I learned that last December Emagine Entertainment, which owns Cinema Hollywood in Birch Run, has reopened this cinema which has been renamed Clio Square Cinema.
I have doubts about the one potential owner who wants to make a a multifunctional entertainment center. Reading the article, the bank which owns the multiplex has received inquiries from established theater owners. I would rather have it run by such a theater chain, but it would need major renovations first to be competitive.
NOTE TO SYSOPS: The mapping software is a bit off. The city of Grand Blanc has a different address numbering system so the former location shows up on Google maps as 7606 S. Saginaw. Please fix the map to show the exact location which is now a few miles south of where it should be.
Back in 2005, I wrote a piece online devoted to the sale of the GKC theater chain to Carmike called “Death of a Theater Chain.” The article also sums up the ownership history of the Plaza Cinemas. You can see it at http://home.comcast.net/~steelbeard1/flinn070505.htm
Correction, CSWalszak. While Carmike owns the Plaza 8, Goodrich Quality Theatres own the Jackson 10. When you typed GKC Jackson 10, that implied GKC Theatres which Carmike absorbed. So the two multiplexes compete with each other. Complain to the film studios and to Goodrich and Carmike. From what I understand, the two multiplexes are too close to each other to be playing the same movies at the same time. They should be competing with each other to get exclusive showing of movies.
Looking at the back facade, it looks as if the damage to the theatre itself was so severe that the theatre portion of the building was torn down, except for the lower parts of the outer side walls, as the two story front portion was extended outwards.
A photo of the tornade damage to the rear of the Imperial Theatre in 1953 can be found at http://www.flickriver.com/photos/34370769@N07/4914004651/#large
Clarifying the architects of C. Howard Crane & Associates who designed the 1950 renovation of this theater, the architects from that firm who did the actual designs were Elmer Keihler and Dixon Kellogg. The original 1917 design was by Chicago architect “John W. Everson.” I wonder if that is a misspelling of the legendary theater architect John Eberson.
@lexmarks567: The two remaining NA indoor multiplexes they were still operating in Michigan were sold to Rave Motion Pictures. A former NA cinema they were leasing in Courtland Center in Burton was reopened by Owosso-based NCG Cinemas. The former Showcase Cinemas East is also listed for sale and the former Cinema 10 which they leased in Flint Township is boarded up.
That is the former Mall of Memphis Cinema which was operated by General Cinemas. Info at http://www.mallofmemphis.org/Main/Cinema
It opened in 1981 and closed when this mall closed in the late 1990s. The mall has since been torn down.
The ticket booths are now gone and the debris from demolition have been removed. The speaker poles, screen towers, asphalt field and signs remain.
Rave did reface the sign along I-75 so it now says “Rave Cinemas.”
The drive-in is being torn down. See the new photo.
I now believe the original architect of the theater was John Eberson.
I learned that last December Emagine Entertainment, which owns Cinema Hollywood in Birch Run, has reopened this cinema which has been renamed Clio Square Cinema.
I have doubts about the one potential owner who wants to make a a multifunctional entertainment center. Reading the article, the bank which owns the multiplex has received inquiries from established theater owners. I would rather have it run by such a theater chain, but it would need major renovations first to be competitive.
I would rather see an established theater operator run the multiplex, but it would need major renovations first.
NOTE TO SYSOPS: The mapping software is a bit off. The city of Grand Blanc has a different address numbering system so the former location shows up on Google maps as 7606 S. Saginaw. Please fix the map to show the exact location which is now a few miles south of where it should be.
You have to admit that Carmike did a nice job in renovating this theater after looking at old photos from the GKC era.
Back in 2005, I wrote a piece online devoted to the sale of the GKC theater chain to Carmike called “Death of a Theater Chain.” The article also sums up the ownership history of the Plaza Cinemas. You can see it at http://home.comcast.net/~steelbeard1/flinn070505.htm
I noticed neither multiplex, which are across Wisner Street from each other, are in the Cinema Treasures database. So I added them.
Correction, CSWalszak. While Carmike owns the Plaza 8, Goodrich Quality Theatres own the Jackson 10. When you typed GKC Jackson 10, that implied GKC Theatres which Carmike absorbed. So the two multiplexes compete with each other. Complain to the film studios and to Goodrich and Carmike. From what I understand, the two multiplexes are too close to each other to be playing the same movies at the same time. They should be competing with each other to get exclusive showing of movies.
An early photo of the original Imperial Theatre in Sarnia can be found at http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3996298835_a8f8b15dfd.jpg
Looking at the back facade, it looks as if the damage to the theatre itself was so severe that the theatre portion of the building was torn down, except for the lower parts of the outer side walls, as the two story front portion was extended outwards.
A photo of the tornade damage to the rear of the Imperial Theatre in 1953 can be found at http://www.flickriver.com/photos/34370769@N07/4914004651/#large
Clarifying the architects of C. Howard Crane & Associates who designed the 1950 renovation of this theater, the architects from that firm who did the actual designs were Elmer Keihler and Dixon Kellogg. The original 1917 design was by Chicago architect “John W. Everson.” I wonder if that is a misspelling of the legendary theater architect John Eberson.
C. Howard Crane & Associates was the architectural firm that designed the 1950 renovation of this theater.
The beautifully restored Temple Theatre is a great venue for this festival. They also have the mighty Barton organ.
There is a news report about the status of this drive-in at http://www.wlky.com/r-slideshow/28908282/detail.html?taf=lou
@lexmarks567: The two remaining NA indoor multiplexes they were still operating in Michigan were sold to Rave Motion Pictures. A former NA cinema they were leasing in Courtland Center in Burton was reopened by Owosso-based NCG Cinemas. The former Showcase Cinemas East is also listed for sale and the former Cinema 10 which they leased in Flint Township is boarded up.
The above real estate listing shows that the listed price for this former drive-in has been reduced to $1.6 million.
That is the former Mall of Memphis Cinema which was operated by General Cinemas. Info at http://www.mallofmemphis.org/Main/Cinema It opened in 1981 and closed when this mall closed in the late 1990s. The mall has since been torn down.
A Norman’s store now occupies the site.
The State Theatre took its place.
Jack Loeks Theatres also operates the Celebration! Cinemas chain of megaplexes in western Michigan.