well.. it is about its exhibition history. There have been similar comments made about shootings on other theatre pages, the only difference is that those happened 10 years ago and not this morning.
As for the theatre recovering — though it will forever have the stigma attached to it — the more important question is how will this effect theatres in general? People are already asking why bother go to a movie when they can get them at home. Now they can add that they don’t get shot at home as another reason to stop going.
The crazy guy reportedly came in through the emergency exit door.
And where was security? Many theatres don’t have security, or if they do it’s only on weekends or during particularly volatile films. Asking where was security is almost like asking the question “Why wasn’t there an usher sitting in each theatre to make sure the temperature doesn’t get too hot?” It’s just not realistic, especially when you see the quality of some security firms out there. Now had it been an off-duty police officer I think that’d be different story.
Cinema West recently sold this theatre to a local couple. I helped remodel this theatre from one to three screens and now it’s being handed off. I used to drive there to teach the managers to build up movies on Thursday nights. Took them forever to get the hang of it. I remember driving home to Petaluma at 2:00am. Anybody who knows the area knows that Petaluma is a long way from Willits.
Having walked through the theatre yesterday I have to assume this is an entirely new build. A perfectly symetrical 14 plex with 7 screens to the left and 7 to the right.
There was a separate Cinema that Stewart & Everett ran before opening this theatre. There are some instances in the Rock Hill Herald where both theatre are operating at the same time. I think this opened as a 4-screen.
The theatre will be reopening in a few weeks under new management. While doing a Cinematour through Columbia tonight we were fortunate enough to meet the new management and get a tour of the building. Check out their site:
Judging from Google Earth — it looks like the building that WAS at this address was torn down and something new put in its place. Does the shell of the building still stand?
I’ve never had a chance to see what the inside of those big screens looked like, nobody ever took pictures while they were still operating. So it makes me sad that the first time I’ve seen inside, they’re being demolished.
Solano Drive-In in Concord has a similar building, as does the Santa Barbara Drive-In. The less stylish dome snack bars still exist in Sacramento, San Jose and Glendale (AZ).
I always wanted to see a movie here but sadly I stopped working in Chicago for I got the chance.
Just looking at the pictures makes me wish there was a good old slope seated theatre I could see a movie at around San Francisco.
well.. it is about its exhibition history. There have been similar comments made about shootings on other theatre pages, the only difference is that those happened 10 years ago and not this morning.
As for the theatre recovering — though it will forever have the stigma attached to it — the more important question is how will this effect theatres in general? People are already asking why bother go to a movie when they can get them at home. Now they can add that they don’t get shot at home as another reason to stop going.
Suspend comments — not a bad idea.
The crazy guy reportedly came in through the emergency exit door.
And where was security? Many theatres don’t have security, or if they do it’s only on weekends or during particularly volatile films. Asking where was security is almost like asking the question “Why wasn’t there an usher sitting in each theatre to make sure the temperature doesn’t get too hot?” It’s just not realistic, especially when you see the quality of some security firms out there. Now had it been an off-duty police officer I think that’d be different story.
Central Valley Cinemas turned into Silver Screen Amusements. The theatre shut down in 1995 when Silver Screen went bankrupt.
I believe there was also a similar cinema in Gilroy, which to my knowledge still stands vacant since 1995.
Looks like they took advantage of the hill sloping for stadium seating.
New competition? You mean Cinemark’s own 16-plex one exit down?
Cinema West recently sold this theatre to a local couple. I helped remodel this theatre from one to three screens and now it’s being handed off. I used to drive there to teach the managers to build up movies on Thursday nights. Took them forever to get the hang of it. I remember driving home to Petaluma at 2:00am. Anybody who knows the area knows that Petaluma is a long way from Willits.
Though the signs still say Century 21, the name on this page should probably reflect Winchester 21.
Though the sign on the building says Century 22, the name should probably be changed to Winchester 22.
It is most certainly a Vincent Raney theatre.
Additional info needs to be changed. It’s not operated by Cinemark. The Century 21, 22 and 23 were left out of that deal.
Having walked through the theatre yesterday I have to assume this is an entirely new build. A perfectly symetrical 14 plex with 7 screens to the left and 7 to the right.
There was a separate Cinema that Stewart & Everett ran before opening this theatre. There are some instances in the Rock Hill Herald where both theatre are operating at the same time. I think this opened as a 4-screen.
The theatre will be reopening in a few weeks under new management. While doing a Cinematour through Columbia tonight we were fortunate enough to meet the new management and get a tour of the building. Check out their site:
http://www.columbiaplacestadiumcinemas.com/
I love the old Escape UA signs. It was like they were telling their employees something.
I enjoy that GTC just covered the UA part with Georgia Theatre Company.
Theatre opened as a 12-screen.
Closed 11/27/2000
According to some photos I found elsewhere on the internet the place has been badly vandalized, at leat the exterior has.
This was an Eastern Federal property.
Judging from Google Earth — it looks like the building that WAS at this address was torn down and something new put in its place. Does the shell of the building still stand?
I’ve never had a chance to see what the inside of those big screens looked like, nobody ever took pictures while they were still operating. So it makes me sad that the first time I’ve seen inside, they’re being demolished.
Solano Drive-In in Concord has a similar building, as does the Santa Barbara Drive-In. The less stylish dome snack bars still exist in Sacramento, San Jose and Glendale (AZ).
Scares me that Radio City Music Hall had ORC consoles… I was never a fan.
Photos of both can be found on Cinematour.
12-Plex http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/7134.html
18-plex http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/22559.html
Beautiful photo. Where did you find it?
The drive-in is no longer seasonal (hasn’t been since it reopened). It runs year round!
Was this a GCC Theatre?