Perry 3
118 E. Park Street,
Perry,
FL
32348
118 E. Park Street,
Perry,
FL
32348
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The Perry Cinemas 3 opened its doors on December 21, 1979 with “Prize Fighter” at Screen 1, “Halloween” at Screen 2, and “Arabian Adventure” at Screen 3. It was first operated by the Florida West Amusement Company. The triplex originally had a capacity of 660 seats, but was downgraded to 393 by the end of its operation. It was first managed by Aubrey Jones.
By 1985, it was renamed Perry Triple Cinema and at the time it was operated by Floyd Theatres. It would later become known as the “Perry Theatre” and finally the “Perry 3”, and during those two names it was independently-operated.
It is the first indoor movie theater in Perry to operate since a large indoor fire destroyed the Temple Theatre on May 19, 1976, leaving the Graves Drive-In the only movie theater in Perry for a time (which still operates into the 1980s later on, and at the time, the Graves was operated by Mary Brannen).
This theatre officially closed January 8, 2018. Another casualty of the movie industry’s digital conversion mandate. The building and property was sold recently, (July 2019). The new owner indicated it will not be reopened as a theater. Interestingly, one of its last patrons was former President Jimmy Carter, his family and SS entourage, who were visiting the area during a fishing excursion in December 2017. If you’re wondering what they watched, it was Star Wars; The Last Jedi.
Some news regarding this triple theatre: Two digital projectors were installed this month (May 2015). The third cinema room is still running 35mm. Began presenting live entertainment in the fourth room, which was used as a game room many years ago. Their new web site is www.perry3.org * Ownership history and changing of hands, according to Joe Brownlee, a local resident who worked at the Perry theatre in 1984 and assisted with the recent digital install: Floyd Theatre, Teresa Batten, then Robert (Bob) Long, then Holly (Long) & husband Daryl Longley, then James McClary in 2000, and most recent Larry & Teresa Schmidt in 2012. The architect drawings for the building are dated July of 1979 according to the current manager Mr. Schmidt.
Yes, Perry Theatre has 3 screens. The ownership changed from McClary on April 2, 2012 to local resident Larry Schmidt and his wife Teresa, (having moved to Perry FL in July 2005). McClary indicating the failing health of his mother and desire to return to Indiana to be near her as the reason for the sale. The Schmidt’s renovated the lobby and concession area in the first year and held a Grand re-opening on Oct 12, 2012. Pictures before and after the renovations can be found on the theater web site www.perrytheatre.com Both owners (McClary and Schmidt) state they tried being open more than the weekend, however the local population is not sufficient to cover the overhead of being open more often and ditched the effort on several occasions. IF the theater can find a way to undertake the digital conversion Schmidt says he will try again with a skeleton crew. The theater does also have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Perry.Movie.Theatre
For sale on loopnet.
AKA:
TRIPLE CINEMA
Here are my pictures from February 2011.
AKA: PERRY CINEMAS 3
SEATS: 393
Open ~1985? Can anyone verify the exact date?
Owners:
1985 Floyd Theaters of Haines City, Fla., Carl Floyd President, they had 40 theaters, all in Florida.
2000 Jim McClary of Perry, Florida.
More info and photos are always welcome.