It became a notorious ADULT theatre during the 1970’s and 1980’s that showed a lot of “XXX” rated films when it was known as Joe’s Drive-In. And some ODD ADULT FILMS played here…one of them was titled(and I’m not making this up) “PEBBLES GETS BAMM-BAMM”
This was also the venue for it’s midnight late shows on Friday and Saturday nights…..
–“Emmanuelle in America”
–“The Devil In Miss Jones”
–“The Story of O”
were some of the late night venues that played here at the Ram Triple,which was also the Movies 1-2-3 that opened on October 3,1975. Yes,these were straight up Rated “X” films!!!
Mike Rogers:
“TAKE A HARD RIDE” remains a VERY underrated Western from the mid-1970’s(it was release in 1975)that featured three of the biggest black action superstars of the era:
-Fred “THE HAMMER” Williamson
-Jim “SLAUGHTER” Brown
-Jim “BLACK BELT JONES” Kelly
Released by 20th Century-Fox,this was one action packed Western and it is a must for movie fans to really see it for those die hard fans who are fond of good Westerns!!!
It is available on DVD!!!!
From 1970 to 2003,Eastern Federal Corporation operated this theatre. This was NEVER under Regal Cinemas. It closed in 2003 before Regal was to take over.
The Movies at Timberlyne 6 is the only theatre in Chapel Hill that Regal bought out from Eastern Federal…..
Other theatres that Regal took over from Eastern Federal:
-North Hills Cinemas 14
-The Movies at Brier Creek
Other theatres that Regal took over from Consolidated:
From May 2,2012:
NightHawk was exactly right about this theatre. When it closed in 2003,the proposed multiplex(a ten-screener)fell through when Knoxville,Tennessee based Regal Cinemas bought out Charlotte-based Eastern Federal and it’s Movies at Timberlyne 6(that theatre opened in 1989 on the Northern section of Chapel Hill that is posted on the Cinema Treasures site),and two other locations in the Triangle that were also under Eastern Federal as well…Raleigh’s North Hills 14 and Movies at Brier Creek(that is now under Regal Cinemas). Most of Regal’s North Carolina locations came from four chains…Fairlane-Litchfeld(the second incarnation),and United Artists(which bought out the first incarnation of Litchfeld). Eastern Federal and Consolidated Theatres were the other two(its final incarnation as an all-stadium theatre chain). Regal also had a hand in buying out theatres that were once under Cineplex Odeon and also Carmike.
There were other factors leading to the cancellation of the ten-screen Village Plaza Theater which was set to start construction in 2004 after the old Plaza Theatre was demolished. One of the factors was the building contract that was pushed back by members of the Chapel Hill Town Council and other parties who had other plans for this theatre. There were plans to built a ten-screen multiplex right off Highway 15-501 on the site where a formerly auto dealership stood(the former Crown Honda and Volvo)…There were talks of building a 20-plex on that same site,but that fell through as well. But the backward liberals of the Chapel Hill Town Council blocked the idea of this too. Rent was also another factor as new stores were set to be built along that stretch of the Village Plaza Shopping Center…(the Kroger store closed in the early-1990’s and was replaced by a Whole Foods grocer and specialty shops). Regal simply chose not to build the proposed theater on that site where it remains vacant to this day as council members recently made the former Village Plaza site into an environmental park. Comments?
This is what I found from the article that was featured in the Friday October 16,1970 edition of the Durham Herald-Sun and the Chapel Hill News about the theater….
GRAND OPENING TODAY OF CHAPEL HILL’S FIRST-EVER TWIN THEATRES OPENS OFFICIALLY AT 1:00PM TODAY!!!!
THE VILLAGE PLAZA THEATRES 1 & 2
Located in the Kroger Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Elliott Road and East Franklin Street.
-Full Rocking Chair Seats For Maximum Comfort
-Super Widescreen Projection in both auditoriums
-Astounding stereophonic sound in both auditoriums
-Huge Lobby Area and Super Concession Stand Available for your convenience!
-ACRES OF FREE PARKING!!!
-SUPER BARGAIN SHOWS WITH MATINEES EVERYDAY!!!!
OUR GRAND OPENING ATTRACTIONS FOR THE PLAZA TWIN THEATRES CHAPEL HILL’S FIRST-EVER TWIN THEATRES IN THE TRIANGLE!!!
PLAZA 1-Lee Marvin starring in “MONTE WALSH”
PLAZA 2-The Exclusive Triangle Engagement Showing in FULL STEREOPHONIC SOUND ON OUR SUPER WIDESCREEN!!!! -The colossal hit of the year comes to the Triangle!!!! George C. Scott and Karl Malden in “PATTON”
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS ARE ON THE WAY TO THE PLAZA:
-The massive colossal hit of 1970- “AIRPORT” with an all-star cast that includes Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin.
-Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway in “LITTLE BIG MAN”
–“BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES” with Charlton Heston.
The third auditorium had a much larger widescreen that was equipped for 70MM presentations. A DOBLY STEREO system was installed in 1980 for the showing “THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK”(In Screen 3)during its initial run.
The Village Plaza Theatres was a Chapel Hill landmark for 33 years operating from 1970 to 2003. Located at the corner of Elliott Road and East Franklin Street in the Village Plaza Shopping Center(which was also known as the Kroger Plaza Shopping Center that was anchored by a Super Kroger Center and specialty shops). It opened in 1970 as a twin cinema and by 1973 a third auditorium was added becoming a triplex. Two more auditoriums were added in the mid-1990’s when it became a multiplex until it’s closing in 2003.
When the Valley Twin Theatres closed in 1988,construction of two multiplexes were being built along that stretch of Glenwood Avenue and all of Northwest Raleigh…….
-The opening of the Pleasant Valley Promenade Cinema 7 on October 27,1989 (which was General Cinema’s first venue in the Raleigh-Durham market)just three blocks from Crabtree Valley Mall.
-The Raleigh Grande 16-(Raleigh’s megaplex cinema)opened in May of 1998.
-The Carmike Cinema 7-(located off Atlantic Springs Road at Millbrook Road in North Raleigh)was Carmike’s first multiplex theatre for Raleigh that opened on November 3,1989. The Carmike 7 did not replaced the Valley Twin,but the chain did however wanted to built a bigger cinema that basically expanded their market in the Northern section of Raleigh.
Mike:
Carmike was the last theatre to operate the Valley Twin. In my posession I have the original ads on the two features during the Valley’s last picture show in 1988.
At that time,this theatre was under Carmike Cinemas. The November 15,1988 last picture show at the Valley Twin were as follows:
Screen 1: George Burns in “18 AGAIN”
Screen 2: “FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII:THE NEW BLOOD”
Mike:
Carmike was the last theatre to operate the Valley Twin. In my posession I have the original ads on the two features during the Valley’s last picture show in 1988.
At that time,this theatre was under Carmike Cinemas. The November 15,1988 last picture show at the Valley Twin were as follows:
Screen 1: George Burns in “18 AGAIN”
Screen 2: “FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII:THE NEW BLOOD”
The CRABTREE VALLEY MALL was anchored by three department stores that opened on August 8,1972:
-HUDSON BELK-Which was the largest Belk’s in the state and the largest retail department store to be built in Eastern North Carolina that opened in 1972.
-THALHIMERS-Which became HECHT’S and is now MACY’S.
-SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY-At the time of its opening was the largest SEARS store in the Carolinas and in all of Eastern North Carolina that opened in 1972. This store replaced the one that was located at Cameron Village. This SEARS store had expanded features including its own restaurant and snack bar section!
Steven Spielburg’s THE COLOR PURPLE was one of three theatres in the state of North Carolina that was given the exclusive engagement showing of the film when it opened on December 20,1985. These are the theatres that were the exclusive engagement showings:
-Raleigh (Valley Theatres 1 & 2)
-Greensboro (Janus)
-Charlotte (Park Terrace)–[In Dobly Stereo]
Other theatres didn’t get the general release of the film until February or March of 1986. Only Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro were the exclusive engagements.
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CRABTREE VALLEY MALL IN RALEIGH:
The Convenience Center opened in early 1971 with the opening of several stores that was part of the strip plaza that was facing the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Blue Ridge Road. This was anchored by a Big Star grocer and several speciality shops were added including a Singer Sewing Store, Pier One Imports, Catherine’s Women Store, a United States Branch Post Office, a Laundromat and Dry Cleaners.
A Crabtree Valley Barber Shop and Beauty Salon,and a Hardees Restaurant. Not to mention a Shoe Store and other specialty shops. The Valley Theatres were on the opposite end of the Plaza facing Blue Ridge Road right across from the Good Year Tire and Auto Center that was basically across the street from the convenience center.
The shopping mall itself,CRABTREE VALLEY MALL didn’t officially opened to the public until August 8,1972. It was in fact prior to its opening the Triangle’s first-ever megaplex shopping center and was the largest indoor shopping center in the state and in all of Eastern North Carolina. CRABTREE VALLEY MALL was Raleigh’s second indoor shopping center after the huge success of North Hills which opened in 1966 as Raleigh’s first-ever mall,and after Cameron Village which was Raleigh’s first-ever suburban shopping center that opened in 1949.
The mall was anchored by three major department stores:
-HUDSON BELK-which was the largest Belk store in Eastern North Carolina that opened on August 8,1972.
-THALHIMERS
-SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY
With the supporting stores:
-MILLER AND RHOADES
-G.C. MURPHY COMPANY
-TREASURY DRUGS
-PICCADILLY CAFETERIA
With more than 200 stores and services
From Mike Rogers' (7-13-2010) comment: Mike is right!
“Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” was released in 1970 by 20th Century-Fox that actually played in first-run theatres and not some slutty adult movie house. By the way,this picture was in fact Rated “X” for a reason!!! During it’s run,the film did huge business despite the criticism it got for it’s graphic subject matter. Also,the theatres here in Raleigh and in Durham did played this as part of their “late shows” on Friday and Saturday nights……The Valley Twin Theatres was in fact the only movie theatre during it’s showing of the film did played it as a later matinee…very risky for its time in 1970.
It became a notorious ADULT theatre during the 1970’s and 1980’s that showed a lot of “XXX” rated films when it was known as Joe’s Drive-In. And some ODD ADULT FILMS played here…one of them was titled(and I’m not making this up) “PEBBLES GETS BAMM-BAMM”
This was also the venue for it’s midnight late shows on Friday and Saturday nights…..
–“Emmanuelle in America”
–“The Devil In Miss Jones”
–“The Story of O”
were some of the late night venues that played here at the Ram Triple,which was also the Movies 1-2-3 that opened on October 3,1975. Yes,these were straight up Rated “X” films!!!
Mike Rogers: “TAKE A HARD RIDE” remains a VERY underrated Western from the mid-1970’s(it was release in 1975)that featured three of the biggest black action superstars of the era:
-Fred “THE HAMMER” Williamson
-Jim “SLAUGHTER” Brown
-Jim “BLACK BELT JONES” Kelly
Released by 20th Century-Fox,this was one action packed Western and it is a must for movie fans to really see it for those die hard fans who are fond of good Westerns!!! It is available on DVD!!!!
From 1970 to 2003,Eastern Federal Corporation operated this theatre. This was NEVER under Regal Cinemas. It closed in 2003 before Regal was to take over.
The Movies at Timberlyne 6 is the only theatre in Chapel Hill that Regal bought out from Eastern Federal…..
Other theatres that Regal took over from Eastern Federal:
-North Hills Cinemas 14
-The Movies at Brier Creek
Other theatres that Regal took over from Consolidated:
-White Oak Cinemas 14 in Garner
-Beaver Creek Commons in Apex
-Crossroads Cinemas 20 in Cary
A lot of good movies played here got first-run…….
“Airport”
“The French Connection”
“The Exorcist”
“Chinatown”
“Rocky”
“The Poseidon Adventure” (1972)
“The Towering Inferno”
“Purple Rain”
“The Empire Strikes Back”
“Terminator 3: Day of the Machines”
“Dirty Harry”
“Mangum Force”
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes”
“Escape from the Planet of the Apes”
“Conquest of the Planet of the Apes”
“Battle for the Planet of the Apes”
“Blazing Saddles”
“Young Frankenstein”
“Live and Let Die”
“The Spy Who Loved Me”
“Stayin Alive”–[the sequel to Saturday Night Fever]
“Indiana Jones and the Temple Doom”
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
“Harold and Maude”
“A Man Called Horse”
“Goodfellas”
“Raging Bull”
“The Godfather:Part II”
“Sounder”
A lot of good movies played here at this theatre first run…….
THE RE-RELEASES:
–“Gone With The Wind”
–“Lawrence of Arabia”
–“2001: A Space Odyssey”
–“Doctor Zhivago”
–“Ben-Hur”
From May 2,2012: NightHawk was exactly right about this theatre. When it closed in 2003,the proposed multiplex(a ten-screener)fell through when Knoxville,Tennessee based Regal Cinemas bought out Charlotte-based Eastern Federal and it’s Movies at Timberlyne 6(that theatre opened in 1989 on the Northern section of Chapel Hill that is posted on the Cinema Treasures site),and two other locations in the Triangle that were also under Eastern Federal as well…Raleigh’s North Hills 14 and Movies at Brier Creek(that is now under Regal Cinemas). Most of Regal’s North Carolina locations came from four chains…Fairlane-Litchfeld(the second incarnation),and United Artists(which bought out the first incarnation of Litchfeld). Eastern Federal and Consolidated Theatres were the other two(its final incarnation as an all-stadium theatre chain). Regal also had a hand in buying out theatres that were once under Cineplex Odeon and also Carmike.
There were other factors leading to the cancellation of the ten-screen Village Plaza Theater which was set to start construction in 2004 after the old Plaza Theatre was demolished. One of the factors was the building contract that was pushed back by members of the Chapel Hill Town Council and other parties who had other plans for this theatre. There were plans to built a ten-screen multiplex right off Highway 15-501 on the site where a formerly auto dealership stood(the former Crown Honda and Volvo)…There were talks of building a 20-plex on that same site,but that fell through as well. But the backward liberals of the Chapel Hill Town Council blocked the idea of this too. Rent was also another factor as new stores were set to be built along that stretch of the Village Plaza Shopping Center…(the Kroger store closed in the early-1990’s and was replaced by a Whole Foods grocer and specialty shops). Regal simply chose not to build the proposed theater on that site where it remains vacant to this day as council members recently made the former Village Plaza site into an environmental park. Comments?
The re-release of George Lucas' STAR WARS played here at the Village Plaza I-II-III on August 11,1978.
This is what I found from the article that was featured in the Friday October 16,1970 edition of the Durham Herald-Sun and the Chapel Hill News about the theater….
GRAND OPENING TODAY OF CHAPEL HILL’S FIRST-EVER TWIN THEATRES OPENS OFFICIALLY AT 1:00PM TODAY!!!!
THE VILLAGE PLAZA THEATRES 1 & 2 Located in the Kroger Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Elliott Road and East Franklin Street. -Full Rocking Chair Seats For Maximum Comfort -Super Widescreen Projection in both auditoriums -Astounding stereophonic sound in both auditoriums -Huge Lobby Area and Super Concession Stand Available for your convenience! -ACRES OF FREE PARKING!!! -SUPER BARGAIN SHOWS WITH MATINEES EVERYDAY!!!!
OUR GRAND OPENING ATTRACTIONS FOR THE PLAZA TWIN THEATRES
CHAPEL HILL’S FIRST-EVER TWIN THEATRES IN THE TRIANGLE!!!
PLAZA 1-Lee Marvin starring in “MONTE WALSH”
PLAZA 2-The Exclusive Triangle Engagement Showing in FULL STEREOPHONIC SOUND ON OUR SUPER WIDESCREEN!!!!
-The colossal hit of the year comes to the Triangle!!!!
George C. Scott and Karl Malden in “PATTON”
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS ARE ON THE WAY TO THE PLAZA:
-The massive colossal hit of 1970- “AIRPORT” with an all-star cast that includes Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin.
-Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway in “LITTLE BIG MAN”
–“BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES” with Charlton Heston.
-Jack Nicholson in “FIVE EASY PIECES”
-The Return Engagement of “GONE WITH THE WIND”
-Woody Allen in “TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN”
The third auditorium had a much larger widescreen that was equipped for 70MM presentations. A DOBLY STEREO system was installed in 1980 for the showing “THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK”(In Screen 3)during its initial run.
The Village Plaza Theatres was a Chapel Hill landmark for 33 years operating from 1970 to 2003. Located at the corner of Elliott Road and East Franklin Street in the Village Plaza Shopping Center(which was also known as the Kroger Plaza Shopping Center that was anchored by a Super Kroger Center and specialty shops). It opened in 1970 as a twin cinema and by 1973 a third auditorium was added becoming a triplex. Two more auditoriums were added in the mid-1990’s when it became a multiplex until it’s closing in 2003.
Lots of bureaucracy from 2003 regarding the closing of this theater….. http://tinyurl.com/2zwqtx
STAR WARS played at the Valley Twin Theatres on July 1,1977 as a general release.
A lot of great blockbusters got first-run at this theatre
–“PATTON”
–“THE FRENCH CONNECTION”
–“THE GODFATHER”
–“THE GODFATHER PART II”
–“MAS*H”
–“STAR WARS”
–“TOP GUN”
–“BACK TO THE FUTURE”
–“BEVERLY HILLS COP I AND BEVERLY HILLS COP II”
–“CHINATOWN”
–“AMERICAN GRAFFITI”
When the Valley Twin Theatres closed in 1988,construction of two multiplexes were being built along that stretch of Glenwood Avenue and all of Northwest Raleigh…….
-The opening of the Pleasant Valley Promenade Cinema 7 on October 27,1989 (which was General Cinema’s first venue in the Raleigh-Durham market)just three blocks from Crabtree Valley Mall.
-The Raleigh Grande 16-(Raleigh’s megaplex cinema)opened in May of 1998.
-The Carmike Cinema 7-(located off Atlantic Springs Road at Millbrook Road in North Raleigh)was Carmike’s first multiplex theatre for Raleigh that opened on November 3,1989. The Carmike 7 did not replaced the Valley Twin,but the chain did however wanted to built a bigger cinema that basically expanded their market in the Northern section of Raleigh.
Mike: Carmike was the last theatre to operate the Valley Twin. In my posession I have the original ads on the two features during the Valley’s last picture show in 1988. At that time,this theatre was under Carmike Cinemas. The November 15,1988 last picture show at the Valley Twin were as follows:
Screen 1: George Burns in “18 AGAIN”
Screen 2: “FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII:THE NEW BLOOD”
Mike: Carmike was the last theatre to operate the Valley Twin. In my posession I have the original ads on the two features during the Valley’s last picture show in 1988. At that time,this theatre was under Carmike Cinemas. The November 15,1988 last picture show at the Valley Twin were as follows:
Screen 1: George Burns in “18 AGAIN”
Screen 2: “FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII:THE NEW BLOOD”
THEATRE HISTORY:
1971-1976 Schneider-Merl Theatres
1976-1984 Martin Theatres
1984-1988 Carmike Cinemas
The CRABTREE VALLEY MALL was anchored by three department stores that opened on August 8,1972:
-HUDSON BELK-Which was the largest Belk’s in the state and the largest retail department store to be built in Eastern North Carolina that opened in 1972.
-THALHIMERS-Which became HECHT’S and is now MACY’S.
-SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY-At the time of its opening was the largest SEARS store in the Carolinas and in all of Eastern North Carolina that opened in 1972. This store replaced the one that was located at Cameron Village. This SEARS store had expanded features including its own restaurant and snack bar section!
The supporting stores:
-MILLER AND RHOADES
-G.C. MURPHY COMPANY
-TREASURY DRUGS
-PICCADILLY CAFETERIA
-SAM GOODY’S
Steven Spielburg’s THE COLOR PURPLE was one of three theatres in the state of North Carolina that was given the exclusive engagement showing of the film when it opened on December 20,1985. These are the theatres that were the exclusive engagement showings:
-Raleigh (Valley Theatres 1 & 2)
-Greensboro (Janus)
-Charlotte (Park Terrace)–[In Dobly Stereo]
Other theatres didn’t get the general release of the film until February or March of 1986. Only Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro were the exclusive engagements.
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CRABTREE VALLEY MALL IN RALEIGH:
The Convenience Center opened in early 1971 with the opening of several stores that was part of the strip plaza that was facing the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Blue Ridge Road. This was anchored by a Big Star grocer and several speciality shops were added including a Singer Sewing Store, Pier One Imports, Catherine’s Women Store, a United States Branch Post Office, a Laundromat and Dry Cleaners.
A Crabtree Valley Barber Shop and Beauty Salon,and a Hardees Restaurant. Not to mention a Shoe Store and other specialty shops. The Valley Theatres were on the opposite end of the Plaza facing Blue Ridge Road right across from the Good Year Tire and Auto Center that was basically across the street from the convenience center.
The shopping mall itself,CRABTREE VALLEY MALL didn’t officially opened to the public until August 8,1972. It was in fact prior to its opening the Triangle’s first-ever megaplex shopping center and was the largest indoor shopping center in the state and in all of Eastern North Carolina. CRABTREE VALLEY MALL was Raleigh’s second indoor shopping center after the huge success of North Hills which opened in 1966 as Raleigh’s first-ever mall,and after Cameron Village which was Raleigh’s first-ever suburban shopping center that opened in 1949.
The mall was anchored by three major department stores: -HUDSON BELK-which was the largest Belk store in Eastern North Carolina that opened on August 8,1972. -THALHIMERS -SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY With the supporting stores: -MILLER AND RHOADES -G.C. MURPHY COMPANY -TREASURY DRUGS -PICCADILLY CAFETERIA With more than 200 stores and services
From Mike Rogers' (7-13-2010) comment: Mike is right! “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” was released in 1970 by 20th Century-Fox that actually played in first-run theatres and not some slutty adult movie house. By the way,this picture was in fact Rated “X” for a reason!!! During it’s run,the film did huge business despite the criticism it got for it’s graphic subject matter. Also,the theatres here in Raleigh and in Durham did played this as part of their “late shows” on Friday and Saturday nights……The Valley Twin Theatres was in fact the only movie theatre during it’s showing of the film did played it as a later matinee…very risky for its time in 1970.
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS TO THE VALLEY THEATRES 1 & 2:
Raleigh Exclusive Engagement Showing! “PATTON”
-Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway in “LITTLE BIG MAN”
-The Monster Hit of 1970-“MAS*H”
–“BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS”–
-Gene Hackman in “THE FRENCH CONNECTION”
–“ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES”
-Ruth Gordon in “HAROLD AND MAUDE”
The Valley Theatres 1 & 2 opened on February 9,1971 as Raleigh’s first-ever twin theatres under Schneider-Merl.
AUDITORIUM ONE: “THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT” starring George Segal and Barbra Streisand.
AUDITORIUM TWO: “RIO LOBO”-starring John Wayne and Richard Boone.
The bigger and larger Sun Valley Cinemas 14 in Indian Trail replaced the Union Square 8 in Monroe,which closed it’s doors in July of 2012