I was unable to find any listings but the Marine Corp. main base had numerous theatres both indoor and Drive-Ins on base up until the late 70’s. I removed and rebuilt dozens of projectors which were later sold for a theatre equipment dealer I worked for in the 80’s.
The theatre was formerly owned and operated by Bill Hendrix who also operated a Drive-In in Reidsville. The theatre was upgraded with xenon lamps, platters, and sound equipment. It was reopened under independent ownership with new seating and other improvements.
The theatre is independently owned. In addition they also operate the 4-Plex formerly owned by “Consolidated” and then by “Carmike”. The owner also operates the “Rockingham Theatre” an indoor theatre in Reidsville,N.C. and a twin Drive-In in Abemarle,N.C.
I was involved in the installation of the projection & sound equipment here in the early 80’s. The projectors were the mates to the projectors removed from the “Raintree Cinemas” in Columbus, Ohio when platters were installed. The theatre was independently owned. In the later part of the 80’s additional screens were added using equipment from the “Lancaster Cinemas” that had closed.
In the mid 90’s I was involved in the installation of the new projection and sound equipment for the renovation of the theatre. The interior was completely removed and replaced with new seating, lobby and updated restrooms. A new projection room was added for the main auditorium while the existing booth was used for the balcony auditorium. A stage was added to the main auditorium for live performance events. Stage curtains were implemented in both auditoriums.
I visited this theatre to make replacement projection equipment recomendations after the Teton dam flood in 1976. Worked for “EPRAD INC."at the time. I was on a trip to assist an installation in Jackson Hole, Wy.
Can remember servicing the projection equipment here. Projectors, if I remember were “Simplex” 35mm mounted on “EPRAD” Sword Reel to REEl Transports. Strippers performed stage routines while XXX films were rewound.
I was involved with the installation of the projection & sound equipment in 1982 when the theatre was disected. The twinning was accomplished in a front/rear layout. The rear auditorium was accessed by a lighted tunnel that used “Tivoli” style lighting which was becoming popular at that time. The effect was to immulate a time tunnel which was sometimes disconcerting to some patrons. The theatre was operated by the Janus Theatres of Burlington N.C. at that time.
One of the “Norelco” AA projectors were removed and installed at the “Ridge” during renovations. Platters were installed in two projector booths at this time.
I was involved in the insallation of the “Norelco” AA 70mm projector for a midnight showing of “Pink Floyd’s "The Wall” I also remember one of the five “Altec” A4’s speakers being dropped while being hoisted into position onto the behind screen platform. In addition the new 52' screen was also punctured while being hoisted. The 10' tall speaker was undamaged but a replacement screen had to be ordered.
One of my coleagues and I drove non stop from Toledo Ohio in the mid 70’s to deliver the new projection equipment for the triplexing of the theatre. Two sets of “EPRAD” SWORD Systems were installed to accomodate the twinning of the balcony level. The new projectors were designed to provide fully automated operation of the film presention.
This cinema was among the first to have installed the “EPRAD” Sword System which was designed to run movies completely unatended. The film would be equally divided between two projectors on large reels then threaded onto the two projectors. After an automated changeover from projector 1 to projector 2, projector 1 remains threaded to reverse and stop at the begining of the feature and waits for the next timed restart cue from the program timer. Projectors are modified to release film tension in the film gate during reverse function. Also a 10% increased speed in reverse is available in case film is not equally biased. The automation had other capabilities outside the booth such as theatre lighting, popcorn warmers, sound systems, etc.
The projectors of four of the screens sat on elevated platforms in the lobby. The film projected thru a small port windows which crossed over a common hallway entrance to the auditoriums. There were pedestals by each projector which were designed to emmulate the control panel on the starship “Enterprise”. They were just for show and served no usable function. The pictures were projected onto painted drywall. The sound system and speakers were usually consumer speakers mounted on the walls below the image.
The original Colony Square Mall Cinemas were installed during the mall construction and owned by Duerson Theatres of Lancaster,Ohio. I was involved in the installation of the projection an sound equipment. The original construction had two screen.
In 1979 I was involved in the installation of the projection and sound equipment for the two additional auditoriums. “DOLBY” CP-50 processors were added at this time. The cinema was owned by Duerson Theatres an independent circuit from Lancaster, Ohio
The cinema was originaly built as a twin in the 70’s later to have an additional auditorium added in the late 70’s. I was involved in the installlation of the projection and sound equipment. The last auditorium had a private upstairs VIP Lounge with wet bar. A “DOLBY” CP-50 processor was added at this time. The theatre was operated by Duerson Theatres, an independent circuit out of Lancaster,Ohio. In the 80’s three addition auditoriums were added, each larger than the original in seating capacity. At present I’m unsure of the owner.
While installing the equipment here I met a gentleman who owned a local Drive-In in the Forrest City area. Later on while living in Greenville, N.C. he was contracted to pick me up in his “Beechcraft” Bonanza and transport me to do an emergency sound repair in Morehead City, N.C. We became friends and he let me co-pilot his plane. Later he went on to tell me that he had at one time modified his plane to accommodate a loudspeker that had formerly been used on military tanks. To promote his drive-in, he would fly over the city and advertise the upcoming films for the week.
This is one of the theatres I assisted as an apprentice technician installing the projection & sound equipment. I had just returned from my short Navy carrer. The theatre was a single screen when built and operated by Stewart&Everett.
The “Janus” underwent a continuing evolution of projection and sound technologies as the owner always wanted whatever was cutting edge at the time. The original two screens each had twin 6000' “Century” projectors with “Strong” X-16 Xenon Lamps. The booth also implemented among the first “EPRAD” Automation systems. 35mm 4Track Magnetic Sound was also used. Later in the 70’s the treatre had two of the first “DOLBY” CP-50 sound processors in the state for “STARWARS”. The early 80’s brought about the change to platter type film transports versus reel to reel changeovers. Another change brought about by platters was adding synchronous motors to projectors to allow a single print to be run in more than one auditorium at once. This feature became invaluable during the opening weeks of popular films due to the dimenished seating capacity of modern cinemas. In the 90’s “DOLBY” Digital Sound was added for a new “STARWARS” title. “DTS” also known as “DIGITAL THEATRE SYSTEMS” processors were also added to accomodate prints recorded in that format. Different film companies at that time used proprietary digital sound formats. Today a film print can contain all three digital soundtracks as well as the standard optical analog track. With the later addition in the 70’s, of screens 5,6,7, “CINEMACANICA” V-14 Italian projectors with 16,000' reels were installed. Screen 7 projection booth was located in a closet at the back of the auditorium. Film on these projectors were rewound directly on the projector without removal. Later when the screening room was added a “Century” projector mounted on a “Christie” console was installed in an inclosed space on the roof projecting into a front surface mirror to reflect into the rear screen panel. A “Christie” platter on the lower level fed film on a path of rollers attached to the ladder leading to the roof level. Sync motors and rollers were also in place to accomodate single print use between the “Century” and the two “Cinemacanicas” on the lower level. After a fire in 93 that destroyed the booth in screen 5,6, and the screening room all the projectors were replaced with “SIMPLEX” turrets mounted on “Cinema Film Systems” Consoles. The screening room projection booth on the roof was enlarged to accomodate the platter as well. The ladder access was maintained to accomodate print sync. Having been in this business for over 40 years and having traveled the entire U.S. in the cinema equipment field, this was one of the more unique cinemas I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
The theatre was originaly built and operated by N.T.“Tinker” Lyle then later operated by Neighborhood Theatres of Richmond, Va.
The theatre was independently operated for a period until I purchased the projection equipment in the late 80’s.
I was unable to find any listings but the Marine Corp. main base had numerous theatres both indoor and Drive-Ins on base up until the late 70’s. I removed and rebuilt dozens of projectors which were later sold for a theatre equipment dealer I worked for in the 80’s.
The theatre was formerly owned and operated by Bill Hendrix who also operated a Drive-In in Reidsville. The theatre was upgraded with xenon lamps, platters, and sound equipment. It was reopened under independent ownership with new seating and other improvements.
The theatre is independently owned. In addition they also operate the 4-Plex formerly owned by “Consolidated” and then by “Carmike”. The owner also operates the “Rockingham Theatre” an indoor theatre in Reidsville,N.C. and a twin Drive-In in Abemarle,N.C.
I was involved in the installation of the projection & sound equipment when the reopened after being closed for a decade.
I was involved in the installation of the projection & sound equipment here in the early 80’s. The projectors were the mates to the projectors removed from the “Raintree Cinemas” in Columbus, Ohio when platters were installed. The theatre was independently owned. In the later part of the 80’s additional screens were added using equipment from the “Lancaster Cinemas” that had closed.
The theatre is independently owned.
In the mid 90’s I was involved in the installation of the new projection and sound equipment for the renovation of the theatre. The interior was completely removed and replaced with new seating, lobby and updated restrooms. A new projection room was added for the main auditorium while the existing booth was used for the balcony auditorium. A stage was added to the main auditorium for live performance events. Stage curtains were implemented in both auditoriums.
I visited this theatre to make replacement projection equipment recomendations after the Teton dam flood in 1976. Worked for “EPRAD INC."at the time. I was on a trip to assist an installation in Jackson Hole, Wy.
I installed one of the first “ELMO” LX-1100 16mm projectors here for the premiere of “The Great Santini”
Can remember servicing the projection equipment here. Projectors, if I remember were “Simplex” 35mm mounted on “EPRAD” Sword Reel to REEl Transports. Strippers performed stage routines while XXX films were rewound.
I was involved with the installation of the projection & sound equipment in 1982 when the theatre was disected. The twinning was accomplished in a front/rear layout. The rear auditorium was accessed by a lighted tunnel that used “Tivoli” style lighting which was becoming popular at that time. The effect was to immulate a time tunnel which was sometimes disconcerting to some patrons. The theatre was operated by the Janus Theatres of Burlington N.C. at that time.
I was involved in the installation of the projection & sound equipment. If I recall they had “Century” projectors with “ORC” automation systems.
One of the “Norelco” AA projectors were removed and installed at the “Ridge” during renovations. Platters were installed in two projector booths at this time.
I was involved in the insallation of the “Norelco” AA 70mm projector for a midnight showing of “Pink Floyd’s "The Wall” I also remember one of the five “Altec” A4’s speakers being dropped while being hoisted into position onto the behind screen platform. In addition the new 52' screen was also punctured while being hoisted. The 10' tall speaker was undamaged but a replacement screen had to be ordered.
One of my coleagues and I drove non stop from Toledo Ohio in the mid 70’s to deliver the new projection equipment for the triplexing of the theatre. Two sets of “EPRAD” SWORD Systems were installed to accomodate the twinning of the balcony level. The new projectors were designed to provide fully automated operation of the film presention.
This cinema was among the first to have installed the “EPRAD” Sword System which was designed to run movies completely unatended. The film would be equally divided between two projectors on large reels then threaded onto the two projectors. After an automated changeover from projector 1 to projector 2, projector 1 remains threaded to reverse and stop at the begining of the feature and waits for the next timed restart cue from the program timer. Projectors are modified to release film tension in the film gate during reverse function. Also a 10% increased speed in reverse is available in case film is not equally biased. The automation had other capabilities outside the booth such as theatre lighting, popcorn warmers, sound systems, etc.
The projectors of four of the screens sat on elevated platforms in the lobby. The film projected thru a small port windows which crossed over a common hallway entrance to the auditoriums. There were pedestals by each projector which were designed to emmulate the control panel on the starship “Enterprise”. They were just for show and served no usable function. The pictures were projected onto painted drywall. The sound system and speakers were usually consumer speakers mounted on the walls below the image.
The original Colony Square Mall Cinemas were installed during the mall construction and owned by Duerson Theatres of Lancaster,Ohio. I was involved in the installation of the projection an sound equipment. The original construction had two screen.
In 1979 I was involved in the installation of the projection and sound equipment for the two additional auditoriums. “DOLBY” CP-50 processors were added at this time. The cinema was owned by Duerson Theatres an independent circuit from Lancaster, Ohio
The cinema was originaly built as a twin in the 70’s later to have an additional auditorium added in the late 70’s. I was involved in the installlation of the projection and sound equipment. The last auditorium had a private upstairs VIP Lounge with wet bar. A “DOLBY” CP-50 processor was added at this time. The theatre was operated by Duerson Theatres, an independent circuit out of Lancaster,Ohio. In the 80’s three addition auditoriums were added, each larger than the original in seating capacity. At present I’m unsure of the owner.
While installing the equipment here I met a gentleman who owned a local Drive-In in the Forrest City area. Later on while living in Greenville, N.C. he was contracted to pick me up in his “Beechcraft” Bonanza and transport me to do an emergency sound repair in Morehead City, N.C. We became friends and he let me co-pilot his plane. Later he went on to tell me that he had at one time modified his plane to accommodate a loudspeker that had formerly been used on military tanks. To promote his drive-in, he would fly over the city and advertise the upcoming films for the week.
This is one of the theatres I assisted as an apprentice technician installing the projection & sound equipment. I had just returned from my short Navy carrer. The theatre was a single screen when built and operated by Stewart&Everett.
The “Janus” underwent a continuing evolution of projection and sound technologies as the owner always wanted whatever was cutting edge at the time. The original two screens each had twin 6000' “Century” projectors with “Strong” X-16 Xenon Lamps. The booth also implemented among the first “EPRAD” Automation systems. 35mm 4Track Magnetic Sound was also used. Later in the 70’s the treatre had two of the first “DOLBY” CP-50 sound processors in the state for “STARWARS”. The early 80’s brought about the change to platter type film transports versus reel to reel changeovers. Another change brought about by platters was adding synchronous motors to projectors to allow a single print to be run in more than one auditorium at once. This feature became invaluable during the opening weeks of popular films due to the dimenished seating capacity of modern cinemas. In the 90’s “DOLBY” Digital Sound was added for a new “STARWARS” title. “DTS” also known as “DIGITAL THEATRE SYSTEMS” processors were also added to accomodate prints recorded in that format. Different film companies at that time used proprietary digital sound formats. Today a film print can contain all three digital soundtracks as well as the standard optical analog track. With the later addition in the 70’s, of screens 5,6,7, “CINEMACANICA” V-14 Italian projectors with 16,000' reels were installed. Screen 7 projection booth was located in a closet at the back of the auditorium. Film on these projectors were rewound directly on the projector without removal. Later when the screening room was added a “Century” projector mounted on a “Christie” console was installed in an inclosed space on the roof projecting into a front surface mirror to reflect into the rear screen panel. A “Christie” platter on the lower level fed film on a path of rollers attached to the ladder leading to the roof level. Sync motors and rollers were also in place to accomodate single print use between the “Century” and the two “Cinemacanicas” on the lower level. After a fire in 93 that destroyed the booth in screen 5,6, and the screening room all the projectors were replaced with “SIMPLEX” turrets mounted on “Cinema Film Systems” Consoles. The screening room projection booth on the roof was enlarged to accomodate the platter as well. The ladder access was maintained to accomodate print sync. Having been in this business for over 40 years and having traveled the entire U.S. in the cinema equipment field, this was one of the more unique cinemas I’ve had the pleasure to work with.