Twin Cordova Cinema

Cordova Cinema Co. became the latest franchisee of the growing Jerry Lewis Cinema Circuit. The company built a twin-screen theater in the existing Mills Shopping Center on Folsom Boulevard built in 1958. The four investors bet their savings on the Circuit which promised one-touch automated theatres which would program only family movies. The theatre opened on December 17, 1971 with Barbra Streisand in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” and Mark Lester in “Black Beauty.” Paul Quarino performed organ concerts as one of the quaint charms of the location.

On November 24, 1972, the Cordova investors sued Lewis and were in line with three other are JLC operators. They questioned the exclusive contracts and cited the lack of information concerning how union projectionists would react to the one-button automated, turnkey operation promoted by Lewis and its parent company, Network Cinema Corporation.

Just months later as other suits followed, the Lewis Chain was headed toward bankruptcy along with National Cinema Corporation, to dissolution. Like many JLCs, this one ripped Jerry Lewis signage down and changed names. On March 20, 1973, it became the Twin Cordova Cinemas. The theatre closed at the end of a 20-year lease on September 30, 1981 with two double features at discount, sub-run pricing with “Any Which Way You Can” and “Superman 2” with “American Pop” and “Heavy Metal” on Screen 2.

A listing mentions a retail conversion at the location In November of 1981 followed by the opening of a Pay n Pak store, followed by a 98 Cent Clearance Store, and - more recently – a Dollar Tree.

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