The manager of the old Hoyts Pyramid Mall 10 still works there at the new Regal and he told me some interesting stories. Since old theaters 1-4 were mono, they tried to program accordingly. So movies that didn’t require immersive sound like rom-coms they’d try to play there, and keep the newer spectacle movies in the new houses.
I recall seeing some big sound movies in 1-4 during my time there, like Casino and Starship Troopers, but I think for the most part they stuck to this.
When Episode I opened, they actually had one print threaded through all 10 projectors. That was always possible with film prints, though usually never more than 2-3 at a time. And I think it was just for the first midnight show (they had multiple prints for alternating showtimes), but once it started he forbade anyone from the projection booth because if one went down, they all would!
Visited last week and took pics of the building, now a flower shop, Pilates studio and live music bar. Flower shop still recognizable as the lobby, bathroom signage still movie stars, and hallways still recognizable albeit stripped of posters.
Visited this week and an employee told me they could be only two months away from renovating with recliners. New pics including the new monitors in the hallway and better shots of lobby and box office.
You guys, this is amazing. Even though they’ve built a whole new theater, the facade of the old Hoyts 10 is still there. I got some pictures outside and of the lobby through the doors. It’s mostly razed but you can still see some of the coloring distinct from the ‘90s. Wish you could see the wall coloring better. I wonder if the theaters are still there or if it’s just open space behind there.
Could the matinee shut down have to do with the renovation? Like if it’s too loud in the theaters they’re redoing, they can’t show movies in the others, so they just open at night?
Seeing the ends of movies over and over was one of the perks/curse of being an usher.
I saw many unpopular movies their opening (and only) weekend in the small theater: Swing Kids, Mr. Destiny, Crazy People, Brain Donors, The Player (too arty for Annapolis at the time)… but I also slept on Total Recall, Toy Soldiers and Predator 2 long enough that I only caught them in the small one. I love to picture Back to the Future playing in the large house all summer and working its way down.
If you want a really old memory, next to the department store (JC Penny?) there was a computer store, Babbage’s, where I bought all my PC games as a kid. That corner of the mall was one stop shopping for me!
Checking the print after closing was fun. I’d hope they still check digital, since it’s not without problems.
The Chinese places across the way were locally owned. Jade Tree was their sit down restaurant. They had a fast food version next door and I wish I could remember what they called it. Mm, Boardwalk Fries.
The Tilt Arcade was fun. Interesting the mall had two arcades at opposite ends, but the location next to the theater was probably beneficial. There was a story in the late ‘90s of a robbery at the arcade.
I always had a soft spot for the tiny theater, first door on the right.
Thanks, rrrobinsonjr. Here’s a really random question for you. Does your stash include any shots from the opposite direction of the Chinese restaurants across the way, or the Tilt arcade next door?
Do you remember Batman showing there in ‘89? Was it just insane? I recall I couldn’t get in to see it for weeks, but that may be my childhood memory playing tricks.
This is fantastic! Looks like it was Christmas. Glad you saved it and would love to hear about your time there. I worked for Apex at Harbor 9 in the ‘90s.
Do you recall a family movie series on weekends? My parents took me every week. Hope you find more in your stash!
The conversion to recliners is already halfway underway. Theaters 6-9 are closed. 1-5 remain old school… For now. Anyone in Annapolis planning a visit before it goes all modern?
Just walked by this theater and took some pics. The movie was on so I couldn’t get the auditorium, but box office, lobby, marquee and an old projector were on display.
Got some pics of theater 6 when I went to see Murder on the Orient Express in 70mm. You can see the 70mm film threaded up in the projection window.
Great shot. This must be before the remodel, right?
Added pics of new box office and hallways
Added pics of a June 2016 visit.
The manager of the old Hoyts Pyramid Mall 10 still works there at the new Regal and he told me some interesting stories. Since old theaters 1-4 were mono, they tried to program accordingly. So movies that didn’t require immersive sound like rom-coms they’d try to play there, and keep the newer spectacle movies in the new houses.
I recall seeing some big sound movies in 1-4 during my time there, like Casino and Starship Troopers, but I think for the most part they stuck to this.
When Episode I opened, they actually had one print threaded through all 10 projectors. That was always possible with film prints, though usually never more than 2-3 at a time. And I think it was just for the first midnight show (they had multiple prints for alternating showtimes), but once it started he forbade anyone from the projection booth because if one went down, they all would!
Visited this week and added pics of exterior and interior with all the Hoyts signage still in place.
Visited last week and added pics of box office, lobby and Uris auditorium which used to be used for additional shows.
Visited last week and took pics of the building, now a flower shop, Pilates studio and live music bar. Flower shop still recognizable as the lobby, bathroom signage still movie stars, and hallways still recognizable albeit stripped of posters.
Visited last week and got pics of original marquee, hallways and new studio space.
Visited last week and added pics of interior, some theaters and new IMAX section.
New pics of theater’s 6, 8 and 9 with recliners, 5 mid renovation and 1 old school.
Visited this week and an employee told me they could be only two months away from renovating with recliners. New pics including the new monitors in the hallway and better shots of lobby and box office.
You guys, this is amazing. Even though they’ve built a whole new theater, the facade of the old Hoyts 10 is still there. I got some pictures outside and of the lobby through the doors. It’s mostly razed but you can still see some of the coloring distinct from the ‘90s. Wish you could see the wall coloring better. I wonder if the theaters are still there or if it’s just open space behind there.
Yeah, drove by today and nothing looks like it used to be a movie theater.
Is it a Lowe’s now, or the car dealership?
Parole is part of Annapolis. There is still a Parole shopping center, just no theater anymore.
If you can make it to Harbor IX please get more pics of the theaters pre-renovation. Or mid-renovation if those theaters are open!
Could the matinee shut down have to do with the renovation? Like if it’s too loud in the theaters they’re redoing, they can’t show movies in the others, so they just open at night?
Odd, when I visited sound was phenomenal in 5 and 6. Maybe a blown out speaker or bad DCP.
Seeing the ends of movies over and over was one of the perks/curse of being an usher.
I saw many unpopular movies their opening (and only) weekend in the small theater: Swing Kids, Mr. Destiny, Crazy People, Brain Donors, The Player (too arty for Annapolis at the time)… but I also slept on Total Recall, Toy Soldiers and Predator 2 long enough that I only caught them in the small one. I love to picture Back to the Future playing in the large house all summer and working its way down.
If you want a really old memory, next to the department store (JC Penny?) there was a computer store, Babbage’s, where I bought all my PC games as a kid. That corner of the mall was one stop shopping for me!
Checking the print after closing was fun. I’d hope they still check digital, since it’s not without problems.
The Chinese places across the way were locally owned. Jade Tree was their sit down restaurant. They had a fast food version next door and I wish I could remember what they called it. Mm, Boardwalk Fries.
The Tilt Arcade was fun. Interesting the mall had two arcades at opposite ends, but the location next to the theater was probably beneficial. There was a story in the late ‘90s of a robbery at the arcade.
I always had a soft spot for the tiny theater, first door on the right.
Thanks, rrrobinsonjr. Here’s a really random question for you. Does your stash include any shots from the opposite direction of the Chinese restaurants across the way, or the Tilt arcade next door?
Do you remember Batman showing there in ‘89? Was it just insane? I recall I couldn’t get in to see it for weeks, but that may be my childhood memory playing tricks.
This is fantastic! Looks like it was Christmas. Glad you saved it and would love to hear about your time there. I worked for Apex at Harbor 9 in the ‘90s.
Do you recall a family movie series on weekends? My parents took me every week. Hope you find more in your stash!
The conversion to recliners is already halfway underway. Theaters 6-9 are closed. 1-5 remain old school… For now. Anyone in Annapolis planning a visit before it goes all modern?
Just walked by this theater and took some pics. The movie was on so I couldn’t get the auditorium, but box office, lobby, marquee and an old projector were on display.