1 large room and 2 smaller ones. No stereo equipment was installed during the Loews/Sony years…can not confirm anything after that. Nice theatre but did not do a great business.
Theatre used a Sword automation system. There were 2 projectors for each theatre with large reels. The first half of the movie would play on one projector, then, after the changeover to the other projector, the first projector would rewind to the starting point. It required very little attention once it was running.
Opening features were 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Odessa File. The opening ad featured the headline, “Most people go out to see a movie…now they can go out to see a theatre, too!”
Ran a magnetic stereo print of BLUES BROTHERS in the larger theatre.
Proper Address is 649 Delaware Avenue. This address is from daily theatre listings in the Columbus Dispatch.
There was significant development in this area in the 50’s and 60’s, so Delaware Avenue no longer exists south of Buttles Ave. According to map of the area from around 1950, Delaware Ave. was 2 blocks west of Neil Avenue.
You can approximate the location of the theatre with the address of 404 Thurber Drive W (43215). The theatre would have been at the SE corner of this property. It is now an apartment complex.
My records begin in 1945 and the Goodale was not open then. The first operating date I can find after 1945 was 10/6/1946.
The new 3D system is from Dolby. Next 3D presentation will be DIAL M FOR MURDER in March. They will show other classic 3D movies as they come available.
jwmovies, thank you for finding the current address for this Drive-In. Many addresses in that area of Central Ohio have changed with the rapid development making it very difficult to get accurate information. Making things even more confusing is that this part of US Rt. 23 is also known as Columbus Pike.
When the Drive-In opened in 1952, the address was listed in the Columbus Dispatch as “High Street North of Worthington”. Miles purchased the theatre in 1954 and listed the address as “8750 North High”. Newspaper advertising for the theatre lists the 8750 address until the theatre closed in 1981.
According to IMDB (and my memory) Brenda Starr opened at the Guild in April, 1992.
I was visiting NYC at the time, and saw BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Saturday morning, the day before Easter. I recall that BRENDA STARR opened at the Guild on Easter Sunday, with the 70mm print of BATB moving to one of the Embassy 2-3-4 houses.
The NY Times review for BRENDA STARR was in the 4/18/92 edition and confirms it was running at the Guild.
That was a great NYC Theatre day for me…70mm Beauty And the Beast in the morning, 5 Guys Named Moe Broadway show matinee, and finished up with the Easter Show at Radio City…not a day I will ever forget.
Yes, that theatre later became Tri-County 6 & 7. It was located to the west across the street from Tri-County 1-5. I saw THEY CALL ME BRUCE there is the early ‘80’s.
Mark_L
commented about
"Alien"on
Jul 23, 2012 at 12:01 pm
ALIEN was the first 70mm feature to play at the Continent. It was very strange seeing that 70mm print sitting wide open to the world in the lobby…quite a dust magnet. Smoking was also allowed in the lobby then, so that print was mighty dirty.
Thanks for that, Tinseltoes. You are uncovering some real gems in your search of the old Boxoffice magazines. I’ll add that to my collection of info on this theatre.
Regarding the Todd-AO conversion cover, there are articles about the conversion of the theatre and the booths also in that section of the magazine. Thanks for the link!
Original large screen system was an Iwerks 8/70 3-D system. Sound was usually good, but the picture was always very dim. Replaced by digital as noted in 2011.
DAK8601 is correct, the theatre opened on 5/1/1953, with a Grand Opening on 7/1/1953. In the Grand Opening ad, there is a “best wishes” ad from West Fifth Auto Sales which was directly in front of the theatre.
“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."
In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.
I’m sorry, hdtv267, but we will have to disagree on that point. I will continue to post as I see fit. As your comment trail indicates that you will be leaving this site, I wish you well on your future endeavors.
1 large room and 2 smaller ones. No stereo equipment was installed during the Loews/Sony years…can not confirm anything after that. Nice theatre but did not do a great business.
From looking at theatre listings from the Columbus Dispatch from 1946 – 1951, it appears that this theatre was not open during the summers.
Any information on that labor problem at the Teck? What union was involved?
Projection was 16mm.
Theatre used a Sword automation system. There were 2 projectors for each theatre with large reels. The first half of the movie would play on one projector, then, after the changeover to the other projector, the first projector would rewind to the starting point. It required very little attention once it was running.
Opening features were 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Odessa File. The opening ad featured the headline, “Most people go out to see a movie…now they can go out to see a theatre, too!”
Ran a magnetic stereo print of BLUES BROTHERS in the larger theatre.
Opening attractions were Where Time Began, Jaws 2, Grease, Return from Witch Mountain, Heaven Can Wait and Revenge of the Pink Panther.
This theatre had projection rooms at ground level and used a periscope system to raise the image above the audience.
Proper Address is 649 Delaware Avenue. This address is from daily theatre listings in the Columbus Dispatch.
There was significant development in this area in the 50’s and 60’s, so Delaware Avenue no longer exists south of Buttles Ave. According to map of the area from around 1950, Delaware Ave. was 2 blocks west of Neil Avenue.
You can approximate the location of the theatre with the address of 404 Thurber Drive W (43215). The theatre would have been at the SE corner of this property. It is now an apartment complex.
My records begin in 1945 and the Goodale was not open then. The first operating date I can find after 1945 was 10/6/1946.
Closing Date – 8/26/1950
Opening movies were THE KENTUCKIAN and MAN WITH A GUN. Address of the theatre was 645 N. James Road. In later years, it was outdoor only.
The new 3D system is from Dolby. Next 3D presentation will be DIAL M FOR MURDER in March. They will show other classic 3D movies as they come available.
jwmovies, thank you for finding the current address for this Drive-In. Many addresses in that area of Central Ohio have changed with the rapid development making it very difficult to get accurate information. Making things even more confusing is that this part of US Rt. 23 is also known as Columbus Pike.
When the Drive-In opened in 1952, the address was listed in the Columbus Dispatch as “High Street North of Worthington”. Miles purchased the theatre in 1954 and listed the address as “8750 North High”. Newspaper advertising for the theatre lists the 8750 address until the theatre closed in 1981.
According to IMDB (and my memory) Brenda Starr opened at the Guild in April, 1992.
I was visiting NYC at the time, and saw BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Saturday morning, the day before Easter. I recall that BRENDA STARR opened at the Guild on Easter Sunday, with the 70mm print of BATB moving to one of the Embassy 2-3-4 houses.
The NY Times review for BRENDA STARR was in the 4/18/92 edition and confirms it was running at the Guild.
That was a great NYC Theatre day for me…70mm Beauty And the Beast in the morning, 5 Guys Named Moe Broadway show matinee, and finished up with the Easter Show at Radio City…not a day I will ever forget.
MASTER is 1.85:1. All prints have DATASAT (DTS) sound…no mag. Sounds like Weinstein is adding a few more 70mm engagements than originally expected.
4k Barco digital projector installed during the weekend of 8/18/12. Will be showing a 4k version of GUNS OF NAVARONE on 9/1/12.
Yes, that theatre later became Tri-County 6 & 7. It was located to the west across the street from Tri-County 1-5. I saw THEY CALL ME BRUCE there is the early ‘80’s.
ALIEN was the first 70mm feature to play at the Continent. It was very strange seeing that 70mm print sitting wide open to the world in the lobby…quite a dust magnet. Smoking was also allowed in the lobby then, so that print was mighty dirty.
Thanks for that, Tinseltoes. You are uncovering some real gems in your search of the old Boxoffice magazines. I’ll add that to my collection of info on this theatre.
Regarding the Todd-AO conversion cover, there are articles about the conversion of the theatre and the booths also in that section of the magazine. Thanks for the link!
Original large screen system was an Iwerks 8/70 3-D system. Sound was usually good, but the picture was always very dim. Replaced by digital as noted in 2011.
When this was reopened by Movie Tavern, one of the theatre spaces was converted to a kitchen, hence the change from 12 screens to 11.
This is the re-opening of the theatre with a second screen.
I don’t believe that this theatre ever reopened.
DAK8601 is correct, the theatre opened on 5/1/1953, with a Grand Opening on 7/1/1953. In the Grand Opening ad, there is a “best wishes” ad from West Fifth Auto Sales which was directly in front of the theatre.
Additional information on the Todd-AO conversion:
From the Columbus Dispatch, 10/15/1960:
“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."
In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.
I’m sorry, hdtv267, but we will have to disagree on that point. I will continue to post as I see fit. As your comment trail indicates that you will be leaving this site, I wish you well on your future endeavors.
Would you please cite which item is either hearsay or nonsense?