Comments from Soundman176

Showing 1 - 25 of 34 comments

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Fox Gold Coast Theatre on Aug 20, 2023 at 5:18 pm

The Fox Gold Coast was acquired by Carmike and operated it for a few years. They closed it when they filed for bankruptcy and is colleague and I dismantled the projection equipment and it was stored in the lobby. After a period of time, the Gold Coast Mall contracted with Fox Theatres to reopen the Gold Coast. We reinstalled the same equipment. It was converted to Digital projection around 2011 or so.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Fox Sun & Surf 8 Cinema on Aug 20, 2023 at 5:06 pm

The building has been demolished. Fox Theatres retained the property when the business was sold to Carmike and Fox took it back in the Mid 2000’s. Now that it’s gone the Gold Coast 4 is the lone movie theatre in Ocean City proper but Flagship has a complex on Rt 50 in West Ocean City.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about November 11th, 1936 grand opening ad on Jul 11, 2023 at 5:36 pm

I began my 58 year career at this theatre as a 15 year old usher. It was also the first theatre I started a projectionists career. Though I’m semi retired now I still keep my hand in the business.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Atlantic Plumbing Cinema on Jan 21, 2023 at 3:34 pm

Outside of cooling fans, today’s digital projectors do not have an audible sound. The “drop down” systems are becoming quite common.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Cinemart Cinemas on Nov 29, 2022 at 12:20 pm

The Cinemart was featured on Season 8 Episode 7 of BLUE BLOODS.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Big Cinemas Loehmann's Twin on Jul 21, 2021 at 3:50 pm

This theatre is now Permanently closed and demolished. Will add Demolition photo

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Centre Theatre on Apr 24, 2020 at 11:55 am

I removed the equipment from the Centre Theatre and turned the keys over to the Lindsay Cadillac GM. An interesting note, it cost more to demolish the building than it did to build due to asbestos removal.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Loew's Fairfax Circle on May 14, 2019 at 6:02 pm

The Fairfax Circle Theatre Projection booth. Photo courtesy of Ken Leibert.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Tyson 4 Theatres on May 14, 2019 at 3:14 pm

Ok, let’s set the story straight. Tyson Center 4 closed in December 1990 following the opening of the Fairfax Sqare 8 THAT WAS RIGHT ACROSS LEESBURG PIKE! I know because I opened the one and closed the other.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Turnpike Cinema on May 13, 2019 at 9:13 pm

The Turnpike Theatres closing had nothing to do with the building of the Fair City 3 next door. They were owned and operated by the same company. There was talk of twinning the 1 auditorium but was rejected. No doubt the lease had the most to do with its closing.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Tally Ho Theatre on May 5, 2019 at 10:02 pm

The Talky Ho no longer has movies. The center wall was removed, now a single auditorium that hosts music and comedy acts.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Marumsco Theatre on Mar 4, 2019 at 4:02 pm

Became a Cineplex Odeon location when they acquired Neighborhood Theatres in late 1986. At some point in 1987 a roof leak caused a ceiling tile to fall n the seats. We closed the theatre the next day.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Tysons Cinema on Jan 20, 2019 at 1:25 pm

Tyson’s Cinema played Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Sleeping Beauty and Star Wars Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back all in 70mm. I was Chief Projectionist for all of them. The Screen with the curtain and masking fully opened was 65ft. measuring with the deep curve. Probably 56 ft end to end straight across. This allowed for only 30ft screens when it was twinned which destroyed the theatre. The

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Kailua Cinemas on Jan 1, 2019 at 10:41 pm

When this theatre opened in 1972 it was running 16mm features that they were getting from In Flight. At some point they would have had to convert to 35mm as In Flight shut down 16mm on aircraft for video cassettes. I left Hawaii in June 1973 so not sure when this conversion would have taken place.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Foundry 7 Theatres on Oct 29, 2018 at 2:44 pm

When Cineplex Odeon was negotiating with KBs creditors to take over the vacated theatres we were given 15 minutes to walk through the Foundry. To say it was trashed is an understatement. Once an agreement was reached it took several days to get it into operating condition. Parking was always an issue.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Janus 3 Theatre on Oct 29, 2018 at 2:37 pm

I had been to the Janus only once prior to Cineplex Odeon acqiring it and a few other shuttered former KB locations. We installed used, but better projection equipment, the previous projectors were so loud they were a distraction in the auditoriums. Posters are right about the columns in the auditorium but since they were holding up an office building there wasn’t much you could do. The #3 auditorium around the corner actually had the best picture. It was projected from the rear at a 45 degree angle onto a phosphorus screen. Once you got past the keystone, it was a nice picture. The theatre had a mind blowing box office per seat ratio which is why it stayed open so long.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Peninsula MovieBistro on Sep 22, 2018 at 4:53 pm

This location is now operated by Phoenix Theatres and is called Peninsula Movie Bistro.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Fort Monroe Theatre on Sep 22, 2018 at 4:47 pm

I serviced the Ft. Monroe Theatre along with Langley AFB and Ft. Eustis for a few years prior to its decommissioning. The booth was a typical AAFES equipped booth but was mono sound only. All of these theatres were 2 projector change over, 20 minute reels. Enjoyed servicing them.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Myrtle Cinemas on Sep 9, 2018 at 9:27 pm

The theatre was demolished several years ago but the parking lot remains. The property has not been redeveloped which is strange. Just a few blocks from the beach.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Dominion Theater on Jul 26, 2018 at 7:33 am

Neighborhood Theatres operated the Glebe Theatre from its opening in 1945 until the mid 60’s. The story goes that the landlord made a deal with KB Theatres as NTI ‘s lease was coming to an end. Part of the deal with KB was the theatre would be renamed after the landlord’s company. NTI was given 30 days notice that their lease would not be renewed. The NTI management was furious and wouldn’t talk to KB about purchasing the equipment. They removed everything including the light bulbs.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Lee Theatre on Jul 26, 2018 at 6:42 am

The Lee Theatre site is in Arlington County and was located on the Interstate 66 right of way.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Loew's Fairfax Circle on Jul 14, 2018 at 8:57 pm

The Fairfax Circle Theatre building has finally been torn down in Spring 2018for a new commercial/residential use area. No theatre planned for the new construction.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about DeMarco Cinemas on Jul 14, 2018 at 10:05 am

A friend and I traveled to Vineland from Northern Virginia to visit the new Vineland Theatre as our former manager Mr. John Kane was their new manager. The new theatre was gorgeous, the presentation of “Torn Curtain” was flawless. I was jealous of the brand new projection equipment. Fast forward neatly 40 years. Now a field service tech I received a call from the DeMarco Cinemas. As I drove into the parking lot I realized this was the same theatre from 1966. I ended up replacing a part on one of the original projectors I marveled at once upon a time.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about University Theatre on Feb 13, 2018 at 9:08 pm

The projection booth photo is definitely NOT the University. The theatre operated with Peerless Magnarc carbon arc lamps until the day it closed.

Soundman176
Soundman176 commented about Manassas Mall 7 on Feb 8, 2018 at 9:14 am

This theatre was never operated by Neighborhood Theatres. Circle/Showcase operated the theatre as well as the Manaport and Red Yank. It opened as a single screen which was later split and then 5 auditoriums were added. Cineplex Odeon acquired it in 1988.