July 21, 1950 is the exact opening date, opening with Judy Garland in “In The Good Old Summertime” and Joel McCrea in “East Of St. Louis” along with a few unnamed cartoons. Grand opening ad posted.
The University Plaza Theaters opened its doors as a twin on May 7, 1969 with a double Clint Eastwood feature of “For A Few Dollars More” and “A Fistful Of Dollars” in Screen 1 and “Faces” in Screen 2. It was originally operated by Associated Theatres, while the nearby downtown Kent Theatre at the time was operated by the Pittsburgh Theatres Corporation (or Pittsburgh Theatres Corp). Cinemette Corporation of America later took over the Plaza for a very short period of time before the Pittsburgh Theatre Corporation (locally registered under the name Ohio Movies at the time) took it over.
A third screen was added in mid-1983, followed by an additional four more screens in late-March 1984, creating a seven-screen multiplex as the “Plaza 7”, but later renamed “Plaza Kent Theaters”. Its name was later swapped to just “Kent Plaza Theaters”. An eighth screen was added in 1995, and two more screens were added on November 27, 2002 after being taken over by Moviescoop, bringing a total to 10 screens.
During its final years as a movie theater in the mid-1950s, special events and concerts are also presented alongside its movie schedule.
Closed on September 26, 1976 with “Lifeguard” and “Hustle”.
Its days as the Cinema West didn’t last long, closing in 1975.
Renamed the Ritz on October 13, 1937. It was closed on April 17, 1957 with “Utah Blaine” and “Jesse James Vs. The Daltons” (unknown if extras added).
Closed as a first-run house on December 18, 1988 with “Alien Nation”.
USA Cinemas took it over in December 1985.
Closed on May 6, 1984 with “Heart Like A Wheel”.
Actual closing date is November 23, 1976.
Once known as Playhouse 1 & 2 in the mid-1970s during its days as a twin.
Taken over by Loews (not Loew’s Inc.) in 1989.
Taken over by USA Cinemas on May 16, 1986, later by Loews in 1989.
Gone by the early-1990s.
Not visible in the 1983 aerial, although it was listed in several 1970s topos. The layout of the theater is also very strange looking.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Once operated by Hoyts.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
This was originally a Martin Theatres theater, so 1984 or 1985 seems to be right.
A short-lived video store began operating in the lobby in 1986.
The old city hall/fire department with a Fedelcode Model 7 siren on top. I wonder what happened to the old hall.
July 21, 1950 is the exact opening date, opening with Judy Garland in “In The Good Old Summertime” and Joel McCrea in “East Of St. Louis” along with a few unnamed cartoons. Grand opening ad posted.
Edited from my July 9, 2024 (10:02 AM) comment:
The University Plaza Theaters opened its doors as a twin on May 7, 1969 with a double Clint Eastwood feature of “For A Few Dollars More” and “A Fistful Of Dollars” in Screen 1 and “Faces” in Screen 2. It was originally operated by Associated Theatres, while the nearby downtown Kent Theatre at the time was operated by the Pittsburgh Theatres Corporation (or Pittsburgh Theatres Corp). Cinemette Corporation of America later took over the Plaza for a very short period of time before the Pittsburgh Theatre Corporation (locally registered under the name Ohio Movies at the time) took it over.
A third screen was added in mid-1983, followed by an additional four more screens in late-March 1984, creating a seven-screen multiplex as the “Plaza 7”, but later renamed “Plaza Kent Theaters”. Its name was later swapped to just “Kent Plaza Theaters”. An eighth screen was added in 1995, and two more screens were added on November 27, 2002 after being taken over by Moviescoop, bringing a total to 10 screens.
Twinned in December 1973.
The nearby Marunouchi Piccadilly also opened on the same day as the Nippon Nichigeki Theatres.