Comments from Robert Allen

Showing 1 - 25 of 92 comments

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Jean Shepherd - Abandoned New Jersey Drive-In on Jan 16, 2014 at 8:57 pm

Enough with the screen tower and weeds. There is more to a drive-in than the screen tower. Where’s the buildings and speakers?

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about 69 Drive-In on Nov 24, 2013 at 9:16 pm

The 69 has been demolished.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Gentry Cinema on Nov 19, 2013 at 10:39 pm

The Gentry will re-open December 13th under new management. The theatre is still owned by Richard Coleman and managed by the Allen Theatre Management team of Bob and Emilie Allen and their son Tim.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Tri-City 8 set to close on Sep 26, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Aging? Who are they kidding. There are theatres all over the country operating successfully that were built 75 to 100 years ago. And they are closing one that has been around for only 27 years? Looks like poor planning to me. Way to go AMC.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Liberty Theatre on Jul 25, 2013 at 5:41 am

What a beautiful theatre. As an old showman I’d love to be a part of such an operation.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Movie theaters in airports unlikely on Jul 14, 2013 at 4:17 am

In 1970 I worked as a projectionist at a theatre in Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport. It was a 16mm operation that showed travelogs and industrial films.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Varsity Theatre ... Carbondale Illinois on Jun 14, 2013 at 12:46 pm

One of the most beautiful classic theatres I’ve ever seen. I wish I owned it.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Facts About Projection on May 30, 2013 at 10:38 am

Yes, it’s a dying occupation, one to which I devoted much of my life. Film will not be around much longer and projection work will be done by floor staff that simply have to press buttons. I did notice you mixed 16mm JAN projectors (which most theatres do not use) with 35mm projectors. Good video for the untrained.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Kuhn Cinema on May 4, 2013 at 5:09 pm

To the right of the Kuhn where the archway is is the Gem Theatre, the first movie theatre Lebanon had. It’s used for live performances now. I hope the Kuhn owner can replace the plastic in their marquee. The yellow plastic makes it look trashy.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Kuhn Cinema on May 4, 2013 at 1:48 pm

The building shown is actually the Park theatre on Sherman Street and is probably demolished by now.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Kuhn Cinema on May 4, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Are you sure you’ve got the right picture? I was in a store in the lobby of the theatre shown in this photo several years ago and that building was slated for the wrecking ball. The Kuhn is actually several blocks west.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Jean Cocteau Cinema on May 2, 2013 at 5:37 pm

The perfect town for an arthouse. If the new owner reads these posts: I am an experienced theatre manager and I’m available.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about New US 23 Drive-In on Apr 25, 2013 at 3:08 pm

The caption says “…with only 800 remaining drive-ins…”. That may be down from 5,000 several decades ago but is up from 500 just a few years ago.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Windom State Theater on Mar 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Film prints will be available longer than that. They should attempt to get community support for fund raising. If the owners need a manager I’m available.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Fox Theater on Feb 12, 2013 at 4:02 pm

Probably the worst thing they did was twinning the thing. But I believe it could be successful as a twin. It all depends on how it’s booked. I don’t think live performances would work. Thw auditoriums are now too small and it does not appear to have fly screens.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Crest Theatre likely to lose two of its three screens on Nov 26, 2012 at 2:44 pm

What a shame. It was an absolutely beautiful theatre when I worked there as a projectionist in the late 60s. It has two Century and one Simplex E-7 projectors. It probable could have been saved if the owners knew how to program the place.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Plaza Theatre on Nov 14, 2012 at 1:04 am

The theatre has been sold.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about State Theater on Nov 3, 2012 at 8:02 pm

Boy! I hope they have painted that building.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Outlook grim for 1920's era Centre Cinema on Oct 19, 2012 at 2:51 am

There are still some film copies made of just about every film. Perhaps Mr. Anderson should use a booker who is familiar with dealing with the distributors.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Prado Stadium 12 on Jun 18, 2012 at 3:47 pm

Whenever I read about a theatre in Florida I always wonder “Don’t those people realize is they have a 16 inch tsunami the whole state will be under water?” I think they call mole hills “mountains” down there.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Bob White Theatre on Jan 31, 2012 at 8:25 pm

The theatre has been purchased by a Portland businessman who is working on reopening it. I have the unique privilege of advising him. I believe it will be the beginning of revitalizing the Foster-Powell section of SE Portland.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Bob White Theatre on Dec 30, 2011 at 1:53 pm

I owned this theatre in the mid-sixties. It and I were written up in Boxoffice magazine because of the programming I initiated. It was all country music. The first picture was “Your Cheating Heart” with George Hamilton as Hank Williams. It packed the place out. I was also written up in the local IA paper for giving my union projectionist a raise without the union having to ask for it.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about John Danz Theatre on Dec 2, 2011 at 1:30 pm

The last Sterling house I worked as an IA operator was the Lynn Twin. I met my wife there. Next month we will celebrate our 42nd anniversary. The Lynn Twin (in Lynnwood) is now a non-profit storage facility last used as the Lynn Four.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Megaplex Projectionist - Lace-Up and Run! on Jul 6, 2011 at 1:21 pm

When did the phrase “lace up” replace “thread up”?

Robert Allen
Robert Allen commented about Theater operator wanted on May 27, 2011 at 8:19 pm

My valid email is I can also be reached at Also and Thanks.