Comments from JD1940

Showing 11 comments

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Plaza Theatre on Feb 28, 2012 at 10:29 am

I worked at this theatre as a projectionist from 1958-62 while attending Bethany College. It operated year ‘round. At the time I was there it was owned and operated by Al Lambert. After he left Lindsborg I believe he went to Smith Center KS to a theatre there.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Terrace Drive-In on Feb 28, 2012 at 10:12 am

This Drive-In was operational when I came to Wichita as City Manager for Commonwealth in 1975. I was told it was built during war time and had no metal in its frame. I do know I could stand in the concession stand and look through the walls in spots. It only operated during the summer and was not that well attended. It had a boxoffice completely separate from the rest of the theatre which was easy to rob, and frequently was! It was closed and sold to an investor who intended to make it into a trailer park but subsequently ran into zoning problems and I don’t believe the park was ever built.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Warren Old Town Theatre Grille on Feb 28, 2012 at 10:01 am

This theatre has recently converted to all digital projection.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Meadow Lark Drive-In on Feb 28, 2012 at 9:55 am

By the time I came to Wichita as City Manager for Commonwealth Theatres in 1975, this once high grossing Drive-In was on the downward slide. While still profitable it became obvious the value of the real estate was far higher than its earning potential and it was sold for a retail development. It was a twin Drive-in with two concession stands.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Crest Theatre on Feb 28, 2012 at 9:43 am

I officed in this theatre during part of my tenure as City Manager for the Commonwealth and later United Artists Theatres. As mentioned above, United Artists closed the theatre and turned off all utilities. That made ever reopening the theatre impossible as it had an artesian spring in the the office area which soon flooded the lower area of the theatre when the sump pump ceased to function. The main floor was reseated in the early 80’s to provide more comfortable seating but the theatre was not able to compete once the multiplex operations entered the scene.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about 21st Street Warren Theatre on Feb 28, 2012 at 9:27 am

This theatre recently converted to all digital projection. In addition all auditoriums have THX sound and waterfall curtains, including the 600 seat IMAX auditorium.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about 13th Avenue Warren Theatre on Feb 28, 2012 at 9:23 am

This theatre just converted to all digital projection a few weeks ago. All auditoriums also feature THX sound.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Cheyenne Drive-In on Feb 25, 2012 at 10:10 pm

I have no pictures nor do I have a specific address. It was located approximately three miles south of Hoisington on the highway between Hoisington and Great Bend on the West side of the highway. By the time I was managing the Great Bend Theatres for Commonwealth in the late 60s-early 70s, the Drive-In was closed and I’m pretty sure Commonwealth no longer operated the Royal in town.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Barton Theatre on Feb 25, 2012 at 8:28 am

I remember attending this theatre as a boy but by the time I was in high school in 1954, it was closed. To the best of my knowledge it never operated after the early 1950s.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Cheyenne Drive-In on Feb 25, 2012 at 8:21 am

I worked at this Drive-In from 1956-1958. Cleaned and mowed the ramps (grass ramps) during the day and was a projectionist at night. It was still operated by Commonwealth Amusement Corp. when I left in 1958. At the time I was there it was only open in the summer, alternating operation with the downtown Royal Theatre. It was subsequently closed and torn down.

JD1940
JD1940 commented about Royal Theatre on Feb 25, 2012 at 8:12 am

I worked at this theatre from 1956-1958 as a projectionist. It was still operational when I left. Commonwealth Amusement Corp. closed it some time later. It was totally destroyed by fire in the 1970’s. At the time I worked there it was open during the school year and closed during the summer when the Cheyenne Drive-In was open.