The West End Pointe 8 is now listed as a Showplex Cinema Theatre. There has been no information about the transaction on either the Dickinson or Showplex web sites.
Originally the Metcalf Theatre and built by Commonwealth, was taken over by National General, later operated by Mann, and part of the Dickinson purchase of Mann in the Midwest. This originally was a single screen, and twinned by Mann. I am not sure when the 3rd screen was added. This theatre was ‘just down the street’ from the Glenwood Theatre which is now demolished.
rivest226 do you know where Rave’s Westroads 14 is located at? Is in on the mall property or in an adjacent location? What about AMC as well? Thanks!!!
Interesting! The plot thickens! Thanks for the information! Mann must have sold the Fox directly to AMC and was not apart of the Dickinson deal. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for that information ‘rivest266’. I knew that Dickinson did not operate the theatre for any length of time, probably under 8 months if that long.
There was another theatre in this mall as well. National General built the Fox Westroads on the outside of the mall first, however someone in Los Angeles did not sign an exclusive contract for the Westroads Mall. The Fox was a single screen with AMC having 6 inside. Mann would later twin the Fox and when Dickinson bought out Mann’s interests in the Midwest they either closed the Fox or sold it to AMC. Today neither exist, Rave built a multiplex directly across the street from Westroads, and AMC has a megaplex in another part of Omaha.
Any pictures you can take of the Century 21 even while it is being demolished, both inside and out help document the building for future generations. Please feel free to post them on this site. Likewise any pictures you may have in your families archives of the building under construction or in operation are welcomed as well.
Thanks..
Dickinson acquired this and the Metcalf when they bought out Mann’s interests in Kansas and Missouri. If anyone has any links to additional information about the NGC/Federal court approval I would be interested in that information. NGC/Mann’s interests would also have included the Plaza downtown as well.
It is amazing that after looking at the Mann website, what was once a national chain, is now down to three locations and 21 screens. I worked for Mann out of the district office in Wichita, Kansas during the late 1079’s and early 80’s and now its all but gone! Amazing!!
Many THANKS to ‘hollywood90038’ for the photography of the demolition of the National. While it is indeed sad to see this theatre torn down, it is important that all aspects of the theatre be documented when ever possible. I sincerely hope that will all that iron in the frame of the National that it was recycled into another structure and not simply sold to a salvage yard.
Thank you for documenting the restoration work on this old gem, likewise the comments under the pictures are very helpful. My question is about the water towers on top of the stage tower, do you know what purpose they were for? This is the first time I have seen anything of that nature. Again THANKS for documenting the restoration process. —jw
WhoooHooo!!!! This is wonderful! Keep those photos coming in, they are an excellent preservation tool and with a site like this a great way to share them as well. Congrats to everyone at Cinema Treasures for this accomplishment!!!!
Correction to the above post. Go to facebook and keyword Showplex Cinemas and then click on photo, the picture of the future theatre is on their profile album. Sorry for the mistake! —jw
Construction is currently underway. Article at the following url:http://www.boxofficemagazine.com/news/2011-04-08-showplex-cinemas-to-bring-the-imax-experience-to-springfield-missouri Also pictures of construction are at Showplex facebook site, and if you keyword in “Springfield 8” doing a google search and then click on images you will see an drawing of the conversion.
This picture is looking East on Main street. The Mainstreet Theatre is the building with the red canopy above the windows. The building has since been demolished.
This was the main house that Dickinson operated in Topeka for many many years. Their other theater was the Fairlawn Twin and the Chief and Cloverleaf Drive Ins before acquiring the Mann properties.
Renewing Link. Thanks!
The West End Pointe 8 is now listed as a Showplex Cinema Theatre. There has been no information about the transaction on either the Dickinson or Showplex web sites.
Originally the Metcalf Theatre and built by Commonwealth, was taken over by National General, later operated by Mann, and part of the Dickinson purchase of Mann in the Midwest. This originally was a single screen, and twinned by Mann. I am not sure when the 3rd screen was added. This theatre was ‘just down the street’ from the Glenwood Theatre which is now demolished.
rivest226 do you know where Rave’s Westroads 14 is located at? Is in on the mall property or in an adjacent location? What about AMC as well? Thanks!!!
Interesting! The plot thickens! Thanks for the information! Mann must have sold the Fox directly to AMC and was not apart of the Dickinson deal. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for that information ‘rivest266’. I knew that Dickinson did not operate the theatre for any length of time, probably under 8 months if that long.
There was another theatre in this mall as well. National General built the Fox Westroads on the outside of the mall first, however someone in Los Angeles did not sign an exclusive contract for the Westroads Mall. The Fox was a single screen with AMC having 6 inside. Mann would later twin the Fox and when Dickinson bought out Mann’s interests in the Midwest they either closed the Fox or sold it to AMC. Today neither exist, Rave built a multiplex directly across the street from Westroads, and AMC has a megaplex in another part of Omaha.
Any photos of the inside? I’m sorry but the outside looks really drab and lifeless. Hope the inside is nicer!
Any pictures you can take of the Century 21 even while it is being demolished, both inside and out help document the building for future generations. Please feel free to post them on this site. Likewise any pictures you may have in your families archives of the building under construction or in operation are welcomed as well. Thanks..
Three theatres with a total of 21 screens. I imagine that one person is running the whole thing!
Dickinson acquired this and the Metcalf when they bought out Mann’s interests in Kansas and Missouri. If anyone has any links to additional information about the NGC/Federal court approval I would be interested in that information. NGC/Mann’s interests would also have included the Plaza downtown as well.
It is amazing that after looking at the Mann website, what was once a national chain, is now down to three locations and 21 screens. I worked for Mann out of the district office in Wichita, Kansas during the late 1079’s and early 80’s and now its all but gone! Amazing!!
Is this theatre still open? It looks like and old General Cinema house from the signage.
Gotta love the slug about selling lottery tickets. Is there something Mann didn’t sell in their theatres?
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! Thanks for sharing these pictures of the National!!!! Excellent!!!!!!
Many THANKS to ‘hollywood90038’ for the photography of the demolition of the National. While it is indeed sad to see this theatre torn down, it is important that all aspects of the theatre be documented when ever possible. I sincerely hope that will all that iron in the frame of the National that it was recycled into another structure and not simply sold to a salvage yard.
Ross, thats a great article in the ‘Curbed!’ Best way yet I’ve seen to remember a former theatre, hope that idea catches on!!!
Thank you for documenting the restoration work on this old gem, likewise the comments under the pictures are very helpful. My question is about the water towers on top of the stage tower, do you know what purpose they were for? This is the first time I have seen anything of that nature. Again THANKS for documenting the restoration process. —jw
WhoooHooo!!!! This is wonderful! Keep those photos coming in, they are an excellent preservation tool and with a site like this a great way to share them as well. Congrats to everyone at Cinema Treasures for this accomplishment!!!!
Correction to the above post. Go to facebook and keyword Showplex Cinemas and then click on photo, the picture of the future theatre is on their profile album. Sorry for the mistake! —jw
Construction is currently underway. Article at the following url:http://www.boxofficemagazine.com/news/2011-04-08-showplex-cinemas-to-bring-the-imax-experience-to-springfield-missouri Also pictures of construction are at Showplex facebook site, and if you keyword in “Springfield 8” doing a google search and then click on images you will see an drawing of the conversion.
Greetings Ross: You will find extensive photography of the National Theatre at: http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/2134.html .
See you at the movies! Cheers!
Joel Weide
This is a copy of an original photograph of the Mainstreet from sometime in the late 1920’s.
This picture is looking East on Main street. The Mainstreet Theatre is the building with the red canopy above the windows. The building has since been demolished.
This was the main house that Dickinson operated in Topeka for many many years. Their other theater was the Fairlawn Twin and the Chief and Cloverleaf Drive Ins before acquiring the Mann properties.