Good news! I, and a couple of hundred other people, heard Mary Strauss say they intend to replace the current vertical with a replica of the original. This was stated at a luncheon meeting at the Missouri Historical Society on October 9th. When asked about the roof sign, she did not offer much chance of replicating.
No, I didn’t miss the point of the thread, which is why I made my comment.
If Cinema Treasures is about the history of theatres, I consider it just as important/interesting to mention that the Astor had the hardticket run of “GWTW” as the Palace had the hardticket run of
“Mr. Chips.”
Not meaning to rain on anyone’s parade, but I feel the film gauge
is not the criterion to be used in making the exhibition of a film “special.”
I am of the opinion that the criterion to use is if the run was a hardticket (reserved seat) one with limited showings (meaning one showing every night with matinee showings three days a week).
Historically speaking, are we to rank the musical version of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” as higher on the importance scale because it was in 70mm as compared to such 35mm releases as “Gone with the Wind” or “Birth of a Nation”?
This operation is not to be confused with the theatre on St. Charles Rock Road in St. John which opened as the GEM and was renamed the ART by Mid-America in 1970.
The building permit was issued to the Northside Amusement Company which was owned by Clarence and Francis Kaimann in addition to Fred Wehrenberg. The Kaimanns, in St. Louis exhibition, are remembered for their many theatres in North St. Louis.
When theatre opened, and until 1955, the Apollo was a typical neighborhood theatre with double-bills of subsequent run films.
(The description above leads one to think it was an art house from opening.) During these years it was an operation of Joe Litvig with Fred Wehrenberg taking a partial financial interest and, for a few years, doing the booking.
Grace Piccione took over the theatre in 1955 and occasionally dabbled in art films until 1957 when the theatre became a full-time art house and became the APOLLO ART.
The Esquire, because of a booking-jam in the first-run theatres, presented the first run of “Guys and Dolls” for nine weeks beginning 12/25/55. After this engagement, returned to the previous policy of second-run films.
In September 1956 the Esquire officially joined the ranks of first-run theatres with a booking of “Run for the Sun.”
The Esquire converted to a three-screen venue in late 1969 and early 1970. The theatre was closed in December 1969 and the main theatre (without the balcony) reopened on December 25, 1969. The two mini-theatres (the old balcony) opened on February 4, 1970.
As for the drive-ins, indeed, there were two multi-screen venues at the time the Cinema 4 Center opened…the St. Ann 4-Screen and the South Twin. Both of these opened as multi-screens, the St. Ann in June 1951 and the South Twin in November 1954.
Indeed, and I remember the hardcore of Wehrenberg…the Cinderella, Melba, Virginia, and Michigan. Somehow, the loss of Kenrick doesn’t quite compare.
As expected, Wehrenrenberg pulled the plug on this minor player in its chair with only 8 screens.
Last day of operation was November 25, 2007.
Twin opened 3/26/71. At the time of opening the shopping center was known as Paddock Forest. Each theatre seated 250.
Good news! I, and a couple of hundred other people, heard Mary Strauss say they intend to replace the current vertical with a replica of the original. This was stated at a luncheon meeting at the Missouri Historical Society on October 9th. When asked about the roof sign, she did not offer much chance of replicating.
Demolished late 1970.
No, I didn’t miss the point of the thread, which is why I made my comment.
If Cinema Treasures is about the history of theatres, I consider it just as important/interesting to mention that the Astor had the hardticket run of “GWTW” as the Palace had the hardticket run of
“Mr. Chips.”
Correcting my 4/12/2006 entry:
Opening date was December 25, 1964.
Not meaning to rain on anyone’s parade, but I feel the film gauge
is not the criterion to be used in making the exhibition of a film “special.”
I am of the opinion that the criterion to use is if the run was a hardticket (reserved seat) one with limited showings (meaning one showing every night with matinee showings three days a week).
Historically speaking, are we to rank the musical version of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” as higher on the importance scale because it was in 70mm as compared to such 35mm releases as “Gone with the Wind” or “Birth of a Nation”?
December 18, 1970 is the opening date.
This operation is not to be confused with the theatre on St. Charles Rock Road in St. John which opened as the GEM and was renamed the ART by Mid-America in 1970.
The correct date of opening is July 10, 1970.
North Drive-In opened in September 1948.
The building permit was issued to the Northside Amusement Company which was owned by Clarence and Francis Kaimann in addition to Fred Wehrenberg. The Kaimanns, in St. Louis exhibition, are remembered for their many theatres in North St. Louis.
Theatre opened in 1913 and closed in 1961 after various periods of inactivity.
Began catering to the Black audience in 1943.
In the 20s had a capacity of 795.
Theatre operated from 1916 to 1965. Seating capacity of 939.
When theatre opened, and until 1955, the Apollo was a typical neighborhood theatre with double-bills of subsequent run films.
(The description above leads one to think it was an art house from opening.) During these years it was an operation of Joe Litvig with Fred Wehrenberg taking a partial financial interest and, for a few years, doing the booking.
Grace Piccione took over the theatre in 1955 and occasionally dabbled in art films until 1957 when the theatre became a full-time art house and became the APOLLO ART.
Had a capacity of 657. Theatre closed in June 1932.
Operated from 1934 to 1960.
Appeared in the City Directory from 1911 to 1916.
Correcting the entry of 9/22/05:
The Esquire, because of a booking-jam in the first-run theatres, presented the first run of “Guys and Dolls” for nine weeks beginning 12/25/55. After this engagement, returned to the previous policy of second-run films.
In September 1956 the Esquire officially joined the ranks of first-run theatres with a booking of “Run for the Sun.”
I notice that we have never established when the Cinema 4 Center opened…it was on June 26, 1970.
The Des Peres offices are those of Wehrenberg, not AMC.
Sunset Hills opened as a twin on Dec. 25, 1964.
The Esquire converted to a three-screen venue in late 1969 and early 1970. The theatre was closed in December 1969 and the main theatre (without the balcony) reopened on December 25, 1969. The two mini-theatres (the old balcony) opened on February 4, 1970.
As for the drive-ins, indeed, there were two multi-screen venues at the time the Cinema 4 Center opened…the St. Ann 4-Screen and the South Twin. Both of these opened as multi-screens, the St. Ann in June 1951 and the South Twin in November 1954.
Have you contacted AMC about it? Their regional offices are at the rear of the structure.
Stadium II opened nearly three years after Stadium I. Seating capacity publicized as 525.
Cross Keys opened March 18, 1970.