I don’t know how big the auditoriums are at the SM7 but I imagine if AMC was approved to build a 12 they likely limit the seating, probably only two theatres at 299 each, the rest at 140 or less. I can’t imagine that there would be a huge increase in seats.
How many people have run this place? It has a great location right off the highway so I can understand people’s desire to keep it going but it never really seemed like anybody’s theatre of choice whenever I went past it. It’s always seemed like that theatre people were forced to go to because it was convenient.
Is it by itself a profitable theatre? Why can’t anybody manage to keep it running?
I think it’s safe to say though that the success of The Blair Witch Project did lead to a modern resurgence of similar spooky flicks. Not that I think it was all that wonderful of a motion picture, but I think that it is a noteworthy piece of work.
Sadly these have been the only pictures I could scare up of this place. I don’t have any of the negatives of any of the photos online jut the original prints we scanned for Cinematour.
Having worked at Century’s corporate office I’ve always been fascinated with the evolution of all the dome theatres, especially those that started as singles and were added onto with additional domes throughout the years (Century Oakland, Century Reno, Cinedome Orange, Century Complex Sacramento, Century Salt Lake). Sadly there really isn’t much documentation or photos available on these locations.
I don’t know what kind of level of creativity you’re looking for, but I know that a number of old theatres are now used as bookstores with the majority of the interior detail intact.
I’ve seen some old theatres used as pre-schools and day care centers.
The Alameda Theatre in Alameda was used as a gymnastics school for awhile, even if the theatre wasn’t kept in the best condition.
Thanks for posting. Now everybody can see my ugly mug. :o)
In all seriousness, our “Customer Appreciation Night” was a huge success at each of the drive-ins. Thanks to the news coverage we received all over (not just Phoenix) some locations saw triple attendance (over last Customer Night) with some people coming back to the drive-in for the first time in more than ten years. It was exciting to be there and see people rediscover the drive-in experience.
Often the distinction people make about the “first” twin theatre was that it was BUILT as a twin theatre. It wasn’t a single that was turned into a twin as I imagine the Cinema 1 & 2 was in Manhattan.
And it makes me so sad because I had contacted them a year or so ago for permission to photograph some of their theatres. Their marketing person seemed receptive but I never heard back. Already so many of their theatres have been demolished with little to no documentation made.
I can see how internally they may not be proud of all their 80’s era multiplexes (or Showcases for that matter) but some people spent their entire youth going to theatres like that and all we have are exterior photos or blurry shots that don’t do the buildings justice. It will be very sad to hear each of these closing one by one or being sold off to other chains.
I have never heard of this “American Theatre Company” before. Their website is crazy and doesn’t make any sense. They’re based in Atlanta but show a Las Vegas address (with Atlanta phone numbers). The majority of their upcoming project details say one location but name another. And they have a photo that looks like they’re operating at least one location, but there’s no information on THAT location. Am I missing something?
—-That’s one reason I posted this. Here on CT – and I think in general – a theater is thought of as a building. Here’s a case where it is being regarded as a business name and, well, “portable”.—–
Don’t even get me started on that. There are so many people on here who get all bent out of shape when a theatre changes ownership demand that the new chain’s name get included with it. The name of Regal’s theatre in Times Square isn’t the “Regal E-Walk Stadium 13” it’s Regal’s “E-Walk Stadium 13” The theatre has the same name regardless who owns it. (I don’t even know if that’s a good example, I’m going to go check how it’s listed now.) :o)
And regardless, doesn’t a name like “Old State Theatre” imply that you’re operating a business in the “Old State Theatre”. If they move out of the “Old State Theatre” it’ll just confuse people.
In regards to the usher giving directions, I used to run a single screen that had two sets of doors. People would ask all the time which auditorium it was in. And at the twin I ran for awhile they would ask and I would respond “Try one, if it’s not there it’s the other one.” Then politely smile and tell them which auditorium.
I would love to see some better pictures of the Gold Coast though. All I’ve ever seen is a picture of the casino sign pointing the way to the theatre.
But someday this place will be turned into a Sephora or something even less glamorous than a 90’s era Cineplex Odeon. Snap a few shots for posterity.
Was this theatre similar to the Showplace theatre in Lubbock? Was it part of the Noret chain?
I don’t know how big the auditoriums are at the SM7 but I imagine if AMC was approved to build a 12 they likely limit the seating, probably only two theatres at 299 each, the rest at 140 or less. I can’t imagine that there would be a huge increase in seats.
How many people have run this place? It has a great location right off the highway so I can understand people’s desire to keep it going but it never really seemed like anybody’s theatre of choice whenever I went past it. It’s always seemed like that theatre people were forced to go to because it was convenient.
Is it by itself a profitable theatre? Why can’t anybody manage to keep it running?
Did this place EVER have a sign displaying its name?
I think it’s safe to say though that the success of The Blair Witch Project did lead to a modern resurgence of similar spooky flicks. Not that I think it was all that wonderful of a motion picture, but I think that it is a noteworthy piece of work.
Sadly these have been the only pictures I could scare up of this place. I don’t have any of the negatives of any of the photos online jut the original prints we scanned for Cinematour.
Having worked at Century’s corporate office I’ve always been fascinated with the evolution of all the dome theatres, especially those that started as singles and were added onto with additional domes throughout the years (Century Oakland, Century Reno, Cinedome Orange, Century Complex Sacramento, Century Salt Lake). Sadly there really isn’t much documentation or photos available on these locations.
They actually operate the Razorback 12. The cinema 6 is no longer open.
I don’t know what kind of level of creativity you’re looking for, but I know that a number of old theatres are now used as bookstores with the majority of the interior detail intact.
I’ve seen some old theatres used as pre-schools and day care centers.
The Alameda Theatre in Alameda was used as a gymnastics school for awhile, even if the theatre wasn’t kept in the best condition.
Cinematour has some more photos.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2678
This theatre closed a few weeks ago.
This was an original AMC build…. typical of the era. Uses ground floor projection with mirrors.
I drove around for 20 minutes looking for that theatre one day. Stupid target.
Thanks for posting. Now everybody can see my ugly mug. :o)
In all seriousness, our “Customer Appreciation Night” was a huge success at each of the drive-ins. Thanks to the news coverage we received all over (not just Phoenix) some locations saw triple attendance (over last Customer Night) with some people coming back to the drive-in for the first time in more than ten years. It was exciting to be there and see people rediscover the drive-in experience.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=27756
The theatre was originally built by Mann Theatres out of California. Mann later sold all their Colorado interests to Colorado Cinemas.
Since National Amusements own the building, usually nobody else takes it over.
Often the distinction people make about the “first” twin theatre was that it was BUILT as a twin theatre. It wasn’t a single that was turned into a twin as I imagine the Cinema 1 & 2 was in Manhattan.
That article mentions that the Centro Ybor theatre was an AMC. Was it originally an AMC that Muvico took over or what’s the deal there?
And it makes me so sad because I had contacted them a year or so ago for permission to photograph some of their theatres. Their marketing person seemed receptive but I never heard back. Already so many of their theatres have been demolished with little to no documentation made.
I can see how internally they may not be proud of all their 80’s era multiplexes (or Showcases for that matter) but some people spent their entire youth going to theatres like that and all we have are exterior photos or blurry shots that don’t do the buildings justice. It will be very sad to hear each of these closing one by one or being sold off to other chains.
I have never heard of this “American Theatre Company” before. Their website is crazy and doesn’t make any sense. They’re based in Atlanta but show a Las Vegas address (with Atlanta phone numbers). The majority of their upcoming project details say one location but name another. And they have a photo that looks like they’re operating at least one location, but there’s no information on THAT location. Am I missing something?
www.americantheatercorporation.com
And to think Adam and I missed it when we went for Cinematour pictures. Why didn’t we think of looking for this theatre at a strip club?!?!
—-That’s one reason I posted this. Here on CT – and I think in general – a theater is thought of as a building. Here’s a case where it is being regarded as a business name and, well, “portable”.—–
Don’t even get me started on that. There are so many people on here who get all bent out of shape when a theatre changes ownership demand that the new chain’s name get included with it. The name of Regal’s theatre in Times Square isn’t the “Regal E-Walk Stadium 13” it’s Regal’s “E-Walk Stadium 13” The theatre has the same name regardless who owns it. (I don’t even know if that’s a good example, I’m going to go check how it’s listed now.) :o)
And regardless, doesn’t a name like “Old State Theatre” imply that you’re operating a business in the “Old State Theatre”. If they move out of the “Old State Theatre” it’ll just confuse people.
In regards to the usher giving directions, I used to run a single screen that had two sets of doors. People would ask all the time which auditorium it was in. And at the twin I ran for awhile they would ask and I would respond “Try one, if it’s not there it’s the other one.” Then politely smile and tell them which auditorium.
I would love to see some better pictures of the Gold Coast though. All I’ve ever seen is a picture of the casino sign pointing the way to the theatre.