I lived in Colorado Springs in the mid-seventies and saw several movies here. On December 31, 1976 my family and I went to see SILVER STREAK and saw a trailer for a film I hadn’t heard of … something called STAR WARS. During the following summer I saw it here at least six times. Also, during ‘77 at this theater, I saw the masterpiece VIVA KNIEVEL. Even though it was a piece of crap, it did give me a new appreciation for the 1971 George Hamilton film.
This theater became a one-dollar cinema in 1983. It was well maintained and had four good size screens although the auditoriums weren’t very big. During the mid-eighties it was packed on Friday and Saturday nights. The presentations were always of good quality with excellent picture and sound. I saw a lot of midnight presentations including MAS*H, ALIEN, THE JERK, and ROCKY HORROR. The film I remember having the longest run was RETURN OF THE JEDI in 1985. Following the film’s general re-release that spring, it played here several months.
I saw two cinema classics here–the De Laurentiis KING KONG in December 1976, and AIRPORT ‘77 a few months later. I remember the theater being pretty impressive with a very large screen. Unfortunately, I moved from Colorado Springs before having a chance to see AIRPORT '79. (darn the luck!)
A friend and I drove from Texas to see BLUE VELVET here on October 25, 1986. We loved the film and watched it twice that day. The theater was great and had a huge screen. Under the title on the marquee was “STRANGE GOINS ON.”
The Esquire was a one-screen theater that, by the time of its closing in 1981, was showing second run films. The interior was classy looking, with murals on the walls and a pretty good size screen. The last film I saw there was JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, in early ‘81. My favorite movie experience in this theater was seeing SLEEPING BEAUTY in 1979. A great print in sharp focus and plenty of light hitting the screen. The last film shown here was THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
In this theater’s main auditorium I saw WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, BATMAN, and THE ABYSS, to name a few. It’s main auditorium is its largest, by far, and has a good-size screen. The upkeep of the auditoriums, however, is not very impressive. Also,the theater converted over to digital projection a couple of years ago but seems to use low wattage bulbs because the image on screen seems pretty dim. I complained about it to the management but was pretty certain that, based on the perplexed response I got, it wouldn’t do any good. If management would clean up the auditoriums and raise the standards on their presentations, business would probably increase dramatically.
The screens at the Mann 4-Plex were formatted to show scope films and would physically place large black “mattes” on the sides of the screens when playing a film in 1.85; the screens at the Fox seemed to be formatted for only 1.85 films, so that both scope and flat presentations were on a one-size-fits-all screen. The scope-shot film, THE UNTOUCHABLES, for example, opened at the Fox in 1987, then moved to the discounted Mann 4-Plex, and I distinctly remember, having watched it multiple times at both locations, seeing more of the picture when it was at the 4-Plex.
As far as the public not complaining, I’m not surprised. In 1998, on a Sunday afternoon, I went to see GONE WITH THE WIND in Grapevine, Texas and sat through, what turned out to be, a bad print of it. Everything looked slightly out of focus to the point where if an actor was, say, fifteen feet or more from the camera being photographed with a normal lens, it was very difficult to make out his/her face. The auditorium I saw it in was packed, as was an adjacent one showing it and using the same print. The next day, I called and talked to the manager and he said that, yes, they had received a poorly made print and had a new one on order, but that I was the ONLY PERSON who had complained. Also, just a few years ago, I found myself complaining at two different local theaters that had left their 3D-convertors on while showing 2D presentations. So, I if people don’t complain about movies looking fuzzy/distracting, I don’t see them doing so about aspect ratios.
Of the Showplace’s auditorium’s, the one in the back was the best, and the biggest, although it’s size would be pretty mediocre by today’s standards. But at least it could show films in their proper aspect ratio. The other three auditoriums pretty much had all presentations, 2.35 or 1.85, shown on the same format of screen, just like the Fox Theatre.
Ronnwood is mistaken, it became a second-run theater in 1985, not in the ‘90s. In fact, THE KARATE KID started showing there in the summer of 1984, then ended up staying for over a year after the it became a one-dollar cinema.
I saw STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE there on Dec. 8, 1979, and remember that, prior to the opening credits, it had an overture. The last film I saw there was THE PHANTOM MENACE in late 1999, which was kind of fitting to see the worst Star Wars movie at what had become the worst theater in town.
I saw some good films there, including THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and BACK TO THE FUTURE. Its two screens were good sized, with curtains that would draw back prior to each presentation. As far as I know, the only movie to simultaneously occupy both screens was “2010” during its opening week in December 1984, and I’m sure the management regretted it after the first night’s returns.
gunnermikee, your explanation helps to understand why it was a theater of such poor quality. Ironically, though, the presentations at the MANN 4-Plex on 45th and Bell were superior to those at the Fox. At least it could show a movie in its proper aspect ratio with both a decently bright picture and good sound. In fact, even though the Mann 4-Plex became a one-dollar theater in the early eighties, I used to wait for movies to go there that I really wanted to see if they had started their runs at the Fox.
I saw many movies at the Esquire including OH, GOD!, GREASE, and SLEEPING BEAUTY during its 1979 rerelease. The auditorium had a mural painted on the ceiling, as well as a balcony. The last movie shown there was THE SOUND OF MUSIC in 1981.
Although the theater played TEMPLE OF DOOM in 70mm upon its release, that was the only 70mm presentation ever played there. A few weeks prior to its release, the theater closed down the auditorium so that it could be renovated. The visual presentation of TOD was not any more impressive than if it had been in 35mm but the sound was noticeably improved. After following the progress of DUNE as it was being made, I really hoped that it would play in this auditorium in 70mm in late ‘84, just even to hear the soundtrack, but it didn’t play at this theater at all. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, No other 70mm presentations were ever shown.
I saw some very good movies at the Fox, including GREASE, SUPERMAN, and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK; however, as I got older and became more film savvy, I realized what a poor theater it was in which to see films. Its two screens were too narrow to accommodate films shown in 2.35, so over 20% of the image landed on both sides of the auditorium walls. Union projectionists were not employed but high school and college kids were, and the presentations were continuously screwed up. The projector lights were too dim and there seemed to always be a technical glitch in most presentations. I saw RAIDERS there three times several months apart and, no kidding, each subsequent presentation was shorter than the previous one due to the projectionists splicing out parts of it for whatever reasons. Celluloid lovers can thank theaters like this for giving us digital projection. Poor management and crappy quality are what did it in. Definitely NOT a cinema treasure.
I saw a lot of great presentations of films at the Northpark during my time in Dallas in the ‘90s, some first-run; others one time only presentations—TOP GUN, TERMINATOR 2, ALIEN, ALIENS, GIANT, DUNE, SPARTACUS, APOLLO 13, and SCHINDLER’S LIST, among others. A few I’ve listed were even shown in 70mm. I saw JURASSIC PARK there when it first opened and will never forget the sound of the t-rex attack-at-night scene.
My favorite memory of this theater though was seeing STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK there on May 27, 1993(all three films in the original trilogy played). It was, without a doubt, the best presentation I’ve ever seen of the original film. In early 1997 I also saw the Special Edition of STAR WARS there as well, playing to a sold out audience.
The best presentation I ever saw there though was TITANIC in 70mm. As with all of Northpark’s films, it was in razor-sharp focus, had a very bright image, and, of course, sounded spectacular, which brings me to one final thought. The above article claims that the Northpark never had a presentation flaw during it’s history. Not true. During my third viewing of TITANIC there in early ‘98, the music track went out on the reel when Jack is sketching the portrait of Rose. I don’t think most of the audience even noticed, particularly those seeing it for the first time. I informed the manager, and as the audience exited at the end of the film, the employees handed each person a voucher for a free popcorn and drink on their next visit. That’s the kind of classy place it was. Every presentation mattered.
I lived in Colorado Springs in the mid-seventies and saw several movies here. On December 31, 1976 my family and I went to see SILVER STREAK and saw a trailer for a film I hadn’t heard of … something called STAR WARS. During the following summer I saw it here at least six times. Also, during ‘77 at this theater, I saw the masterpiece VIVA KNIEVEL. Even though it was a piece of crap, it did give me a new appreciation for the 1971 George Hamilton film.
This theater became a one-dollar cinema in 1983. It was well maintained and had four good size screens although the auditoriums weren’t very big. During the mid-eighties it was packed on Friday and Saturday nights. The presentations were always of good quality with excellent picture and sound. I saw a lot of midnight presentations including MAS*H, ALIEN, THE JERK, and ROCKY HORROR. The film I remember having the longest run was RETURN OF THE JEDI in 1985. Following the film’s general re-release that spring, it played here several months.
I saw two cinema classics here–the De Laurentiis KING KONG in December 1976, and AIRPORT ‘77 a few months later. I remember the theater being pretty impressive with a very large screen. Unfortunately, I moved from Colorado Springs before having a chance to see AIRPORT '79. (darn the luck!)
A friend and I drove from Texas to see BLUE VELVET here on October 25, 1986. We loved the film and watched it twice that day. The theater was great and had a huge screen. Under the title on the marquee was “STRANGE GOINS ON.”
The Esquire was a one-screen theater that, by the time of its closing in 1981, was showing second run films. The interior was classy looking, with murals on the walls and a pretty good size screen. The last film I saw there was JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, in early ‘81. My favorite movie experience in this theater was seeing SLEEPING BEAUTY in 1979. A great print in sharp focus and plenty of light hitting the screen. The last film shown here was THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
In this theater’s main auditorium I saw WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, BATMAN, and THE ABYSS, to name a few. It’s main auditorium is its largest, by far, and has a good-size screen. The upkeep of the auditoriums, however, is not very impressive. Also,the theater converted over to digital projection a couple of years ago but seems to use low wattage bulbs because the image on screen seems pretty dim. I complained about it to the management but was pretty certain that, based on the perplexed response I got, it wouldn’t do any good. If management would clean up the auditoriums and raise the standards on their presentations, business would probably increase dramatically.
The screens at the Mann 4-Plex were formatted to show scope films and would physically place large black “mattes” on the sides of the screens when playing a film in 1.85; the screens at the Fox seemed to be formatted for only 1.85 films, so that both scope and flat presentations were on a one-size-fits-all screen. The scope-shot film, THE UNTOUCHABLES, for example, opened at the Fox in 1987, then moved to the discounted Mann 4-Plex, and I distinctly remember, having watched it multiple times at both locations, seeing more of the picture when it was at the 4-Plex.
As far as the public not complaining, I’m not surprised. In 1998, on a Sunday afternoon, I went to see GONE WITH THE WIND in Grapevine, Texas and sat through, what turned out to be, a bad print of it. Everything looked slightly out of focus to the point where if an actor was, say, fifteen feet or more from the camera being photographed with a normal lens, it was very difficult to make out his/her face. The auditorium I saw it in was packed, as was an adjacent one showing it and using the same print. The next day, I called and talked to the manager and he said that, yes, they had received a poorly made print and had a new one on order, but that I was the ONLY PERSON who had complained. Also, just a few years ago, I found myself complaining at two different local theaters that had left their 3D-convertors on while showing 2D presentations. So, I if people don’t complain about movies looking fuzzy/distracting, I don’t see them doing so about aspect ratios.
Of the Showplace’s auditorium’s, the one in the back was the best, and the biggest, although it’s size would be pretty mediocre by today’s standards. But at least it could show films in their proper aspect ratio. The other three auditoriums pretty much had all presentations, 2.35 or 1.85, shown on the same format of screen, just like the Fox Theatre.
Ronnwood is mistaken, it became a second-run theater in 1985, not in the ‘90s. In fact, THE KARATE KID started showing there in the summer of 1984, then ended up staying for over a year after the it became a one-dollar cinema.
I saw STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE there on Dec. 8, 1979, and remember that, prior to the opening credits, it had an overture. The last film I saw there was THE PHANTOM MENACE in late 1999, which was kind of fitting to see the worst Star Wars movie at what had become the worst theater in town.
I saw some good films there, including THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and BACK TO THE FUTURE. Its two screens were good sized, with curtains that would draw back prior to each presentation. As far as I know, the only movie to simultaneously occupy both screens was “2010” during its opening week in December 1984, and I’m sure the management regretted it after the first night’s returns.
gunnermikee, your explanation helps to understand why it was a theater of such poor quality. Ironically, though, the presentations at the MANN 4-Plex on 45th and Bell were superior to those at the Fox. At least it could show a movie in its proper aspect ratio with both a decently bright picture and good sound. In fact, even though the Mann 4-Plex became a one-dollar theater in the early eighties, I used to wait for movies to go there that I really wanted to see if they had started their runs at the Fox.
I saw many movies at the Esquire including OH, GOD!, GREASE, and SLEEPING BEAUTY during its 1979 rerelease. The auditorium had a mural painted on the ceiling, as well as a balcony. The last movie shown there was THE SOUND OF MUSIC in 1981.
Although the theater played TEMPLE OF DOOM in 70mm upon its release, that was the only 70mm presentation ever played there. A few weeks prior to its release, the theater closed down the auditorium so that it could be renovated. The visual presentation of TOD was not any more impressive than if it had been in 35mm but the sound was noticeably improved. After following the progress of DUNE as it was being made, I really hoped that it would play in this auditorium in 70mm in late ‘84, just even to hear the soundtrack, but it didn’t play at this theater at all. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, No other 70mm presentations were ever shown.
I saw some very good movies at the Fox, including GREASE, SUPERMAN, and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK; however, as I got older and became more film savvy, I realized what a poor theater it was in which to see films. Its two screens were too narrow to accommodate films shown in 2.35, so over 20% of the image landed on both sides of the auditorium walls. Union projectionists were not employed but high school and college kids were, and the presentations were continuously screwed up. The projector lights were too dim and there seemed to always be a technical glitch in most presentations. I saw RAIDERS there three times several months apart and, no kidding, each subsequent presentation was shorter than the previous one due to the projectionists splicing out parts of it for whatever reasons. Celluloid lovers can thank theaters like this for giving us digital projection. Poor management and crappy quality are what did it in. Definitely NOT a cinema treasure.
I saw a lot of great presentations of films at the Northpark during my time in Dallas in the ‘90s, some first-run; others one time only presentations—TOP GUN, TERMINATOR 2, ALIEN, ALIENS, GIANT, DUNE, SPARTACUS, APOLLO 13, and SCHINDLER’S LIST, among others. A few I’ve listed were even shown in 70mm. I saw JURASSIC PARK there when it first opened and will never forget the sound of the t-rex attack-at-night scene.
My favorite memory of this theater though was seeing STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK there on May 27, 1993(all three films in the original trilogy played). It was, without a doubt, the best presentation I’ve ever seen of the original film. In early 1997 I also saw the Special Edition of STAR WARS there as well, playing to a sold out audience.
The best presentation I ever saw there though was TITANIC in 70mm. As with all of Northpark’s films, it was in razor-sharp focus, had a very bright image, and, of course, sounded spectacular, which brings me to one final thought. The above article claims that the Northpark never had a presentation flaw during it’s history. Not true. During my third viewing of TITANIC there in early ‘98, the music track went out on the reel when Jack is sketching the portrait of Rose. I don’t think most of the audience even noticed, particularly those seeing it for the first time. I informed the manager, and as the audience exited at the end of the film, the employees handed each person a voucher for a free popcorn and drink on their next visit. That’s the kind of classy place it was. Every presentation mattered.