Article from “Kansas City Star” about the start of demolation of the mall.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cityscape/article88637562.html
Thank you for the link to the slide show as well as your other comments. I worked with James Martin, “Speed” when he was the district manager for Mann in Wichita, KS. Please keep us posted on the progress of whatever is being done with this theatre. I know this situation in Topeka includes numerous properties and is a tragedy for the community as a whole,
I worked in the district office for Mann Theatres out of Wichita, KS and remember when this theatre was twinned. I never saw it, but from the pictures the marquee looks very similiar to the Fox Garvey in Wichita, which was also an NGC house.
Hutchinson,KS was originally a Commonwealth town. Commonwealth originally operated the 4 plex that was inside the mall. Commonwealth was assorbed by Crown Cinema who built the current theatre mentioned here, which is outside the mall. The 4 plex still exists, and if you know what you are looking for you can still see its outline on the mall, it is now currently something else. Commonwealth operated the Flag and a drive-in — in Hutchinson.
The Gage 4 Theatres opened on October 17, 1969 and was advertised as “Kansas' First Four Screen Complex.” Opening attractions were “Tru Grit” “The Learning Tree” “Fun-tage” and “Romeo Juliet” At some point prior to November 1971 a fifth screen was added. The building is still in use today as a night club.
I thought “you"did. I was a manager for your firm the 1970’s in Salina, Ks, and I was always under the impression that was a Dickinson house. Dickinson also operated the Webb City Drive-in a short distance from this theatre.
The Gladstone 4 probably was gold auditoriams with red seats. That was the ‘theme’ Dickinson used In that time frame. Likewise the lowercase ‘cinema’ with roman numerals was also a part of their style.
I worked for Dickinson when they bought the Salina ‘Movies.’ The projectors were Cinemacanna with the large 10,000 foot reels. You had to rewind them slowly which added extra time between showings. The Salina theatre still stands without equipment.
I know it’s pure speculation at this point as to the future of this venue, but I do not see how Cinemark could reopen it. No one will want to go into it regardless. Columbine High School was remolded after their shooting, but you still know what happened there. It will be interesting to see what the corporate staff decides to do.
Yes it a Dickinson theatre.
Article from “Kansas City Star” about the start of demolation of the mall. http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cityscape/article88637562.html
Following link, Thanks!
Following link, Thanks!
Following link, Thanks!
Following link, Thanks!
Just wanting to follow link. Thank you!
Thank you for the link to the slide show as well as your other comments. I worked with James Martin, “Speed” when he was the district manager for Mann in Wichita, KS. Please keep us posted on the progress of whatever is being done with this theatre. I know this situation in Topeka includes numerous properties and is a tragedy for the community as a whole,
Sooo glad to hear you are working on this Gypsy. Thats an awesome project, I sincerely hope it goes well. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.
I worked in the district office for Mann Theatres out of Wichita, KS and remember when this theatre was twinned. I never saw it, but from the pictures the marquee looks very similiar to the Fox Garvey in Wichita, which was also an NGC house.
This theatre was operated by Commonwealth who had it open in the winter months and the drive-in during the summer.
Hutchinson,KS was originally a Commonwealth town. Commonwealth originally operated the 4 plex that was inside the mall. Commonwealth was assorbed by Crown Cinema who built the current theatre mentioned here, which is outside the mall. The 4 plex still exists, and if you know what you are looking for you can still see its outline on the mall, it is now currently something else. Commonwealth operated the Flag and a drive-in — in Hutchinson.
Really … … .!
This theatre was originally a Commonwealth house, they also operated the Crest and possibly a drive-in, in the Great Bend area.
The Gage 4 Theatres opened on October 17, 1969 and was advertised as “Kansas' First Four Screen Complex.” Opening attractions were “Tru Grit” “The Learning Tree” “Fun-tage” and “Romeo Juliet” At some point prior to November 1971 a fifth screen was added. The building is still in use today as a night club.
I thought “you"did. I was a manager for your firm the 1970’s in Salina, Ks, and I was always under the impression that was a Dickinson house. Dickinson also operated the Webb City Drive-in a short distance from this theatre.
Interesting, that was the first place I thought of when I saw the article. I’m quite sure that you are 99.999999% right.
This theatre is no longer listed on Dickinson Theatre’s website.
Please keep me informed about developments with this theatre. Thanks!
Please keep me updated with developments on this theatre. For some reason I am not getting updates. Thanks!
Please keep me updated on developments with this theatre. Thanks.
Just following link. Thanks!
The Gladstone 4 probably was gold auditoriams with red seats. That was the ‘theme’ Dickinson used In that time frame. Likewise the lowercase ‘cinema’ with roman numerals was also a part of their style.
I worked for Dickinson when they bought the Salina ‘Movies.’ The projectors were Cinemacanna with the large 10,000 foot reels. You had to rewind them slowly which added extra time between showings. The Salina theatre still stands without equipment.
I know it’s pure speculation at this point as to the future of this venue, but I do not see how Cinemark could reopen it. No one will want to go into it regardless. Columbine High School was remolded after their shooting, but you still know what happened there. It will be interesting to see what the corporate staff decides to do.