I got in on the tail end of going to the movies as being an event.I started in 1974 and by the time i finally got with GCC in 1983 the tide had long turned for the worst.Cops working first run shows? This should be the last POST.I SUMMED it all up!
Well, I had known for awhile that ABC THEATRES had sold out to PLITT THEATRES. WE kept the old red jackets,but the ABC THEATRE patch came off for a very ugly PLITT THEATRES. Us guys from the ABC THEATRES here would wear the jackets out to area nightspots and I swear the Cocktail waitresses would always think we were some big shots from the network. Even though it had Theatres right below the ABC logo.
We figured they just saw the Logo so often seen on TV, Sometimes depending on the B.S. one could shoot it would be good for a few free drinks.
National Hills Theatre presents the last Augusta Showing of Disney’s SONG OF THE SOUTH. From what i was told by Mr.Pete,The Projectionist, the movie did great business ; much like JUNGLE BOOK when it opened first run at National Hills.
I WOULD BE GLAD to send them. I would have to locate the pictures, I have taken hundreds of pictures and never really organized them,but I know i have a few shots.
I wish i would have kept the copies on our BOR reports when COLUMBIA 1 and 2 opened. I never did spill wine on them. By the time i was leaving GCC computers were on the way in.
Tisloews, Same with me.At Columbia 1 and 2 we had a local pizza parlor and the owner would give me free pizza for movie passes.HIS MANAGER, would give me free beer for passes. I guess it was wrong to drink a couple of brews and work,but almost every manager around did it. I know, that does not make it right.How would you handle it at a cinema and drafthouse? see the neat TIE-IN. That’s a word i bet you don’t hear in the business anymore.
RAY , GREAT STORY, But, remember, THE BON AIR DRIVE IN WAS on the SPOT SKYCITY was located on , on top of the hill. Last time i looked you could still see the Base of the Bon Air Drive in Screen.
Forest Hills was on the bottom of the hill. MAN WHAT GREAT HISTORY ON OUR DRIVE-INS. I wish some of these other old theatre dawgs like you and me would get on CT and add to our theatre History. This truly a treasure I had never HEARD. And I thought I had heard about everything,
For the record Forest Hills was run by Georgia Theatres.And I am sure Real estate was the main reason for the sale.Like so many Drive-ins.
Yep, YOU are right, When WEIS sold out their Triple theatre and Drive-in to Georgia Theatres it was U.S. 25 Drive in, but only for a short time before Georgia Theatres ran it in the ground. They painted over WEIS and put U.S. 25
DRIVE-IN.
I have this Drive-In in 1956 parking 350 cars and at that time was owned by Ligget-Florin.source 1956 Motion Picture Almanac,hope this helps in the History,Bill.
Well, I sent a Letter to the Editor about Cinema Treasures and how the locals could add stories. “YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER,BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK IT.” They printed the letter. HAD such a big write up in the paper about old employees and how they loved theCOLUMBIA. “YOU CAN LEAD…….
I remember sitting out by the pool one summer and another manager and me were certainly enjoying the summer and our 12 pack or so of Bud. Man, thank goodness that night it was slow at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 and i passed out until checkout time in COLUMBIA 1. I bet that ain’t a new story. I won’t mention watching the NEWS YEARS FOOTBALL games and getting tipsy on Tommy’s moms PUNCH. Ithink i sat in the same seat and it was a slow night again.
I think that is the only times i was Feeling good at work!
THe pictures I have are of the closed up Drive in. Inside the concession and i think the booth.Don’t you wish you would have taken a picture! I had the same thing here two Drive-ins gone and never thought about taking a couple of snapshops.I bet some these guys on CT might have a shot of the Complete Drive-in.
Here is a story that will make most of you CRY. The day after PEACH ORCHARD/WEIS closed the cleaning crew was there to do maintance,or what ever one does when a theatre goes dark. The lead guy,Janitor,for a better name, calls Bill Barkley at the REGENCY EXCHANGE and tells Bill they are Throwing away every “POSTER” as he called it in the Dumpster.
The janitor knew Barkley from MASTERS 4 and knew Bill would want the one sheets. Well, Bill was in booth so he calls me and no answer.
I am at HILTON HEAD on a vacation. SO EVERY one sheet was thrown in the thrash,Had i known that I certainly would have stayed home for such a treasure.The janitor talked to Bill that it must have been Thousands of one sheets since the cinemas opened in the early 70’s.
IT closed as the PEACH ORCHARD CINEMAS since it was in PEACH ORCHARD SHOPPING CENTER,there certainly wasn’t any peach orchards nearby.Just a dying part of South Augusta.
August 3 1953 the IMPERIAL is playing ABBOTT and COSTELLO meet DR.JEKYLL and Mr.HYDE. with BORIS KAROFF. nice size ad for what I would call a B film. Starting that next Tuesday is YOUNG BESS with Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger.
Thanks for the info I had thought they had both passed away. Mark Lester only made a couple of films anyway? I know Wild was in the movie H.R. PUFFNSTUFF?
August 23 1975, ALOHA, BOBBY AND ROSE is shipped out to the WEIS DRIVE-in after a nice run at NATIONAL HILLS. Second Feature is Steve McQueen in one of his last Drive-in movies JUNIOR BONNER.
Ray, I am pretty sure fire claimed the old theatre. Harley Drew from WGAC goes to my church and he grew up in Waynesboro,I plan on asking about the theatre.I have the WAYNESBORO Drive-in Listed on Cinema Treasures,maybe you can add to it? Barkley has given me many stories on the Aiken Drive ins across the river. I hope to have them on soon.
I got in on the tail end of going to the movies as being an event.I started in 1974 and by the time i finally got with GCC in 1983 the tide had long turned for the worst.Cops working first run shows? This should be the last POST.I SUMMED it all up!
GASTON MALL THEATRE a ABC THEATRE was also a ULTRA-VISION theatre it is listed on CT.Gastonia,N.C. .
Well, I had known for awhile that ABC THEATRES had sold out to PLITT THEATRES. WE kept the old red jackets,but the ABC THEATRE patch came off for a very ugly PLITT THEATRES. Us guys from the ABC THEATRES here would wear the jackets out to area nightspots and I swear the Cocktail waitresses would always think we were some big shots from the network. Even though it had Theatres right below the ABC logo.
We figured they just saw the Logo so often seen on TV, Sometimes depending on the B.S. one could shoot it would be good for a few free drinks.
National Hills Theatre presents the last Augusta Showing of Disney’s SONG OF THE SOUTH. From what i was told by Mr.Pete,The Projectionist, the movie did great business ; much like JUNGLE BOOK when it opened first run at National Hills.
I WOULD BE GLAD to send them. I would have to locate the pictures, I have taken hundreds of pictures and never really organized them,but I know i have a few shots.
I wish i would have kept the copies on our BOR reports when COLUMBIA 1 and 2 opened. I never did spill wine on them. By the time i was leaving GCC computers were on the way in.
Tisloews, Same with me.At Columbia 1 and 2 we had a local pizza parlor and the owner would give me free pizza for movie passes.HIS MANAGER, would give me free beer for passes. I guess it was wrong to drink a couple of brews and work,but almost every manager around did it. I know, that does not make it right.How would you handle it at a cinema and drafthouse? see the neat TIE-IN. That’s a word i bet you don’t hear in the business anymore.
I added some info on NUMBER ONE drive-in if you get a chance.Look it over.
RAY , GREAT STORY, But, remember, THE BON AIR DRIVE IN WAS on the SPOT SKYCITY was located on , on top of the hill. Last time i looked you could still see the Base of the Bon Air Drive in Screen.
Forest Hills was on the bottom of the hill. MAN WHAT GREAT HISTORY ON OUR DRIVE-INS. I wish some of these other old theatre dawgs like you and me would get on CT and add to our theatre History. This truly a treasure I had never HEARD. And I thought I had heard about everything,
For the record Forest Hills was run by Georgia Theatres.And I am sure Real estate was the main reason for the sale.Like so many Drive-ins.
Yep, YOU are right, When WEIS sold out their Triple theatre and Drive-in to Georgia Theatres it was U.S. 25 Drive in, but only for a short time before Georgia Theatres ran it in the ground. They painted over WEIS and put U.S. 25
DRIVE-IN.
TACKY.
I have this Drive-In in 1956 parking 350 cars and at that time was owned by Ligget-Florin.source 1956 Motion Picture Almanac,hope this helps in the History,Bill.
Well, I sent a Letter to the Editor about Cinema Treasures and how the locals could add stories. “YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER,BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK IT.” They printed the letter. HAD such a big write up in the paper about old employees and how they loved theCOLUMBIA. “YOU CAN LEAD…….
I remember sitting out by the pool one summer and another manager and me were certainly enjoying the summer and our 12 pack or so of Bud. Man, thank goodness that night it was slow at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 and i passed out until checkout time in COLUMBIA 1. I bet that ain’t a new story. I won’t mention watching the NEWS YEARS FOOTBALL games and getting tipsy on Tommy’s moms PUNCH. Ithink i sat in the same seat and it was a slow night again.
I think that is the only times i was Feeling good at work!
THe pictures I have are of the closed up Drive in. Inside the concession and i think the booth.Don’t you wish you would have taken a picture! I had the same thing here two Drive-ins gone and never thought about taking a couple of snapshops.I bet some these guys on CT might have a shot of the Complete Drive-in.
Here is a story that will make most of you CRY. The day after PEACH ORCHARD/WEIS closed the cleaning crew was there to do maintance,or what ever one does when a theatre goes dark. The lead guy,Janitor,for a better name, calls Bill Barkley at the REGENCY EXCHANGE and tells Bill they are Throwing away every “POSTER” as he called it in the Dumpster.
The janitor knew Barkley from MASTERS 4 and knew Bill would want the one sheets. Well, Bill was in booth so he calls me and no answer.
I am at HILTON HEAD on a vacation. SO EVERY one sheet was thrown in the thrash,Had i known that I certainly would have stayed home for such a treasure.The janitor talked to Bill that it must have been Thousands of one sheets since the cinemas opened in the early 70’s.
IT closed as the PEACH ORCHARD CINEMAS since it was in PEACH ORCHARD SHOPPING CENTER,there certainly wasn’t any peach orchards nearby.Just a dying part of South Augusta.
August 23 1975 now playing at the WEIS CINEMA CENTRE.
THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT ratedPG and in the other cinema is NASHVILLE.both on their 3rd week.
August 3 1953 the IMPERIAL is playing ABBOTT and COSTELLO meet DR.JEKYLL and Mr.HYDE. with BORIS KAROFF. nice size ad for what I would call a B film. Starting that next Tuesday is YOUNG BESS with Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger.
Thanks for the info I had thought they had both passed away. Mark Lester only made a couple of films anyway? I know Wild was in the movie H.R. PUFFNSTUFF?
August 23 1975, ALOHA, BOBBY AND ROSE is shipped out to the WEIS DRIVE-in after a nice run at NATIONAL HILLS. Second Feature is Steve McQueen in one of his last Drive-in movies JUNIOR BONNER.
August 3 1953 NOW PLAYING at the RIALTO
JOEL McCREA in THE LONE HAND also color cartoon. Second Feature is DANGER UNDER THE SEA.
For a news paper ad very nice size from what the RIALTO usually ran.
Well, Ray we know it was open on August 23 1975. I have an ad from the Augusta paper.
LATE SHOW TONIGHT 12 MIDNIGHT
DOUBLE FEATURE VOODOO BLACK EXORCIST and CHRISTY Adults only.
I remember going by there while going Dove hunting with my dad and I am 100% sure PLANET OF THE APES was playing at the time.
Ray, I am pretty sure fire claimed the old theatre. Harley Drew from WGAC goes to my church and he grew up in Waynesboro,I plan on asking about the theatre.I have the WAYNESBORO Drive-in Listed on Cinema Treasures,maybe you can add to it? Barkley has given me many stories on the Aiken Drive ins across the river. I hope to have them on soon.
In 1956 it was owned by T.G. Soloman who also owned the REBEL drive-In in Baton Rouge. Flordia parked 350 cars and the Rebel parked 500 cars.
My Pictures are when the theatre was closed everything was still standing except the screen was gone.