jwmovies, thank you for finding the current address for this Drive-In. Many addresses in that area of Central Ohio have changed with the rapid development making it very difficult to get accurate information. Making things even more confusing is that this part of US Rt. 23 is also known as Columbus Pike.
When the Drive-In opened in 1952, the address was listed in the Columbus Dispatch as “High Street North of Worthington”. Miles purchased the theatre in 1954 and listed the address as “8750 North High”. Newspaper advertising for the theatre lists the 8750 address until the theatre closed in 1981.
According to IMDB (and my memory) Brenda Starr opened at the Guild in April, 1992.
I was visiting NYC at the time, and saw BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Saturday morning, the day before Easter. I recall that BRENDA STARR opened at the Guild on Easter Sunday, with the 70mm print of BATB moving to one of the Embassy 2-3-4 houses.
The NY Times review for BRENDA STARR was in the 4/18/92 edition and confirms it was running at the Guild.
That was a great NYC Theatre day for me…70mm Beauty And the Beast in the morning, 5 Guys Named Moe Broadway show matinee, and finished up with the Easter Show at Radio City…not a day I will ever forget.
Yes, that theatre later became Tri-County 6 & 7. It was located to the west across the street from Tri-County 1-5. I saw THEY CALL ME BRUCE there is the early ‘80’s.
Mark_L
commented about
"Alien"on
Jul 23, 2012 at 8:01 pm
ALIEN was the first 70mm feature to play at the Continent. It was very strange seeing that 70mm print sitting wide open to the world in the lobby…quite a dust magnet. Smoking was also allowed in the lobby then, so that print was mighty dirty.
Regarding the Todd-AO conversion cover, there are articles about the conversion of the theatre and the booths also in that section of the magazine. Thanks for the link!
Original large screen system was an Iwerks 8/70 3-D system. Sound was usually good, but the picture was always very dim. Replaced by digital as noted in 2011.
DAK8601 is correct, the theatre opened on 5/1/1953, with a Grand Opening on 7/1/1953. In the Grand Opening ad, there is a “best wishes” ad from West Fifth Auto Sales which was directly in front of the theatre.
“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."
In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.
At his Widescreen Museum site, Marty Hart defines Super Cinerama theatres as those built from the ground up for Cinerama, not older theatres retrofitted with the process.
I taught at this school in the late ‘70’s. At that time, it was known as Garfield Elementary. My classroom was on the second floor just to the left of the white panels. I believe it closed as a school in 1981.
For a $4 ticket price, this is great entertainment. The Ohio is one of the most beautiful theatres around and it is very nicely restored.
Clark Wilson’s silent movies are always a highlight of the series. This year he will be playing the Douglas Fairbanks'silent version of Robin Hood on July 12 & 13. If you are anywhere close to Central Ohio, this will be well worth attending.
Many of these movies are presented via blu-ray, not film and it is very difficult to get information from CAPA before the screening as to format.
Formerly Cinemark Movies 12 which opened on 5/18/1990. Original theatre had 2 very well tuned THX rooms. This was the first theatre in the Columbus Area to be equipped with Digital Sound (DTS for Jurassic Park).
The Wexner Center for the Arts is a contemporary art museum located on the campus of The Ohio State University.
The theater is located on the lower level of the Wexner Center. They have an unusual set of projectors that can run 16mm-35mm-70mm. They also have a video projection unit. There is a full-time professional projectionist on-staff.
The programming here is very eclectic, ranging from classic cinema to experimental movies. Ticket prices are very reasonable.
In the summer, they have a very popular outdoor movie series, setting up a screen on the framework of the center.
This is one theatre that has no problem with people texting or talking on cell phones during the movie as there is no cell reception in the underground theatre.
jwmovies, thank you for finding the current address for this Drive-In. Many addresses in that area of Central Ohio have changed with the rapid development making it very difficult to get accurate information. Making things even more confusing is that this part of US Rt. 23 is also known as Columbus Pike.
When the Drive-In opened in 1952, the address was listed in the Columbus Dispatch as “High Street North of Worthington”. Miles purchased the theatre in 1954 and listed the address as “8750 North High”. Newspaper advertising for the theatre lists the 8750 address until the theatre closed in 1981.
According to IMDB (and my memory) Brenda Starr opened at the Guild in April, 1992.
I was visiting NYC at the time, and saw BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Saturday morning, the day before Easter. I recall that BRENDA STARR opened at the Guild on Easter Sunday, with the 70mm print of BATB moving to one of the Embassy 2-3-4 houses.
The NY Times review for BRENDA STARR was in the 4/18/92 edition and confirms it was running at the Guild.
That was a great NYC Theatre day for me…70mm Beauty And the Beast in the morning, 5 Guys Named Moe Broadway show matinee, and finished up with the Easter Show at Radio City…not a day I will ever forget.
MASTER is 1.85:1. All prints have DATASAT (DTS) sound…no mag. Sounds like Weinstein is adding a few more 70mm engagements than originally expected.
4k Barco digital projector installed during the weekend of 8/18/12. Will be showing a 4k version of GUNS OF NAVARONE on 9/1/12.
Yes, that theatre later became Tri-County 6 & 7. It was located to the west across the street from Tri-County 1-5. I saw THEY CALL ME BRUCE there is the early ‘80’s.
ALIEN was the first 70mm feature to play at the Continent. It was very strange seeing that 70mm print sitting wide open to the world in the lobby…quite a dust magnet. Smoking was also allowed in the lobby then, so that print was mighty dirty.
Regarding the Todd-AO conversion cover, there are articles about the conversion of the theatre and the booths also in that section of the magazine. Thanks for the link!
Original large screen system was an Iwerks 8/70 3-D system. Sound was usually good, but the picture was always very dim. Replaced by digital as noted in 2011.
When this was reopened by Movie Tavern, one of the theatre spaces was converted to a kitchen, hence the change from 12 screens to 11.
This is the re-opening of the theatre with a second screen.
I don’t believe that this theatre ever reopened.
DAK8601 is correct, the theatre opened on 5/1/1953, with a Grand Opening on 7/1/1953. In the Grand Opening ad, there is a “best wishes” ad from West Fifth Auto Sales which was directly in front of the theatre.
Additional information on the Todd-AO conversion:
From the Columbus Dispatch, 10/15/1960:
“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."
In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.
This hallway is being converted to a Dine-In format beginning on 7/30/12.
The new dinner w/movie policy will begin on July 30, 2012. No real details yet.
New theatre signage says STARPLEX STADIUM 10.
At his Widescreen Museum site, Marty Hart defines Super Cinerama theatres as those built from the ground up for Cinerama, not older theatres retrofitted with the process.
I taught at this school in the late ‘70’s. At that time, it was known as Garfield Elementary. My classroom was on the second floor just to the left of the white panels. I believe it closed as a school in 1981.
For a $4 ticket price, this is great entertainment. The Ohio is one of the most beautiful theatres around and it is very nicely restored.
Clark Wilson’s silent movies are always a highlight of the series. This year he will be playing the Douglas Fairbanks'silent version of Robin Hood on July 12 & 13. If you are anywhere close to Central Ohio, this will be well worth attending.
Many of these movies are presented via blu-ray, not film and it is very difficult to get information from CAPA before the screening as to format.
The In-Town closed on 9/15/1975.
Cleve Theatre
Is that 70mm?
Official website:
Film/Video @ Wexner Center for the Arts
Formerly Cinemark Movies 12 which opened on 5/18/1990. Original theatre had 2 very well tuned THX rooms. This was the first theatre in the Columbus Area to be equipped with Digital Sound (DTS for Jurassic Park).
The Wexner Center for the Arts is a contemporary art museum located on the campus of The Ohio State University.
The theater is located on the lower level of the Wexner Center. They have an unusual set of projectors that can run 16mm-35mm-70mm. They also have a video projection unit. There is a full-time professional projectionist on-staff.
The programming here is very eclectic, ranging from classic cinema to experimental movies. Ticket prices are very reasonable.
In the summer, they have a very popular outdoor movie series, setting up a screen on the framework of the center.
This is one theatre that has no problem with people texting or talking on cell phones during the movie as there is no cell reception in the underground theatre.