Eastwood Theatre
6800 Pendleton Pike,
Indianapolis,
IN
46226
6800 Pendleton Pike,
Indianapolis,
IN
46226
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 43 of 43 comments
I stand corrected. The original contract was negotiated for 12 weeks exclusive but after the huge openings everywhere the pressure was on Fox to broaden the run, which they did. I originally agreed to put up $50,000 to Fox for the run; however, Fox bid the run in Louisville and they only got $40,000. They then came back and changed my deal to $40,000. The picture was a gamble because the deal was made more than six months prior to opening and all we really knew was it was being made in England, on a closed set, with no big name stars, directed by a fairly new guy named George Lucas. Fox wanted the Eastwood because of its 800 seats, projection, and reputation as a good theatre. There were other considerations, too. It wasn’t trade screened until just before the actual opening and … . I felt a whole lot better. It grossed about $50,000 a weekfor the first few weeks, which was capacity on most shows.
The EASTWOOD’s run of “Star Wars” ended up being an Indianapolis exclusive for eight weeks, not twelve. On July 22, 1977 (week nine), two more bookings of “Star Wars” were added to the Indianapolis market (REGENCY 1 & 2 and LAFAYETTE SQUARE II-III-IV).
The EASTWOOD’s run of “Star Wars,” by the way, went on for 55 weeks, which I believe was the longest run in the theater’s history.
The Eastwood Theatre opened Sept 11, 1968 with Prudence and the Pill" which was a short run picture till Funny Girl" opened in Oct and ran 9 months. For “Star Wars” we purchased the first Dolby unit in Indiana, I think it was a CP50, and we had an exclusive run in Indy for the first 12 weeks. We had 35-70 projectors (made in Italy), 4-track magnetic and 6-track magnetic sound, with 5 large Altec speakers behind the screen. For “Tommy” which was 35mm with 4-track stereo, we took two speakers from behind the screen and mounted them in the rear corners of the auditorium, then tied them to the surround speakers. It was pretty impressive. In the ads, just for fun, we called it “Eastaphonic Stereo”.
The Eastwood Theatre, operated by Y & W, was the direct competitor that ultimately put the Arlington Theatre out of the first run business.
torn down replace with a menards home center
Joker1,
You’re right, you never said the midnight show in question was on opening day…but that is what you meant! And I resent being called a “know it all.” In this scenario, as with most of my Cinema Treasures posts, I’m just a “messenger.”
So tell me, if there was a midnight screening of “Star Wars” at the Eastwood, how would the good citizens of the Indianapolis area have known about it considering such a screening was not promoted in the local newspaper?
good grief, there’s a know it all in every crowd. Marty carr was the first owner to get approval for a 12:01 showing of star wars, abd I can assure you that it happened because I was there. He also had star wars T-shirts printed up, which his children wore when they were little as “playshirts”! I still have my Star Wars promotional book (the 20th century, long rectangular one) which they sold at the concession stand. Plus, I never said it was opening day.
“I saw Star Wars there at 12:01 in May of 1977.”
I think that is doubtful considering the Eastwood’s opening day showtimes were 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30 & 9:45.
I still live right down the road from where the Eastwood fell to Menards. I’m in the process of writing a book on the Eastwood, Esquire, and Pendleton Pike Drive-In. I really need any pictures anypne can send(ypu will be credited. My name is Ronnie Clark, and I saw Star Wars there at 12:01 in May of 1977. I’m also married to Marty Carrs daughter (the guy who ran esquire and Eastwood). Any Help in locating photos would be appreciated. ()
I too, had buddies from North Central, and we watched Empire Strikes Back at least 7 times at the Eastwood. The sound system there was just amazing. I saw an AC/DC concert film there, and it was at least as loud and impactful as a live concert. Amazing. I had heard a rumor that the Walker Theater had purchased the Eastwood’s sound equipment when it closed?
The Eastwood was among the theatres included in the original limited-market launch of “Star Wars.” The Eastwood’s 5/25/77 opening-day gross, according to Daily Variety, was a house record $5,638.
“I spent many an hour in line waiting to get in to see the original Star Wars (seven times I think). 70mm – WOW.” (Bill Ralph)
“I remember few theaters and movies in Indy like I do standing in line many, many time for several hours with buddies from North Central to see Star Wars (later Empire Strikes Back). Wow that 70mm screen was amazing!” (boxtermike)
“I remember seeing the three STAR WARS movies there in addition to THE WALL, ALIEN and DUNE.” (Mike Hunter)
While the original “Star Wars” played at the Eastwood Theater, I do not believe they ran a 70mm print. (“Empire” and “Jedi” were shown in 70mm.) By the way, the Indianapolis engagement of “Star Wars” was among the initial batch of limited market showings that began May 25, 1977 which…was 28 years ago TODAY!
A list of the original engagements and data on presentation types appears here:
View link
I also wish to point out this link to a piece on “Alien” because I recall one of the newspaper advertisements used was from the Indianapolis Eastwood engagement, which used a very cool “showmanship” style 70mm logo.
View link
With the release of the latest STAR WARS movie, my memory went right back to the Eastwood Theatre in Indianapolis. It was simply fantastic. Unsurpassed sound and screen. Wow, I wish it still existed. I would have flown back to Indiana just to watch the new STAR WARS there. I remember seeing the three STAR WARS movies there in addition to THE WALL, ALIEN and DUNE.
My earliest memory of the Eastwood was seeing Oliver! I went there many times, especially the summer of 1977 when I saw Star Wars many, many times. There was constantly a line for the next showing and I would see many friends walking around the parking lot trying to find the end of the line. It became a party for us every weekend! Later, I saw Pink Floyd The Wall there and it blew my mind!!! Sadly, the last movie I was excited to see there was Return of the Jedi. Then the theater started showing Platoon, Lethal Weapon, etc., and eventually closed. The the 70mm & the stereo sound were the best ever in Indianapolis!
I remember few theaters and movies in Indy (maybe Ben Hur at the old Indiana Theater downtown) like I do standing in line many,many time for several hours with buddies from North Central to see Star Wars (later Empire Strikes Back). Wow that 70mm screen was amazing! The guy driving kept flashing his lights “blasting” on-coming cars.
I wish theaters like Eastwood were still around!
Not to nitpick, but the Eastwood Theatre was in the strip mall with the Ayr-Way (Later Target). The Esquire was in the Esquire Shopping Center with the Zayre store. The screen at the Eastwood was fantastic.
It is with great fondness that I remember the Eastwood Theatre. I spent many an hour in line waiting to get in to see the original Star Wars (seven times I think). 70mm – WOW. Bill Ralph
As a former manager at Eastwood, I can tell you that it was named Eastwood Theatre and not cinema. It was located at 6800 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, Indiana and was a GREAT movie venue!