Actually, Commonwealth Theatres opened the Forum Cinemas in the early-1980s and yes it started life as a twin. United Artists operated the Forum after Commonwealth folded into UA in 1988 before being taken over by Crown Theaters in 1990.
The Uptown Theatre opened with Jack Oakie in “Rise And Shine” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of RCA sound and screen equipment, and was first owned by the Gasconade Theatre Company. It opened two days after Pearl Harbor.
Like most theaters in Rolla, the Uptown Theatre operated for many decades. Throughout its history, the Uptown went into several chains over the years, including Commonwealth Theatres, United Artists, Crown Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, and lastly Wallace Theaters before closing in 1998.
The Ritz Theatre opened its doors on July 19, 1941 with a one-day showing of Jackie Moran in “The Gang’s All Here” along with a few short subjects featuring sound installations by Western Electric.
Like most theaters in Rolla, the Ritz operated for many decades. Throughout its history, the Ritz went into several chains over the years, including Commonwealth Theatres, United Artists, and Crown Theaters.
The Ritz Theatre closed for the final time on June 18, 1995 with “Braveheart” and was demolished on May 30, 1998.
The Knights Of Pythias actually operated as early as 1888 at a different location inside a lodge, but members from the Pythias purchased a vacant lot on Main Street in February 1889 with an estimate $2,500.
The Cathay Theatre had several name changes over the years. When it opened on January 1, 1932 with Lionel Barrymore in “A Free Soul” (unknown if any extra short subjects were added), it first went under the name “Cathay Grand Theatre”. The Grand part of the name was dropped soon after. It originally housed 1,080 seats featuring a special ear-phoning system for Chinese audio translation over American first-run features. Without those special earphones are just normal English audio with Chinese subtitles below on-screen.
In 1966, the Cathay Theatre’s name was changed to “People’s Cinema”, but in 1979, the Cathay name was restored and was renamed the “Cathay Cinema”. The Cathay Cinema originally used projection equipment from Simplex until 1964 when it switched on over to Sempres, and it would later install Dolby optical stereo sound in 1986, followed by DTS surround digital stereo in 1997 and reinstallations in 1999. During the early-1990s, the seating capacity was downgraded from 1,080 to 978 seats.
The Cathay Theatre was tripled in 2003 after reconstruction, downgrading its total capacity to 584 seats. At the same time, a 150-square-meter lounge was added as well. Inside all three screens goes as follows: Screen #1 has a capacity of 225 seats with red dipping. Screen #2 has 236 seats with blue dipping, and Screen 3 accommodates 123 people with gray dipping.
This first went with the name “Xinxin Grand Theater” with funds raised by Peking opera actor Ma Lianliang when it was built in 1937, but was renamed Capital Cinema in 1950. It also officially became China’s first widescreen stereo theater on July 1, 1957.
The Sky-Line opened its gates on March 20, 1953 with Tony Curtis in “Son Of Ali Baba” and Robert Ryan in “Horizons West” along with a cartoon, featuring an original 68x50ft screen. The projection booth was located 584ft away from the screen. It was first operated by Skyline Theaters of Newport and was first managed by Ray DiLorenzo.
Midstate Amusement opened the 1,200-seat Uptown Theatre on October 26, 1950 with Robert Cummings in “The Petty Girl” and Walt Disney’s “Beaver Valley” with no extra short subjects. The building had an estimate $300,000 in construction.
The River-Vue Drive-In opened its gates on March 5, 1953 with “The Story Of Robin Hood” and “Montana Territory” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by Midstates Amusement Corp. and was managed by Wally Barsley who also operated other area theaters.
The River-Vue closed for the final time on September 3, 1995 with “Babe”, “Nine Months” and “Apollo 13” as a triple feature.
The Holyoke Plaza Cinema opened its doors on August 10, 1973 with “Fiddler On The Roof” at Screen 1 and “The Poseidon Adventure” at Screen 2. The twin-screener was operated by C.F. Theaters of Braintree and housed 468 seats in total (234 seats in each auditorium). It was closed in March 1977.
Both the Holyoke Mall and its eight-screen Holyoke Mall Cinemas opened at the same time in July 1979. The theater was first managed by Kendall McClintock.
The Jet Drive-In closed on September 5, 1982 with a dusk-to-dawn show following refusal to reopen for the 1983 season after a major agreement on the theater not to show obscene or lewd films.
The Southgate Cinema World was originally planned by Tom Moyer, the owner of General American Theatres who operates almost all Salem theaters at the time, in August 1975 featuring three screens and a capacity of 775 seats (with 400 seats in Screen 1 and 175 for the other two auditoriums) occupying 10,000 square feet on a six-acre site. The theater was set to be named Southgate Cinema Center, but was changed a bit shortly after construction was finished.
General American Theatres opened the Southgate Cinema World on June 16, 1976 but was still under repairs at the time. Its first two screens opened with “The Bad News Bears” in Screen 1 and “Baby Blue Marine” and “Drive-In” in Screen 2. Screen 3 opened on July 1, 1976 with “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”.
Prior to opening, the movies “Farewell My Lovely” and the reissue of the 1939 classic “Gone With The Wind” were originally scheduled to be shown in Screen 2 and Screen 3, but both turned it down for unknown reasons at Screen 2 and major repairing inside Screen 3.
The 10,000 square-feet building is similar in construction and design to the Lancaster Quad at the Lancaster Mall but features a rain canopy in front. The $100,000 in equipment and interior furnishings at the theater features air conditioning and a motorized masking device which adjusts the amount of screen exposed for different sized films. Fred Maurer, who has been at the time the assistant manager and projectionist at Lancaster Quad, was also the manager of the Southgate. The seats of the theater are dipped in different colors in each auditorium. Screen 1 features brown seats, Screen 2 features purple seats, and Screen 3 features blue seats, with a patterned brown carpeting throughout.
Actually, Commonwealth Theatres opened the Forum Cinemas in the early-1980s and yes it started life as a twin. United Artists operated the Forum after Commonwealth folded into UA in 1988 before being taken over by Crown Theaters in 1990.
The Uptown Theatre opened with Jack Oakie in “Rise And Shine” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of RCA sound and screen equipment, and was first owned by the Gasconade Theatre Company. It opened two days after Pearl Harbor.
Like most theaters in Rolla, the Uptown Theatre operated for many decades. Throughout its history, the Uptown went into several chains over the years, including Commonwealth Theatres, United Artists, Crown Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, and lastly Wallace Theaters before closing in 1998.
The Ritz Theatre opened its doors on July 19, 1941 with a one-day showing of Jackie Moran in “The Gang’s All Here” along with a few short subjects featuring sound installations by Western Electric.
Like most theaters in Rolla, the Ritz operated for many decades. Throughout its history, the Ritz went into several chains over the years, including Commonwealth Theatres, United Artists, and Crown Theaters.
The Ritz Theatre closed for the final time on June 18, 1995 with “Braveheart” and was demolished on May 30, 1998.
Closed on July 1, 1957 with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in “Hollywood Or Bust”.
Speaking of Starline, I wonder how many drive-ins in the United States have that name. I know that there’s not a lot, just like Starnite and Starway.
The Knights Of Pythias actually operated as early as 1888 at a different location inside a lodge, but members from the Pythias purchased a vacant lot on Main Street in February 1889 with an estimate $2,500.
The Cathay Theatre had several name changes over the years. When it opened on January 1, 1932 with Lionel Barrymore in “A Free Soul” (unknown if any extra short subjects were added), it first went under the name “Cathay Grand Theatre”. The Grand part of the name was dropped soon after. It originally housed 1,080 seats featuring a special ear-phoning system for Chinese audio translation over American first-run features. Without those special earphones are just normal English audio with Chinese subtitles below on-screen.
In 1966, the Cathay Theatre’s name was changed to “People’s Cinema”, but in 1979, the Cathay name was restored and was renamed the “Cathay Cinema”. The Cathay Cinema originally used projection equipment from Simplex until 1964 when it switched on over to Sempres, and it would later install Dolby optical stereo sound in 1986, followed by DTS surround digital stereo in 1997 and reinstallations in 1999. During the early-1990s, the seating capacity was downgraded from 1,080 to 978 seats.
The Cathay Theatre was tripled in 2003 after reconstruction, downgrading its total capacity to 584 seats. At the same time, a 150-square-meter lounge was added as well. Inside all three screens goes as follows: Screen #1 has a capacity of 225 seats with red dipping. Screen #2 has 236 seats with blue dipping, and Screen 3 accommodates 123 people with gray dipping.
This first went with the name “Xinxin Grand Theater” with funds raised by Peking opera actor Ma Lianliang when it was built in 1937, but was renamed Capital Cinema in 1950. It also officially became China’s first widescreen stereo theater on July 1, 1957.
The Capital Cinema closed on June 15, 2003.
Last operated by StarNet Cinemas.
Last operated by Hollywood Theaters.
Opened in 1935.
The Pearis Theater opened in 1939 and closed as a movie house in March 1986. It reopened a few years later as a concert/live/community center.
Closed in November 1992.
This started life as the Royal Theatre in 1924. It was renamed the Plaza Theatre in September 1927, and renamed the Civic Theatre on March 6, 1935.
The Sky-Line opened its gates on March 20, 1953 with Tony Curtis in “Son Of Ali Baba” and Robert Ryan in “Horizons West” along with a cartoon, featuring an original 68x50ft screen. The projection booth was located 584ft away from the screen. It was first operated by Skyline Theaters of Newport and was first managed by Ray DiLorenzo.
Midstate Amusement opened the 1,200-seat Uptown Theatre on October 26, 1950 with Robert Cummings in “The Petty Girl” and Walt Disney’s “Beaver Valley” with no extra short subjects. The building had an estimate $300,000 in construction.
It was closed on February 12, 2006.
The River-Vue Drive-In opened its gates on March 5, 1953 with “The Story Of Robin Hood” and “Montana Territory” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by Midstates Amusement Corp. and was managed by Wally Barsley who also operated other area theaters.
The River-Vue closed for the final time on September 3, 1995 with “Babe”, “Nine Months” and “Apollo 13” as a triple feature.
The Holyoke Plaza Cinema opened its doors on August 10, 1973 with “Fiddler On The Roof” at Screen 1 and “The Poseidon Adventure” at Screen 2. The twin-screener was operated by C.F. Theaters of Braintree and housed 468 seats in total (234 seats in each auditorium). It was closed in March 1977.
Both the Holyoke Mall and its eight-screen Holyoke Mall Cinemas opened at the same time in July 1979. The theater was first managed by Kendall McClintock.
Flicks ‘n’ Foam is short-lived, closing in July 1987 following alcohol concerns.
Closed on October 15, 1998 due to lack of business.
Opened on September 22, 1967 with “Divorce American Style” and “Trouble With Angels”, and closed on January 16, 1976 with “Challenge To Be Free”.
Closed on August 28, 1975 with “Blazing Saddles”.
The Jet Drive-In closed on September 5, 1982 with a dusk-to-dawn show following refusal to reopen for the 1983 season after a major agreement on the theater not to show obscene or lewd films.
The Southgate Cinema World was originally planned by Tom Moyer, the owner of General American Theatres who operates almost all Salem theaters at the time, in August 1975 featuring three screens and a capacity of 775 seats (with 400 seats in Screen 1 and 175 for the other two auditoriums) occupying 10,000 square feet on a six-acre site. The theater was set to be named Southgate Cinema Center, but was changed a bit shortly after construction was finished.
General American Theatres opened the Southgate Cinema World on June 16, 1976 but was still under repairs at the time. Its first two screens opened with “The Bad News Bears” in Screen 1 and “Baby Blue Marine” and “Drive-In” in Screen 2. Screen 3 opened on July 1, 1976 with “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”.
The 10,000 square-feet building is similar in construction and design to the Lancaster Quad at the Lancaster Mall but features a rain canopy in front. The $100,000 in equipment and interior furnishings at the theater features air conditioning and a motorized masking device which adjusts the amount of screen exposed for different sized films. Fred Maurer, who has been at the time the assistant manager and projectionist at Lancaster Quad, was also the manager of the Southgate. The seats of the theater are dipped in different colors in each auditorium. Screen 1 features brown seats, Screen 2 features purple seats, and Screen 3 features blue seats, with a patterned brown carpeting throughout.