Opened as a twin Drive-In on 7/2/1975, running STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD, BROTHER OF THE WIND & PAINT YOUR WAGON on screen 1 and FREEBIE AND HE BEAN AND SCARECROW on screen 2.
The GRAND ran HOW THE WEST WAS WON from April, 1963 until February, 1964, so that picture had to be taken during that period. That is the Underground Parking Garage.
BOXOFFICE reported that they tried a donation policy instead of admissions. Reported that they were losing less money this way than with admissions. Some teenages did not pay as a “gag”. Concession business had doubled.
The projectors in the lobby was sort of a trademark with these Mid-States theatres in the mid-70’s. Smoking was permitted in lobbies then, and those projectors were true dust magnets. (The one in Columbus even ran 70mm from one of these lobby projectors.)I’m wondering how many of these open platform theatres there were? I know for certain of the Continent in Columbus, and I think one of the Dayton places had these, too. I’d love to hear from any ex-Mid-State folks if they are aware of any other open platform theatres.
There has been an attempt on the part of the Linden neighborhood to bring that area back to life. I wish them well on this project. It would really help things in that neighborhood. They have a lot of work ahead of them.
The Picadilly is referenced briefly in one of the volumes of Phil Sheridan’s THOSE WONDERFUL OLD DOWNTOWN THEATRES. No information is given other than that it existed.
Property records are vague on this site as the property has been merged with others surrounding it and the owner trail has been lost.
The Todd-AO version of OKLAHOMA played a short 4 week run at the Cinestage in May, 1958, between the runs of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS and SOUTH PACIFIC. It had previously played in Columbus in 35mm, possibly at the Palace.
You can also include the Airport Drive-In, the North High Drive-In and the Hudson, which ran “selected films for the liberated adult male audience”. The “Adult Theatre” was previously the Markham. There may have been others, but I haven’t found them yet.
Thanks for the tip on that, Ron. There were more adult theatres in the late 60’s than I thought. I’ll be working on a separate list of Columbus adult theatres.
The C B S Partnership appears to be only a local real estate group, not affiliated with the network. They may also have an office in the German Village area, close to Parsons Avenue.
Yes…name change to PARIS came in late 1963…first PARIS FOLLIES, then PARIS ART. Closing dates are hard with this type of theatre as the newspapers stopped listing them in the late 60’s.
Yes, the Parsons showed some real porn in later years, and Columbus tried very hard to shut it down.
1291 Parsons is the correct address for this theatre. The Rowlands family bought the property in 1931, holding the property until 1961 when it was sold to the Catalan family, who changed the name to the Parsons Follies, running “adult” films. ART was added to the name at a later time.
During the first 2/3 of the 20th century, that was a flourishing area with a few theatres and a large retail area. After about 1970, the area became more and more run-down. Areas about 1 mile west of here are restored homes from the early 20th century and have some of the highest property values in the city.
That property is now owned by the CBS Partnership of Pataskala Ohio, who own 7 other properties nearby. The land is valued at just under $70,000 and is zoned for a restaurant or bar.
Thanks, Joe, for the Bob Greene reference. I’ll add it to my notes.
TFK, you should have seen the picture those Norelco’s put out when they ran OKLAHOMA at 30fps in the early ‘80’s.
Closed 2/9/1952.
Opened as a twin Drive-In on 7/2/1975, running STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD, BROTHER OF THE WIND & PAINT YOUR WAGON on screen 1 and FREEBIE AND HE BEAN AND SCARECROW on screen 2.
They offer 4 free admissions with a coupon when the “Marketplace” is open, but you have to get tickets 2 hours before showtime!
They offer 4 free admissions with a coupon when the “Marketplace” is open, but you have to get tickets 2 hours before showtime!
Currently has one 3-D Digital theatre. Quite a bargain with a $1.50 admission and a $2.00 3-D Surcharge.
This leaves Marion, a town of over 35,000 people, without a first run theatre.
Doesn’t this closing leave Marion without a first-run theatre?
It’s the Underground Parking Garage. The annex is on the east side of the Statehouse…the picture is of the west side.
The GRAND ran HOW THE WEST WAS WON from April, 1963 until February, 1964, so that picture had to be taken during that period. That is the Underground Parking Garage.
That was in 1953.
BOXOFFICE reported that they tried a donation policy instead of admissions. Reported that they were losing less money this way than with admissions. Some teenages did not pay as a “gag”. Concession business had doubled.
Looks like this is under the same management as the SCREENS AT THE CONTINENT. Webpages are almost identical with that same annoying text animation.
The projectors in the lobby was sort of a trademark with these Mid-States theatres in the mid-70’s. Smoking was permitted in lobbies then, and those projectors were true dust magnets. (The one in Columbus even ran 70mm from one of these lobby projectors.)I’m wondering how many of these open platform theatres there were? I know for certain of the Continent in Columbus, and I think one of the Dayton places had these, too. I’d love to hear from any ex-Mid-State folks if they are aware of any other open platform theatres.
The official closing date for this theatre was 8/14/1973. The final feature shown was WHITE LIGHTNING.
The Boulevard closed on 4/11/1967 showing LET’S KILL UNCLE & INCIDENT AT PHANTOM HILL. The College Cinema opened on 9/27/1967 with DIRTY DOZEN.
Ron is correct. It should be College Cinema. Source: Columbus Dispatch Newspaper Movie Listings 7/1/1972
In Columbus, the film opened in 35mm at the Ohio Theatre for a standard run. It only played 14 days. Must not have gone over very well!
The current seating in the Southern is 925, according to the CAPA website.
There has been an attempt on the part of the Linden neighborhood to bring that area back to life. I wish them well on this project. It would really help things in that neighborhood. They have a lot of work ahead of them.
The Picadilly is referenced briefly in one of the volumes of Phil Sheridan’s THOSE WONDERFUL OLD DOWNTOWN THEATRES. No information is given other than that it existed.
Property records are vague on this site as the property has been merged with others surrounding it and the owner trail has been lost.
ChasSmith &J Sittig:
The Todd-AO version of OKLAHOMA played a short 4 week run at the Cinestage in May, 1958, between the runs of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS and SOUTH PACIFIC. It had previously played in Columbus in 35mm, possibly at the Palace.
You can also include the Airport Drive-In, the North High Drive-In and the Hudson, which ran “selected films for the liberated adult male audience”. The “Adult Theatre” was previously the Markham. There may have been others, but I haven’t found them yet.
Thanks for the tip on that, Ron. There were more adult theatres in the late 60’s than I thought. I’ll be working on a separate list of Columbus adult theatres.
The C B S Partnership appears to be only a local real estate group, not affiliated with the network. They may also have an office in the German Village area, close to Parsons Avenue.
Yes…name change to PARIS came in late 1963…first PARIS FOLLIES, then PARIS ART. Closing dates are hard with this type of theatre as the newspapers stopped listing them in the late 60’s.
Yes, the Parsons showed some real porn in later years, and Columbus tried very hard to shut it down.
1291 Parsons is the correct address for this theatre. The Rowlands family bought the property in 1931, holding the property until 1961 when it was sold to the Catalan family, who changed the name to the Parsons Follies, running “adult” films. ART was added to the name at a later time.
During the first 2/3 of the 20th century, that was a flourishing area with a few theatres and a large retail area. After about 1970, the area became more and more run-down. Areas about 1 mile west of here are restored homes from the early 20th century and have some of the highest property values in the city.
That property is now owned by the CBS Partnership of Pataskala Ohio, who own 7 other properties nearby. The land is valued at just under $70,000 and is zoned for a restaurant or bar.
Thanks, Joe, for the Bob Greene reference. I’ll add it to my notes.