Showcase Cinemas Eastgate

4701 Eastgate Boulevard,
Cincinnati, OH 45245

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Previously operated by: National Amusements, Showcase Cinemas

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A seven screen complex owned by National Amusements located adjacent to the Eastgate Mall in Cincinnati, Ohio. The complex opened December 4, 1980 with a special preview viewing of “Flash Gordon” starring Sam J. Jones. Italian actress Ornella Muti who played Princess Aura, attended the screening. It was covered by local and national news. The official opening was on December 5, 1980. National Amusements built a new complex in Milford, Ohio some years ago and Eastgate closed. The last time I was over that way it appeared that Showcase Cinemas Eastgate had been demolished.

Contributed by Tim Holloway

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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Coate on March 6, 2015 at 6:46 am

From the overview… “The complex opened in November of 1980 with the world premiere of “Flash Gordon”. Italian actress Ornella Muti who played Princess Aura, attended the screening. It was covered by local and national news.”

The world premiere? Why would the world premiere of Flash Gordon have been held in Cincinnati? What was the connection? Is it possible the screening in question was actually just a regional premiere, or a sneak preview, a test or exhibitor screening or some other pre-release type of screening?

Coate on March 6, 2015 at 9:23 am

…or a Grand Opening event? In which case, the opening probably would’ve been in December, rather than November, since that’s when Flash Gordon opened.

THolloway on March 6, 2015 at 9:45 am

Very good questions! I could certainly be wrong about the World Premiere aspect of Flash Gordon. I was wrong about when the screening actually took place: It was December 4, 1980. It was the only film that played that night at Showcase Cinemas Eastgate. The next day, December 5th, was the official opening of the complex for the general public. The IMDb shows the general release date of Flash Gordon as December 5, 1980. I have added a scan of the Invitation to the event which describes is as a preview. Ornella Muti arrived (late) in a stretch limousine accompanied by her entourage and several people from the Boston office of Redstone Management. Film footage of the event was shown on a nationally syndicated TV program, which I saw the following evening. I was the Managing Director of the complex and greeted her upon arrival. I was also on hand as the complex was being built. The person standing in the open door of the office trailer is me. Thanks for your input Coate. Cinema Treasures is a great site.

Coate on March 6, 2015 at 10:08 am

Thanks, THolloway, for clarifying everything and for posting the vintage images.

THolloway on March 6, 2015 at 10:39 am

My pleasure.