If you go to Google Maps, type in 12662 West Dixie Highway, then click on street view and spin the image around, there you have The North Miami/Southland/MiamiWay Theater.
Well, shoot. That’s a dead link. I don’t know what happened to that site on North Miami history but it looks like a goner. I even tried the Wayback Machine on archive.org and couldn’t find it. I can’t believe I didn’t save the picture either!
A few weeks back, the church that bought the Playtime had a publicity stunt that left me horrified.
They found, by their estimate, 100 titles of 35mm porn from the 70’s and 80’s on the property. Then they burn it for the stunt. You can read about it here.
One of my biggest fears was that they’re burning non-porn films. A week after this made national news, Folio Weekly, our alternative weekly paper, went out there to speak to the Church about this. The writer was able to find pieces of the film they burned.
The film was PET SEMATARY.
PET SEMATARY played on a quadruple feature the Playtime ran in, I think, late 91 or Spring of ‘92. I definitely went but that time period is a little hazy. However, the other films they played that night were THE UNHOLY, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP and HELLHOLE, which means there’s a good chance that is all still there.
I say all still there because the writer found out that they DIDN’T burn all the films for toxic pollution environmental reasons. They contacted the city and were told they couldn’t. Folio Weekly also contacted the city fire department to find out why city fire trucks were participating in church shenanigans. No real answers, but the reverend apparently fears that someone will break in to steal them.
Checked out the new version of the 5 Points tonight.
A very nice restoration indeed! However, the acoustics in the theater itself could use some work. A weird echo in the hall from the film’s soundtrack that’s distracting and takes some time getting used to.
My friend, who was in bands that played at the 5 Points during it’s 90’s nightclub incarnation, remembers having to take that same echo (mostly from the drums since he was a bass player)into consideration while playing so it wouldn’t throw him off. He thinks some drapes and padding on the sides of the theater could possibly help.
Seating is a little weird, especially for those who are used to modern stadium style. Removable doctor’s office waiting room style chairs(I really don’t know how else to describe them) and church pews down front. Doesn’t bother me much. I’d sit on the floor if need be.
They’ve really done a great job with the place. Just need to work on that sound issue.
Actually in the film MAKING MR. RIGHT from 1987. They filmed inside the mall and you’re also able to see the front of the actual 163rd STREET theater from inside the garage looking out at the beginning of the mall scenes. The marquee reads THE PARENT TRAP.
While it may not be the greatest look at the mall, I think it may be the only cinematic document of how it existed circa the late 80’s other than local news.
Great news! Local car dealership owner Mike Shad is renovating the 5 Points back to it’s theatrical glory! He plans on showing first run, independent, foreign films and special screenings.
Check out this link to the article in the Florida Times Union:
Looks like they finally 86’d the SHORES on the marquee. Google mapped it this morning and it’s officially the Playground theatre with a crappy marquee, so technically, it’s not even the Shores Theater anymore.
Looking at the photos, I can’t believe this is the same Byron Carlyle I went to in the mid-80’s. The marquee Maxter describes was awesome to me as a kid (I used to stand across the street after shows and just take it all in). The last time I ever went to the BC was a sneak preview for 1988’s THE UNHOLY. Then we moved out of Miami.
Thanks for the clarification of where the Village was. I always suspected that was the location but could never confirm it. I’ve been in that plaza and it’s pretty old. I’m going to scout around and take some pics.
1985 photo of the Normandy here.
1981 photo of the Hialeah/Palm Ave here.
Photo of the Miracle from 1981 here.
1985 photos of the Rex here and here.
1985 photos of the Roxy here and here.
1985 photo of the Surf here.
Ad for the Sherwood here.
The Pickwick plays in role in 1976’s ST IVES starring Charles Bronson.
Ad for the PUSSYCAT/KITTY CAT THEATER.
Ad for the Rex/Second Ave Art/Rosetta in its KING ART CINEMA incarnation.
If you go to Google Maps, type in 12662 West Dixie Highway, then click on street view and spin the image around, there you have The North Miami/Southland/MiamiWay Theater.
Well, shoot. That’s a dead link. I don’t know what happened to that site on North Miami history but it looks like a goner. I even tried the Wayback Machine on archive.org and couldn’t find it. I can’t believe I didn’t save the picture either!
A few weeks back, the church that bought the Playtime had a publicity stunt that left me horrified.
They found, by their estimate, 100 titles of 35mm porn from the 70’s and 80’s on the property. Then they burn it for the stunt. You can read about it here.
View link
One of my biggest fears was that they’re burning non-porn films. A week after this made national news, Folio Weekly, our alternative weekly paper, went out there to speak to the Church about this. The writer was able to find pieces of the film they burned.
The film was PET SEMATARY.
PET SEMATARY played on a quadruple feature the Playtime ran in, I think, late 91 or Spring of ‘92. I definitely went but that time period is a little hazy. However, the other films they played that night were THE UNHOLY, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP and HELLHOLE, which means there’s a good chance that is all still there.
I say all still there because the writer found out that they DIDN’T burn all the films for toxic pollution environmental reasons. They contacted the city and were told they couldn’t. Folio Weekly also contacted the city fire department to find out why city fire trucks were participating in church shenanigans. No real answers, but the reverend apparently fears that someone will break in to steal them.
That’s an excellent name for a drive-in! Keep us posted and I’ll be there opening night!
Checked out the new version of the 5 Points tonight.
A very nice restoration indeed! However, the acoustics in the theater itself could use some work. A weird echo in the hall from the film’s soundtrack that’s distracting and takes some time getting used to.
My friend, who was in bands that played at the 5 Points during it’s 90’s nightclub incarnation, remembers having to take that same echo (mostly from the drums since he was a bass player)into consideration while playing so it wouldn’t throw him off. He thinks some drapes and padding on the sides of the theater could possibly help.
Seating is a little weird, especially for those who are used to modern stadium style. Removable doctor’s office waiting room style chairs(I really don’t know how else to describe them) and church pews down front. Doesn’t bother me much. I’d sit on the floor if need be.
They’ve really done a great job with the place. Just need to work on that sound issue.
Actually in the film MAKING MR. RIGHT from 1987. They filmed inside the mall and you’re also able to see the front of the actual 163rd STREET theater from inside the garage looking out at the beginning of the mall scenes. The marquee reads THE PARENT TRAP.
While it may not be the greatest look at the mall, I think it may be the only cinematic document of how it existed circa the late 80’s other than local news.
Picture of Boulevard Drive-In marquee
here.
Picture of Golden Glades Drive-In lot here.
The Clay Theater is currently up for sale.
Newspaper link here:
View link
Great news! Local car dealership owner Mike Shad is renovating the 5 Points back to it’s theatrical glory! He plans on showing first run, independent, foreign films and special screenings.
Check out this link to the article in the Florida Times Union:
View link
Looks like they finally 86’d the SHORES on the marquee. Google mapped it this morning and it’s officially the Playground theatre with a crappy marquee, so technically, it’s not even the Shores Theater anymore.
Look, I know progress and everything, but ugh….
Al,
Was this theater in Opalocka? If so, the zipcode may be wrong.
Eric
Mentioned in this ad is what I believe are the mini-theaters Al is referring to.
View link
Looking at the photos, I can’t believe this is the same Byron Carlyle I went to in the mid-80’s. The marquee Maxter describes was awesome to me as a kid (I used to stand across the street after shows and just take it all in). The last time I ever went to the BC was a sneak preview for 1988’s THE UNHOLY. Then we moved out of Miami.
Man, it looks weird now.
Chuck,
Thanks for the clarification of where the Village was. I always suspected that was the location but could never confirm it. I’ve been in that plaza and it’s pretty old. I’m going to scout around and take some pics.