The description of this theatre is incorrect. This is the General Cinema 6 plex that ran inside Willowbrook Mall. The AMC 8 (then 10) was across the street in Willowbrook Commons. AMC took over this theatre as part of the GCC Bankruptcy and ran it for a brief time.
The 8/10 plex is here: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/68551
The 24 Plex is here: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/19303
According to in70mm this location only showed one known 70MM film, Dune, in 1984 for 6 weeks. https://www.in70mm.com/library/country/usa/h/houston/index.htm
The Willowbrook 8, and later known as Willowbrook 10, opened in 1987. This 24 plex replaced the Willowbrook 10 (and eventually the old General Cinema 6 Plex inside Willowbrook mall) on November 19, 1999.
One of the best theatres that I hardly ever went to because there was significantly not enough parking. But yeah, a beautiful theatre with great projection and sound. Hands down the best 70mm presentations I saw in this town back in the 80s and 90s.
I was a projectionist at the AMC Town and Country 10 that was across the street from this theatre, and the times I had to go pick up a print at their theatre I was overwhelmed by how enormous their booth was. It was one giant room upstairs lined with Cinemeccanica vic5s and vic8s. Christie lamphouses and Christie platters. Sound systems were a mix of Dolby CP200 units in the larger houses, and Smart Stereo in the medium and smaller houses. The Dolby units were upgraded to SR in 1988. I remember being blown away by their setup compared to the 5 tiny cramped booths we had at AMC (although I liked our Century heads much better because I thought the film-path of the Italian-made Cinemeccanica projectors was way more difficult than the Century heads we had).
Loews even installed an Interfilm Technologies laserdisc “choose your own adventure” system here with buttons at all the seats so at certain points during a movie (lol only 2 were ever released for the format) the audience could vote on what happened next.
Loews spared no expense at this theatre making it as posh of an experience as possible for the time.
Worked here in 1993 and 1994 during it’s life as a Landmark Theatre. Joel Orr was the manager. Sara Gish city manager. Two 600 seat screens, hardly ever full. Christie lamphouses from the 70s, century JJ projector heads. Screen 1 had a dolby CP-50 and an original Christie autowind platter (chains and all), screen 2 had a Kelmar block amp system and was mono with a Christie autowind 3 platter.
That previous post about the Pulp Fiction screening - that was probably the best night at that theatre.
The 8 screen was actually a complete new build, it was not built inside the shell of the 3 screen. You can verify this by looking at old satellite images on google earth.
Was projection supervisor here in 1996 to 1997. Screens 1 and 16 were additions added on and had strong lamphouses, christie platters, and christie heads, with Ultra Stereo and SDDS. Screens 2 to 7 were ORC lamphouses, christie heads, and ORC platters, with Strong processors and SDDS. Screens 8 and 9, the two largest houses, had Century JJ projectors and ORC lamphouses. Screen 8 had a Dolby CP65 with analog SR and SRD (which was never used) and SDDS. Both screens 8 and 9 had Christie platters. Screen 9 had a Dolby CP200 with SDDS. Screens 10 through 15 were ORC Lamphouses, christie heads, ORC platters, and Strong stereo processors with SDDS. As the Strong sound processors died, they were replaced with Ultra Stereo (thankfully). Surround speakers originally in the ceiling until SDDS install. We had lots of problems with gangs at this theatre and always had several off duty HPD officers for security. My first night here there was a stabbing in the parking lot. So that was fun.
I was a projectionist here in 1995 to 1996. Standard 80s AMC build. Christie heads on ORC lamphouses with ORC platters except screens 5 and 6 (two largest houses) had Century JJ projectors. “Smart” stereo processors all around with SDDS, except 5 and 6, which had Dolby CP200’s and SDDS. House 5 also had dts which was installed for Jurassic Park, but was almost never used once SDDS was installed.
Premiere Cinema has closed this location, along with their other discount locations in Waco, TX; Webster, TX; and El Paso, TX - completely vacating the sub-run market.
https://www.movietavern.com/richey-road-movie-tavern/ This location has permanently closed. Considering the area, I doubt this location will ever re-open as a movie theatre. There is a nearby Premiere Cinema at Greenspoint mall that competed for business, plus with the recent renovation at the AMC Spring 10, I can’t imagine anyone would re-enter this market (and I was surprised when Movie Tavern did)
The original screen count was going to be 20 – PCC had started renovating the original 5 GCC screens and built 15 new ones.
Then the idea was to do an 18 plex, 17 screens plus one Imax screen. The partial renovation on the 5 GCC screens stopped and the plan became to take 3 of the old GCC screens and making one big IMAX screen out of them.
Then it was discovered there was an issue with the roof of the mall. It was in terrible shape over the old 5 plex area (it sat empty and decaying for a long, long time) and the mall was having issues with their insurance company to pay for the repairs.
PCC signed a deal with IMAX for 4 IMAX screens. When it became apparent that there were going to be long standing delays at Greenspoint over the roof issue, PCC renegotiated the IMAX agreement from Greenspoint 15 to the Temple, TX location.
So, why the signage issue? Unfortunately the real answer is no one bothered to change the signage once the screen count changed. It’s a lack of attention to detail issue that has never been corrected. Greenspoint opened with 15 screens, and business dictates that it will likely remain 15 screens. I actually point this out every time I make a visit to this location, but no one ever corrects it.
Fun fact – http://www.cinematour.com/picview.php?db=us&id=77520 the kid at the center of this mural is the company owners son. he is in every mural the company does.
This theatre is designed without a mezzanine or projection booth. Projectors are mounted to the rear wall in an enclosure in the rear of the auditorium. All cabling is run back to the center of the theatre in the so-called “Digital Command Center”. Pictures here: http://www.pccmovies.com/theater.php?rtsID=48632
This theatre no longer has DBOX. This theatre is a 15 plex, not a 20 plex. It originally was planned as a 20 plex but then scaled back to 15-plex plus IMAX. The IMAX is on hold due to issues with the mall. The IMAX was planned where the original GCC 5 screens are.
When this theatre was the AMC Commerce Park 8 in December 1996, it was robbed and a manager and floor worker were shot. The floor worker later died. AMC closed the facility soon after.
FAST FACT: This theatre closed for seven days in 2004 while crews looked for a snake reported to have been seen in the theatre. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Movie-theater-closes-to-hunt-8-foot-snake-1631072.php
lol I wrote that article you referenced.
The description of this theatre is incorrect. This is the General Cinema 6 plex that ran inside Willowbrook Mall. The AMC 8 (then 10) was across the street in Willowbrook Commons. AMC took over this theatre as part of the GCC Bankruptcy and ran it for a brief time.
The 8/10 plex is here: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/68551 The 24 Plex is here: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/19303
According to in70mm this location only showed one known 70MM film, Dune, in 1984 for 6 weeks. https://www.in70mm.com/library/country/usa/h/houston/index.htm
This theatre opened 01-19-1998. Ad Uploaded
Loews opened this theatre on December 7, 1984. Ad uploaded
The Willowbrook 8, and later known as Willowbrook 10, opened in 1987. This 24 plex replaced the Willowbrook 10 (and eventually the old General Cinema 6 Plex inside Willowbrook mall) on November 19, 1999.
One of the best theatres that I hardly ever went to because there was significantly not enough parking. But yeah, a beautiful theatre with great projection and sound. Hands down the best 70mm presentations I saw in this town back in the 80s and 90s.
I was a projectionist at the AMC Town and Country 10 that was across the street from this theatre, and the times I had to go pick up a print at their theatre I was overwhelmed by how enormous their booth was. It was one giant room upstairs lined with Cinemeccanica vic5s and vic8s. Christie lamphouses and Christie platters. Sound systems were a mix of Dolby CP200 units in the larger houses, and Smart Stereo in the medium and smaller houses. The Dolby units were upgraded to SR in 1988. I remember being blown away by their setup compared to the 5 tiny cramped booths we had at AMC (although I liked our Century heads much better because I thought the film-path of the Italian-made Cinemeccanica projectors was way more difficult than the Century heads we had).
Loews even installed an Interfilm Technologies laserdisc “choose your own adventure” system here with buttons at all the seats so at certain points during a movie (lol only 2 were ever released for the format) the audience could vote on what happened next.
Loews spared no expense at this theatre making it as posh of an experience as possible for the time.
Did this theatre open as a Dollar Cinema or was it ever first run?
As per their website districttheatres.com this cinema has closed permanently.
Worked here in 1993 and 1994 during it’s life as a Landmark Theatre. Joel Orr was the manager. Sara Gish city manager. Two 600 seat screens, hardly ever full. Christie lamphouses from the 70s, century JJ projector heads. Screen 1 had a dolby CP-50 and an original Christie autowind platter (chains and all), screen 2 had a Kelmar block amp system and was mono with a Christie autowind 3 platter.
That previous post about the Pulp Fiction screening - that was probably the best night at that theatre.
The 8 screen was actually a complete new build, it was not built inside the shell of the 3 screen. You can verify this by looking at old satellite images on google earth.
Was projection supervisor here in 1996 to 1997. Screens 1 and 16 were additions added on and had strong lamphouses, christie platters, and christie heads, with Ultra Stereo and SDDS. Screens 2 to 7 were ORC lamphouses, christie heads, and ORC platters, with Strong processors and SDDS. Screens 8 and 9, the two largest houses, had Century JJ projectors and ORC lamphouses. Screen 8 had a Dolby CP65 with analog SR and SRD (which was never used) and SDDS. Both screens 8 and 9 had Christie platters. Screen 9 had a Dolby CP200 with SDDS. Screens 10 through 15 were ORC Lamphouses, christie heads, ORC platters, and Strong stereo processors with SDDS. As the Strong sound processors died, they were replaced with Ultra Stereo (thankfully). Surround speakers originally in the ceiling until SDDS install. We had lots of problems with gangs at this theatre and always had several off duty HPD officers for security. My first night here there was a stabbing in the parking lot. So that was fun.
Performed with the Bel Air cast in Rocky Horror here from 1989 to 1992.
I worked at the AMC Town and Country 10 in 1995 and this theatre was closed prior to my employment at the 10 plex, so it was closed prior to 1995.
I was a projectionist here in 1995 to 1996. Standard 80s AMC build. Christie heads on ORC lamphouses with ORC platters except screens 5 and 6 (two largest houses) had Century JJ projectors. “Smart” stereo processors all around with SDDS, except 5 and 6, which had Dolby CP200’s and SDDS. House 5 also had dts which was installed for Jurassic Park, but was almost never used once SDDS was installed.
Premiere Cinema has closed this location, along with their other discount locations in Waco, TX; Webster, TX; and El Paso, TX - completely vacating the sub-run market.
Officially closed 12-26-2020 due to Covid 19.
PCC officially closed 12-26-2020 due to Covid 19, unable to work out lease negotiations.
https://www.movietavern.com/richey-road-movie-tavern/ This location has permanently closed. Considering the area, I doubt this location will ever re-open as a movie theatre. There is a nearby Premiere Cinema at Greenspoint mall that competed for business, plus with the recent renovation at the AMC Spring 10, I can’t imagine anyone would re-enter this market (and I was surprised when Movie Tavern did)
Well Scott, funny story.
The original screen count was going to be 20 – PCC had started renovating the original 5 GCC screens and built 15 new ones.
Then the idea was to do an 18 plex, 17 screens plus one Imax screen. The partial renovation on the 5 GCC screens stopped and the plan became to take 3 of the old GCC screens and making one big IMAX screen out of them.
Then it was discovered there was an issue with the roof of the mall. It was in terrible shape over the old 5 plex area (it sat empty and decaying for a long, long time) and the mall was having issues with their insurance company to pay for the repairs.
PCC signed a deal with IMAX for 4 IMAX screens. When it became apparent that there were going to be long standing delays at Greenspoint over the roof issue, PCC renegotiated the IMAX agreement from Greenspoint 15 to the Temple, TX location.
So, why the signage issue? Unfortunately the real answer is no one bothered to change the signage once the screen count changed. It’s a lack of attention to detail issue that has never been corrected. Greenspoint opened with 15 screens, and business dictates that it will likely remain 15 screens. I actually point this out every time I make a visit to this location, but no one ever corrects it.
Fun fact – http://www.cinematour.com/picview.php?db=us&id=77520 the kid at the center of this mural is the company owners son. he is in every mural the company does.
This theatre is designed without a mezzanine or projection booth. Projectors are mounted to the rear wall in an enclosure in the rear of the auditorium. All cabling is run back to the center of the theatre in the so-called “Digital Command Center”. Pictures here: http://www.pccmovies.com/theater.php?rtsID=48632
This theatre no longer has DBOX. This theatre is a 15 plex, not a 20 plex. It originally was planned as a 20 plex but then scaled back to 15-plex plus IMAX. The IMAX is on hold due to issues with the mall. The IMAX was planned where the original GCC 5 screens are.
When this theatre was the AMC Commerce Park 8 in December 1996, it was robbed and a manager and floor worker were shot. The floor worker later died. AMC closed the facility soon after.
http://www.leagle.com/decision/20008723SW3d64_180
FAST FACT: This theatre closed for seven days in 2004 while crews looked for a snake reported to have been seen in the theatre. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Movie-theater-closes-to-hunt-8-foot-snake-1631072.php