River Oaks Theatre

Don’t quote me on this, but I have a wild hunch as to why it was called the Diana. When it opened in 1975, it was owned by Essaness Theatres. Perhaps the head of Essaness named the theater after a family member? That could be a reason. Because had someone like General Cinema or Plitt got the project, it would’ve been called the Washington Square Theatre, named after the mall it was located in.

I myself never went inside the theater or the mall. I remember going by there in ‘97 or so, and I saw the CO logo around the outside of the mall. It’s page says it closed in 1994, but it was open until 1998. I have a copy of a “Movie Facts” from early 98, and Diana was listed under CO’s other area locations. My brother saw quite a few flicks there, and he remembers that neverending hallway to the concessions/screens after you bought tickets.

Audio – According to the River Oaks 1-6 page the renumbering wasn’t done until after 2-3 closed so maybe that is why I don’t remember it being known as 13-14. But since my memory is a bit suspect I won’t disagree further.

On a different note I would love to go over to the Diana page and hear some stories as I frequented that theater in the 80’s as well. If you can find out I would love to know how the theater got its name.

Cinemark do you remember all the murals they painted on the wall of 1-4? If you get opportunity to buy it you should consider murals.

Yeah I think you are right about the sign, which is still there by the way but it still seems to me 2-3, which may have been slated to be number changed, closed before 1-6 opened thus negating the chance to re-number it.

Cinemark – You seem to have good research on this. Was there ever a time all 14 screens were open at the same time? I seem to remember being told 2-3 closed for two reasons: One the lease had expired and it was too costly and two, because a new group (1-6 obviously) of screens were being constructed.

I like it. That would make a nice lobby area for 1-4. Would be even cooler if you make a balcony. Only problem I see is vandalism. That’s not exactly a good area anymore. You would to some type of material to put over the interior. If you do open it again, my grandfather said he’ll work for you in the booth.

Funny you mention it Cinemark but I can remember in the 70’s eagerly waiting to see the movies that would be playing at 1-2-3 because often times they would play movies that didn’t open in NW Indiana. “Chinatown,” “The Godfather Part II,” “The Drowning Pool,” “Day of the Locust,” “Airport 1975,” “The Ritz,” “Star Wars,” “Revenge of the Pink Panther,” “The Bad News Bears Go To Japan,” “Alien,” “The Fury,” “Barry Lyndon,” “Network,” “Logan’s Run,” “Return of a Man Called Horse” and “The Sting” are just some of the movies we ventured to Calumet City to see. And sometimes even if a movie was in NW Indiana we would go to River Oaks if it was in #1. I know we did that for “King Kong,” “Close Encounters,” “Magic,” and “Superman” just off the top of my head. Not to mention the “Star Wars” sequels and the “Indiana Jones” films (the first two anyway).

I’m glad nobody built one megaplex at RO. The way the theaters were set up were very unique. Back when my father was taking me and the rest of us there, I couldn’t wait for the friday paper to see which location our movie would be playing. Even if it weren’t 9-10, I would still get giddy if it were playing in 1-6, 7-8, or even 11-12. It seems as if each building had their own character. Remember the smell of burnt popcorn in the lobby of 7-8? The red carpeting and cream colored lobby of 11-12? Remember the thin hallway leading to the spacious screens of 11-12? The neon colors and marble floors of 1-6? Those are the kind of touches you don’t find in today’s megaplexes. And what’s even worse is the top-down masking/shrink-scope of the screens in said megaplexes.

Anyway, I want to say that should I build 2 screens next to 9-10, they would hold about 300-350 each. Also, the revamped lobby of the building will look somewhat like this.

I dunno about those two. Talked to my grandfather via skype last night. He recalls sometime during the 80’s the theater by Fields were numbered 5-6. And the ones over by west were 7-8. He says they were both numbered this way because it more sense since the two over at west were not close like the others. I kinda have to with grandpa on this one since he worked there for 31 years. And I spent almost every weekend in those theaters watching movies.

Another thing I found out, at one point there was talk of expanding the old 1-4. Adding two more theaters the same size as #4. This was talked about sometime in the seventies but never happened.

I’m just surprised another company never came and built a complex. One those type that have 16+ theaters in one building. Grandpa told this was another idea that was talked about when Cineplex owned them. They wanted all the theaters in one area, but instead decided on the six in the mall.

KingBiscuits,

The indie festival for area filmmakers is a great idea. I’ll put that in my notes. I had classic titles already in mind. In fact, I hope to run a 70MM festival every year. And I hope to show a demo of the Super Dimension 70 system.

JRS40, the last time I can remember 9-10 using the curtains was in the late ‘90s. I saw “Phantom Menace” there, and the curtain covered the screen. When I returned to see “MI:2”, the screen was exposed from that point on. And what was the deal with those flood lights? Every time they came on, I could barely make out the credits on the screen. River Run had lights that came on after shows, but I could still see credits. That really sticks out in my mind from when I saw “Scream 2” and “The General’s Daughter” there.

If my plan becomes a reality, then I’ll take you up on that offer. And the price will be right.

You should also play some alternative fare and classic titles so to satisfy everyone. Maybe even host a independent film festival of area filmmakers.

Yes Office Depot and not Circuit City. My mistake. Cinemark it was great moviegoing in the 70’s and early 80’s. Sorry you missed out.

No, the theater in the photo was always 7-8. In the 10/21/83 Plitt Theatre guide, they announce the grand opening of 7-8. The ad says, “2 all-new theatres to entertain you! River Oaks 7-8. Located 1 block N E of River Oaks 1-4. Grand openings tonight at 5:45pm”.

5-6 (later 11-12) was at the River Oaks West mall near the post office. Address was 520 RO West. This is where I saw “A Low Down Dirty Shame” and “Mercury Rising”. My family saw “Poltergeist” there back when it came out. It opened in December of 1980. The opening day ad for that said, “GRAND OPENING TODAY! River Oaks 5-6 Calumet City, Located in the west mall”. First movies to play there were “Resurrection” and “Mountain Family Robinson”. It’s very easy to get the bulidings mixed up, since they built so much in and around that area. Another thing, even when it was under CO, the building always had the sign, “River Oaks”, and then “Plitt Theatres” under that. It closed in ‘98. It was torn down (along with the old Kohl’s next to it) in late '07 to make way for the Sam’s Club that’s open now. When 2-3 closed, it became a Silo eletronics store. That lasted until the late 90’s. It was gutted inside and out, and turned into an Office Depot and Men’s Warehouse.

Like 9-10, 1-6 and 7-8 are still sitting, closed. I’m still writing by business plan and gathering up some funds. Perhaps if my proposed theatres get off the ground, it could lead to the mall getting more upscale stores/resturants.

On another note, I hope Cinematour can correct the info in that photo, because they have it has aka RO 2-3.

Oh Cinemark, talked to my grandfather a few days ago. He believes all the gear is still sitting in 9-10.
All the projectors, DLP projector, the platters, sound equipment, etc. Not sure what kind of condition the stuff
is in considering it’s been idle for three years.
I told him about your plan, he wishes you much luck. It needs a good owner. Every once in awhile he’ll drive past it and still can’t believe it’s condition. But like he told me, it looks just like everything else around it.