Does anybody know any information about the Nancy Cinema off of Tift College Drive near Interstate 75 that started life as a single-screener in the 1970s? I recently read a handful of showtime articles, but I cannot find as much information about the theater itself.
Despite the screen located 2,000ft away from the road, it can be seen on two roads, including U.S. Highway 41. Carlos Merritt, the city of Perry’s council, said the city’s building code specifically says that the screen cannot be vision from major streets closer to 2,000ft. They totally complain about the growing concerns over adult films as it what it did at the M and T Drive-In in Warner Robins for a short time. Surprisingly, it didn’t show too much of it although it did show a selection of R-Rated films at times (including ones with racist titles).
A few years later, a twin-screen theater was built at the nearly-now-defunct Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center which will have its own Cinema Treasures page soon. I totally don’t know anything on its history about the twin at Eastgate, but any additional information about it will be greatly appreciated.
Here’s a little wise fact: This theater when it first planned in June 2003 originally announced a possible early-2004 opening as an eight-screener. However, it was unclear if that ever happened.
I accidentally added a duplicate page on accident, I hope they can fix it soon.
Anyway, the Fairmont Theatre reopened last year under the name “Fairmount 5 Theatres” as I recently looked on its website. It is now operated by RT Entertainment and its current functions are first-run, independent, and foreign features. They used to screen only first-run features until the COVID-19 pandemic came to a two-year closure.
The Fair Lakes Cinema 5 was built on the site of the former Family Drive-In which operated from around 1949 until the late-1980s, and it also replaced the “Fair Mall Cinema” a mile away which closed at the same time the Fair Lakes Cinema 5 opened its doors (both theaters will have their own Cinema Treasures pages soon).
Fun Fact: The popular intermission film shown here was called Filmack’s “10 (or 5) Minute Variety Show” reel (1959; Stock #2600) according to Filmack’s website.
The Perry Cinemas 3 opened its doors on December 21, 1979 with “Prize Fighter” at Screen 1, “Halloween” at Screen 2, and “Arabian Adventure” at Screen 3. It was first operated by the Florida West Amusement Company. The triplex originally had a capacity of 660 seats, but was downgraded to 393 by the end of its operation. It was first managed by Aubrey Jones.
By 1985, it was renamed Perry Triple Cinema and at the time it was operated by Floyd Theatres. It would later become known as the “Perry Theatre” and finally the “Perry 3”, and during those two names it was independently-operated.
It is the first indoor movie theater in Perry to operate since a large indoor fire destroyed the Temple Theatre on May 19, 1976, leaving the Graves Drive-In the only movie theater in Perry for a time (which still operates into the 1980s later on, and at the time, the Graves was operated by Mary Brannen).
According to its article about the May 19, 1976 blaze that destroyed the Temple Theatre, a smaller fire causing a reconstruction occur in 1949, not 1945.
The Lyon Theatre became the Rapids Theatre on Christmas Day 1936 right after a short remodel, reopening with Eleanor Powell in “Born To Dance” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a few Paramount short subjects.
Some of its original installations include original walls which were lined with celotex, and over half-a-mile of the material comes with 12-in perforated blocks. The original 1936-installed walls, ceiling, and lobby have mixture schemes of royal blue and gold, brown, pink, yellow, and green. What’s unique about the original lobby of the Rapids Theatre is that one of the centers of attraction in addition to the fine display boards have original installations of “magic eye” drinking fountains, and what’s unique is that neither a button, pedal, or handles were presented in its system. In order to drink it, you bent your head and the water comes out as it was messaged by an electric beam to the automatic controls.
After closure in 1982, the Rapids Theatre sat abandoned until December 1985 when it went for renovation. It officially became a restaurant a short time later.
This drive-in is the oldest drive-in theater in Eastern Ohio, opening on May 2, 1941 with Penny Singleton in “Blondie Has Servant Trouble” along with a few short subjects.
It first opened as simply “Drive-In Theatre”. It was later renamed the LaVerne Drive-In in 1947, and finally the Howland Drive-In in 1950.
The King Theatre opened its doors on October 17, 1930 with Ned Sparks in “Leathernecking” with no extra short subjects.
Information about the King Theatre as of 1930 goes as follows: The theater building results were the use of conder blocks for interior walls and soft plaster and gypsum covering each a deadener of echoes which ruin acoustics. Everything that causes echoes form that installation was cut out such as fancy scrolls and projection’s sound equipment of one kind or another. The original interior look featured terrazzo floored lobby with tile and marble ticket booth. The aisle floors were covered with heavy Wilton Saxon carpets underlaid with padding to deaden sound. Stairways were also carpeted as well as the auditorium lobby, which the original capacity of the auditorium as of its opening in 1930 were listed as 700 seats with seat-installations of red upholstered leathered 16 bottom springs and full padded back seats with soft edges, while the backs are of brown velour with red, orange, and blue figure designs. The auditorium floors were oak through the auditorium with floor coverings to the gallery of Wilton Saxton with Ozite padding. The original stage measures 22ft deep and 38ft across. The stage features the original installations of proscenium opening or grand outer drape and closest to the audience which then comes a burnt orange velour curtain on an automatic track, and back of this is a close-in curtain or screen of green silk also carried on an automatic track. These two original curtains' movements are electrically controlled for the projection booth. Back of that is a drop of black and gold denim of cloth and still back of this is a red velour sack-drop which extends all around the sides and rear of the stage. The sixth and last curtain is the sound screen which is 14ft back of the foot lights and is in the size of 14ft6inx18ft. In case of an emergency, there are two rear exists, one on either side of the stage.
The original installations of its ventilation system as of 1930 brings a special attention, with ample-sized hot air furnace during the winter months in which an oil burner is used to generate heat and powerful fans to force the air into the auditorium and outlet ducts under the stage to draw it out. A complete change of air is provided every three minutes as air enters the rooms from grills placed on either side of the stage and is drawn from the room by cold air ducts under the stage, giving a complete air circulation at all times. Sometimes from time-to-time, fresh air outside is added. During the summer months, it was in reverse, with the cool air coming in from the ducts under the stage and the hot air being drawn out through the grills on either side of the stage.
Other original installations include indirect lighting system featuring two full rows of foot lights with each light in a special reflector by the Kilegle Stage Lighting Company of New York. It gives an original soft mellow light touch, and by the use of the system, the operator at the booth may dim or brighten the auditorium by a usage of a switch. There are six large ceiling lights and in walls on either side of six sets of lights set in panels of green art glass. When films are being shown, the light comes softly from the side panel lights and small concealed aisle lights. The wall effects as of 1930 were originally buff and green over a gray background colored being worked into the plastering to give a pink background effect, featuring a soft and soothing touch with its fixtures.
The Town & Country Drive-In opened its gates on August 1, 1952 with Randolph Scott in “The Cariboo Trail” along with multiple Terrytoons cartoons and a newsreel. The original screen measures 60x50ft.
Correction on its June 14, 1986 closing: The Town & Country Drive-In closed with “Police Academy 3: Back In Training” (not the first one), and “Wildcats”.
The Palace closed due to a massive fire on August 22, 1963 that destroyed the building and left three men injured in the blaze. It opened in August 1937.
First operated by Joe F. Phillips of Baxley, the Worth Drive-In opened its gates on August 27, 1953 with “Gun Belt” and Walt Disney’s “The Olympic Elk” along with a cartoon.
Opened on November 6, 1950 with William Lundigan in “I’ll Get By” (unclear if any short subjects were added).
Does anybody know any information about the Nancy Cinema off of Tift College Drive near Interstate 75 that started life as a single-screener in the 1970s? I recently read a handful of showtime articles, but I cannot find as much information about the theater itself.
Despite the screen located 2,000ft away from the road, it can be seen on two roads, including U.S. Highway 41. Carlos Merritt, the city of Perry’s council, said the city’s building code specifically says that the screen cannot be vision from major streets closer to 2,000ft. They totally complain about the growing concerns over adult films as it what it did at the M and T Drive-In in Warner Robins for a short time. Surprisingly, it didn’t show too much of it although it did show a selection of R-Rated films at times (including ones with racist titles).
A few years later, a twin-screen theater was built at the nearly-now-defunct Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center which will have its own Cinema Treasures page soon. I totally don’t know anything on its history about the twin at Eastgate, but any additional information about it will be greatly appreciated.
The Fairmount 5 Theatres now occupies the site of the former Family Drive-In.
Here’s a little wise fact: This theater when it first planned in June 2003 originally announced a possible early-2004 opening as an eight-screener. However, it was unclear if that ever happened.
I accidentally added a duplicate page on accident, I hope they can fix it soon.
Anyway, the Fairmont Theatre reopened last year under the name “Fairmount 5 Theatres” as I recently looked on its website. It is now operated by RT Entertainment and its current functions are first-run, independent, and foreign features. They used to screen only first-run features until the COVID-19 pandemic came to a two-year closure.
The Fair Lakes Cinema 5 was built on the site of the former Family Drive-In which operated from around 1949 until the late-1980s, and it also replaced the “Fair Mall Cinema” a mile away which closed at the same time the Fair Lakes Cinema 5 opened its doors (both theaters will have their own Cinema Treasures pages soon).
Demolished in late-2021.
It was announced that after 70 years of operation, this year will be the Skowhegan Drive-In’s last season.
https://www.bigscreen.com/j/Skowhegan-ME-After-70-Seasons-Skowhegan-DriveIn-Theatre/7404
Fun Fact: The popular intermission film shown here was called Filmack’s “10 (or 5) Minute Variety Show” reel (1959; Stock #2600) according to Filmack’s website.
Opened on August 7, 1978 by the Florida West Amusement Company.
Short-lived. It appears that it closed in 1959, as the screen was removed in 1960.
The Perry Cinemas 3 opened its doors on December 21, 1979 with “Prize Fighter” at Screen 1, “Halloween” at Screen 2, and “Arabian Adventure” at Screen 3. It was first operated by the Florida West Amusement Company. The triplex originally had a capacity of 660 seats, but was downgraded to 393 by the end of its operation. It was first managed by Aubrey Jones.
By 1985, it was renamed Perry Triple Cinema and at the time it was operated by Floyd Theatres. It would later become known as the “Perry Theatre” and finally the “Perry 3”, and during those two names it was independently-operated.
It is the first indoor movie theater in Perry to operate since a large indoor fire destroyed the Temple Theatre on May 19, 1976, leaving the Graves Drive-In the only movie theater in Perry for a time (which still operates into the 1980s later on, and at the time, the Graves was operated by Mary Brannen).
According to its article about the May 19, 1976 blaze that destroyed the Temple Theatre, a smaller fire causing a reconstruction occur in 1949, not 1945.
The Verne Drive-In actually opened on June 19, 1953. Indeed, K.C. Sergant of Clarkfield was the one who first operated the Verne.
The Lyon Theatre became the Rapids Theatre on Christmas Day 1936 right after a short remodel, reopening with Eleanor Powell in “Born To Dance” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a few Paramount short subjects.
Some of its original installations include original walls which were lined with celotex, and over half-a-mile of the material comes with 12-in perforated blocks. The original 1936-installed walls, ceiling, and lobby have mixture schemes of royal blue and gold, brown, pink, yellow, and green. What’s unique about the original lobby of the Rapids Theatre is that one of the centers of attraction in addition to the fine display boards have original installations of “magic eye” drinking fountains, and what’s unique is that neither a button, pedal, or handles were presented in its system. In order to drink it, you bent your head and the water comes out as it was messaged by an electric beam to the automatic controls.
After closure in 1982, the Rapids Theatre sat abandoned until December 1985 when it went for renovation. It officially became a restaurant a short time later.
This drive-in is the oldest drive-in theater in Eastern Ohio, opening on May 2, 1941 with Penny Singleton in “Blondie Has Servant Trouble” along with a few short subjects.
It first opened as simply “Drive-In Theatre”. It was later renamed the LaVerne Drive-In in 1947, and finally the Howland Drive-In in 1950.
This started life as the Albany Drive-In, opening on June 7, 1953 with “The Big Sky” with no extra short subjects.
Closed on December 30, 1979 with “The Muppet Movie”.
The King Theatre opened its doors on October 17, 1930 with Ned Sparks in “Leathernecking” with no extra short subjects.
Information about the King Theatre as of 1930 goes as follows: The theater building results were the use of conder blocks for interior walls and soft plaster and gypsum covering each a deadener of echoes which ruin acoustics. Everything that causes echoes form that installation was cut out such as fancy scrolls and projection’s sound equipment of one kind or another. The original interior look featured terrazzo floored lobby with tile and marble ticket booth. The aisle floors were covered with heavy Wilton Saxon carpets underlaid with padding to deaden sound. Stairways were also carpeted as well as the auditorium lobby, which the original capacity of the auditorium as of its opening in 1930 were listed as 700 seats with seat-installations of red upholstered leathered 16 bottom springs and full padded back seats with soft edges, while the backs are of brown velour with red, orange, and blue figure designs. The auditorium floors were oak through the auditorium with floor coverings to the gallery of Wilton Saxton with Ozite padding. The original stage measures 22ft deep and 38ft across. The stage features the original installations of proscenium opening or grand outer drape and closest to the audience which then comes a burnt orange velour curtain on an automatic track, and back of this is a close-in curtain or screen of green silk also carried on an automatic track. These two original curtains' movements are electrically controlled for the projection booth. Back of that is a drop of black and gold denim of cloth and still back of this is a red velour sack-drop which extends all around the sides and rear of the stage. The sixth and last curtain is the sound screen which is 14ft back of the foot lights and is in the size of 14ft6inx18ft. In case of an emergency, there are two rear exists, one on either side of the stage.
The original installations of its ventilation system as of 1930 brings a special attention, with ample-sized hot air furnace during the winter months in which an oil burner is used to generate heat and powerful fans to force the air into the auditorium and outlet ducts under the stage to draw it out. A complete change of air is provided every three minutes as air enters the rooms from grills placed on either side of the stage and is drawn from the room by cold air ducts under the stage, giving a complete air circulation at all times. Sometimes from time-to-time, fresh air outside is added. During the summer months, it was in reverse, with the cool air coming in from the ducts under the stage and the hot air being drawn out through the grills on either side of the stage.
Other original installations include indirect lighting system featuring two full rows of foot lights with each light in a special reflector by the Kilegle Stage Lighting Company of New York. It gives an original soft mellow light touch, and by the use of the system, the operator at the booth may dim or brighten the auditorium by a usage of a switch. There are six large ceiling lights and in walls on either side of six sets of lights set in panels of green art glass. When films are being shown, the light comes softly from the side panel lights and small concealed aisle lights. The wall effects as of 1930 were originally buff and green over a gray background colored being worked into the plastering to give a pink background effect, featuring a soft and soothing touch with its fixtures.
Opened in January 1963.
The Princess actually closed on March 31, 1973 with “Drag Racer”.
The Town & Country Drive-In opened its gates on August 1, 1952 with Randolph Scott in “The Cariboo Trail” along with multiple Terrytoons cartoons and a newsreel. The original screen measures 60x50ft.
Correction on its June 14, 1986 closing: The Town & Country Drive-In closed with “Police Academy 3: Back In Training” (not the first one), and “Wildcats”.
The Palace closed due to a massive fire on August 22, 1963 that destroyed the building and left three men injured in the blaze. It opened in August 1937.
First operated by Joe F. Phillips of Baxley, the Worth Drive-In opened its gates on August 27, 1953 with “Gun Belt” and Walt Disney’s “The Olympic Elk” along with a cartoon.
Closed on May 26, 2023, it said.