Park 11 Theatre
501 N. Orlando Avenue,
Winter Park,
FL
32789
501 N. Orlando Avenue,
Winter Park,
FL
32789
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The Orlando THX certification, at Fashion Square (not the Park), for the release of RETURN OF THE JEDI did not happen as originally planned. Ultimately, the initial THX certifications in May 1983 were only at the Avco in Los Angeles and Northpark and Prestonwood Creek in Dallas. The JEDI 70mm release (with THX locales noted) is documented here. The Orlando 70mm presentations history is documented here.
The first THX certification in Florida was GCC’s Northdale Court 6 in Tampa in 1985. The first THX certification in the Orlando market was at Cineplex Odeon’s Sand Lake 7 in 1987. The Park in the Orlando suburb of Winter Park finally got THX certified during its 1991 renovation.
THX was a noise cancellation process gimmick that did not require any “installation”. It was just insulation guidelines for noise from the outside, projection booth, and HVAC units. If the cinema failed the test, it was not THX ‘certified’. I ran several cinemas that failed for legitimate reasons. A few months later we received certificates for the failed cinemas from THX anyway. THX also advertised failed locations in the trades as passed months after they failed, so cinema chains did the same. THX was a con job.
I know but I recently read an article about THX before the film came out, and said that only one Orlando area location installed THX on the film’s release day, which comes along with a couple of Los Angeles and Dallas locations. I don’t know any projection/sound status the GCC Fashion Square had when the film came out, but with its 70mm (6-Track) logo shown on the Park Triple Theatre’s showtime section, my best bet has to be the Park Triple Theatre.
Just had an look at the Sentinel on the date that you provided, No mention of THX on the ad.
The Park Triple Theatre is also the first movie theater in Florida to have the installations of THX on May 25, 1983, just on time for its 70mm presentation of “Return Of The Jedi”.
11 screens on May 24th, 1991. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
3 screens on October 30th, 1981. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
The East screen opened on April 7th, 1965 and the west screen opened on April 23rd, 1965. April 7th, 1965 grand opening ad in the photo section.
This was the theater where Walt Disney presented the “Florida Project.” He did so from the grave, as he filmed it seven years before his death.
What killed thsi theater is Regal opened a 20 screen stadium theater right across the street.
I remember the theater had a section of seats roped off for smokers in the late 60’s/early 70’s. You could see them flicking their lighters all through the movie.
This theater opened as the Park East and Park West in 1965. Total seating at opening was 1,500, divided 600 and 900. It was operated by Wometco. A rendering of the proposed house, by architect A. Herbert Mathes, appeared in Boxoffice, December 31, 1964.
What’s sad is that the owner didn’t care about the theatre that had so much history.
RD— You’d be surprised at how many people loose their wallets right there. You can almost guarantee someone that says they lost something, that it’s caught right there.
I think someone actually lost an envelope that had over 2 grand in it, and they found it when they came back after the following showing got out.
I was sad to see this theater close, it’s now a gym.
I remember seeing a movie there when I was about 17 (1996) and getting home only to notice my wallet missing. To me it was the end of the world because I lost my driver’s lic., some pictures and probably some other random crap. I called the theater to ask if any found it but sadly no. Convinced it was there I went back the next day and search the theater only to find it stuck in the fold of the seat. I was so happy!
For the past year or so, this theatre has been operating on only 10 of the 11 screens. The property management took and stripped one of the original auditoriums and converted it to Retail Space.
The Projection booth was equipped with a 5 deck Christie to worked both projectors. There should be some pictures coming up soon on Cinema Tour.