ON BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS WE HAD ALL THE CONCESSIONSTAND AND BOX OFFICE GIRLS DRESS LIKE YOU KNOW… LOVE GCC PROMOTIONS.I KNOW RUSSELL REMEMBERS,IF HE WILL ONLY TYPE SOME REGENCY 1 2 3 STORIES. COULD NOT DO THAT TODAY!
HEY, YOU ARE RIGHT! according to THE NEW YORK TIMES IT OPENED MAY 26 1977. COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 WERE STILL BEING BUILT.
HOWEVER, MICHAEL I CLEARLY REMEMBER GETTING A BOX OF BLUE AND WHITE STAR WARS FLYERS 3 ONE SHEETS; ONE WITH GREAT ART WORK THAT I STILL HAVE AND 2 WITH THE STAR WARS LOGO ON THEM. MAYBE IT WAS A RE-RELEASE. BUT THAT SEEMS LIKE A WASTE OF MONEY WHEN IT ALREAY HAD NAME VALUE TO THE FILM. GUESS I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED IN JOURNALISM 101 BEFORE WRITING ON THE FILM. THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW I HAVE A FEW OLD THEATER PALS THAT WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW THIS. HECK, I WAS IN THE BUSINESS SEVEN YEARS … THAT IS A LOT OF MOVIES.
I REMEMBER JUNE 11 1979.
JOHN WAYNE DIED. IT TOOK ALITTLE TIME TO SOAK THAT IN. IT WAS FRIDAY EVENING AND DANGIT, JOHN WAYNE DESERVED A LITTLE NOTICE IN THIS CITY. ON MY OWN TIME, I GOT THE A-FRAME OUT AND HEADED TO THE MARQUEE WITH A HANDFUL OF LETTERS. ON MY OWN TIME. THE MOVIES WERE OVER AND THE PARKING LOT BARE.
THE NEXT MORNINGIT READ… JOHN WAYNE 1907- 1979" WE WILL MISS YOU ..DUKE" I ONLY WISHED I WOULD HAVE TAKEN A PICTURE. I KNOW WE WERE THE ONLY THEATRE IN AUGUSTA TO DO THIS. WE DID IT CAUSE I WORKED AT COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. FUNNY HOW YOU REMEMBER THINGS.
I can’t believe there is nothing on THE BIG-MO. I GUESS I WILL TRY AND GET SOMETHING OFF ON IT. IT’S ANOTHER AIKEN COUNTY DRIVE-IN. MAN, THEY HAD ALMOST AS MANY AS AUGUSTA!
THE OLD SWING SETS THAT HUNREDS OF AUGUSTA’S KIDS PLAYED ON ARE STILL UP. CHUCK DRAY TOOK THE SWINGS DOWN AND PUT THEM IN HIS YARD FOR HIS KIDS WHEN THE HILLTOP CLOSED. CHUCK HAS SINCE PASSSED ON BUT THAT WHITE SWING SET IS STILL UP. IT LASTED LONGER THAN THE DRIVE-IN.
THE JOHN HUSTON FILM … THE BIBLE… WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER A VERY LONG RUN. IT WAS RESERVED SEATING ONLY. TICKETS WERE $ 2.00 A SEAT FOR EVENING SHOWS AND $1.50 FOR MATINEES. YOU HAD TO CALL FOR SEATS. WOW. THIS WAS SEPT. 25 1967.
IN 1956 THE CHAPMAN DRIVE IN WAS OWNED BY R.S. SPURGEON. 200 CARS PRETTY SMALL FOR A KNOXVILLE DRIVE IN.
ON SEPT. 25 1967 THE CHAPMAN DRIVE IN WAS PLAYING .. HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE… WITH THE SECOND FEATURE HERCULES IN A HAUNTED HOUSE. IT WAS BILLED AS KNOXVILLE’S 1ST RUN SHOWING.
NOV. 23. 1978 IN THE MAIL COMES A PACKAGE FROM WARNER BROTHERS. OF COURSE, I QUICKY OPEN IT AND IT HAS A NOTE INSIDE SAYING; THR GAUNTLET ONE SHEETS NOW ON DISPLAY ARE TO BE TAKEN DOWN AND THROWN AWAY.. TRASH THEM! WELL, THIS CLINT EASTWOOD FAN AIN’T THROWNING A CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIE POSTER AWAY. I TOOK OUT THE NEW ONES AND LOOKED FOR A CHANGE. WHY CHANGE? THE ART WORK WAS THE SAME.
HOWEVER, I ASSUMED SONDRA LOCKE SAW HER NAME SMALLER THAN CLINT’S SHE MUST HAVE HAD A FIT.. SO ON THE FIRST BATCH OF ONE SHEETS HER NAME IS SMALLER. ON THE NEW ONE SHEETS SONDRA LOCKE’S NAME IS EQUAL BILLING WITH CLINT. COME ON CLINT!
THE WEIS DRIVE-IN HAD A VERY NICE CONESSIONSTAND THAT WAS SORTA BELOW THE CUSTOMER, SO THE CONCESSIONSTAND WERE LOOKING UP TO THE CUSTOMERS. IT DID HAVE RADIO SOUND TOWARD IT’S END DAYS. I WENT BACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND OUT IN THE WOODS FOUND SEVERAL REELS. I ALSO SAW A VERY GOOD BASEBALL MOVIE THERE IT WAS ‘’ BANG THE DRUM SOFTLY'‘ I SAW TRUE GRIT THERE TOO. THIS THEATRE WAS FAR ENOUGHT OUT OF BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT TODAY ONE COULD GET A GOOD PICTURE. GEORGIA THEATRES HAD EVERY RIGHT TO SELL IT FOR REAL ESTATE, BUT TODAY. IT THINK IT WOULD BE A MONEY MAKER. WITH GOOD MANAGEMENT. BUT THERE IS NO SCREEN OR DRIVE IN. A CHURCH WAS SUPPOSE TO TAKE THE LAND.
BUT THE LAST TIME I DROVE OUT THERE… NOTHING!
WELL, IT IS 2009 AND YOU KNOW ? PART OF THAT OLD SCREEN IS STILL STANDING. I GUESS THE PEOPLE IN THE HOOD HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS ARE EVEN CARE. AUGUSTA DRIVE-IN LASTED ABOUT 10 YEARS. ABOUT THE LIFE OF ALOT OF DRIVE-INS IN THOSE CARE FREE YEARS.
WELL, IT IS 2009 AND YOU KNOW ? PART OF THAT OLD SCREEN IS STILL STANDING. I GUESS THE PEOPLE IN THE HOOD HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS ARE EVEN CARE. AUGUSTA DRIVE-IN LASTED ABOUT 10 YEARS. ABOUT THE LIFE OF ALOT OF DRIVE-INS IN THOSE CARE FREE YEARS.
I FOUND A BACK DOOR OPENED AND I CAREFULLY WENT INSIDE. WITH A FLASHLIGHT I WALKED INTO THE BOOTH IT WAS JUST LIKE THEY LEFT IT THE NIGHT IT WENT DARK, PLATTERS, FILM . IN THE OFFICES COMPUTERS, PHONES. IT WAS LIKE I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON EARTH. THE MOLD SMELL WAS BAD. I DID NOT FIND ANY ONE SHEETS. THAT WAS NICE THEATRE. HAD GCC BUILT IT IN NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C. LIKE I SAID TO DO IT MIGHT BE OPEN TODAY AS AT LEAST A DOLLAR THEATRE IT IS PRETTY MUCH IN A REAL BAD PART OF SOUTH AUGUSTA. BOSTON, YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED. MAYBE THAT IS WHY TOU GUYS WENT BROKE.
NICK… GREAT STORY. I LOVED THE MUMMY WITH CHRISTOPHER LEE. SEEMS ALL DOWNTOWN THEATRES WERE JUST SET TO PLAY COFFY OR BLACULA. THERE WERE A BUNCH OF GREAT BLACK FILMS LIKE TAKE A HARD RIDE A GREAT WESTERN, AND GUESS WHAT THERE WERE ALOT OF BLACK COWBOYS IN THE 1800’S. ILIKED LET’S DO IT AGAIN AND BUCK AND THE PREACHER, BUT MOST THE BLACK MOVIE GOERS THAT IDEALT WITH DID NOT WANT SUCH FARE THEY WANTED SHAFT’S BIG SCORE OR BRUCE LEE. AND THAT IS WHAT THE FLORIDA AND IMPERIAL BOOKED BOTH ABC THEATRES. I WONDER IF THE BOOKED OUT OF THE CAROLINAS LIKE WE DID.
I REMEMBER DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS IN THE 70’S THE HILLTOP PLAYED I KNOW FOR SEVEAL WEEKS;WHICH IS SORT OF UNHEARD OF THE WESTERNS THEY CALL ME TRINTY AND TRINTY IS STILL MY NAME,,, I WONDER IF THESE TWO COMEDY WESTERNS HAD THE SAME RESPONSE FROM MOVIE GOERS. IN OTHER CITIES OR WAS IT JUST SOMETHING BEACUSE I REMEMBER ADS SAYING AUGUSTA WON’T LET THEM GO.
WHEN FOR YOUR EYES ONLY OPEN AT THE GASTON MALL THEATRE JOHN MACKEY CALLED AND TOLD YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THE LOCAL PAPER IS MAKING ME DO? I HAVE TO DRAW A SKIRT ON THE BOND GIRL IN THE AD.
IT WAS PRETTY SUGESTIVE AD AS ANY 007 FAN CAN REMEMBER. I SAW THE SKIRT HE DREW ON WITH A MARKER AND I WISHED I WOULD HAVE SAVED ONE.
WHEN FOR YOUR EYES ONLY OPEN AT THE GASTON MALL THEATRE JOHN MACKEY CALLED AND TOLD YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THE LOCAL PAPER IS MAKING ME DO? I HAVE TO DRAW A SKIRT ON THE BOND GIRL IN THE AD.
IT WAS PRETTY SUGESTIVE AD AS ANY 007 FAN CAN REMEMBER. I SAW THE SKIRT HE DREW ON WITH A MARKER AND I WISHED I WOULD HAVE SAVED ONE.
THE VALLEY DRIVE-IN THEATRE OPENED SOMETIME IN THE 50’S.IT TO WAS LOACTED IN AIKEN COUNTY WHICH IN LAND SIZE IS MOST LIKELY THE LARGEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA. BILL BARKLEY WOULD RUN MOVIES THERE BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN INTO A CLOSED UNION SHOP. HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT THINK HE WOULD EVER GET HIS CARD. HE TOOK ME TO THE CLOVERLEAF LOT.
RAY, i was real young but didn’t they have a little train set up in front of the screen.I ENJOYED THE SKYVIEW, WHEN IT CLOSED DOWN THE UNION TRANSFERRED WAVE BALLARD TO COLUNBIA SQ. THEY WERE REALLY HAVING TROUBLE WITH VANDALS AND HE WAS GLAD TO MOVE OUT TO MARTINEZ,GA.
HERE IS A LITTLE FACT PUT TOGETHER BY OUR CREATIVE JERRY TINNEY.BILL BARKLEY PROJECTIONIST AT THE IMPERIAL HAS SEEN JAWS 257 TIMES when this ad was made,it ran alot longer. THAT EQUALS 30.840 MINUTES 2.774.640 FEET OR 525 MILES OF THIS MOVIE.
MAY 27 1977…. AN X RATED FILM IN AUGUSTA HAS CAUSED ALOT OF HEAT FROM THE LOCALS. THE IMPERIAL HAD LAST TANGO IN PARIS BOOKED FOR A LATE SHOW, BUT THE BOOKERS IN THE HOME OFFICE PULLED IT.
AUGUST 2 1977.. THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING GREASED LIGHTING.
OCT, 15 1977… LATE SHOWS INCLUDE DELIVERANCE, DEATH WISH. FRITZ THE CAT. AND NATIONAL HILLS WILL PLAY BOTH GODFATHER FILMS BACK TO BACK.
FEB.4 1978 THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING WIZARDS AND PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. I HAVE IT NOTED THAT WIZARDS WAS ONE OF BEST GROSSERS.
MAY 25 1978 THE IMPERIAL BOOKED MYRA BRACKINRIDGE FOR A LATE SHOW. WE HEARD THE WEIS DRIVE-IN WAS TURNING THEM AWAY.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE THE X RATED VERSION WAS BOOKED FIRST RUN AT THE IMPERIAL, THE AUGUSTA POLICE SAID THEY WOULD RAID THE THEATRE. GUESS WHAT? NO CLOCKWORK ORANGE. JIM NEELY AND MYSELF WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TO ATHENS.GA. TO SEE IT. AND DOGGONE IT WAS PLAYING AT THE CLASSIC THEATRE.. A GEORGIA THEATRE.
MORE STORIES FROM AUGUSTA’S FINEST THEATRE…. We had some good luck with our late shows. HOWEVER,we were not perfect. these are the five worst late shows… FLESH GORDON….at one time rated X.WE GOT THE RATED R ONE. …..200 MOTELS with FRANK ZAPPA. ….BLINDMAM..A RINGO STARR WESTERN….ZABRISKE POINT…….JOHNNY GET YOUR GUN..
SHERLOCK HOLMES ,SMARTER BROTHER WAS BOOKED FOR THE IMPERIAL, NATIONAL HILLS GOT IT.
I WAS IN THE BOX OFFICE GOING OVER SOME BOR’S WHEN A MAN SEE’S OUR SIGN THAT SAID NOW AT POPULAR PRICES HE SAID TO WINDY, YOU CALL 2.50 A SEAT POPULAR? WINDY WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT SAID ‘’ WE LIKE IT!‘'
JUNE 9 1976 WE ARE PLAYING ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. VERY SLOW NIGHT. NEXT WEEK WE GET THE EXORCIST…WOW. A RERUN.
AUGUST 2 1977 NATIONAL HILLS IS PLAYING OUTLAW BLUES WITH PETER FONDA.
MORE STORIES FROM AUGUSTA’S FINEST THEATRE…. We had some good luck with our late shows. HOWEVER,we were not perfect. these are the five worst late shows… FLESH GORDON….at one time rated X.WE GOT THE RATED R ONE. …..200 MOTELS with FRANK ZAPPA. ….BLINDMAM..A RINGO STARR WESTERN….ZABRISKE POINT…….JOHNNY GET YOUR GUN..
SHERLOCK HOLMES ,SMARTER BROTHER WAS BOOKED FOR THE IMPERIAL, NATIONAL HILLS GOT IT.
I WAS IN THE BOX OFFICE GOING OVER SOME BOR’S WHEN A MAN SEE’S OUR SIGN THAT SAID NOW AT POPULAR PRICES HE SAID TO WINDY, YOU CALL 2.50 A SEAT POPULAR? WINDY WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT SAID ‘’ WE LIKE IT!‘'
JUNE 9 1976 WE ARE PLAYING ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. VERY SLOW NIGHT. NEXT WEEK WE GET THE EXORCIST…WOW. A RERUN.
AUGUST 2 1977 NATIONAL HILLS IS PLAYING OUTLAW BLUES WITH PETER FONDA.
COLUMBIA 2 still playing A STAR IS BORN. 8th week. CASSANDRA CROSSING OPENED TO STRONG CROWDS, …FEB. 17 1977.
LATE SHOWS AT COLUMBIA SQUARE ARE BOMBING. WE HAD TWO PEOPLE FOR FAMILY PLOT ON SATURDAY. WE HAVE DECIDED TO SELL TICKETS AT 1.50 a seat.
AUGUST 2 1977 WE ARE PLAYING THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE AND COLUMBIA TWO IS DOING VERY WELL WITH THE DEEP.
CEDAR BLUFF IN KNOXVILLE, TENN. STONE MONT IN ATLANTA ARE THE SAME THEATRES HAS COLUMBIA SQUARE. ALL OPENED ABOUT THE SAME TIME.
IN 1956 THE ABC THEATRE PARKED 750 CARS MAKING IT A RATHER LARGE DRIVE IN. IT WAS OWNED IN THE 50’S LATE BY CO-OP CIRCUIT. I NEVER KNEW GCC RAN DRIVE INS , BUT I GUESS THAT WAS A NORTHERN THING.
WASN’T THERE A TWIN DRIVE IN BUILT SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE AND I AM SURPRIZED NO ONE IN CHARLOTTE HAS WRITTEN ON THE THUNDERBIRD DRIVR IN. I KNOW IT WAS AN ABC THEATRE.
SPEAKING OF THE KOI POND WHILE I WAS THERE SOMEHOW THE THEATRE HAD TO KEEP It CLEAN. WHICH WE DID DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THE MONEY THROWN IN THE POND WENT IN THE DOORMAN’S POCKETS. ONE SUMMER, MARK KUCHINSKI THROWNS SOME SMALL BASS IN THE POND. NEXT DAY, ALL THE SMALL GOLDFISH GONE. WE FIGURED THE BASS ATE THEM.
MY FAVORITE CONCESSIONSTAND GIRL/ BOX OFFICE GIRL WAS TERESA HUMMELL, SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE.
ON BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS WE HAD ALL THE CONCESSIONSTAND AND BOX OFFICE GIRLS DRESS LIKE YOU KNOW… LOVE GCC PROMOTIONS.I KNOW RUSSELL REMEMBERS,IF HE WILL ONLY TYPE SOME REGENCY 1 2 3 STORIES. COULD NOT DO THAT TODAY!
HEY, YOU ARE RIGHT! according to THE NEW YORK TIMES IT OPENED MAY 26 1977. COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 WERE STILL BEING BUILT.
HOWEVER, MICHAEL I CLEARLY REMEMBER GETTING A BOX OF BLUE AND WHITE STAR WARS FLYERS 3 ONE SHEETS; ONE WITH GREAT ART WORK THAT I STILL HAVE AND 2 WITH THE STAR WARS LOGO ON THEM. MAYBE IT WAS A RE-RELEASE. BUT THAT SEEMS LIKE A WASTE OF MONEY WHEN IT ALREAY HAD NAME VALUE TO THE FILM. GUESS I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED IN JOURNALISM 101 BEFORE WRITING ON THE FILM. THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW I HAVE A FEW OLD THEATER PALS THAT WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW THIS. HECK, I WAS IN THE BUSINESS SEVEN YEARS … THAT IS A LOT OF MOVIES.
I REMEMBER JUNE 11 1979.
JOHN WAYNE DIED. IT TOOK ALITTLE TIME TO SOAK THAT IN. IT WAS FRIDAY EVENING AND DANGIT, JOHN WAYNE DESERVED A LITTLE NOTICE IN THIS CITY. ON MY OWN TIME, I GOT THE A-FRAME OUT AND HEADED TO THE MARQUEE WITH A HANDFUL OF LETTERS. ON MY OWN TIME. THE MOVIES WERE OVER AND THE PARKING LOT BARE.
THE NEXT MORNINGIT READ… JOHN WAYNE 1907- 1979" WE WILL MISS YOU ..DUKE" I ONLY WISHED I WOULD HAVE TAKEN A PICTURE. I KNOW WE WERE THE ONLY THEATRE IN AUGUSTA TO DO THIS. WE DID IT CAUSE I WORKED AT COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. FUNNY HOW YOU REMEMBER THINGS.
I can’t believe there is nothing on THE BIG-MO. I GUESS I WILL TRY AND GET SOMETHING OFF ON IT. IT’S ANOTHER AIKEN COUNTY DRIVE-IN. MAN, THEY HAD ALMOST AS MANY AS AUGUSTA!
THE OLD SWING SETS THAT HUNREDS OF AUGUSTA’S KIDS PLAYED ON ARE STILL UP. CHUCK DRAY TOOK THE SWINGS DOWN AND PUT THEM IN HIS YARD FOR HIS KIDS WHEN THE HILLTOP CLOSED. CHUCK HAS SINCE PASSSED ON BUT THAT WHITE SWING SET IS STILL UP. IT LASTED LONGER THAN THE DRIVE-IN.
THE JOHN HUSTON FILM … THE BIBLE… WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER A VERY LONG RUN. IT WAS RESERVED SEATING ONLY. TICKETS WERE $ 2.00 A SEAT FOR EVENING SHOWS AND $1.50 FOR MATINEES. YOU HAD TO CALL FOR SEATS. WOW. THIS WAS SEPT. 25 1967.
IN 1956 THE CHAPMAN DRIVE IN WAS OWNED BY R.S. SPURGEON. 200 CARS PRETTY SMALL FOR A KNOXVILLE DRIVE IN.
ON SEPT. 25 1967 THE CHAPMAN DRIVE IN WAS PLAYING .. HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE… WITH THE SECOND FEATURE HERCULES IN A HAUNTED HOUSE. IT WAS BILLED AS KNOXVILLE’S 1ST RUN SHOWING.
NOV. 23. 1978 IN THE MAIL COMES A PACKAGE FROM WARNER BROTHERS. OF COURSE, I QUICKY OPEN IT AND IT HAS A NOTE INSIDE SAYING; THR GAUNTLET ONE SHEETS NOW ON DISPLAY ARE TO BE TAKEN DOWN AND THROWN AWAY.. TRASH THEM! WELL, THIS CLINT EASTWOOD FAN AIN’T THROWNING A CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIE POSTER AWAY. I TOOK OUT THE NEW ONES AND LOOKED FOR A CHANGE. WHY CHANGE? THE ART WORK WAS THE SAME.
HOWEVER, I ASSUMED SONDRA LOCKE SAW HER NAME SMALLER THAN CLINT’S SHE MUST HAVE HAD A FIT.. SO ON THE FIRST BATCH OF ONE SHEETS HER NAME IS SMALLER. ON THE NEW ONE SHEETS SONDRA LOCKE’S NAME IS EQUAL BILLING WITH CLINT. COME ON CLINT!
THE WEIS DRIVE-IN HAD A VERY NICE CONESSIONSTAND THAT WAS SORTA BELOW THE CUSTOMER, SO THE CONCESSIONSTAND WERE LOOKING UP TO THE CUSTOMERS. IT DID HAVE RADIO SOUND TOWARD IT’S END DAYS. I WENT BACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND OUT IN THE WOODS FOUND SEVERAL REELS. I ALSO SAW A VERY GOOD BASEBALL MOVIE THERE IT WAS ‘’ BANG THE DRUM SOFTLY'‘ I SAW TRUE GRIT THERE TOO. THIS THEATRE WAS FAR ENOUGHT OUT OF BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT TODAY ONE COULD GET A GOOD PICTURE. GEORGIA THEATRES HAD EVERY RIGHT TO SELL IT FOR REAL ESTATE, BUT TODAY. IT THINK IT WOULD BE A MONEY MAKER. WITH GOOD MANAGEMENT. BUT THERE IS NO SCREEN OR DRIVE IN. A CHURCH WAS SUPPOSE TO TAKE THE LAND.
BUT THE LAST TIME I DROVE OUT THERE… NOTHING!
WELL, IT IS 2009 AND YOU KNOW ? PART OF THAT OLD SCREEN IS STILL STANDING. I GUESS THE PEOPLE IN THE HOOD HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS ARE EVEN CARE. AUGUSTA DRIVE-IN LASTED ABOUT 10 YEARS. ABOUT THE LIFE OF ALOT OF DRIVE-INS IN THOSE CARE FREE YEARS.
WELL, IT IS 2009 AND YOU KNOW ? PART OF THAT OLD SCREEN IS STILL STANDING. I GUESS THE PEOPLE IN THE HOOD HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS ARE EVEN CARE. AUGUSTA DRIVE-IN LASTED ABOUT 10 YEARS. ABOUT THE LIFE OF ALOT OF DRIVE-INS IN THOSE CARE FREE YEARS.
I FOUND A BACK DOOR OPENED AND I CAREFULLY WENT INSIDE. WITH A FLASHLIGHT I WALKED INTO THE BOOTH IT WAS JUST LIKE THEY LEFT IT THE NIGHT IT WENT DARK, PLATTERS, FILM . IN THE OFFICES COMPUTERS, PHONES. IT WAS LIKE I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON EARTH. THE MOLD SMELL WAS BAD. I DID NOT FIND ANY ONE SHEETS. THAT WAS NICE THEATRE. HAD GCC BUILT IT IN NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C. LIKE I SAID TO DO IT MIGHT BE OPEN TODAY AS AT LEAST A DOLLAR THEATRE IT IS PRETTY MUCH IN A REAL BAD PART OF SOUTH AUGUSTA. BOSTON, YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED. MAYBE THAT IS WHY TOU GUYS WENT BROKE.
NICK… GREAT STORY. I LOVED THE MUMMY WITH CHRISTOPHER LEE. SEEMS ALL DOWNTOWN THEATRES WERE JUST SET TO PLAY COFFY OR BLACULA. THERE WERE A BUNCH OF GREAT BLACK FILMS LIKE TAKE A HARD RIDE A GREAT WESTERN, AND GUESS WHAT THERE WERE ALOT OF BLACK COWBOYS IN THE 1800’S. ILIKED LET’S DO IT AGAIN AND BUCK AND THE PREACHER, BUT MOST THE BLACK MOVIE GOERS THAT IDEALT WITH DID NOT WANT SUCH FARE THEY WANTED SHAFT’S BIG SCORE OR BRUCE LEE. AND THAT IS WHAT THE FLORIDA AND IMPERIAL BOOKED BOTH ABC THEATRES. I WONDER IF THE BOOKED OUT OF THE CAROLINAS LIKE WE DID.
I REMEMBER DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS IN THE 70’S THE HILLTOP PLAYED I KNOW FOR SEVEAL WEEKS;WHICH IS SORT OF UNHEARD OF THE WESTERNS THEY CALL ME TRINTY AND TRINTY IS STILL MY NAME,,, I WONDER IF THESE TWO COMEDY WESTERNS HAD THE SAME RESPONSE FROM MOVIE GOERS. IN OTHER CITIES OR WAS IT JUST SOMETHING BEACUSE I REMEMBER ADS SAYING AUGUSTA WON’T LET THEM GO.
WHEN FOR YOUR EYES ONLY OPEN AT THE GASTON MALL THEATRE JOHN MACKEY CALLED AND TOLD YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THE LOCAL PAPER IS MAKING ME DO? I HAVE TO DRAW A SKIRT ON THE BOND GIRL IN THE AD.
IT WAS PRETTY SUGESTIVE AD AS ANY 007 FAN CAN REMEMBER. I SAW THE SKIRT HE DREW ON WITH A MARKER AND I WISHED I WOULD HAVE SAVED ONE.
WHEN FOR YOUR EYES ONLY OPEN AT THE GASTON MALL THEATRE JOHN MACKEY CALLED AND TOLD YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THE LOCAL PAPER IS MAKING ME DO? I HAVE TO DRAW A SKIRT ON THE BOND GIRL IN THE AD.
IT WAS PRETTY SUGESTIVE AD AS ANY 007 FAN CAN REMEMBER. I SAW THE SKIRT HE DREW ON WITH A MARKER AND I WISHED I WOULD HAVE SAVED ONE.
THE VALLEY DRIVE-IN THEATRE OPENED SOMETIME IN THE 50’S.IT TO WAS LOACTED IN AIKEN COUNTY WHICH IN LAND SIZE IS MOST LIKELY THE LARGEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA. BILL BARKLEY WOULD RUN MOVIES THERE BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN INTO A CLOSED UNION SHOP. HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT THINK HE WOULD EVER GET HIS CARD. HE TOOK ME TO THE CLOVERLEAF LOT.
RAY, i was real young but didn’t they have a little train set up in front of the screen.I ENJOYED THE SKYVIEW, WHEN IT CLOSED DOWN THE UNION TRANSFERRED WAVE BALLARD TO COLUNBIA SQ. THEY WERE REALLY HAVING TROUBLE WITH VANDALS AND HE WAS GLAD TO MOVE OUT TO MARTINEZ,GA.
HERE IS A LITTLE FACT PUT TOGETHER BY OUR CREATIVE JERRY TINNEY.BILL BARKLEY PROJECTIONIST AT THE IMPERIAL HAS SEEN JAWS 257 TIMES when this ad was made,it ran alot longer. THAT EQUALS 30.840 MINUTES 2.774.640 FEET OR 525 MILES OF THIS MOVIE.
MAY 27 1977…. AN X RATED FILM IN AUGUSTA HAS CAUSED ALOT OF HEAT FROM THE LOCALS. THE IMPERIAL HAD LAST TANGO IN PARIS BOOKED FOR A LATE SHOW, BUT THE BOOKERS IN THE HOME OFFICE PULLED IT.
AUGUST 2 1977.. THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING GREASED LIGHTING.
OCT, 15 1977… LATE SHOWS INCLUDE DELIVERANCE, DEATH WISH. FRITZ THE CAT. AND NATIONAL HILLS WILL PLAY BOTH GODFATHER FILMS BACK TO BACK.
FEB.4 1978 THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING WIZARDS AND PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. I HAVE IT NOTED THAT WIZARDS WAS ONE OF BEST GROSSERS.
MAY 25 1978 THE IMPERIAL BOOKED MYRA BRACKINRIDGE FOR A LATE SHOW. WE HEARD THE WEIS DRIVE-IN WAS TURNING THEM AWAY.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE THE X RATED VERSION WAS BOOKED FIRST RUN AT THE IMPERIAL, THE AUGUSTA POLICE SAID THEY WOULD RAID THE THEATRE. GUESS WHAT? NO CLOCKWORK ORANGE. JIM NEELY AND MYSELF WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TO ATHENS.GA. TO SEE IT. AND DOGGONE IT WAS PLAYING AT THE CLASSIC THEATRE.. A GEORGIA THEATRE.
MORE STORIES FROM AUGUSTA’S FINEST THEATRE…. We had some good luck with our late shows. HOWEVER,we were not perfect. these are the five worst late shows… FLESH GORDON….at one time rated X.WE GOT THE RATED R ONE. …..200 MOTELS with FRANK ZAPPA. ….BLINDMAM..A RINGO STARR WESTERN….ZABRISKE POINT…….JOHNNY GET YOUR GUN..
SHERLOCK HOLMES ,SMARTER BROTHER WAS BOOKED FOR THE IMPERIAL, NATIONAL HILLS GOT IT.
I WAS IN THE BOX OFFICE GOING OVER SOME BOR’S WHEN A MAN SEE’S OUR SIGN THAT SAID NOW AT POPULAR PRICES HE SAID TO WINDY, YOU CALL 2.50 A SEAT POPULAR? WINDY WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT SAID ‘’ WE LIKE IT!‘'
JUNE 9 1976 WE ARE PLAYING ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. VERY SLOW NIGHT. NEXT WEEK WE GET THE EXORCIST…WOW. A RERUN.
AUGUST 2 1977 NATIONAL HILLS IS PLAYING OUTLAW BLUES WITH PETER FONDA.
MORE STORIES FROM AUGUSTA’S FINEST THEATRE…. We had some good luck with our late shows. HOWEVER,we were not perfect. these are the five worst late shows… FLESH GORDON….at one time rated X.WE GOT THE RATED R ONE. …..200 MOTELS with FRANK ZAPPA. ….BLINDMAM..A RINGO STARR WESTERN….ZABRISKE POINT…….JOHNNY GET YOUR GUN..
SHERLOCK HOLMES ,SMARTER BROTHER WAS BOOKED FOR THE IMPERIAL, NATIONAL HILLS GOT IT.
I WAS IN THE BOX OFFICE GOING OVER SOME BOR’S WHEN A MAN SEE’S OUR SIGN THAT SAID NOW AT POPULAR PRICES HE SAID TO WINDY, YOU CALL 2.50 A SEAT POPULAR? WINDY WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT SAID ‘’ WE LIKE IT!‘'
JUNE 9 1976 WE ARE PLAYING ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. VERY SLOW NIGHT. NEXT WEEK WE GET THE EXORCIST…WOW. A RERUN.
AUGUST 2 1977 NATIONAL HILLS IS PLAYING OUTLAW BLUES WITH PETER FONDA.
COLUMBIA 2 still playing A STAR IS BORN. 8th week. CASSANDRA CROSSING OPENED TO STRONG CROWDS, …FEB. 17 1977.
LATE SHOWS AT COLUMBIA SQUARE ARE BOMBING. WE HAD TWO PEOPLE FOR FAMILY PLOT ON SATURDAY. WE HAVE DECIDED TO SELL TICKETS AT 1.50 a seat.
AUGUST 2 1977 WE ARE PLAYING THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE AND COLUMBIA TWO IS DOING VERY WELL WITH THE DEEP.
CEDAR BLUFF IN KNOXVILLE, TENN. STONE MONT IN ATLANTA ARE THE SAME THEATRES HAS COLUMBIA SQUARE. ALL OPENED ABOUT THE SAME TIME.
IN 1956 THE ABC THEATRE PARKED 750 CARS MAKING IT A RATHER LARGE DRIVE IN. IT WAS OWNED IN THE 50’S LATE BY CO-OP CIRCUIT. I NEVER KNEW GCC RAN DRIVE INS , BUT I GUESS THAT WAS A NORTHERN THING.
WASN’T THERE A TWIN DRIVE IN BUILT SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE AND I AM SURPRIZED NO ONE IN CHARLOTTE HAS WRITTEN ON THE THUNDERBIRD DRIVR IN. I KNOW IT WAS AN ABC THEATRE.
SPEAKING OF THE KOI POND WHILE I WAS THERE SOMEHOW THE THEATRE HAD TO KEEP It CLEAN. WHICH WE DID DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. OF COURSE, MOST OF THE MONEY THROWN IN THE POND WENT IN THE DOORMAN’S POCKETS. ONE SUMMER, MARK KUCHINSKI THROWNS SOME SMALL BASS IN THE POND. NEXT DAY, ALL THE SMALL GOLDFISH GONE. WE FIGURED THE BASS ATE THEM.
MY FAVORITE CONCESSIONSTAND GIRL/ BOX OFFICE GIRL WAS TERESA HUMMELL, SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE.