Not originally a twin but maybe later. Along with the Terrace in Norfolk the two Ultravision theaters on that side of the bay. The poor Terrance was horribly twinned without adjusting where the seats were facing, a disaster since the building was round. There was also an Ultravision Twin in Newport News.
Actually Circle 6 was inside the mall. This theater opened years later. And was terrible. This was the era where multiplexes used a one size fits all screen, no matter if the movie was in 1.85 or 2.35. I saw APOCALYPSE NOW there and both sides of the image were lopped off. I remember also seeing REDS there. AMC theaters in this period were the worst—-it recalls Pauline Kael’s response when asked what she thought of multiplexes. She replied “It’s like going to a movie in a latrine.”
In order to celebrate their 75th anniversary the Ashland theater will be showing a series of films from 1948. Tickets are only 75 cents (though I am sure donations are more than welcome). These will continue monthly through next spring. Whoever is picking these films has good taste. They are:
September 18th: Max Opul’s LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN
October 16th: Orson Welles’ MACBETH
November 13th: Frank Capra’s STATE OF THE UNION
December 11th: Powell and Pressberger’s THE RED SHOES
January 22nd: John Huston’s KEY LARGO
February 12th: Alfred Hitchcock’s ROPE
March 25th: Charles Walters’ EASTER PARADE
April 15th: Laurence Olivier’s HAMLET
May 13th: Preston Sturges’ UNFAITHFULLY YOURS
June 10th: Anatole Litvak’s SORRY WRONG NUMBER
July 15: Vitorio DeSica’s BICYCLE THIEVES
August 12: Vincente Minnelli’s THE PIRATE
FOR MORE DETAILS: https://www.ashlandtheatre.org/events
I went last night for the showing of LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN which drew a good sized crowd. Everything was well done with digital projection and good sound. This is a real gem.
Aside from a couple of press showings neither film shot in Cinemascope 55 played in anything but 35mm reduction prints. Some engagements had 6 track sound which was synchronized from a separate sound element. The Cinemascope 55 projector much like the VistaVision projector where the film traveled horizontally never caught on as they were not compatible with any other format. This is where the 70mm projectors had an advantage, they were easily converted to 35mm. Highly recommended is the American Widescreen Museum, a truly amazing site which has details on all the widescreen formats, their history, and how they were promoted. It is pretty much the last word on the subject. http://www.widescreenmuseum.com
Bill Huelbig’s is correct about the preview of DOCTOR DOOLITTLE as mentioned in THE STUDIO. Fox had done a similar preview for SOUND OF MUSIC at this theater and regarded it as good luck to preview there. Obviously DOCTOR DOOLITTLE was no SOUND OF MUSIC. But did it also roadshow at the Pantages?
So was this a D-150 equipped theater? That would make sense for a variety of reasons. And I would also assume they showed OKLAHOMA! in its 70mm/30fps version. Anyone know?
Curious about the SOUND OF MUSIC run? Was this in 35mm and if so was the sound four track mag? I know as the release wound down Fox often still required stereo sound in order to show the film. Anyone have any idea?
Very curious about the posting of the FANTASIA in FANTASOUND posters here…. I was unaware of any 1951 reissue and none with Fantasound after the initial release. Could this possibly be 1941? Later releases in the 50’s used these tracks to create a four track magnetic track, but that was later than 1951.
Wow—-I grew up in Wakefield and remember the theater being closed. I never saw a movie there. The Peebles Department store next door expanded into the theater space later on and then in the late sixties the whole department store burned down. This is the first time I have ever seen a picture of this theater.
Sad to see this theater close as it is the last first run theater in town that is not an ugly multiplex. I have a long history with the Westhampton going back to November of 1967 when I first visited there to see GONE WITH THE WIND. I have certainly spent many hours over the last five decades there as movies and exhibition styles have changed.
Great theater which always showed the best films. Among those I saw there first run were: 101 DALMATIANS, HARD DAY’S NIGHT, THE STERILE CUCKOO, MANHATTAN, SLEUTH, PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (in four track stereo!), BARRY LYNDON, LAST TANGO IN PARIS, LAST PICTURE SHOW, PLAY IT AGAIN SAM, CARRIE…. and so many more. It was a class venue.
Not originally a twin but maybe later. Along with the Terrace in Norfolk the two Ultravision theaters on that side of the bay. The poor Terrance was horribly twinned without adjusting where the seats were facing, a disaster since the building was round. There was also an Ultravision Twin in Newport News.
Actually Circle 6 was inside the mall. This theater opened years later. And was terrible. This was the era where multiplexes used a one size fits all screen, no matter if the movie was in 1.85 or 2.35. I saw APOCALYPSE NOW there and both sides of the image were lopped off. I remember also seeing REDS there. AMC theaters in this period were the worst—-it recalls Pauline Kael’s response when asked what she thought of multiplexes. She replied “It’s like going to a movie in a latrine.”
In order to celebrate their 75th anniversary the Ashland theater will be showing a series of films from 1948. Tickets are only 75 cents (though I am sure donations are more than welcome). These will continue monthly through next spring. Whoever is picking these films has good taste. They are: September 18th: Max Opul’s LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN October 16th: Orson Welles’ MACBETH November 13th: Frank Capra’s STATE OF THE UNION December 11th: Powell and Pressberger’s THE RED SHOES January 22nd: John Huston’s KEY LARGO February 12th: Alfred Hitchcock’s ROPE March 25th: Charles Walters’ EASTER PARADE April 15th: Laurence Olivier’s HAMLET May 13th: Preston Sturges’ UNFAITHFULLY YOURS June 10th: Anatole Litvak’s SORRY WRONG NUMBER July 15: Vitorio DeSica’s BICYCLE THIEVES August 12: Vincente Minnelli’s THE PIRATE FOR MORE DETAILS: https://www.ashlandtheatre.org/events
I went last night for the showing of LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN which drew a good sized crowd. Everything was well done with digital projection and good sound. This is a real gem.
I don’t see any mention here, but Brian DePalma used the theater as a significant location for his cult classic PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE.
It was renamed the Lee in the mid-sixties.
Actually I KNOW WHERE I AM GOING was released in 1945, so not 1930’s.
I am confused here. The description says the theater closed in 1963. MOLLY BROWN did not open until 1964. Could the dates be wrong?
Off by a decade. THE THREE MUSKETEERS opened in 1974.
But what was “Super SpectraSound”?
Aside from a couple of press showings neither film shot in Cinemascope 55 played in anything but 35mm reduction prints. Some engagements had 6 track sound which was synchronized from a separate sound element. The Cinemascope 55 projector much like the VistaVision projector where the film traveled horizontally never caught on as they were not compatible with any other format. This is where the 70mm projectors had an advantage, they were easily converted to 35mm. Highly recommended is the American Widescreen Museum, a truly amazing site which has details on all the widescreen formats, their history, and how they were promoted. It is pretty much the last word on the subject. http://www.widescreenmuseum.com
Bill Huelbig’s is correct about the preview of DOCTOR DOOLITTLE as mentioned in THE STUDIO. Fox had done a similar preview for SOUND OF MUSIC at this theater and regarded it as good luck to preview there. Obviously DOCTOR DOOLITTLE was no SOUND OF MUSIC. But did it also roadshow at the Pantages?
SOME LIKE IT HOT was released in 1959. You may want to adjust the caption on the photo.
So was this a D-150 equipped theater? That would make sense for a variety of reasons. And I would also assume they showed OKLAHOMA! in its 70mm/30fps version. Anyone know?
Curious about the SOUND OF MUSIC run? Was this in 35mm and if so was the sound four track mag? I know as the release wound down Fox often still required stereo sound in order to show the film. Anyone have any idea?
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were a hit group of the 1960’s, so this is probably from the 1960s not the 1950s.
Based on the picture showing VENOM and FIRST MAN on the marquee, is it safe to assume this theater has reopened?
Wow…. I have never seen Cinemascope 55 so prominently promoted.
Very curious about the posting of the FANTASIA in FANTASOUND posters here…. I was unaware of any 1951 reissue and none with Fantasound after the initial release. Could this possibly be 1941? Later releases in the 50’s used these tracks to create a four track magnetic track, but that was later than 1951.
I don’t this is the State theater in Richmond.
Wow—-I grew up in Wakefield and remember the theater being closed. I never saw a movie there. The Peebles Department store next door expanded into the theater space later on and then in the late sixties the whole department store burned down. This is the first time I have ever seen a picture of this theater.
Just saw THE SHAPE OF WATER and part of the movie was shot here. Remarkable.
Sad to see this theater close as it is the last first run theater in town that is not an ugly multiplex. I have a long history with the Westhampton going back to November of 1967 when I first visited there to see GONE WITH THE WIND. I have certainly spent many hours over the last five decades there as movies and exhibition styles have changed.
The most recent news I heard is that this theater will close in May. Has anyone heard any updates?
Great theater which always showed the best films. Among those I saw there first run were: 101 DALMATIANS, HARD DAY’S NIGHT, THE STERILE CUCKOO, MANHATTAN, SLEUTH, PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (in four track stereo!), BARRY LYNDON, LAST TANGO IN PARIS, LAST PICTURE SHOW, PLAY IT AGAIN SAM, CARRIE…. and so many more. It was a class venue.
Thanks for fixing the location. It was right next to the Baskin Robbins shop.