I lived in Norfolk during the 70s.. and saw “Star Wars” at this theatre. It wasn’t a four; it opened as a six-screen multiplex, and was named the Circle 6. At the time, it did big business. It was one of the “old style” early AMC houses, really just 6 narrow shoeboxes. People who cared about such things (few as they were) hated seeing a movie there. The other 542,000 packed the place.I assume the Military Circle Mall ain’t what it used to be back then?
I lived in the Tidewater area in the 70s, and went to this theatre occasionally when it was a single screen. It was owned by General Cinema, and was one of their earliest (and unusual) layout schemes: i.e., there was no masking on the screen. GCC at that time liked the effect of what they called “shadowboxing” the projected picture. The plaster walls simply curved into the screen on the left and back out on the right. Aperture edges were all you got. Seats were the old “push-back” 2 position type, and not very comfortable. Still it did boffo biz back then. That area, with Military Circle across the street, used to be the hottest of the retail areas… anybody care to update me on what happened in that part of Norfolk?
I was the manager of the Empire in 1969-1970, and it remains one of the favorites of my 30 year theatre management career. Remodeled into its final configuration in 1956, (it re-opened with John Wayne in “The Conqueror”), it had no balcony… rare for theatres of that era; all seats (776 of them) were on a single floor. I assumed management duties when the theatre was sold to Martin Theatres, and arrived during the roadshow engagement of “Funny Girl,” which played a total of 12 weeks.
I’m saddened that it’s gone; while it certainly wasn’t the most ornate of the movie palaces, seeing a film there was pure joy.
I lived in Norfolk during the 70s.. and saw “Star Wars” at this theatre. It wasn’t a four; it opened as a six-screen multiplex, and was named the Circle 6. At the time, it did big business. It was one of the “old style” early AMC houses, really just 6 narrow shoeboxes. People who cared about such things (few as they were) hated seeing a movie there. The other 542,000 packed the place.I assume the Military Circle Mall ain’t what it used to be back then?
I lived in the Tidewater area in the 70s, and went to this theatre occasionally when it was a single screen. It was owned by General Cinema, and was one of their earliest (and unusual) layout schemes: i.e., there was no masking on the screen. GCC at that time liked the effect of what they called “shadowboxing” the projected picture. The plaster walls simply curved into the screen on the left and back out on the right. Aperture edges were all you got. Seats were the old “push-back” 2 position type, and not very comfortable. Still it did boffo biz back then. That area, with Military Circle across the street, used to be the hottest of the retail areas… anybody care to update me on what happened in that part of Norfolk?
The Palace, in its glory days:
For a picture of the Empire’s auditorium, click below:
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A terrific picture of the Empire is here:
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Here is a photo of the Riverdale, circa 1970s:
Here is a photo of the Pocahontas Marquee:
I was the manager of the Empire in 1969-1970, and it remains one of the favorites of my 30 year theatre management career. Remodeled into its final configuration in 1956, (it re-opened with John Wayne in “The Conqueror”), it had no balcony… rare for theatres of that era; all seats (776 of them) were on a single floor. I assumed management duties when the theatre was sold to Martin Theatres, and arrived during the roadshow engagement of “Funny Girl,” which played a total of 12 weeks.
I’m saddened that it’s gone; while it certainly wasn’t the most ornate of the movie palaces, seeing a film there was pure joy.