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.
I’ve always been curious how this theatre got built all the way out in Arkansas. It was my impression that Vincent Raney started all the domes for Syufy back in the 60’s, it’s weird that UA would have built one in Arkansas.
But from what I can tell this is identical to all the domes that Syufy built in California. The Century theatres in San Jose, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, Reno and Salt Lake City. Does anybody have more information about this or is it just early theatre inbreeding between the Naifys and Syufys?
The theatre originally opened as an 8-plex and was later expanded to 12 and then finally to 16. I don’t know the timeline on the expansions. I went there to see “21” during it’s first week. I found it amusing that the location still uses the old Theatron ticketing system but enjoyed my show quite well.
Under Century, all the CineArts were @ somewhere. The original CineArts were:
CineArts @ Evanston (Evanston, IL)
CineArts @ Sequoia (Mill Valley, CA)
CineArts @ Palo Alto Square (Palo Alto, CA)
CineArts @ Empire (San Francisco, CA)
CineArts @ Pleasant Hill (Pleasant Hill, CA)
CineArts @ Santana Row (San Jose, CA)
CineArts @ Marin (Sausalito, CA)
Eventually they started calling whatever art film was playing at any theatre the “CineArts @ [Theatre Name]” much like AMC has AMC Select and Regal has Regal Arts.
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.
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.
I’ve always been curious how this theatre got built all the way out in Arkansas. It was my impression that Vincent Raney started all the domes for Syufy back in the 60’s, it’s weird that UA would have built one in Arkansas.
But from what I can tell this is identical to all the domes that Syufy built in California. The Century theatres in San Jose, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, Reno and Salt Lake City. Does anybody have more information about this or is it just early theatre inbreeding between the Naifys and Syufys?
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=4197
A number of pics at Cinematour.
The theatre originally opened as an 8-plex and was later expanded to 12 and then finally to 16. I don’t know the timeline on the expansions. I went there to see “21” during it’s first week. I found it amusing that the location still uses the old Theatron ticketing system but enjoyed my show quite well.
To the best of my knowledge, Rancho Santa Fe 16 still stands empty across the street.
So you’re telling me that somewhere inside the building pictured below is an old Martin quad?
View link
Level 4 booth certified? Is that some sort of scientology rating?
Under Century, all the CineArts were @ somewhere. The original CineArts were:
CineArts @ Evanston (Evanston, IL)
CineArts @ Sequoia (Mill Valley, CA)
CineArts @ Palo Alto Square (Palo Alto, CA)
CineArts @ Empire (San Francisco, CA)
CineArts @ Pleasant Hill (Pleasant Hill, CA)
CineArts @ Santana Row (San Jose, CA)
CineArts @ Marin (Sausalito, CA)
Eventually they started calling whatever art film was playing at any theatre the “CineArts @ [Theatre Name]” much like AMC has AMC Select and Regal has Regal Arts.
I think them seats may still have ashtrays in them, not sure. :p
Did the modern Showcase Orange start as an 8-plex? What was the evolution of the modern build?
What a jerk journalist. Probably hasn’t seen a movie there since AMC had the place. Phoenix made some great improvements.