The Manos, was part of Manos Enterprises, that headquartered in Greensburg, PA. The Manos Elkins Theatre was owned by a Sister of the Manos Group. Marie Kostalkos. In in 1975 a Twin was build in the Tygart Valley Mall, and the Manos was closed. The Manos was eventually sold to an office supply company. The Elkins twin, wa taken over by Marie’s son Nick, and he has expanded the theatre to 8 screens, and also operates a six plex in Buckhannon. The bookings for the theatres was handled by the Greensburg Office, and all accounting was also done there. The Manos Enterprises closed was sold in November 1993 To the Carmike Chain. After the sale the family other than Nick was no longer involved in the business, ending an 88 year run in the theatre business. I managed the twin in 1976 to early in 1978 when I was transferred to Olean New York, and Nick took over operation.
I believe the Starlite was build by George Laskey. As A child when we would drive from Uniontown to the Starlite, it was exciting to see the back of the screen Tower from quite a distance, as it was lit up with flashing neon. Wow, we are going to the movies. Laskey’s sold the Starlite to Manos Enterprises of Greensburg, PA witch operated the downtown Uniontown State and Manos Theatres. They also Bought the Comet Drive IN, at Connellsville, PA which is still in operation today.
I worked for Manos Theatres at a time when Flea Markets we3re just starting. We went to meet with the Woodland owner George Tice about how he was operating his flea market. He was president of western PA Theatre owners organization, and was a guy who wore a Cowboy hat, and was loved by all his Flea Market Customers. About 5 years after our try at flea markets, I started on at the Hilltop Drive In at Monongahela, and Manos started them at Hi-Way Drive in Latrobe, Super 61 at Beaver Falls, and the Comet Drive In at Connellsville, PA witch is still operating in 2018 and is owned and operated by Brian Erwin, former General Manager for Manos, and he still operates the Theatre.
I worked at a competitor of the Super 71, The Hilltop Drive In. The Super 71 always got the best pictures, as they were able to make big money for the film companies. As with most Drive Inns, the part year and the value of the land made operating the drives ins a losing proposition. The Belle Vernon and the Charleroi, Monessen, Donora, and Monongahela areas are underserved, as there is no indoor multiplex’s close by. The drive ins that are still running, find it hare to exist as the cost of going Digital was a pretty big expense, but you had to bit the bullet, or go out of business.
Manos Enterprises, ran the Hi Way under lease from Dills in the early 70s until the company retired from the Theatre Business in November 1993 with a Sale to Carmike Cinemas. The Hi-Way was not a part of this sale. Flea Markets were started by Manos and their Manager Jay Frankenberry Jr. The Riddelas and Ferraris kept the valuable land as a theatre as many family homes were located at the real of the drive IN.
RD
commented about
Cinemas Von
Dec 14, 2017 at 11:20 am
I think that we ha run stero before grease. I am not sure of the date, but when the first Star Trek movie came out, the chief engineer of Eprad showed up with a new Mother Board for the big theatre, and it made a big difference. These were early days of Digital Stereo, and Manos being a small company was doing their best to present Stereo to their patrons. Eprad,, though not the best equipment, permitted Manos to expand their circuit of theatres into small towns that the really big companies didn’t want any thing to do with. Dan Hughes Former Manager 78 to 86.
As a teenage my family moved into a house at the rear of the Starlite. We used to walk over to the playground during the day, and sneak into a field at the rear of the drive in at night to watch movies. Upon discharge from the navy in, I became Manager of the Starlite for Manos Enterprises, of Greensburg. I worked the Starlite over the next 6 years at various times summer and winter. My sister was a cashier from 1965 to 68, and my youngest sister also was concession manager. Many fond memories as the Starlite was the start of a 34 year career as a Theatre Manager.
I managed the Manos Theatre several times during the 60s and 70s. I remember when the out side of the building was torn off as the president Mr. Ted Manos feared that it would fall off and hurt someone. There was the main auditorium floor and a balcony. The fire in the theatre was thought to be from overloaded circuits in the concession stand. It was nice to see a downtown that was busy, and the multi national festivals set up on Clay avenue.
There was a bowling alley on the second floor, and appartments were build for a manager to live in. Who could forget the sound of the main line railroad roaring by outside the front doors of the theatre.
The Moonlite Drive In was leased to Manos Enterprises of Greensburg, PA. In the late 50’s It continued to operate under their management until the late 70s (I Think). I managed the Drive in in1970 to 72. It was always a nice drive in, and a nice drive from anywhere in the area. As with most drive ins the profits fell, with the longer play times the film companies demanded. and this made the Corporate Run drive ins no longer profitable. Dan Hughes.
I managed the Hill Top Drive In Theatre from 1973 to 1976. We started Flea Markets, Built a new Playground, Held Concerts with local bands, and Did a lot of hard work and long days. Great Loyal customers, and great fellow employees. Dan Hughes
The Manos, was part of Manos Enterprises, that headquartered in Greensburg, PA. The Manos Elkins Theatre was owned by a Sister of the Manos Group. Marie Kostalkos. In in 1975 a Twin was build in the Tygart Valley Mall, and the Manos was closed. The Manos was eventually sold to an office supply company. The Elkins twin, wa taken over by Marie’s son Nick, and he has expanded the theatre to 8 screens, and also operates a six plex in Buckhannon. The bookings for the theatres was handled by the Greensburg Office, and all accounting was also done there. The Manos Enterprises closed was sold in November 1993 To the Carmike Chain. After the sale the family other than Nick was no longer involved in the business, ending an 88 year run in the theatre business. I managed the twin in 1976 to early in 1978 when I was transferred to Olean New York, and Nick took over operation.
I believe the Starlite was build by George Laskey. As A child when we would drive from Uniontown to the Starlite, it was exciting to see the back of the screen Tower from quite a distance, as it was lit up with flashing neon. Wow, we are going to the movies. Laskey’s sold the Starlite to Manos Enterprises of Greensburg, PA witch operated the downtown Uniontown State and Manos Theatres. They also Bought the Comet Drive IN, at Connellsville, PA which is still in operation today.
I worked for Manos Theatres at a time when Flea Markets we3re just starting. We went to meet with the Woodland owner George Tice about how he was operating his flea market. He was president of western PA Theatre owners organization, and was a guy who wore a Cowboy hat, and was loved by all his Flea Market Customers. About 5 years after our try at flea markets, I started on at the Hilltop Drive In at Monongahela, and Manos started them at Hi-Way Drive in Latrobe, Super 61 at Beaver Falls, and the Comet Drive In at Connellsville, PA witch is still operating in 2018 and is owned and operated by Brian Erwin, former General Manager for Manos, and he still operates the Theatre.
I worked at a competitor of the Super 71, The Hilltop Drive In. The Super 71 always got the best pictures, as they were able to make big money for the film companies. As with most Drive Inns, the part year and the value of the land made operating the drives ins a losing proposition. The Belle Vernon and the Charleroi, Monessen, Donora, and Monongahela areas are underserved, as there is no indoor multiplex’s close by. The drive ins that are still running, find it hare to exist as the cost of going Digital was a pretty big expense, but you had to bit the bullet, or go out of business.
Manos Enterprises, ran the Hi Way under lease from Dills in the early 70s until the company retired from the Theatre Business in November 1993 with a Sale to Carmike Cinemas. The Hi-Way was not a part of this sale. Flea Markets were started by Manos and their Manager Jay Frankenberry Jr. The Riddelas and Ferraris kept the valuable land as a theatre as many family homes were located at the real of the drive IN.
I think that we ha run stero before grease. I am not sure of the date, but when the first Star Trek movie came out, the chief engineer of Eprad showed up with a new Mother Board for the big theatre, and it made a big difference. These were early days of Digital Stereo, and Manos being a small company was doing their best to present Stereo to their patrons. Eprad,, though not the best equipment, permitted Manos to expand their circuit of theatres into small towns that the really big companies didn’t want any thing to do with. Dan Hughes Former Manager 78 to 86.
As a teenage my family moved into a house at the rear of the Starlite. We used to walk over to the playground during the day, and sneak into a field at the rear of the drive in at night to watch movies. Upon discharge from the navy in, I became Manager of the Starlite for Manos Enterprises, of Greensburg. I worked the Starlite over the next 6 years at various times summer and winter. My sister was a cashier from 1965 to 68, and my youngest sister also was concession manager. Many fond memories as the Starlite was the start of a 34 year career as a Theatre Manager.
I managed the Manos Theatre several times during the 60s and 70s. I remember when the out side of the building was torn off as the president Mr. Ted Manos feared that it would fall off and hurt someone. There was the main auditorium floor and a balcony. The fire in the theatre was thought to be from overloaded circuits in the concession stand. It was nice to see a downtown that was busy, and the multi national festivals set up on Clay avenue.
There was a bowling alley on the second floor, and appartments were build for a manager to live in. Who could forget the sound of the main line railroad roaring by outside the front doors of the theatre.
The Moonlite Drive In was leased to Manos Enterprises of Greensburg, PA. In the late 50’s It continued to operate under their management until the late 70s (I Think). I managed the Drive in in1970 to 72. It was always a nice drive in, and a nice drive from anywhere in the area. As with most drive ins the profits fell, with the longer play times the film companies demanded. and this made the Corporate Run drive ins no longer profitable. Dan Hughes.
I managed the Hill Top Drive In Theatre from 1973 to 1976. We started Flea Markets, Built a new Playground, Held Concerts with local bands, and Did a lot of hard work and long days. Great Loyal customers, and great fellow employees. Dan Hughes