This theatre was not operated by National Amusements. Bob Lippert’s Transcontinental Theatres built and operated this at opening and they named a number of their theatres Showcase.
According to the LA Times display ads, Krikorian Theatres reopened this location on 1/31/1992 appeared to operate this until 9/4/1997. This and the La Mirada 7 were not sold to Regal when Regal bought the other Krikorian Theatres.
Interesting. Photos on Google image search confirm that after the remodel the directional signs in the lobby say Theatres 1-9 that way, 10-15 that way. No mention of screen 16. You’d think Cinemark would stop calling it “Movies 16” and just call it Cinemark Grand Prairie now.
This appears to have been one of the theatres on the west side of the building, one of the two screens that were added after originally opening as an 8-plex.
Zubi, thanks for the info on the II-III. When I first started traveling and taking pictures of theatres, I snapped a few shots of the lobby of the II-III after it was closed. Had I known they were going to be torn down I would’ve taken more.
They’re at the bottom of our page for it at Cinematour.com
Does anybody have any photos or details about the original multiplex that was built to accompany this theatre? And how, historically, does that fit in. Were people irritated if they went to see a movie at the Chinese and they got stuck in the multiplex? Or was it just par for the course at the time?
Kind of strange Cinemark keeps replacing the Tinseltown signage when they still have it as part of their banner of brands. Unless of course they’re planning to phase it out because of all the purple and green checkered memories it evokes.
From photos on Google it looks like they closed down the original theatres 1-10 and renumbered the theatres starting with theatre #1 in the lobby, which I assume was originally theatre #11.
Actually opened in 1968.
Do you mean Redwood Highway? That was the “locals” name for Hwy 101.
No. But it was right off Highway 101.
This theatre was not operated by National Amusements. Bob Lippert’s Transcontinental Theatres built and operated this at opening and they named a number of their theatres Showcase.
Festival Enterprises opened this six-screen theatre on 6/1/1984. It was expanded to ten screens on 5/23/1986.
According an article in the 9/11/1976 edition of the Santa Maria Times, the theatre opened the previous day at 1pm.
A document I saw when I worked for Regal says this opened on 5/20/1998.
This was part of the Mike Campbell’s Premiere Cinemas, the precursor to Regal, which was sold to Cinemark in 1989.
According to the LA Times display ads, Krikorian Theatres reopened this location on 1/31/1992 appeared to operate this until 9/4/1997. This and the La Mirada 7 were not sold to Regal when Regal bought the other Krikorian Theatres.
United Artists began advertising this as one of their theatres on 2/26/1987.
UA began advertising this theatre as one of theirs on 2/26/1987.
The address was 2131 York Rd
In 2017 AMC remodeled this from top to bottom, installing recliners, and reduced the screen count from 16 to 12.
Interesting. Photos on Google image search confirm that after the remodel the directional signs in the lobby say Theatres 1-9 that way, 10-15 that way. No mention of screen 16. You’d think Cinemark would stop calling it “Movies 16” and just call it Cinemark Grand Prairie now.
How long until Cinemark retires Tinseltown as a brand altogether. It seems most are being renovated out of existence.
This appears to have been one of the theatres on the west side of the building, one of the two screens that were added after originally opening as an 8-plex.
I’m pretty sure AMC touted “Torus” screens as their curved screen experience.
http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/f1/t001230.html
I’m assuming it has something to do with the Kamehameha Highway nearby.
https://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/2000.html
We have some posted over at Cinematour, if you haven’t seen them.
Zubi, thanks for the info on the II-III. When I first started traveling and taking pictures of theatres, I snapped a few shots of the lobby of the II-III after it was closed. Had I known they were going to be torn down I would’ve taken more.
They’re at the bottom of our page for it at Cinematour.com
https://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/2129.html
Does anybody have any photos or details about the original multiplex that was built to accompany this theatre? And how, historically, does that fit in. Were people irritated if they went to see a movie at the Chinese and they got stuck in the multiplex? Or was it just par for the course at the time?
AMC tends to take those down and just put an AMC sign up in over the door.
Kind of strange Cinemark keeps replacing the Tinseltown signage when they still have it as part of their banner of brands. Unless of course they’re planning to phase it out because of all the purple and green checkered memories it evokes.
From photos on Google it looks like they closed down the original theatres 1-10 and renumbered the theatres starting with theatre #1 in the lobby, which I assume was originally theatre #11.
Regal has added onto the building and installed recliners in all theatres. It is now a 5-screen.