now quietly posted the message “THEATRE CLOSED” on their website (and taken the photos down).
Although not a surprise—as mentioned above, the neighboring McDonalds and savings & loan vacated the premises many years ago—and gentrification has invaded the surrounding area, this moviegoer’s stll sad to see the Galleria fade out. A long stretch of memories there: a late 1970s reissue of FANTASIA in the one auditorium that had yet to be twinned — beautiful presentation and my first encounter with stereo sound at a cinema; my first date with my first girlfriend (for BEING THERE); an occasional early 80s infatuation with specialty fare along the lines of ATLANTIC CITY, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, GALLIPOLI, LOCAL HERO and FANNY AND ALEXANDER that would’ve otherwise meant a trek to Miami; a few latter-day 70MM engagements (GHOSTBUSTERS and BRAINSTORM, although the effect was severely diminished due to twinning) and a magnet for preview screenings until the late 90s.
Opening date has been reported as early as 1963.