Movies 4 Fishkill

I have fond memories of this theater and the Dutchess Mall. When we first moved to the area at the end of the 70’s (when I was 5 or 6) it was still the mall. Not long after the South Hills mall opened and took that position. I later went to Dream Machine at the Dutchess Mall with friends. I find it interesting that the original anchor store at the north end (originally May’s if I recall correctly) had vaulted ceilings and a ski chalet-style entrance, which you can still see there. Inside, there were murals.

The Poughkeepsie Journal from 12/24/1971 features a [poor] photo of the ribbon cutting for Carrol’s Dutchess Mall Cinema, which suggests it opened prior to Christmas Day… though close enough for me.

The Dutchess Cinema was located in Poughkeepsie, The Movie 4 was in the Dutchess Mall in Fishkill. The Movies 4 was carved out of retail space in the mall and was never a single screen.

Hoyts took over operation of this theater when they opened up their 10 screener just north of this location. They only operated this theater for a few months before closing it and selling off the seats, projectors, etc. THe Holyts Fishkill 10 is now owned by Regel.
THis 4 theater complex opened with The Empire Strikes Back and The Big Red One. Theaters 3 * 4 opened the next week. I can’t remember what their opening attractions were. This was the first multi screen to open in the area that was actaully configured as a multi screen instead on twinning an existing theater. There was no lobby with the thicket office and the consession stand opening up to the mall. There would be ropped off area in the Mall itself for people waithing for the next show. The bathrooms were on the second floor that were accesssed on wither side of the consession stand. The projest booth was also here and you could hear the projectors in the bathrooms. I can’t remember the eating but Theater 1 was the largest, Theater 2 & 3 appeared to be the same size and Theater 4 was the smallest.
These theaters were very popular amd they had a twilight show every day about 5 PM. The only theater in the area at the time that had shows during the day other than summer and holidays. I attended this theater very often. They had alot of sxclusives and showed art films from time to time. On weekends it was very common for shows to be sold out.
The Mall has been vacant for years because of the Poughkeepsie Galleria pretty much drove all others out of business. The Mall is in the process of being torn down with several big box stores taking it’s place including Home Depot. THe theaters will not be replaced. There is a 10 plex within a mile of this locations and the Galleria 12 in Poughkeepsie 10 miles north which is the big draw in this area.