ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS FILLING IN FOR A MANAGER, THE IMERIAL WAS PLAYING IT’S ALIVE A HORROR FILM..GOING UNDERNEATH THE STAGE TO CUT OFF THE A.C. UNITS WAS, WELL SCARY. THE IMPERIAL HAD RATS THE SIZE OF CATS DOWN THERE.
ONE NIGHT SCOTT KRUGER WAS POPPING CORN BEHIND THE SCREEN, WALKS UP TO THE CONESSIONSTAND FOR A COKE.AND STARTS TALKING. GUESS WHAT HAPPENED.. YEP. A FIRE IN THE POPCORN ROOM. WASN’T TOO BAD.. THE MOVIE WAS GREASED LIGHTING.AND NO YOU CAN’T MAKE THAT UP.
SMART THEATRE MANAGER, JERRY TINNEY HAVING HAD A TIME AT THE IMPERIAL WITH THE EXORCIST HE INVITED RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM AUGUSTA’S CHURCHES TO VIEW A SPECIAL SHOWING OF OH, GOD.
WE REALLY WERE NOT CERTAIN HOW IT WOULD PLAY SINCE THE TRAILER WAS NOTHING BUT A BLANK SCREEN AND GEORGE BURNS TALKING. MANY PRIESTS AND PASTORS CAME… OPENING NIGHT WE HAD PROTESTS ABOUT THE MOVIE. ALL THEY DID WAS SELL MORE TICKETS.
ANOTHER TRUE STORY FROM THE FILES OF COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. WHEN WE OPENED FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FIRST SHOWING OF THE PETER FALK AND ALAN ARKIN FILM THE IN-LAWS A OLDER LADY IN HER 70’S WALKS UP TO THE BOXOFFICE AND CALMLY TELLS ME WE DO NOT HAVE SOAP IN THE LADIES ROOM. WELL, I AM A PRETTY DECENT GUY AND TOLD HER I WOULD GET RIGHT ON IT. WE HAD ABOUT 100 FOLKS ROPED OFF IN THE LOBBY.
AND I HAD TO GET THEM IN…BOY, DID SHE GO CRAZY. I MEAN IN FRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE SCREAMING ABOUT. IT GOT SO BAD I WAS GETTING READY TO CALL THE COPS. YELLING ABOUT NO SOAP. FINALLY, I GUESS HER SON CAME AND GOT HER AND SAID HE WAS SO SORRY.
ONE NIGHT TOMMY CAPERS AND ME ARE SITTING ON THE CONESSIONSTAND SIPPING A COLD ONE AFTER A LONG NIGHT. OUT OF COLUMBIA ONE WALKS A MAN. SAID HE FELL ASLEEP. SO MUCH FOR OUR USHERS THAT NIGHT.
ANOTHER NIGHT A LADY COMES UP TO ME AFTER WATCHING THE ENTIRE MOVIE AND DEMANDED HER MONEY BACK. SHE DID NOT GET IT. WHAT NERVE. HAD SHE COME OUT IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OR SO,SURE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER 3.00 BACK. BOY, THE THEATRE BUSINESS. AND I AM JUST WRITING THE G RATED STUFF.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA WAS SET FOR A JERRY LEWIS TWIN THEATRE AND WHEN AN AD APPEARED LISTING THE NEW THEATRES, GEORGIA THEATRES QUICKLY BUILT THE SOUTHGATE CINEMA IN AUGUSTA. FOR YEARS I TOLD THEATRE GUYS I WORKED WITHAND THEY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY…A JERRY LEWIS THEATRE. NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE ME.
In 1956 THE SKYWAY DRIVE IN WAS CALLED THE SKYWAY AUTO DRIVE IN AND PARKED 400 CARS. IT WAS OWNED BY HANNA THEATRE SERVICE,WHICH ALSO RAN THE GEIBELS DRIVE IN ; ANOTHER DRIVE IN IN BUTLER, PA. WAS THE HILLTOP DRIVE IN SO THIS CITY IN THE LATE 50’S HAD 3 DRIVE INS.
SO MUCH FOR MY JOURNALISM 101 CLASS ABOUT GETTING THE FACTS CORRECT. DANIEL VILLAGE OPENED APRIL 1 1965. WHEN I SAW AN OLD PICTURE OF OPENING DAY OF THE DANIEL VILLAGE , THE MARQUEE HAD MARY POPPINS I ASSUMED IT WAS THE NATIONWIDE OPENING, BUT GEORGIA THEATRE DECIDED TO OPEN A NEW THEATRE WITH A FILM THAT WAS RELEASED IN 1964. I NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT GEORGIA THEATRES. ADMISSION TO SEE THIS DISNEY CLASSIC WAS ADULTS 1.50 AND CHILD 75 cents.
IT WAS BILLED AS AUGUSTA’S FIRST THEATRE IN 25 YEARS WITH ROCKING CHAIRS. IT FACT IT WAS CALLED THE ROCKING CHAIR THEATRE. THE SHOW TIMES FOR MARY POPPINS WAS 1;30 4;00 6;60 AND 9;00 PM.
I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THIS OLD DRIVE IN. I REMEMBER SEEING THE SMALL PINE TREES TAKE ROOT AROUND THE LOT ONLY TO BE MADE WAY FOR ANOTHER SHOPPING CENTER ON WRIGHTSBORO ROAD.WHEN I USE TO SIT AROUND AND PICK OLD PROJECTIONISTS BRAINS THEY NEVER COULD REALLY TELL ME ABOUT IT IS AS IF NO ONE REMEMBERED OR REALLY CARED.
MARK. THE MANCHESTER DRIVE IN IN 1956 parked 515 CARS AND AT THAT TIME WAS OWNED BY B. MENSCHELL AND J, CALVOCORESSI. I WISH I HAD MORE BUT THAT IS ALL IN THE 1956 MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC.
I WORKED FOR GCC IN AUGUSTA,GEORGIA . THE COMPANY WAS REALLY A HARD WORKING PLACE FOR AN ASSISTANT MANAGER ON A SALARY. WITH KID SHOWS AND MIDNIGHT SHOWS WE FIGURED WE WORKED ABOUT 80 HOURS A WEEK or 1.25 an hour IN THE EARLY 80’s. THAT IS NOT EVEN WRITING ABOUT THE REGULAR FEATURES THAT ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE TO START AT 10 pm.
YOU KNOW, STAR WARS WAS SET FOR COLUMBIA SQUARE THEATERS. WE HAD ALL KINDS OF FLYERS . I BET A THOUSAND OR SO. THE ONE SHEETS RIGHT OFF THE PRESS. I DID SAVE ALL THREE ONE SHEETS BUT WE DUMPED THE FRYERS. WISH I WOULD HAVE KEPT THEM. I THINK THE BOOKERS IN CHARLOTTE HAD NO FAITH IN THIS LITTLE MOVIE. BECAUSE HAD LUCUS HAD TO PICK THE SCREEN FOR HIS MOVIE COLUMBIA SQUARE WOULD HAVE WON HANDS DOWN.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE I FINALLY FOUND THIS THEATRE. I KEPT PUNCHING IN TRYON MALL 1 and 2 THEATRES. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT HAD BEEN EXPANED LIKE EVERY THEATRE EVERYWHERE I GUSS THAT IS WHY THE SUITS RUN THE BUSINESS AND NOT THEATRE LOVERS. SHORT STORY, MY FRIEND JOHN MACKEY RAN THE 1 and 2 THEATRES FOR ABC THEATRES. HE STARTED IN ASHVILLE, SENT DOWN TO GEORGIA AT AUGUSTA' S BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE AND HE WAS MOVED TO THE GASTON MALL…THEN THE BIG CITY OF CHARLOTTE. MY FRIEND AND ASSISTANT MANAGER, TOMMY CAPERS AND MYSELF DROPPED IN TO SEE JOHN COMING BACK FROM THE BEACH. BOTH OF US WORKING FOR abc theatres WERE QUICKY PUT TO WORK HELPING HIM WITH JAWS 2 WE DID NOT MIND. I HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE WATCHING A PREVIEW OF THE MOVIE MIDWAY BEFORE IT WAS RELEASED. SAT IN THERE WITH ALL THE BIG FILM BOOKERS IN CHARLOTTE. for the record, I HATED JAWS 2.
I FOUND OUT THE NAME OF THE THEATRE ACROSS FROM THE OLD CAROLNA. IT WAS CALLED THE SKYLAND ARTS CINEMA AND WAS IN THE BALLROOM, ADINNER THEATRE. I WAS TOLD HE WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT 10 years. IT WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE SKYLAND HOTEL.
ALSO BACK IN THOSE DAYS ALMOST ALL THEATRES PLAYED LATE SHOWS. HERE ARE THE LIST OF THE HIGHEST GROSSING LATE SHOWS EVER TO PLAY FROM 1974 TO 1975. THEY ARE MANY TYPES OF FILMS I CERTAINLY HOPE ONE OF YOURS IS LISTED HERE……… 2001, VANISHING POINT, SILENT RUNNING… DUCK SOUP, FRANKENSTEIN AND DRACULA 1931, WOODSTOCK, FRITZ THE CAT, EASY RIDER, STRAWBERRY STATEMENT , DEATH WISH, FRIENDS, ALOHA BOBBY AND ROSE, TOMMY, LET IT BE, IN COLD BLOOD,WIZARDS,HARRAD EXPERIMENT AND FRENZY. YOU CAN SEE FOR THE TIME NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE COVERED ALMOST EVERY TASTE IN FILM. WE THOUGHT BEFORE WE BOOKED ANYTHING AND I THINK OUR MOVIEGOERS REALLY LIKED WHAT WE PUT ON THAT BIG SCREEN.
WAY BEFORE COMPUTERS,SOMETHING IN ME SAID TO JOT DOWN EVENTS OF THAT THEATRE. I SPENT ALOT OF SATURDAYS THERE AS A 12 YEAR OLD WATCHING CHRISTOPHER LEE IN DRACULA OR BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS WAS A GREAT HORROR FILM THAT PLAYED A FEW WEEKS. IN 1974 I FINALLY GOT HIRED AFTER TRYING SO MANY TIMES. HERE ARE SOME REAL STORIES FROM NATIONAL HILLS. ONCE WHILE PLAYING A LATE SHOW; THE DUNWICH HORROR OUR OLD PROJECTIONIST MR.PETE HAD THE SOUND UP SO LOUD WE COULD HEAR IT IN THE MANAGERS OFFICE ACROSS THE HALL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS HORRIBLE DEVIL SCREAM BLASTS OUT OF THE SPEAKER IN THE BOOTH; WE JUMP UP. RUN IN AND FIND MR.PETE HOLDING HIS PANTS SAYING “ THAT DAMN SCREAM SCARED ME OFF THE TOILET!” A YOUNG ASSISTANT MANAGER, TOMMY CAPERS BEING TOLD THAT NO ONE COMES TO THE MOVIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY. THEY OPEN UP WITH THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE AND SELL OUT A 781 SEAT THEATRE WITH TOMMY and TWO CONCESSIONSTAND GIRLS AND A BOX OFFICE GIRL. ONE NIGHT ON A DISNEY DOUBLE FEATURE OUR PROJECTIONIST WAS TOLD TO RUN THE FIRST FEATURE ON THE DOULBE FEATURE BY A DRUNK THEATRE MANAGER AT A NEARBY BAR. UNION PROJECTIONIST. DOUBLE TIME THAT MANAGER WAS QUICKLY GONE. THE FAMOUS BOTTLE BANDIT ROBBER HIT THE BOX OFFICE ONE NIGHT WITH A COKE BOTTLE HIDDEN LIKE A GUN UNDER HIS JACKET. HE WAS CAUGHT BEFORE HE GOT OUT OF THE SHOOPING CENTER. THE LOCAL PAPER REPORTED IT AND A.P. PICKED UP THE STORY AND WENT NATIONWIDE. THE ROBBER DID TIME AT A LOCAL MEMTAL HOSPITAL. THE FIRST FEMALE ASSISTANT MANAGER WAS CINDY MUNS.UP TIL THEN THE GUYS WERE MANAGEMENT. WHEN JOHN MACKEY BOOKED A MARX BROTHERS LATE SHOW GREG SHAPPARD, CHARLES BRUNI AND MIKE ROGERS WERE DRESSED LIKE THE MARX BROTHERS. WHEN THE FIRST RUN ON THE LONGEST YARD PLAYED MACKEY HAD HIS USHERS AND DOORMEN TO DRESS IN FEMALE CHEERLEADING OUTFITS WHILE THE GIRLS ON STAFF HAS WILDSHOULDERPADS AND FOOTBALL JERSAYS ON. ONE TIME WHEN BILLY JACK WAS PLAYING , A OLDER WOMAN BOUGHT A TICKET AND WENT IN TO SEE THE MOVIE. IT WAS NOT A MINUTE BEFORE SHE CAME OUT SAYING ‘’ THAT IS NOT THE SOUND OF MUSIC'‘. ON HOT SUMMER DAYS THE CONESSION STAND GIRLS WOULD CHANGE INTO THEIR BATHING SUITS AND LAY ON THE LOBBY ROOF.SUNBATHING. THIS DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY LEWIS ROBERTSON WHO THREW A BUCKET OF ICE ON THE SUNBATHING GIRLS FROM THE TOP OF THE THEATRE ROOF! WE PLAYED BENJI AT NATIONAL HILLS THE SAME TIME THE IMPERIAL HAD JAWS SO BOTH THEATRES WERE KICKING BUTT. WE DECIDED TO GIVE SOME PUPPIES AWAY IN THE LOBBY. AT NIGHT WE KEPT THEM UPSTAIRS IN THE SUPPLY / FURANCE ROOM. THEY WERE NOT HOUSEBROKEN AND THAT SUPPLY, WELL , WE NEVER DID GET THE STINK OUT.
I THINK I FOUND MY ANSWER ON THE TWIN THEATRE MENTIONED ABOVE. COULD I BE THINKING ABOUT THE ASPEN TWIN THEATRES;IT JUST CAME TO ME AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS SUCH A TWIN IN WHEATON?
STAN, HAVE NOT HEARD LARRY ANDERSON’S NAME IN AWHILE. I WORKED WITH CRAIG ZACKER IN AUGUSTA AND LATER AT GEORGIA SQUARE. AROUND HIS ASSISTANTS HE WOULD HOLD COURT AND ABOUT THE ONLY PLACE HE HAD NO PULL WAS THE UNION PROJECTION BOOTH. I ENJOYED WORKING WITH CRAIG. WE WOULD CRAFT SOME GREAT MIDNIGHT SHOWS AND HE WAS EVER SO BIG ON DOING PROMOTIONS. HE SADLY, WAS ONE OF THE LAST REAL SHOWMEN I WORKED WITH A FEW AT ABC THEATRES , BUT YOU AND I BOTH GOT IN ON THE END GOING TO THE MOVIES WAS A SPECIAL EVENT. I NOTICE POLICE CARS HAVE TO BE STATIONED AT OUR NEARBY 14 PLEX. I NEVER IN 7 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS HAD TO CALL THE COPS FOR HELP.AND I SPENT SOME NIGHTS AT THE DOWNTOWN IMPERIAL THEATRE IN AUGUSTA. CRAIG DIED OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK IN THE EARLY 90’S. I WAS A PALLBEARER ALONG WITH RUSSELL SMEAK AND BARRY MORRISON. ALL GCC ASST.MANAGERS.
BACK IN 1956 YOU REALLY DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RADIO SOUND. I STOPPED BY THE COMERCE DRIVEIN THEATRE IN COMERCE ,GEORGIA AND TALK ABOUT SOMEONE OPERATING FOR GREED. THE OLD DRIVE IN WAS FINE.BUT THEY HAD PUT TWO SCREENS ON THE LOT ONE ALMOST SIDE BY SIDE.SO EACH FAMILY OWNED DRIVE IN IS RUN THAT WAY. THE BADLIN DRIVE IN IN THE LATE 50’S HELD 200 CARS AND WAS OWNED AT THE TIME IN1956 BY G,L, FAW. HE ALSO OWNED IN ALBERMARLE THE DRIVE IN IT HELD ONLY 150 CARS ONE OF THE SMALLEST DRIVE INS IN THE TAR HEEL STATE. SO YOU HAD IN THAT CITY THE DRIVE IN AND THE BADLIN DRIVE IN.
ed< i have a friend helping me >he might not have the weis drive in up or the clover leaf drivein> i think if you spell it clover leaf you might get it cause i think it is in the system.
ed< i have a friend helping me >he might not have the weis drive in up or the clover leaf drivein> i think if you spell it clover leaf you might get it cause i think it is in the system.
FOR THE RECORD OLIVER HARDY WAS BORN IN HARLEM .GEORGIA THAT HAS A NICE MUSEUM IN THIS HONOR AND THE FIRST WEEKEND THEY CELBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY AND THOUSANDS COME TO THIS SMALL GEORGIA TOWN IN THIS HONOR.THE FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER THIS TOWN USUALLY HAS 20,000 PEOPLE COME.I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. HARLEM IS RESTORING THE OLD COLUMBIA THEATRE BUILT REAL CLOSE TO THE HOUSE HE WAS BORN IN.
ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS FILLING IN FOR A MANAGER, THE IMERIAL WAS PLAYING IT’S ALIVE A HORROR FILM..GOING UNDERNEATH THE STAGE TO CUT OFF THE A.C. UNITS WAS, WELL SCARY. THE IMPERIAL HAD RATS THE SIZE OF CATS DOWN THERE.
ONE NIGHT SCOTT KRUGER WAS POPPING CORN BEHIND THE SCREEN, WALKS UP TO THE CONESSIONSTAND FOR A COKE.AND STARTS TALKING. GUESS WHAT HAPPENED.. YEP. A FIRE IN THE POPCORN ROOM. WASN’T TOO BAD.. THE MOVIE WAS GREASED LIGHTING.AND NO YOU CAN’T MAKE THAT UP.
SMART THEATRE MANAGER, JERRY TINNEY HAVING HAD A TIME AT THE IMPERIAL WITH THE EXORCIST HE INVITED RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM AUGUSTA’S CHURCHES TO VIEW A SPECIAL SHOWING OF OH, GOD.
WE REALLY WERE NOT CERTAIN HOW IT WOULD PLAY SINCE THE TRAILER WAS NOTHING BUT A BLANK SCREEN AND GEORGE BURNS TALKING. MANY PRIESTS AND PASTORS CAME… OPENING NIGHT WE HAD PROTESTS ABOUT THE MOVIE. ALL THEY DID WAS SELL MORE TICKETS.
ANOTHER TRUE STORY FROM THE FILES OF COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. WHEN WE OPENED FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FIRST SHOWING OF THE PETER FALK AND ALAN ARKIN FILM THE IN-LAWS A OLDER LADY IN HER 70’S WALKS UP TO THE BOXOFFICE AND CALMLY TELLS ME WE DO NOT HAVE SOAP IN THE LADIES ROOM. WELL, I AM A PRETTY DECENT GUY AND TOLD HER I WOULD GET RIGHT ON IT. WE HAD ABOUT 100 FOLKS ROPED OFF IN THE LOBBY.
AND I HAD TO GET THEM IN…BOY, DID SHE GO CRAZY. I MEAN IN FRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE SCREAMING ABOUT. IT GOT SO BAD I WAS GETTING READY TO CALL THE COPS. YELLING ABOUT NO SOAP. FINALLY, I GUESS HER SON CAME AND GOT HER AND SAID HE WAS SO SORRY.
ONE NIGHT TOMMY CAPERS AND ME ARE SITTING ON THE CONESSIONSTAND SIPPING A COLD ONE AFTER A LONG NIGHT. OUT OF COLUMBIA ONE WALKS A MAN. SAID HE FELL ASLEEP. SO MUCH FOR OUR USHERS THAT NIGHT.
ANOTHER NIGHT A LADY COMES UP TO ME AFTER WATCHING THE ENTIRE MOVIE AND DEMANDED HER MONEY BACK. SHE DID NOT GET IT. WHAT NERVE. HAD SHE COME OUT IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OR SO,SURE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER 3.00 BACK. BOY, THE THEATRE BUSINESS. AND I AM JUST WRITING THE G RATED STUFF.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA WAS SET FOR A JERRY LEWIS TWIN THEATRE AND WHEN AN AD APPEARED LISTING THE NEW THEATRES, GEORGIA THEATRES QUICKLY BUILT THE SOUTHGATE CINEMA IN AUGUSTA. FOR YEARS I TOLD THEATRE GUYS I WORKED WITHAND THEY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY…A JERRY LEWIS THEATRE. NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE ME.
ED, YOU ARE GOOD . I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT A ROAD SHOW. I AM THINKING OF HOW 2000 PRINTS ARE RELEASED TODAY. SORTA GLAD I AM OUT OF THE BUSINESS.
In 1956 THE SKYWAY DRIVE IN WAS CALLED THE SKYWAY AUTO DRIVE IN AND PARKED 400 CARS. IT WAS OWNED BY HANNA THEATRE SERVICE,WHICH ALSO RAN THE GEIBELS DRIVE IN ; ANOTHER DRIVE IN IN BUTLER, PA. WAS THE HILLTOP DRIVE IN SO THIS CITY IN THE LATE 50’S HAD 3 DRIVE INS.
SO MUCH FOR MY JOURNALISM 101 CLASS ABOUT GETTING THE FACTS CORRECT. DANIEL VILLAGE OPENED APRIL 1 1965. WHEN I SAW AN OLD PICTURE OF OPENING DAY OF THE DANIEL VILLAGE , THE MARQUEE HAD MARY POPPINS I ASSUMED IT WAS THE NATIONWIDE OPENING, BUT GEORGIA THEATRE DECIDED TO OPEN A NEW THEATRE WITH A FILM THAT WAS RELEASED IN 1964. I NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT GEORGIA THEATRES. ADMISSION TO SEE THIS DISNEY CLASSIC WAS ADULTS 1.50 AND CHILD 75 cents.
IT WAS BILLED AS AUGUSTA’S FIRST THEATRE IN 25 YEARS WITH ROCKING CHAIRS. IT FACT IT WAS CALLED THE ROCKING CHAIR THEATRE. THE SHOW TIMES FOR MARY POPPINS WAS 1;30 4;00 6;60 AND 9;00 PM.
I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THIS OLD DRIVE IN. I REMEMBER SEEING THE SMALL PINE TREES TAKE ROOT AROUND THE LOT ONLY TO BE MADE WAY FOR ANOTHER SHOPPING CENTER ON WRIGHTSBORO ROAD.WHEN I USE TO SIT AROUND AND PICK OLD PROJECTIONISTS BRAINS THEY NEVER COULD REALLY TELL ME ABOUT IT IS AS IF NO ONE REMEMBERED OR REALLY CARED.
MARK. THE MANCHESTER DRIVE IN IN 1956 parked 515 CARS AND AT THAT TIME WAS OWNED BY B. MENSCHELL AND J, CALVOCORESSI. I WISH I HAD MORE BUT THAT IS ALL IN THE 1956 MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC.
NICK AND CHARLIE, THANKS FOR TAKING ME BY TO SEE THE RITZ THEATRE WHILE I WAS IN TAMPA. I KNOW IT IS LIKE NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE IS TO ME.
I WORKED FOR GCC IN AUGUSTA,GEORGIA . THE COMPANY WAS REALLY A HARD WORKING PLACE FOR AN ASSISTANT MANAGER ON A SALARY. WITH KID SHOWS AND MIDNIGHT SHOWS WE FIGURED WE WORKED ABOUT 80 HOURS A WEEK or 1.25 an hour IN THE EARLY 80’s. THAT IS NOT EVEN WRITING ABOUT THE REGULAR FEATURES THAT ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE TO START AT 10 pm.
YOU KNOW, STAR WARS WAS SET FOR COLUMBIA SQUARE THEATERS. WE HAD ALL KINDS OF FLYERS . I BET A THOUSAND OR SO. THE ONE SHEETS RIGHT OFF THE PRESS. I DID SAVE ALL THREE ONE SHEETS BUT WE DUMPED THE FRYERS. WISH I WOULD HAVE KEPT THEM. I THINK THE BOOKERS IN CHARLOTTE HAD NO FAITH IN THIS LITTLE MOVIE. BECAUSE HAD LUCUS HAD TO PICK THE SCREEN FOR HIS MOVIE COLUMBIA SQUARE WOULD HAVE WON HANDS DOWN.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE I FINALLY FOUND THIS THEATRE. I KEPT PUNCHING IN TRYON MALL 1 and 2 THEATRES. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT HAD BEEN EXPANED LIKE EVERY THEATRE EVERYWHERE I GUSS THAT IS WHY THE SUITS RUN THE BUSINESS AND NOT THEATRE LOVERS. SHORT STORY, MY FRIEND JOHN MACKEY RAN THE 1 and 2 THEATRES FOR ABC THEATRES. HE STARTED IN ASHVILLE, SENT DOWN TO GEORGIA AT AUGUSTA' S BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE AND HE WAS MOVED TO THE GASTON MALL…THEN THE BIG CITY OF CHARLOTTE. MY FRIEND AND ASSISTANT MANAGER, TOMMY CAPERS AND MYSELF DROPPED IN TO SEE JOHN COMING BACK FROM THE BEACH. BOTH OF US WORKING FOR abc theatres WERE QUICKY PUT TO WORK HELPING HIM WITH JAWS 2 WE DID NOT MIND. I HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE WATCHING A PREVIEW OF THE MOVIE MIDWAY BEFORE IT WAS RELEASED. SAT IN THERE WITH ALL THE BIG FILM BOOKERS IN CHARLOTTE. for the record, I HATED JAWS 2.
I FOUND OUT THE NAME OF THE THEATRE ACROSS FROM THE OLD CAROLNA. IT WAS CALLED THE SKYLAND ARTS CINEMA AND WAS IN THE BALLROOM, ADINNER THEATRE. I WAS TOLD HE WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT 10 years. IT WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE SKYLAND HOTEL.
ALSO BACK IN THOSE DAYS ALMOST ALL THEATRES PLAYED LATE SHOWS. HERE ARE THE LIST OF THE HIGHEST GROSSING LATE SHOWS EVER TO PLAY FROM 1974 TO 1975. THEY ARE MANY TYPES OF FILMS I CERTAINLY HOPE ONE OF YOURS IS LISTED HERE……… 2001, VANISHING POINT, SILENT RUNNING… DUCK SOUP, FRANKENSTEIN AND DRACULA 1931, WOODSTOCK, FRITZ THE CAT, EASY RIDER, STRAWBERRY STATEMENT , DEATH WISH, FRIENDS, ALOHA BOBBY AND ROSE, TOMMY, LET IT BE, IN COLD BLOOD,WIZARDS,HARRAD EXPERIMENT AND FRENZY. YOU CAN SEE FOR THE TIME NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE COVERED ALMOST EVERY TASTE IN FILM. WE THOUGHT BEFORE WE BOOKED ANYTHING AND I THINK OUR MOVIEGOERS REALLY LIKED WHAT WE PUT ON THAT BIG SCREEN.
WAY BEFORE COMPUTERS,SOMETHING IN ME SAID TO JOT DOWN EVENTS OF THAT THEATRE. I SPENT ALOT OF SATURDAYS THERE AS A 12 YEAR OLD WATCHING CHRISTOPHER LEE IN DRACULA OR BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS WAS A GREAT HORROR FILM THAT PLAYED A FEW WEEKS. IN 1974 I FINALLY GOT HIRED AFTER TRYING SO MANY TIMES. HERE ARE SOME REAL STORIES FROM NATIONAL HILLS. ONCE WHILE PLAYING A LATE SHOW; THE DUNWICH HORROR OUR OLD PROJECTIONIST MR.PETE HAD THE SOUND UP SO LOUD WE COULD HEAR IT IN THE MANAGERS OFFICE ACROSS THE HALL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS HORRIBLE DEVIL SCREAM BLASTS OUT OF THE SPEAKER IN THE BOOTH; WE JUMP UP. RUN IN AND FIND MR.PETE HOLDING HIS PANTS SAYING “ THAT DAMN SCREAM SCARED ME OFF THE TOILET!” A YOUNG ASSISTANT MANAGER, TOMMY CAPERS BEING TOLD THAT NO ONE COMES TO THE MOVIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY. THEY OPEN UP WITH THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE AND SELL OUT A 781 SEAT THEATRE WITH TOMMY and TWO CONCESSIONSTAND GIRLS AND A BOX OFFICE GIRL. ONE NIGHT ON A DISNEY DOUBLE FEATURE OUR PROJECTIONIST WAS TOLD TO RUN THE FIRST FEATURE ON THE DOULBE FEATURE BY A DRUNK THEATRE MANAGER AT A NEARBY BAR. UNION PROJECTIONIST. DOUBLE TIME THAT MANAGER WAS QUICKLY GONE. THE FAMOUS BOTTLE BANDIT ROBBER HIT THE BOX OFFICE ONE NIGHT WITH A COKE BOTTLE HIDDEN LIKE A GUN UNDER HIS JACKET. HE WAS CAUGHT BEFORE HE GOT OUT OF THE SHOOPING CENTER. THE LOCAL PAPER REPORTED IT AND A.P. PICKED UP THE STORY AND WENT NATIONWIDE. THE ROBBER DID TIME AT A LOCAL MEMTAL HOSPITAL. THE FIRST FEMALE ASSISTANT MANAGER WAS CINDY MUNS.UP TIL THEN THE GUYS WERE MANAGEMENT. WHEN JOHN MACKEY BOOKED A MARX BROTHERS LATE SHOW GREG SHAPPARD, CHARLES BRUNI AND MIKE ROGERS WERE DRESSED LIKE THE MARX BROTHERS. WHEN THE FIRST RUN ON THE LONGEST YARD PLAYED MACKEY HAD HIS USHERS AND DOORMEN TO DRESS IN FEMALE CHEERLEADING OUTFITS WHILE THE GIRLS ON STAFF HAS WILDSHOULDERPADS AND FOOTBALL JERSAYS ON. ONE TIME WHEN BILLY JACK WAS PLAYING , A OLDER WOMAN BOUGHT A TICKET AND WENT IN TO SEE THE MOVIE. IT WAS NOT A MINUTE BEFORE SHE CAME OUT SAYING ‘’ THAT IS NOT THE SOUND OF MUSIC'‘. ON HOT SUMMER DAYS THE CONESSION STAND GIRLS WOULD CHANGE INTO THEIR BATHING SUITS AND LAY ON THE LOBBY ROOF.SUNBATHING. THIS DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY LEWIS ROBERTSON WHO THREW A BUCKET OF ICE ON THE SUNBATHING GIRLS FROM THE TOP OF THE THEATRE ROOF! WE PLAYED BENJI AT NATIONAL HILLS THE SAME TIME THE IMPERIAL HAD JAWS SO BOTH THEATRES WERE KICKING BUTT. WE DECIDED TO GIVE SOME PUPPIES AWAY IN THE LOBBY. AT NIGHT WE KEPT THEM UPSTAIRS IN THE SUPPLY / FURANCE ROOM. THEY WERE NOT HOUSEBROKEN AND THAT SUPPLY, WELL , WE NEVER DID GET THE STINK OUT.
I THINK I FOUND MY ANSWER ON THE TWIN THEATRE MENTIONED ABOVE. COULD I BE THINKING ABOUT THE ASPEN TWIN THEATRES;IT JUST CAME TO ME AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS SUCH A TWIN IN WHEATON?
COULD THIS DRIVE IN ONCE BEEN CALLED THE 309 Drive In? It was owned by MEL FOX AND PARKED 350 CARS.
THE RIALTO WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE IMPERIAL AND MODJESKA THEATRES FROM WHAT WAS TOLD. IT NEVER BY THE NEWSBUILDING.
STAN, HAVE NOT HEARD LARRY ANDERSON’S NAME IN AWHILE. I WORKED WITH CRAIG ZACKER IN AUGUSTA AND LATER AT GEORGIA SQUARE. AROUND HIS ASSISTANTS HE WOULD HOLD COURT AND ABOUT THE ONLY PLACE HE HAD NO PULL WAS THE UNION PROJECTION BOOTH. I ENJOYED WORKING WITH CRAIG. WE WOULD CRAFT SOME GREAT MIDNIGHT SHOWS AND HE WAS EVER SO BIG ON DOING PROMOTIONS. HE SADLY, WAS ONE OF THE LAST REAL SHOWMEN I WORKED WITH A FEW AT ABC THEATRES , BUT YOU AND I BOTH GOT IN ON THE END GOING TO THE MOVIES WAS A SPECIAL EVENT. I NOTICE POLICE CARS HAVE TO BE STATIONED AT OUR NEARBY 14 PLEX. I NEVER IN 7 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS HAD TO CALL THE COPS FOR HELP.AND I SPENT SOME NIGHTS AT THE DOWNTOWN IMPERIAL THEATRE IN AUGUSTA. CRAIG DIED OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK IN THE EARLY 90’S. I WAS A PALLBEARER ALONG WITH RUSSELL SMEAK AND BARRY MORRISON. ALL GCC ASST.MANAGERS.
BACK IN 1956 YOU REALLY DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RADIO SOUND. I STOPPED BY THE COMERCE DRIVEIN THEATRE IN COMERCE ,GEORGIA AND TALK ABOUT SOMEONE OPERATING FOR GREED. THE OLD DRIVE IN WAS FINE.BUT THEY HAD PUT TWO SCREENS ON THE LOT ONE ALMOST SIDE BY SIDE.SO EACH FAMILY OWNED DRIVE IN IS RUN THAT WAY. THE BADLIN DRIVE IN IN THE LATE 50’S HELD 200 CARS AND WAS OWNED AT THE TIME IN1956 BY G,L, FAW. HE ALSO OWNED IN ALBERMARLE THE DRIVE IN IT HELD ONLY 150 CARS ONE OF THE SMALLEST DRIVE INS IN THE TAR HEEL STATE. SO YOU HAD IN THAT CITY THE DRIVE IN AND THE BADLIN DRIVE IN.
ed< i have a friend helping me >he might not have the weis drive in up or the clover leaf drivein> i think if you spell it clover leaf you might get it cause i think it is in the system.
ed< i have a friend helping me >he might not have the weis drive in up or the clover leaf drivein> i think if you spell it clover leaf you might get it cause i think it is in the system.
THE FAMILY DRIVE IN HAD IN 1956 PARKING FOR 400 CARS AND WAS OWNED BY HANNA THEATRE SERVICE.
FOR THE RECORD OLIVER HARDY WAS BORN IN HARLEM .GEORGIA THAT HAS A NICE MUSEUM IN THIS HONOR AND THE FIRST WEEKEND THEY CELBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY AND THOUSANDS COME TO THIS SMALL GEORGIA TOWN IN THIS HONOR.THE FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER THIS TOWN USUALLY HAS 20,000 PEOPLE COME.I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. HARLEM IS RESTORING THE OLD COLUMBIA THEATRE BUILT REAL CLOSE TO THE HOUSE HE WAS BORN IN.