I was in the IMAX auditorium this afternoon and saw the “Avengers.” It was the 3rd week of the run and the place was packed! The line of sight is excellent as the stadium seating is staggered so no heads block your view and you also have plenty of leg room. There are no commercials before the feature, and they are proud of that fact. A manager greets the audience just before the show starts and announces the policies of the theatre. A nice light show is then projected on the waterfall curtain as the 2001 theme is played as the curtain raises it is a nice effect with the multi-colored lights. Some of the side lighting fixtures look a little plastic, but for the art-deco theme that may all one could get as well. The staff is friendly and the place is clean. Restrooms had lines in them after the show was over. For those of us in Kansas it is the only good screen to watch a movie on.
What is the current status of this theatre. DIckinson is either closing or selling off their screens, and are not doing any upgrading. Also was this originally a General Cinema house?
From what I am reading is that National General originally built this theatre as a twin. If that is what I am reading there were very very few theatres that NGC specifically built as a twin, because Mann did a lot of twinning. This theatre does look very similar to the Fox VIllage in Tuscon,
Chris Utley is right, we are in a totally different era today than even 10 years ago when it comes to film placement by the studios. These new owners have got to be creative with the marketing of the Chinese, it can be done, but I question if they think in the terms that Chris is describing.
According to the realtors web site, the theatre is listed for $425,000. It does not mention anything about the interior condition or what if any equipment may be left.
This theatre was built by Boston MA based General Cinema in the early 1970’s. The Topeka Boulevard Cinema originally was a twin and later the second auditorium was divided for a total of three houses. The interior was classic GCC featuring light gray seating and gray walls. This was the only GCC theatre in Topeka, GCC had other venues in Wichita, Kansas. The pictures that I uploaded show that the building and street sign are still in use, the building as a country western club and the street sign for the clubs advertising.
The West End Pointe 8 is now listed as a Showplex Cinema Theatre. There has been no information about the transaction on either the Dickinson or Showplex web sites.
Originally the Metcalf Theatre and built by Commonwealth, was taken over by National General, later operated by Mann, and part of the Dickinson purchase of Mann in the Midwest. This originally was a single screen, and twinned by Mann. I am not sure when the 3rd screen was added. This theatre was ‘just down the street’ from the Glenwood Theatre which is now demolished.
rivest226 do you know where Rave’s Westroads 14 is located at? Is in on the mall property or in an adjacent location? What about AMC as well? Thanks!!!
Interesting! The plot thickens! Thanks for the information! Mann must have sold the Fox directly to AMC and was not apart of the Dickinson deal. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for that information ‘rivest266’. I knew that Dickinson did not operate the theatre for any length of time, probably under 8 months if that long.
There was another theatre in this mall as well. National General built the Fox Westroads on the outside of the mall first, however someone in Los Angeles did not sign an exclusive contract for the Westroads Mall. The Fox was a single screen with AMC having 6 inside. Mann would later twin the Fox and when Dickinson bought out Mann’s interests in the Midwest they either closed the Fox or sold it to AMC. Today neither exist, Rave built a multiplex directly across the street from Westroads, and AMC has a megaplex in another part of Omaha.
Any pictures you can take of the Century 21 even while it is being demolished, both inside and out help document the building for future generations. Please feel free to post them on this site. Likewise any pictures you may have in your families archives of the building under construction or in operation are welcomed as well.
Thanks..
Dickinson acquired this and the Metcalf when they bought out Mann’s interests in Kansas and Missouri. If anyone has any links to additional information about the NGC/Federal court approval I would be interested in that information. NGC/Mann’s interests would also have included the Plaza downtown as well.
It is amazing that after looking at the Mann website, what was once a national chain, is now down to three locations and 21 screens. I worked for Mann out of the district office in Wichita, Kansas during the late 1079’s and early 80’s and now its all but gone! Amazing!!
I was in the IMAX auditorium this afternoon and saw the “Avengers.” It was the 3rd week of the run and the place was packed! The line of sight is excellent as the stadium seating is staggered so no heads block your view and you also have plenty of leg room. There are no commercials before the feature, and they are proud of that fact. A manager greets the audience just before the show starts and announces the policies of the theatre. A nice light show is then projected on the waterfall curtain as the 2001 theme is played as the curtain raises it is a nice effect with the multi-colored lights. Some of the side lighting fixtures look a little plastic, but for the art-deco theme that may all one could get as well. The staff is friendly and the place is clean. Restrooms had lines in them after the show was over. For those of us in Kansas it is the only good screen to watch a movie on.
Following link. Thank you.
What is the current status of this theatre. DIckinson is either closing or selling off their screens, and are not doing any upgrading. Also was this originally a General Cinema house?
Following Link. Thank you!
Following link. Thank you!
Just following link. Thank you.
From what I am reading is that National General originally built this theatre as a twin. If that is what I am reading there were very very few theatres that NGC specifically built as a twin, because Mann did a lot of twinning. This theatre does look very similar to the Fox VIllage in Tuscon,
It looks like it could originally been a General Cinema theatre.
I am amazed by the size of the upright sign. I wonder what it took to change the blubs on it?
Following Link, THANKS!
Chris Utley is right, we are in a totally different era today than even 10 years ago when it comes to film placement by the studios. These new owners have got to be creative with the marketing of the Chinese, it can be done, but I question if they think in the terms that Chris is describing.
According to the realtors web site, the theatre is listed for $425,000. It does not mention anything about the interior condition or what if any equipment may be left.
This theatre was built by Boston MA based General Cinema in the early 1970’s. The Topeka Boulevard Cinema originally was a twin and later the second auditorium was divided for a total of three houses. The interior was classic GCC featuring light gray seating and gray walls. This was the only GCC theatre in Topeka, GCC had other venues in Wichita, Kansas. The pictures that I uploaded show that the building and street sign are still in use, the building as a country western club and the street sign for the clubs advertising.
Renewing Link. Thanks!
The West End Pointe 8 is now listed as a Showplex Cinema Theatre. There has been no information about the transaction on either the Dickinson or Showplex web sites.
Originally the Metcalf Theatre and built by Commonwealth, was taken over by National General, later operated by Mann, and part of the Dickinson purchase of Mann in the Midwest. This originally was a single screen, and twinned by Mann. I am not sure when the 3rd screen was added. This theatre was ‘just down the street’ from the Glenwood Theatre which is now demolished.
rivest226 do you know where Rave’s Westroads 14 is located at? Is in on the mall property or in an adjacent location? What about AMC as well? Thanks!!!
Interesting! The plot thickens! Thanks for the information! Mann must have sold the Fox directly to AMC and was not apart of the Dickinson deal. Thanks again!!!
Thanks for that information ‘rivest266’. I knew that Dickinson did not operate the theatre for any length of time, probably under 8 months if that long.
There was another theatre in this mall as well. National General built the Fox Westroads on the outside of the mall first, however someone in Los Angeles did not sign an exclusive contract for the Westroads Mall. The Fox was a single screen with AMC having 6 inside. Mann would later twin the Fox and when Dickinson bought out Mann’s interests in the Midwest they either closed the Fox or sold it to AMC. Today neither exist, Rave built a multiplex directly across the street from Westroads, and AMC has a megaplex in another part of Omaha.
Any photos of the inside? I’m sorry but the outside looks really drab and lifeless. Hope the inside is nicer!
Any pictures you can take of the Century 21 even while it is being demolished, both inside and out help document the building for future generations. Please feel free to post them on this site. Likewise any pictures you may have in your families archives of the building under construction or in operation are welcomed as well. Thanks..
Three theatres with a total of 21 screens. I imagine that one person is running the whole thing!
Dickinson acquired this and the Metcalf when they bought out Mann’s interests in Kansas and Missouri. If anyone has any links to additional information about the NGC/Federal court approval I would be interested in that information. NGC/Mann’s interests would also have included the Plaza downtown as well.
It is amazing that after looking at the Mann website, what was once a national chain, is now down to three locations and 21 screens. I worked for Mann out of the district office in Wichita, Kansas during the late 1079’s and early 80’s and now its all but gone! Amazing!!