Chakeres Theatres Kettering Cinemas I & II

ForgttenDayton on March 8, 2024 at 8:33 am

This theatre was prepared for closure in 2004 although it didn’t actually close until 2006. Chakeres was eliminating their discount houses. The Kettering and Urbana were the last two of discount houses left in the then chain. The 15 year 1988 none compete agreement with National Amusements from their sale of some of Chakeres Dayton theatres had expired.Chakeres knew before the first night Kettering was back as a first run thestre it was only going to be for a few years. National Amusements had finally set a date for the long delay Greene 14 just up the street from Chakeres Kettering. And the did okay in the beginning as a first run during the first few months. But no matter how well it was going to do, it was already set to close for the Greene 14.

As far as management in the 90s at this theatre. It was managed from 1988- 1999 by Bob Mills. He was moved from Dayton Mall Cinemas when Chakeres sold them. Mr. Mills is a legend. Staying as an usher for RKO in Cincinnati. Then at one owning Cinema East on Watervilet, Cinema South on Far Hills, Washington Square Cinema, Cinema Centre 1 &2 and Colony Square in Lebanon.

He Washington Square and Cinema Centre both opened in 1975 and built by him. He was going after Chakeres South Dayton market.

However in 1979 he would sell Washington Square, Cinema Centre and Cinema South to Chakeres. Colony Square went to an independent. About a decade prior Cinema East burned down.

After selling to Chakeres he spent 20 years as a manager before retiring for the company he once fought for market share.

Chakeres at the time in 1975 there was only Dayton Mall Cinema 1 (69) and the Dayton Mall Cinema 2 (72). Across from the mall Chakeres also had Southland 75 Twin Drive-In.

When Mr. Mills not far from the those Chakeres was adding two theatres to the area in 1975 Chakeres had to respond. There was no space at the time in 1975 within Dayton Mall to build additional theatres. Chakeres went next door and leased space inside Elder- Beerman for Southtown 1 & 2.

Later Chakeres did add Dayton Mall 3&4 in October 79. In 1982 Litchfield built Centerville Cinemas 6 across from from Cinema Centre. Chakeres closed Cinema Centre in 1983 when the lease expired. In 1984 Dayton 5-8 opened

Joe Vogel on March 31, 2018 at 4:12 pm

The Fox Kettering was one of a pair of almost identical houses opened by National General in December, 1966, the first having been the Fox Valley Circle Theatre in San Diego,opened on December 23.

These theaters were designed by Harold W. Levitt & Associates, with William H. Farwell and Ernest W. LeDuc, and at least two more were later built on the same plan: the Fox Northwest Plaza in Dayton, Ohio, opened in December, 1967, and the Mark Twain Theatre, Sunset Hills, Missouri, opened in August, 1968.

Orion33 on August 2, 2015 at 9:50 pm

Southernlandthief’s comments are bringing back some good memories. I attended a showing of the Jack Nicholson film GOIN' SOUTH at this cinema. My friends had smuggled in some Schoenling Little Creme Ales (local beer) and accidentally got them rolling down the aisles LOL!

I likewise saw KING OF THE GYPSIES after the cinema was twinned along with ALL THAT JAZZ, and many others. The cinema went to a 2nd run format during the late 1980s if I recall. The decision to go with first run films again surprised me. Since I lived less than a block from this cinema, I attended many showings. Many people I knew said they wouldn’t see 1st run films in such a rundown theater.

I think the decision to close the cinema down was a result of a new multiplex opening 2 miles up the road. The decision to close came quick. There was only a one day notice. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend that last night and I regret it. I miss that cinema because there was so much history in those walls.

Mike Richardson on July 20, 2010 at 4:58 pm

Even more recent photos are on Cinematour.

southernlandthief on August 8, 2006 at 6:15 pm

Thanks for the update. What a shame. Stored a lot of memories from that theater.

southernlandthief on August 6, 2006 at 7:56 pm

Kettering Cinema had a ninety-foot wide, convex screen and seated 904 patrons. The last movie to show on the large screen was “Goin' South”, John Belushi and Mary Steenburgen’s screen debuts and directed by Jack Nicholson. The theater was closed in the fall of 1978 and ‘twinned’. Kettering Cinemas opened on December 15th with “King of the Gypsies” and “Oliver’s Story” Even though both theaters were only partially ready, neither film sold out the 30 seats that were available.