World East Theatre

The World East, World West and the Severence Theatre (the original, not the current plex) were all built and operated by an outfit called Rappaport Theatres out of Baltimore.

The World Theatre East closed in the very early 90’s. Not sure about the exact date; I was just a kid then. But I do remember a Star Bank opening up in the theater’s former space in fall 1992.he bank later became Firstar, and is now US Bank. Hilltop Plaza’s owners kept the theater’s approx. 25' x 50' marquee and used it occasioanally to advertise tenant store’s sales (with the theater’s original all black lettering). But the marquee began to detoriate as early as 1995, and was rumored to be infested with rats. The Plaza tore the marquee down in 2006, and replaced it with a much smaller, generic shopping center sign in early 2007.

I sxaw a few kid’s movies there, but what I remember most was that the theater had “The Color Purple” for an incredible 16 weeks or so in 1986. I kept thinking they’d change the sign every Thrusday night, but it seemed like it would never happen!

I worked as a projectionist in Cleveland area between 1980 – 1995 and worked the World East. Never forget working the run of ‘Last Temptation of Christ’ and having to negotiate my way through the sidewalk protestors to get to work. Had to go to the airport and pick up the print, labeled ‘The Big Event’ on the cans as there was such a security issue and overall hubub surrounding this flic. Also ran ‘Last Emperor’ for almost 20 weeks there. Last operated by Cedar Lee owner Jon Forman. I’ll post to other theatre links but what does Chuck1231 want to know about the Richmond? Are you perhaps the Chuck that was the mgr. there back in the day?