There was an attempt to add two more screens to the Plantation CrossRoads, but the city nixed the request.
Most of my visits were in the 80s, when the rare subtitled or alternative movie showed up (“The Last Metro” had a very long run here, and did help increase awareness to the distributors that Broward was ready for international films; I remember Drier telling the local paper about their earlier attempt to book another acclaimed subtitled movie of the time, but he was turned down). Around the mid 80s, they were even trying midnight movies (saw “Don’t Look Back” there, and “Eraserhead” was on another screen).
On the other hand, I remember reels being switched around when they played “Fantasia” in the early 80s: A Tchaikovsky/Beethoven mashup.
As of this writing (and as various proposed megaplexes nearby still haven’t materialized), Plantation CrossRoads is still the only game in town for moviegoers.
Forgot to mention the ghastly, industrial gray walls within the Towne Twin (true, the only wall that really mattered was the one with the screen). Seems every theater along or adjoining Broward Boulevard (Plantation, Towne, Broward Mall 4, Fountains 8, Movies at Plantation) was doomed to short shelf lives.
Betweeen the Paramount Palm Beach, the Gusman/Olympia downtown Miami, and the Lincoln Miami Beach, three more cases of South Florida being quick to dispose of heritage.
MikeRogers, just looked up the photos of the GCC Regency Exchange 8 (what a sad fate): From the signage, it appears to have been built slightly later than Coral Square 8.
The usual distinctive GCC signage was never used here (not even the logo), possibly due to Coral Springs' stringent restrictions (also being the first city to prohibit McDonalds from installing their golden arches by the road).
IIRC, Publix has been there from the day the shopping center opened, upgraded several times over the decades.
Although “the theater was gutted and expanded into a much larger two-story addition for offices and added roughly another 30 feet to the east end of the mall” by the time the fire took place, this page gives an idea of the former Towne’s surroundings:
When first opened, Coral Square 8 was an interim design for GCC, before they adopted newer architecture (and a more red-accented decor) in the late 80s. It’s also possible they had to adjust to a space that, word had it, was originally intended for retail.
IIRC (it’s been years since I last visited), most/all of the auditoriums are in a straight row.
One auditorium had 70MM projection capabilities, savored during engagements of “Aliens” and “Silverado.”
I was there opening day for “Brewster’s Millions,” and I can’t believe it’s been 25 years already. Coral Square 8 outlasted the competition from as far north as Sample Road, south to Commercial Boulevard, and east to U.S. 441.
Harvey, thanks for that discovery! I remember many a time when every seat was filled in that tiny space. Shame that Old Tyme’s popularity didn’t last beyond two years, but it held on for most of a decade as the Northridge.
If anyone from CT sees this: the seat count was 189. Thanks.
“Located in an old movie theatre, the architecture is as interesting as the furniture.” Scan Design seems to appreciate their home more than the City of Miami appreciates the Gusman right now.
Sometime in the 1980s, there was an attempt to refit the Sunny Isles as a twin Cinema & Drafthouse. Renderings appeared in the local press, but it never happened.
Visited The Grand when it was still new, and a groundbreaking experience. It’s my understanding that “Twister” grossed more than $1 million there alone.
Each generation of movie venue seems to be having shorter and shorter shelf lives. I’m aware of at least two other megaplexes (Crown Abacoa, Jupiter FL; Muvico Peabody Place, Memphis TN) that failed in just a few years. Perhaps The Grand’s 15 years were profitable enough for AMC to move on.
I’ll lend the Boca location my enthusiastic support, but I get the feeling they’ll have spells of playing to mostly empty chairs given the fickle local market. Quite often, I’ve had private screenings by default at Shadowwood and Mizner (including tonight for “The Secret of Kells”) for lack of local enthusiasm over certain alt fare.
Gailsey, glad you joined the conversation (some of these threads go on for years, it’s never too late). In light of your recollections, I’m glad my few trips to the Sunset were on busier weekends (it was a 90-mile round-trip for me, when Broward engagements weren’t imminent). When were you at the Sunset?
Al, it may have only been a year or little more, but Loews still managed the Lauderhill when the second screen opened. The one on 16th Street was originally named “Loews 2,” albeit briefly.
UA really took a bath on Okee Square 8, on Okeechobee nearer to I-95, replacement for the Village Green and Mall Cinemas. Think they just had a few years before Muvico Parisian opened nearby in the late 90s, just in time for UA to hit the skids. Local startup BMC took Okee Square over but they couldn’t turn it around. Last I heard, it’s still vacant.
A 1979 Palm Beach Post article just happens to contemplate the area’s “overscreening.” I didn’t know the Village Green (typical interchangeable UA 70s sixplex) and Cross County opened within months of each other.
The Bocamag link hit a dead end. Here’s the link to O Cinema itself:
http://www.o-cinema.org/
Now 50 years after its grand opening with “Ocean’s 11,” the former Pompano Cinema is now a tavern. Plans for redevelopment are apparently on hold.
There was an attempt to add two more screens to the Plantation CrossRoads, but the city nixed the request.
Most of my visits were in the 80s, when the rare subtitled or alternative movie showed up (“The Last Metro” had a very long run here, and did help increase awareness to the distributors that Broward was ready for international films; I remember Drier telling the local paper about their earlier attempt to book another acclaimed subtitled movie of the time, but he was turned down). Around the mid 80s, they were even trying midnight movies (saw “Don’t Look Back” there, and “Eraserhead” was on another screen).
On the other hand, I remember reels being switched around when they played “Fantasia” in the early 80s: A Tchaikovsky/Beethoven mashup.
As of this writing (and as various proposed megaplexes nearby still haven’t materialized), Plantation CrossRoads is still the only game in town for moviegoers.
Forgot to mention the ghastly, industrial gray walls within the Towne Twin (true, the only wall that really mattered was the one with the screen). Seems every theater along or adjoining Broward Boulevard (Plantation, Towne, Broward Mall 4, Fountains 8, Movies at Plantation) was doomed to short shelf lives.
Betweeen the Paramount Palm Beach, the Gusman/Olympia downtown Miami, and the Lincoln Miami Beach, three more cases of South Florida being quick to dispose of heritage.
MikeRogers, just looked up the photos of the GCC Regency Exchange 8 (what a sad fate): From the signage, it appears to have been built slightly later than Coral Square 8.
A few exterior shots of CS8 can be found here:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/6706.html
The usual distinctive GCC signage was never used here (not even the logo), possibly due to Coral Springs' stringent restrictions (also being the first city to prohibit McDonalds from installing their golden arches by the road).
IIRC, Publix has been there from the day the shopping center opened, upgraded several times over the decades.
Although “the theater was gutted and expanded into a much larger two-story addition for offices and added roughly another 30 feet to the east end of the mall” by the time the fire took place, this page gives an idea of the former Towne’s surroundings:
View link
If you should take a closer look at the floor plan illustration, the Towne previously occupied the space behind Rite Aid (east end).
Although it showed many remarkable films, there wasn’t anything noteworthy about the Towne’s architecture or decor: plain late 60s suburban concrete.
Wometco’s sole venture into “newer” (beyond U.S. 441) west Broward was the Weston 8:
/theaters/29329/
When first opened, Coral Square 8 was an interim design for GCC, before they adopted newer architecture (and a more red-accented decor) in the late 80s. It’s also possible they had to adjust to a space that, word had it, was originally intended for retail.
IIRC (it’s been years since I last visited), most/all of the auditoriums are in a straight row.
One auditorium had 70MM projection capabilities, savored during engagements of “Aliens” and “Silverado.”
I was there opening day for “Brewster’s Millions,” and I can’t believe it’s been 25 years already. Coral Square 8 outlasted the competition from as far north as Sample Road, south to Commercial Boulevard, and east to U.S. 441.
Harvey, thanks for that discovery! I remember many a time when every seat was filled in that tiny space. Shame that Old Tyme’s popularity didn’t last beyond two years, but it held on for most of a decade as the Northridge.
If anyone from CT sees this: the seat count was 189. Thanks.
I can confirm: They’re very comfortable.
(I hope the Plaza will add a smidgen more leg room during the reseating, though!)
On further address research, the furniture store still stands:
View link
“Located in an old movie theatre, the architecture is as interesting as the furniture.” Scan Design seems to appreciate their home more than the City of Miami appreciates the Gusman right now.
Sometime in the 1980s, there was an attempt to refit the Sunny Isles as a twin Cinema & Drafthouse. Renderings appeared in the local press, but it never happened.
Endangered again. Yet another unfortunate outcome of Maurice Gusman entrusting the venue to the Miami Parking Authority.
View link
Just noticed that if you look very closely at the screen (three rows from the top), you can see “E M LOEWS” spelled out.
Scroll halfway down this page for a postcard view (curious bit of architecture):
View link
Visited The Grand when it was still new, and a groundbreaking experience. It’s my understanding that “Twister” grossed more than $1 million there alone.
Each generation of movie venue seems to be having shorter and shorter shelf lives. I’m aware of at least two other megaplexes (Crown Abacoa, Jupiter FL; Muvico Peabody Place, Memphis TN) that failed in just a few years. Perhaps The Grand’s 15 years were profitable enough for AMC to move on.
I’ll lend the Boca location my enthusiastic support, but I get the feeling they’ll have spells of playing to mostly empty chairs given the fickle local market. Quite often, I’ve had private screenings by default at Shadowwood and Mizner (including tonight for “The Secret of Kells”) for lack of local enthusiasm over certain alt fare.
A Miami News report on the Hialeah’s 1962 reopening/remodeling, just in time for Christmas:
View link
Gailsey, glad you joined the conversation (some of these threads go on for years, it’s never too late). In light of your recollections, I’m glad my few trips to the Sunset were on busier weekends (it was a 90-mile round-trip for me, when Broward engagements weren’t imminent). When were you at the Sunset?
Unless they change their minds… reopening this summer as Paragon Grove 13:
http://www.paragontheaters.com/default.aspx?t=102
Al, it may have only been a year or little more, but Loews still managed the Lauderhill when the second screen opened. The one on 16th Street was originally named “Loews 2,” albeit briefly.
Check out the Lakewood, too, if they’re open!
/theaters/328/
Google Maps still indicates it’s a gym — the same fate as the former 170th Street in Sunny Isles.
UA really took a bath on Okee Square 8, on Okeechobee nearer to I-95, replacement for the Village Green and Mall Cinemas. Think they just had a few years before Muvico Parisian opened nearby in the late 90s, just in time for UA to hit the skids. Local startup BMC took Okee Square over but they couldn’t turn it around. Last I heard, it’s still vacant.
A 1979 Palm Beach Post article just happens to contemplate the area’s “overscreening.” I didn’t know the Village Green (typical interchangeable UA 70s sixplex) and Cross County opened within months of each other.
View link
I swear, the Palm Beach Post archives are more addictive than Facebook…