“During 1982 the [Theatres] Division added seventeen new screens in three ultra-modem complexes. Our new theatres, featuring spacious lobbies with giant refreshment centers, and large, wide auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens, which our research indicates the public prefers, have met with great acceptance.
“In the fast-growing Houston suburbs, a five- screen complex was opened in the exclusive Southpoint Center. A six-screen free-standing building was constructed opposite New Jersey’s mammoth shopping center, Willowbrook Mall, and another six-screen theatre is the focal point of the Harmon Meadow complex of shops, hotel, restaurants and office buildings located within sight of the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex.”
“During 1982 the [Theatres] Division added seventeen new screens in three ultra-modem complexes. Our new theatres, featuring spacious lobbies with giant refreshment centers, and large, wide auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens, which our research indicates the public prefers, have met with great acceptance.
“In the fast-growing Houston suburbs, a five- screen complex was opened in the exclusive Southpoint Center. A six-screen free-standing building was constructed opposite New Jersey’s mammoth shopping center, Willowbrook Mall, and another six-screen theatre is the focal point of the Harmon Meadow complex of shops, hotel, restaurants and office buildings located within sight of the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex.”
“Construction was commenced during the year on two strikingly modern theatre complexes in New Jersey, one at Wayne, opposite the huge Willowbrook Mall, and one near the famous Meadowlands Sports complex, home of the New York football Giants.”
“The success of the new Loews 34th Street Showplace, which opened in New York City in May, fully met the most optimistic expectations of management. This new triplex theatre includes all the amenities for which Loews Theatres are noted. The same concepts have been embodied in the Division’s new projects in growing suburban areas outside New York City.”
“In March 1979, the [Theatres] Division opened two new 520-seat theatres in New York City — the Loews New York I and II — located at 66th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan.”
(And yes, I find it odd that a 1978 annual report refers to a March 1979 event in the past tense.)
What you are calling an “article” is actually part of the corporation’s 1968 annual report. The 12 Oaks is mentioned in Loew’s 1971 annual report, since that is when they opened it.
“Another phase of the [Loew’s theatre] growth program involves acquisition and modernization of existing properties, often in downtown areas. A representative acquisition during fiscal 1970 was the Loews Holly in Hollywood, California.
A five-week renovation period followed our acquisition of this theatre in June: During this time, the interior was completely refurnished and redecorated: new seats, a new curtain, new projection equipment, new air conditioning and new lounge facilities were installed. The exterior was given a totally new look by remodeling the boxoffice and reconstructing the marquee to contemporary standards."
The report includes a photo of the theatre exterior. The sign says LOEW’S HOLLY, even though the annual report says Loews Holly; apparently this company has trouble deciding whether its name contains an apostrophe or not. On the marquee is a double feature of GETTING STRAIGHT – Also “MEDIUM COOL”.
“The Loews Theatre Division continued to grow in fiscal 1973. Growth was essentially in two directions: new theatres were under construction in rapidly expanding suburban areas, and new auditoria were added to already existing theatres.
“In 1973, a major program was directed toward obtaining maximum utilization of existing seating capacity by ‘twinning’ auditoriums so that different films can be shown at the same time to two different audiences. While two theatres are created out of one, economies of scale are sustained by sharing a common lobby and other facilities. The new twin theatres are created at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new theatre.
“In Cleveland, Ohio, three theatres with large seating capacities, and large parking areas, were divided into twin auditoriums during the year … Two additional theatres, Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, and the Loews Paradise in the Bronx, New York, are undergoing a similar transformation. At the Loews Paradise, the balcony is being transformed into a separate auditorium, which will share a common lobby with the auditorium below.”
Loew’s 1973 annual report has a photo of this theatre’s entrance, with this caption:
“A good example of Loews twin theatre concept is Loews East 1 & 2 in the closed Richmond Shopping Mall in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.”
The photo shows a large marquee with 40 CARATS in theatre 1, and PAPER MOON in theatre 2.
(But why was Loew’s operating a theatre in a “closed” shopping mall?)
From the text of the 1973 report:
“The Loews Theatre Division continued to grow in fiscal 1973. Growth was essentially in two directions: new theatres were under construction in rapidly expanding suburban areas, and new auditorla were added to already existing theatres.
In 1973, a major program was directed toward obtaining maximum utilization of existing seating capacity by ‘twinning’ auditoriums so that different films can be shown at the same time to two different audiences. While two theatres are created out of one, economies of scale are sustained by sharing a common lobby and other facilities. The new twin theatres are created at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new theatre.
In Cleveland, Ohio, three theatres with large seating capacities, and large parking areas, were divided into twin auditoriums during the year. "
“Of particular interest is the third Loews house in Atlanta, Twelve Oaks, which opened on February 10, 1971. The largest suburban theatre in Atlanta, Twelve Oaks is a luxurious 1200-seat theatre located in the Buford-Clairmont shopping center, an important marketing crossroads where over 100,000 people pass every week. One of the primary growth areas of the nation, Atlanta has long been a favorite city for the Loews family: it was at Loews Grand that "Gone With the Wind” had its world premiere in 1939. Our second Atlanta theatre, Tara, opened in 1968. "
“Ever since the inauguration of the Loews theatre growth program in 1965, our selection of sites for new construction has closely followed the U.S. population’s demographic growth patterns. Emphasis has been on high-traffic locations, easily accessible by automobile.
“Typical of such properties is Loews Route 18 in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which opened on March 14, 1970. The Route 18 Theatre is situated in the Miracle Mall Shopping Plaza on busy Route 18 between Route 9 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Approximately one half million people live within a radius of 12 miles. This new theatre seats 1,115 and the parking lot accommodates 900 cars.”
The 1973 annual report discusses the twinning of this and many other Loew’s theatres.
“Loew’s Orpheum, located at Third Avenue and 86th Street in New York City, was converted into two theatres during the fiscal year: Loew’s Orpheum (downstairs) and Loew’s Cine (upstairs), resulting in two fine first-run theatres.
“So-called ‘piggy back’ theatre construction demonstrates how imaginative collaboration among exhibitors, architects, builders and decorators can result in the creation of two distinct properties out of one, to make more efficient and profitable use out of cubic space in high land-cost areas.
“We intend to continue to expand our theatre division through construction of new theatres, as well as duplexing in appropriate situations.
“Loew’s is proud to be in the vanguard of the trend-setting movement for future center-city and suburban shopping center theatre design.”
“Perhaps the most interesting development in current theatre design is exemplified by the project now underway at Loew’s State, your Company’s flagship theatre on Broadway.
“The Uris Corporation, which has entered into a long-term ground lease with Loew’s, is erecting a 48~ story office building on the site of the famed Loew’s Capitol at 51st Street and Broadway in New York City. To replace the Capitol, Loew’s State, six blocks south on Broadway, is being converted into two theatres: Loew’s State 1 and Loew’s State 2.
“As illustrated in the volumetric projection, this is being achieved by extending the balcony line of the original Loew’s State, so that State 2 sits above State 1. A high-speed escalator will whisk patrons from the ground floor up to State 2.
“Each theatre will have its distinct decor, designed by a young, imaginative, nationally known interior designer. State 1 is in contemporary style; State 2 recalls the romantic Victorian era.
“Adjoining the escalator in the lobby will be ‘The Capitol Corner’, a nostalgic recollection of The Capitol. Among the features: an ancient, Carrara marble, Roman well-head; a, French rock-crystal chandelier; a bronze railing and the grandfather’s clock known to Broadway moviegoers for half a century.
“Huge oval portraits of great movie stars of the past will serve to visually connect the lobbies.
“Loew’s State 1 will reopen on December 11, 1968, with, the American premiere of the Columbia musical, ‘Oliver’; State 2 will open one week later with the United Artists musical, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” each under a reserved seat policy.
…
“So-called 'piggy back’ theatre construction demonstrates how imaginative collaboration among exhibitors, architects, builders and decorators can result in the creation of two distinct properties out of one, to make more efficient and profitable use out of cubic space in high land-cost areas.
“We intend to continue to expand our theatre division through construction of new theatres, as well as duplexing in appropriate situations.
“Loews is proud to be in the vanguard of the trend~setting movement for future center-city and suburban shopping center theatre design.”
Six pictures of the Loew’s State interior accompany this report. Unfortunately, the resolution of these scanned images online is pretty bad.
“Perhaps the most interesting development in current theatre design is exemplified by the project now underway at Loew’s State, your Company’s flagship theatre on Broadway.
“The Uris Corporation, which has entered into a long-term ground lease with Loew’s, is erecting a 48~ story office building on the site of the famed Loew’s Capitol at 51st Street and Broadway in New York City. To replace the Capitol, Loew’s State, six blocks south on Broadway, is being converted into two theatres: Loew’s State I and Loew’s State II.
…
"Adjoining the escalator in the lobby [of Loew’s State] will be ‘The Capitol Corner’, a nostalgic recollection of The Capitol. Among the features: an ancient, Carrara marble, Roman well-head; a, French rock-crystal chandelier; a bronze railing and the grandfather’s clock known to Broadway moviegoers for half a century.”
The Tara is one of three new Loew’s theatres mentioned in the company’s 1968 annual report. The theatre opened in June 1968 “in an affluent area of Atlanta”, seating 1200. The report also has a photo, but the scanned image quality online is terrible.
The 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has two photos of Loew’s Grand, both showing Gone with the Wind.
One photo is from the premiere in 1939, the other from the October 1967 “28th Anniversary Premiere of the film, recreated in 70mm and stereophonic sound."
(Of course, the report doesn’t mention what a mutilation of a classic film this was.)
“Your Company has acquired 27 of the Statewide Circuit’s fine theatres in Southern California and 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. These include such important showplaces as: the Hollywood Paramount, the Beverly, Crest and Picfair in the Los Angeles area, Century 21 in Anaheim, the Titan in Fullerton, and newly completed theatres in San Bernardino and Bakersfield.”
The report also has a photo of the Titan, captioned “Unique among modern theatres is The TITAN, in Fullerton, Cal., immediately adjacent to the campus of California State College.”
“Your Company has acquired 27 of the Statewide Circuit’s fine theatres in Southern California and 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. These include such important showplaces as: the Hollywood Paramount, the Beverly, Crest and Picfair in the Los Angeles area, Century 21 in Anaheim, the Titan in Fullerton, and newly completed theatres in San Bernardino and Bakersfield.”
The report also has a photo of the Beverly, showing The Bible.
The 1966 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has an artist’s rendering of this theatre, which it expected to open the following year.
The caption reads: “Rendering of Loew’s new 1,200 seat theatre in the South Shore Mall of Bayshore, L. I., where Macy’s and J. C. Penney are major neighbors.” It looks like the original name was to be “Loew’s Bayshore”.
Both Loew’s East and Loew’s West are mentioned in the company’s 1966 annual report.
The report has an “Architect’s rendering of lovely new 1,650-seat Loew’s East Theatre in the Richmond Mall Shopping Cenler, in Richmond Heights, an eastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio”, as well as a small picture of the opening ceremony.
From Loew’s 1982 annual report:
“During 1982 the [Theatres] Division added seventeen new screens in three ultra-modem complexes. Our new theatres, featuring spacious lobbies with giant refreshment centers, and large, wide auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens, which our research indicates the public prefers, have met with great acceptance.
“In the fast-growing Houston suburbs, a five- screen complex was opened in the exclusive Southpoint Center. A six-screen free-standing building was constructed opposite New Jersey’s mammoth shopping center, Willowbrook Mall, and another six-screen theatre is the focal point of the Harmon Meadow complex of shops, hotel, restaurants and office buildings located within sight of the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex.”
From Loew’s 1982 annual report:
“During 1982 the [Theatres] Division added seventeen new screens in three ultra-modem complexes. Our new theatres, featuring spacious lobbies with giant refreshment centers, and large, wide auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens, which our research indicates the public prefers, have met with great acceptance.
“In the fast-growing Houston suburbs, a five- screen complex was opened in the exclusive Southpoint Center. A six-screen free-standing building was constructed opposite New Jersey’s mammoth shopping center, Willowbrook Mall, and another six-screen theatre is the focal point of the Harmon Meadow complex of shops, hotel, restaurants and office buildings located within sight of the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex.”
From Loew’s 1981 annual report:
“During the year the [Theatres] Division…acquired the Showboat Quad Theatre in the suburban Fort Lee area of Northern New Jersey.”
From Loew’s 1981 annual report:
“Construction was commenced during the year on two strikingly modern theatre complexes in New Jersey, one at Wayne, opposite the huge Willowbrook Mall, and one near the famous Meadowlands Sports complex, home of the New York football Giants.”
From Loew’s 1981 annual report:
“During the year the [Theatres] Division assumed management of the Paramount Theatre at Columbus Circle in New York City…”
This theatre is mentioned in Loew’s 1981 annual report:
“The success of the new Loews 34th Street Showplace, which opened in New York City in May, fully met the most optimistic expectations of management. This new triplex theatre includes all the amenities for which Loews Theatres are noted. The same concepts have been embodied in the Division’s new projects in growing suburban areas outside New York City.”
From the 1978 Loews Corporation annual report:
“In March 1979, the [Theatres] Division opened two new 520-seat theatres in New York City — the Loews New York I and II — located at 66th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan.”
(And yes, I find it odd that a 1978 annual report refers to a March 1979 event in the past tense.)
What you are calling an “article” is actually part of the corporation’s 1968 annual report. The 12 Oaks is mentioned in Loew’s 1971 annual report, since that is when they opened it.
Is this theatre still occupied by Scientology or has it been returned to some sort of respectable use?
From Loew’s 1970 annual report:
“Another phase of the [Loew’s theatre] growth program involves acquisition and modernization of existing properties, often in downtown areas. A representative acquisition during fiscal 1970 was the Loews Holly in Hollywood, California.
A five-week renovation period followed our acquisition of this theatre in June: During this time, the interior was completely refurnished and redecorated: new seats, a new curtain, new projection equipment, new air conditioning and new lounge facilities were installed. The exterior was given a totally new look by remodeling the boxoffice and reconstructing the marquee to contemporary standards."
The report includes a photo of the theatre exterior. The sign says LOEW’S HOLLY, even though the annual report says Loews Holly; apparently this company has trouble deciding whether its name contains an apostrophe or not. On the marquee is a double feature of GETTING STRAIGHT – Also “MEDIUM COOL”.
From Loew’s 1973 annual report:
“The Loews Theatre Division continued to grow in fiscal 1973. Growth was essentially in two directions: new theatres were under construction in rapidly expanding suburban areas, and new auditoria were added to already existing theatres.
“In 1973, a major program was directed toward obtaining maximum utilization of existing seating capacity by ‘twinning’ auditoriums so that different films can be shown at the same time to two different audiences. While two theatres are created out of one, economies of scale are sustained by sharing a common lobby and other facilities. The new twin theatres are created at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new theatre.
“In Cleveland, Ohio, three theatres with large seating capacities, and large parking areas, were divided into twin auditoriums during the year … Two additional theatres, Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, and the Loews Paradise in the Bronx, New York, are undergoing a similar transformation. At the Loews Paradise, the balcony is being transformed into a separate auditorium, which will share a common lobby with the auditorium below.”
Loew’s 1973 annual report has a photo of this theatre’s entrance, with this caption:
“A good example of Loews twin theatre concept is Loews East 1 & 2 in the closed Richmond Shopping Mall in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.”
The photo shows a large marquee with 40 CARATS in theatre 1, and PAPER MOON in theatre 2.
(But why was Loew’s operating a theatre in a “closed” shopping mall?)
From the text of the 1973 report:
“The Loews Theatre Division continued to grow in fiscal 1973. Growth was essentially in two directions: new theatres were under construction in rapidly expanding suburban areas, and new auditorla were added to already existing theatres.
In 1973, a major program was directed toward obtaining maximum utilization of existing seating capacity by ‘twinning’ auditoriums so that different films can be shown at the same time to two different audiences. While two theatres are created out of one, economies of scale are sustained by sharing a common lobby and other facilities. The new twin theatres are created at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new theatre.
In Cleveland, Ohio, three theatres with large seating capacities, and large parking areas, were divided into twin auditoriums during the year. "
From the 1971 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Of particular interest is the third Loews house in Atlanta, Twelve Oaks, which opened on February 10, 1971. The largest suburban theatre in Atlanta, Twelve Oaks is a luxurious 1200-seat theatre located in the Buford-Clairmont shopping center, an important marketing crossroads where over 100,000 people pass every week. One of the primary growth areas of the nation, Atlanta has long been a favorite city for the Loews family: it was at Loews Grand that "Gone With the Wind” had its world premiere in 1939. Our second Atlanta theatre, Tara, opened in 1968. "
From the 1970 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Ever since the inauguration of the Loews theatre growth program in 1965, our selection of sites for new construction has closely followed the U.S. population’s demographic growth patterns. Emphasis has been on high-traffic locations, easily accessible by automobile.
“Typical of such properties is Loews Route 18 in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which opened on March 14, 1970. The Route 18 Theatre is situated in the Miracle Mall Shopping Plaza on busy Route 18 between Route 9 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Approximately one half million people live within a radius of 12 miles. This new theatre seats 1,115 and the parking lot accommodates 900 cars.”
The 1973 annual report discusses the twinning of this and many other Loew’s theatres.
I’ve posted a longer excerpt from this report on the Loew’s State page.
From the 1968 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Loew’s Orpheum, located at Third Avenue and 86th Street in New York City, was converted into two theatres during the fiscal year: Loew’s Orpheum (downstairs) and Loew’s Cine (upstairs), resulting in two fine first-run theatres.
“So-called ‘piggy back’ theatre construction demonstrates how imaginative collaboration among exhibitors, architects, builders and decorators can result in the creation of two distinct properties out of one, to make more efficient and profitable use out of cubic space in high land-cost areas.
“We intend to continue to expand our theatre division through construction of new theatres, as well as duplexing in appropriate situations.
“Loew’s is proud to be in the vanguard of the trend-setting movement for future center-city and suburban shopping center theatre design.”
From the 1968 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Perhaps the most interesting development in current theatre design is exemplified by the project now underway at Loew’s State, your Company’s flagship theatre on Broadway.
“The Uris Corporation, which has entered into a long-term ground lease with Loew’s, is erecting a 48~ story office building on the site of the famed Loew’s Capitol at 51st Street and Broadway in New York City. To replace the Capitol, Loew’s State, six blocks south on Broadway, is being converted into two theatres: Loew’s State 1 and Loew’s State 2.
“As illustrated in the volumetric projection, this is being achieved by extending the balcony line of the original Loew’s State, so that State 2 sits above State 1. A high-speed escalator will whisk patrons from the ground floor up to State 2.
“Each theatre will have its distinct decor, designed by a young, imaginative, nationally known interior designer. State 1 is in contemporary style; State 2 recalls the romantic Victorian era.
“Adjoining the escalator in the lobby will be ‘The Capitol Corner’, a nostalgic recollection of The Capitol. Among the features: an ancient, Carrara marble, Roman well-head; a, French rock-crystal chandelier; a bronze railing and the grandfather’s clock known to Broadway moviegoers for half a century.
“Huge oval portraits of great movie stars of the past will serve to visually connect the lobbies.
“Loew’s State 1 will reopen on December 11, 1968, with, the American premiere of the Columbia musical, ‘Oliver’; State 2 will open one week later with the United Artists musical, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” each under a reserved seat policy.
…
“So-called 'piggy back’ theatre construction demonstrates how imaginative collaboration among exhibitors, architects, builders and decorators can result in the creation of two distinct properties out of one, to make more efficient and profitable use out of cubic space in high land-cost areas.
“We intend to continue to expand our theatre division through construction of new theatres, as well as duplexing in appropriate situations.
“Loews is proud to be in the vanguard of the trend~setting movement for future center-city and suburban shopping center theatre design.”
Six pictures of the Loew’s State interior accompany this report. Unfortunately, the resolution of these scanned images online is pretty bad.
From the 1968 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Perhaps the most interesting development in current theatre design is exemplified by the project now underway at Loew’s State, your Company’s flagship theatre on Broadway.
“The Uris Corporation, which has entered into a long-term ground lease with Loew’s, is erecting a 48~ story office building on the site of the famed Loew’s Capitol at 51st Street and Broadway in New York City. To replace the Capitol, Loew’s State, six blocks south on Broadway, is being converted into two theatres: Loew’s State I and Loew’s State II.
…
"Adjoining the escalator in the lobby [of Loew’s State] will be ‘The Capitol Corner’, a nostalgic recollection of The Capitol. Among the features: an ancient, Carrara marble, Roman well-head; a, French rock-crystal chandelier; a bronze railing and the grandfather’s clock known to Broadway moviegoers for half a century.”
The report has a photo of this ‘Capitol Corner’.
The Tara is one of three new Loew’s theatres mentioned in the company’s 1968 annual report. The theatre opened in June 1968 “in an affluent area of Atlanta”, seating 1200. The report also has a photo, but the scanned image quality online is terrible.
The 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has two photos of Loew’s Grand, both showing Gone with the Wind.
One photo is from the premiere in 1939, the other from the October 1967 “28th Anniversary Premiere of the film, recreated in 70mm and stereophonic sound."
(Of course, the report doesn’t mention what a mutilation of a classic film this was.)
The 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has a photo of this theatre. The caption says:
“The CAMELBACK Theatre is a handsome, first-run showplace in the prosperous Scottsdale area of Phoenix, Arizona.”
The report also mentions that Loew’s acquired its Southern California and Phoenix theatres from the “Statewide Circuit”.
From the 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Your Company has acquired 27 of the Statewide Circuit’s fine theatres in Southern California and 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. These include such important showplaces as: the Hollywood Paramount, the Beverly, Crest and Picfair in the Los Angeles area, Century 21 in Anaheim, the Titan in Fullerton, and newly completed theatres in San Bernardino and Bakersfield.”
The report also has a photo of the Titan, captioned “Unique among modern theatres is The TITAN, in Fullerton, Cal., immediately adjacent to the campus of California State College.”
From the 1967 annual report of Loew’s Theatres:
“Your Company has acquired 27 of the Statewide Circuit’s fine theatres in Southern California and 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. These include such important showplaces as: the Hollywood Paramount, the Beverly, Crest and Picfair in the Los Angeles area, Century 21 in Anaheim, the Titan in Fullerton, and newly completed theatres in San Bernardino and Bakersfield.”
The report also has a photo of the Beverly, showing The Bible.
The 1966 annual report of Loew’s Theatres has an artist’s rendering of this theatre, which it expected to open the following year.
The caption reads: “Rendering of Loew’s new 1,200 seat theatre in the South Shore Mall of Bayshore, L. I., where Macy’s and J. C. Penney are major neighbors.” It looks like the original name was to be “Loew’s Bayshore”.
The report also has a photo of the mayor of Rocky River cutting a tape at the opening ceremony for this theatre.
Both Loew’s East and Loew’s West are mentioned in the company’s 1966 annual report.
The report has an “Architect’s rendering of lovely new 1,650-seat Loew’s East Theatre in the Richmond Mall Shopping Cenler, in Richmond Heights, an eastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio”, as well as a small picture of the opening ceremony.