The Rice Drive-In is located on 1254 Thornton Rd, Brownsville, TN 38012. The Rice only managed to operate for at least a few seasons, as it was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a race track at the county’s defunct fairgrounds.
The Mackes operated the Blue Ridge Drive-In throughout the theater’s entire history and for the longest time until they both closed the theater for the final time at the end of the 1992 season after 40 years of first-run films and family entertainment in the Saylorsburg/Brodheadsville area.
The screen continued to partially stand for the next couple of years but was in pretty rough shape and beaten condition, as some of the remaining blocks at one of the sides of the 1955-installed CinemaScope screen were either removed for unknown reasons or partially destroyed, as well as some missing blocks from the main screen. The screen was then later removed in the mid-1990s possibly due to its condition.
Nearly five years later, Raymond Mackes passed away at 83 on July 16, 1997 in their Pleasant Valley home. The Blue Ridge Drive-In’s co-owner is LeRoy R. Mackes of Sciota (Unknown date 1916 in Sciota–September 10, 2003 in East Stroudsburg), who also both co-owned and operated the theater from the start until the end.
It appears that the main screen was demolished right after the 2019 season. The main screen was shown standing but was missing a few parts of the screen in the September 2019 Google Maps view, but a September 2020 Google Earth view shows the main screen demolished.
Now reopened. The Virginia Theatre reopened on July 14, 2022, featuring classic films, live music, and a venue. The Virginia Theatre reopened for the first time since the Virginia Theatre’s roof collapse during a 1994 ice storm.
Exactly a year right after the Kentucky Theatre closed in November 1982, Bill and Ruth Scott (former operators of the Kentucky Theatre before closure; and one member a former computer operator for Crane Company) told the Commonwealth Journal that the theater went through renovation and refurbishing including installations of a new Bose sound system. Scott replied that all kinds of films will be offered, except X-rated films (although some typical X-typical R-rated stuff were shown sometimes). Scott did not disclose a dollar figure for admission prices although he did say prices were vary.
The Kentucky Theatre reopened as the “New Sound Cinema” on November 15, 1983 with “Lazer Blast”. Unfortunately, the Sound Cinema did not do as much business, especially with their two 15 to 18-year-old brothers and 13-year-old sister who assist in running the business at the time of opening. The New Sound Cinema closed on April 8, 1984 with “Strange Brew” and “Romantic Comedy” as a matinee double-feature.
Information about the Kentucky Theatre as of 1937 goes as follows: The Kentucky Theatre was first managed by Mrs. Adaline Ward Burnett, and was first operated by the Somerset Amusement Company (who also operated the nearby Virginia Theatre at the time as well). The building at the time was owned by the Somerset Lodge #238 I. O. O. F, and the front of the building was remodeled by that organization. More than $37,000 were spent in repairing the building and remodeling the former Gem auditorium. Soft colors of green and orange are the main colors of the interior walls which are Masonite. The Alexander Smith Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Crestwood carpet covers the floor, and Simplex International projectors featuring RCA wide range high fidelity sound were placed on the booth. All 440 seats were 9-spring fully cushioned. The marquee in the front of the theater is a Navajo design (which is the first of its type in the state’s floors in the entrance) and the hallways were done in concrete (both painted red and black). The ticket booth is built out of tile. Both Bill Reid and Joe Ashurst did the decoration of the theater, while the lumber was furnished by the Fish Lumber Company.
It looks like the Tri-State Drive-In opened on June 18, 1959 with Walt Disney’s “The Shaggy Dog”. Aerial views show the theater still in operation until the early-1980s.
First operated by an independent company for its first four years of operation. USA Cinemas began operating the Nickelodeon in 1986, followed by Loews in 1988. Loews operated the Nickelodeon for the next six years until the nationwide Sony Theatres rebranding. It became a Sony theater for a time, but in September 1995, the Nickelodeon became a Hoyts operated theater. Hoyts operated the theater until October 2001.
It was first known as “Assembly Square 1-8” when Sack opened its doors on June 12, 1981. It was renamed “Assembly Square Cinema” for the heck of it after its expansion to 12 on December 9, 1983.
Sack operated the Assembly Square until January 12, 1986, when it was taken over by USA Cinemas. Finally on March 26, 1989, Loews took over the Assembly Square from USA Cinemas. At the time, the theater was renamed “Loews Somerville at Assembly Square”.
Both Loews and the later Loews Cineplex operated the theater for the longest period of time (with the exception of its short-lived Sony Theatres operation from December 1994-October 1996) until Loews went defunct in January 2006 by AMC, and at the time, the theater changed its name to “AMC Loews Assembly Square”, where it remain as its final theater name until closure on January 15, 2007
The Iris opened its doors on December 25, 1930 with Wallace Berry in “Min And Bill” with Western Electric sound installation, unclear if any short subjects were added. It is closed in the middle of 1980.
Demolished. The screen was removed right after closure. As of 2020, almost all traces were completely faded and the only thing left standing is the concession/projection building.
The West Islip Twin opened its doors on October 10, 1973 with “Paper Moon” at Screen 1 and “The Last Of Sheila” at Screen 2. The West Islip Twin closed for the final time on April 11, 1999 with “Analyze This” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”.
Why is it called the “A and B”? It sounds more like a twin-screen name than a single-screen name.
Ripley also had two other theaters and a short-lived drive-in.
The Rice Drive-In is located on 1254 Thornton Rd, Brownsville, TN 38012. The Rice only managed to operate for at least a few seasons, as it was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a race track at the county’s defunct fairgrounds.
According to the article, a couple of sections read that the Clinton Point Theatre opened in 1935 and closed on September 29, 1988.
Closed in September 1988.
The Mackes operated the Blue Ridge Drive-In throughout the theater’s entire history and for the longest time until they both closed the theater for the final time at the end of the 1992 season after 40 years of first-run films and family entertainment in the Saylorsburg/Brodheadsville area.
The screen continued to partially stand for the next couple of years but was in pretty rough shape and beaten condition, as some of the remaining blocks at one of the sides of the 1955-installed CinemaScope screen were either removed for unknown reasons or partially destroyed, as well as some missing blocks from the main screen. The screen was then later removed in the mid-1990s possibly due to its condition.
Nearly five years later, Raymond Mackes passed away at 83 on July 16, 1997 in their Pleasant Valley home. The Blue Ridge Drive-In’s co-owner is LeRoy R. Mackes of Sciota (Unknown date 1916 in Sciota–September 10, 2003 in East Stroudsburg), who also both co-owned and operated the theater from the start until the end.
It appears that the main screen was demolished right after the 2019 season. The main screen was shown standing but was missing a few parts of the screen in the September 2019 Google Maps view, but a September 2020 Google Earth view shows the main screen demolished.
Now reopened. The Virginia Theatre reopened on July 14, 2022, featuring classic films, live music, and a venue. The Virginia Theatre reopened for the first time since the Virginia Theatre’s roof collapse during a 1994 ice storm.
Exactly a year right after the Kentucky Theatre closed in November 1982, Bill and Ruth Scott (former operators of the Kentucky Theatre before closure; and one member a former computer operator for Crane Company) told the Commonwealth Journal that the theater went through renovation and refurbishing including installations of a new Bose sound system. Scott replied that all kinds of films will be offered, except X-rated films (although some typical X-typical R-rated stuff were shown sometimes). Scott did not disclose a dollar figure for admission prices although he did say prices were vary.
The Kentucky Theatre reopened as the “New Sound Cinema” on November 15, 1983 with “Lazer Blast”. Unfortunately, the Sound Cinema did not do as much business, especially with their two 15 to 18-year-old brothers and 13-year-old sister who assist in running the business at the time of opening. The New Sound Cinema closed on April 8, 1984 with “Strange Brew” and “Romantic Comedy” as a matinee double-feature.
Information about the Kentucky Theatre as of 1937 goes as follows: The Kentucky Theatre was first managed by Mrs. Adaline Ward Burnett, and was first operated by the Somerset Amusement Company (who also operated the nearby Virginia Theatre at the time as well). The building at the time was owned by the Somerset Lodge #238 I. O. O. F, and the front of the building was remodeled by that organization. More than $37,000 were spent in repairing the building and remodeling the former Gem auditorium. Soft colors of green and orange are the main colors of the interior walls which are Masonite. The Alexander Smith Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Crestwood carpet covers the floor, and Simplex International projectors featuring RCA wide range high fidelity sound were placed on the booth. All 440 seats were 9-spring fully cushioned. The marquee in the front of the theater is a Navajo design (which is the first of its type in the state’s floors in the entrance) and the hallways were done in concrete (both painted red and black). The ticket booth is built out of tile. Both Bill Reid and Joe Ashurst did the decoration of the theater, while the lumber was furnished by the Fish Lumber Company.
Judging by the construction, it probably opened either in the middle of 1952 or at the start of 1953.
I believe that the theater first went under the name “Super 52 Drive-In”.
It looks like the Tri-State Drive-In opened on June 18, 1959 with Walt Disney’s “The Shaggy Dog”. Aerial views show the theater still in operation until the early-1980s.
It appears that the theater closed on October 10, 1985 after an electrical fire severely damaged the concession stand.
Once operated by Hoyts.
First operated by an independent company for its first four years of operation. USA Cinemas began operating the Nickelodeon in 1986, followed by Loews in 1988. Loews operated the Nickelodeon for the next six years until the nationwide Sony Theatres rebranding. It became a Sony theater for a time, but in September 1995, the Nickelodeon became a Hoyts operated theater. Hoyts operated the theater until October 2001.
Closed on April 8, 2002.
It was first known as “Assembly Square 1-8” when Sack opened its doors on June 12, 1981. It was renamed “Assembly Square Cinema” for the heck of it after its expansion to 12 on December 9, 1983.
Sack operated the Assembly Square until January 12, 1986, when it was taken over by USA Cinemas. Finally on March 26, 1989, Loews took over the Assembly Square from USA Cinemas. At the time, the theater was renamed “Loews Somerville at Assembly Square”.
Both Loews and the later Loews Cineplex operated the theater for the longest period of time (with the exception of its short-lived Sony Theatres operation from December 1994-October 1996) until Loews went defunct in January 2006 by AMC, and at the time, the theater changed its name to “AMC Loews Assembly Square”, where it remain as its final theater name until closure on January 15, 2007
The Iris opened its doors on December 25, 1930 with Wallace Berry in “Min And Bill” with Western Electric sound installation, unclear if any short subjects were added. It is closed in the middle of 1980.
Opened on March 16, 1989 as the “Dorchester Square Cinemas”. It was renamed “Cambridge Premier Cinemas” in 1995.
Opened on July 20, 1995.
Demolished. The screen was removed right after closure. As of 2020, almost all traces were completely faded and the only thing left standing is the concession/projection building.
I think it was named after the names of the famous. I’m not sure though.
The West Islip Twin opened its doors on October 10, 1973 with “Paper Moon” at Screen 1 and “The Last Of Sheila” at Screen 2. The West Islip Twin closed for the final time on April 11, 1999 with “Analyze This” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”.
First opened as the Newark Showplace 5 on April 9, 1993.