BY watching it i mean Paul Adams had a TV in the booth, to make it clear see above story on Mr.Adams. I COULD SEE PAPILLON on tv or on the screen .WILD.
We are playing PAPILLON right now, probably 3rd or 4th run and guess what? It is playing on the CBS NIGHT AT THE MOVIES on channel 12 here in Augusta.No wonder we only have about six folks inside. Hey. You cannot make it up. I can walk up to the booth and watch it and walk over to the big glass window in COLUMBIA TWO and watch it. only in the theatre business.
Another truck movie HIGH BALLIN' with Peter Fonda and Jerry Reed. we played CONVOY and also SMOKEY AND HE BANDIT what is it about my theatre and all these trucker films. HIGH BALLIN' will play in COLUMBIA TWO.
Don’t ever think you can get fired from a job. I did. NOV. 9 1979.
Mr. Tinney had a wednesday evening employees meeting and i did not make it. Did not call. NOTHING. In my mind i had been to every Mr Tinney employees meeting since 1974. I MEAN i HAD HEARD IT ALL!!!!!!
AT the time was in college and working part time for local newsweekly.With, serious dreams of the WASHINGTON POST calling. So i missed the meeting.That night i came in to open up, we had about 30 MINUTE talk AND I could tell he really DID NOT WANT TO FIRE ME, because of all the guys with the keys he knew i was always there. But he had no choice. HE REALLY DID NOT.While all my other theatres buddies quit on their own.I was fired.My only real regret is that i never had a chance to get all the one sheets i had saved over the years. I heard when Mr Tinney quit the man that replaced him as city manager threw every one sheet in the trash. what a butt head.
Charles, Tommy and me have decided to quit hitting the bars after work. Charles' girlfriend can get cheap beer on post FORT GORDON, I told them lets chip in and buy it we could stash it behind the screen in COLUMBIA ONE. About 10;30 OR SO i could walk down bag some up and have it iced up and just sit in the lobby after the show is over and just relax.
Well, we sit up a date they go to the post and buy it. i meet them at the theatre only to find Mr.Tinney in the office doing paper work. So i walk in some small talk, excuse myself to the restroom run like heck to the COLUMBIA ONE exit and let Chuck IN. Walk, back up. more small talk. i leave. i bet Mr. Tinney was thinking what the heck was that about. It was two cases of BUD.
We are playing THE MARX BROTHERS COCONUTS and HORSE FEATHERS they did great at NATIONAL HILLS a few years earlier. I told Mr. Tinney they would do well here. That kind of LATE SHOW is just fun to work.No problems.
You never forget some people, Paul Adams was such a man. Retired Army.Ran movies in the Army,so when he retired he got his Union card and went to work. All my theatre operators i knew were about four guys all about all of our theatres,Drive-ins too,were run by UNION pROJECTIONISTS.He was there with the sound guys getting the systems ready. worked with his relief man, Bob Gordon to get ready for opening night. I was there when he brought in a big lazy chair and color TV. Wow< i had never seen such a set up.
Plenty of sundays i could catch some of the ball games when the shows got in. color tv was great.However, when GCC OPENED at the mall Mr.Adams sent there. i don’t think he was too happy about it because COLUMBIA SQUARE was so close to his house. But you go where the union says. So THE COLOR TV moved out to the mall. In a few short years i would find myself back with Mr. Adams working for GCC.
They found out the A.C. DUCT over the platter in COLUMBIA TWO was REALLY SCREWING up the film on the platter. the answer? GOT a piece of cardboard and taped it up to send the air in a different direction. Wonder if some 17 year old kid would have thought that up because,Sadly, that is what is running most of the booths today. Mr ADAMS was replaced by Wave Ballard who would one day replace Mr Adams at the MALL.
REGAL CINEMAS !!! So thankful i worked for ABC/PLITT and GCC .No way could i ever work for these folks just ask any manager,and if he or she has the guts, you will no what i mean.
How come someone from Atlanta has not written on all the WEIS cinemas in your city. Albert Weis had Savannah all wrapped up.Had screens in Augusta and Macon. He was a big player in your city during the 70’s. Just asking.
When I worked at GCC’s GEORGIA SQUARE MALL CINEMAS,I had to run up to AKERS MILL. I think THE TWILIGHT ZONE was Playing and i want to say OCTOPUSSY was also there. I did go over to the AMC,because I had never been to an AMC since ATHENS and AUGUSTA never had them. I was really impressed and could not believe AKERS MILL was still open.Wasn’t it in almost walking distance of AKERS MILL?
Nick, if you get a chance could you go to FOREST HILLS DRIVE IN, someone has a link to look at pictures of the old drive in.If you are able,Could you make me a copy of the picture since the only one i have is in my mind.We tried to do it,but it would not work.
THE STONEMONT 1 and 2 THEATRES had a twin sister in Martinez,Ga.{AUGUSTA} We opened Nov,1976.and there is also another ABC theatre just like COLUMBIA 1 and 2 is the CEDAR BLUFF 1 and 2 THEATRES in Knoxville,Tenn. One thing at ABC THEATRES we did not call our theatres twin theatres or cinemas. it was STONEMONT 1 and 2 or COLUMBIA 1 and 2 Or CEDAR BLUFF 1 and 2 theatres . COLUMBIA 1 and 2 is listed under COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS, but we NEVER went by such a title. I was Luckly to get a seat and a piece of carpet before it was gone. SHOULD HAVE GRABBED ONE JOSEPH!
RAY, I noticed THE KNOX THEATRE is on CT.Might want to check it out.You might be able to add some history.I have added a lot to our Augusta theatres in the past few weeks.
I have a nose of getting closed theatres.Ten years at least i Got in through a back exit door, It was almost rotten.The theatre had been closed 5 or 6 years. I walked around,Mainly looking for one sheets. Found one.I had heard the place was a treasure of one sheets and according to a friend the owner had sold them all to someone in Jackson,S.C. I looked inside the tiny boxoffice and saw some one sheets but could not reach them. One time probably in the late 80’s i went by one evening while eating at a nearby cafe.I saw the Theatre neon lights come on.Walked across the street introduced myself and the manager or owner took me up to the booth.
There was not crusty oldman running the movies but a woman. Probably in her 70’s.Old Carbon arc projectors.20 minutes reel. She had to make change overs. The area is mainly black rural so the movie was one of those countless action kill fests. But, it had a good bright picture. I talked to someone from Warrenton and he said the theatre is being worked on.
March 1972. John Wayne was a great star.NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE would have been a theatre Duke would have been proud to play is pictures.In most all his Bios,he was always concerned about how his films were presented to his fans. Sadly, very few John Wayne movies played here. THE COWBOYS did get that honor to play on that big screen.THE COWBOYS played first run at NATIONAL HILLS. Glad we could do it for you Duke.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 26 1975 THE CHEERLEADERS which was one time RATED X is now playing with an R rating. A re-cut?
MODJESKA THEATRE Feb,26 1975 A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN. Judith Brown is THE WOMAN. with a second feature BUTTERFLY AFFAIR. Both of these “fine” films are playing day and date MODJESKA AND SKYVIEW DRIVE IN.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 2 1965 Brigitte Bardot in LA PARISIENNE and second feature YOUNG FURY.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 4 1965 Another Brigitte Bardot movie called SCHOOL FOR LOVE with a second feature HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH DISH.Adults only. 75 cents.
July 10 1975,Big sell out for PART 2 WALKING TALL. Lighting from a bad storm hit nearby the theatre and somehow knocked the sound off to almost a whisper.If you were eating popcorn you never would have heard the movie.Luckly,the lighting hit was towards the end of the movie.no one ask for a refund.
Mr.Tinney made an ad up on YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN and put a quote from John Mackey “It is the funniest movie ever made,but you did not hear it from me.” 4th weekk run.
April 5 1975 ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.effects not good,but kids seem to like it. Remember GUS. what bad Disney movie.
1966 The second movie ever to play at NATIONAL HILLS was THE WRONG BOX with Peter Sellers.
NATIONAL HILLS April 25 1974 we have THE GREAT GATSBY and i can not wait till it leaves boring.Bad news is CONRACK is coming about a South Carolina Teacher.
NATIONAL HILLS Great to see BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID back saw it in 1969 here.WE are tying it in with the STING our ad line for BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is “ACTION WITH A STING” not bad.
NATIONAL HILLS Today 2 and 8 p.m. 70mm and sterophonic sound GONE WITH THE WIND.Reserved seats .Tickets now at the box office or by mail.Wed.MAT.$1.50 other times $2.00
NATIONAL HILLS Charles said CLOCKWORK ORANGE should do great business since the X RATED VERSION was banned in Augusta.It is on a late show.
Dec.24 1974 Charles and me pop what we believe to be a record for bagged popcorn. It is for the Christmas movie ISLAND AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD.Sadly, by evening shows most of it gone.People do go to the movies on Christmas day and night.
NATIONAL HILLS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is doing great. Charles Bruni with all the in house advertising believes it might be one of the greatest movies ever made. I saw it in Charlotte with John Mackey.
BY watching it i mean Paul Adams had a TV in the booth, to make it clear see above story on Mr.Adams. I COULD SEE PAPILLON on tv or on the screen .WILD.
HONEST TO GOODNESS DEPARTMENT..
We are playing PAPILLON right now, probably 3rd or 4th run and guess what? It is playing on the CBS NIGHT AT THE MOVIES on channel 12 here in Augusta.No wonder we only have about six folks inside. Hey. You cannot make it up. I can walk up to the booth and watch it and walk over to the big glass window in COLUMBIA TWO and watch it. only in the theatre business.
Another truck movie HIGH BALLIN' with Peter Fonda and Jerry Reed. we played CONVOY and also SMOKEY AND HE BANDIT what is it about my theatre and all these trucker films. HIGH BALLIN' will play in COLUMBIA TWO.
Richard Nixon ran PATTON so many times they stopped counting.
There was BON AIR DRIVE IN Orangeburg S.C. If anyone has any info on it.
PERIMETER MALL 1 2 AND 3
NOW SHOWING WALT DISNEY’S THE BEARS AND I
FOR PETE’S SAKE
ON ANY SUNDAY
ALL CINEMAS EVERY DAY $1.25 until 2:30 The cinemas had a SMOKING LOGE..ART GALLERY..ACRES OF FREE PARKING. about 1974.
Don’t ever think you can get fired from a job. I did. NOV. 9 1979.
Mr. Tinney had a wednesday evening employees meeting and i did not make it. Did not call. NOTHING. In my mind i had been to every Mr Tinney employees meeting since 1974. I MEAN i HAD HEARD IT ALL!!!!!!
AT the time was in college and working part time for local newsweekly.With, serious dreams of the WASHINGTON POST calling. So i missed the meeting.That night i came in to open up, we had about 30 MINUTE talk AND I could tell he really DID NOT WANT TO FIRE ME, because of all the guys with the keys he knew i was always there. But he had no choice. HE REALLY DID NOT.While all my other theatres buddies quit on their own.I was fired.My only real regret is that i never had a chance to get all the one sheets i had saved over the years. I heard when Mr Tinney quit the man that replaced him as city manager threw every one sheet in the trash. what a butt head.
Charles, Tommy and me have decided to quit hitting the bars after work. Charles' girlfriend can get cheap beer on post FORT GORDON, I told them lets chip in and buy it we could stash it behind the screen in COLUMBIA ONE. About 10;30 OR SO i could walk down bag some up and have it iced up and just sit in the lobby after the show is over and just relax.
Well, we sit up a date they go to the post and buy it. i meet them at the theatre only to find Mr.Tinney in the office doing paper work. So i walk in some small talk, excuse myself to the restroom run like heck to the COLUMBIA ONE exit and let Chuck IN. Walk, back up. more small talk. i leave. i bet Mr. Tinney was thinking what the heck was that about. It was two cases of BUD.
We are playing THE MARX BROTHERS COCONUTS and HORSE FEATHERS they did great at NATIONAL HILLS a few years earlier. I told Mr. Tinney they would do well here. That kind of LATE SHOW is just fun to work.No problems.
You never forget some people, Paul Adams was such a man. Retired Army.Ran movies in the Army,so when he retired he got his Union card and went to work. All my theatre operators i knew were about four guys all about all of our theatres,Drive-ins too,were run by UNION pROJECTIONISTS.He was there with the sound guys getting the systems ready. worked with his relief man, Bob Gordon to get ready for opening night. I was there when he brought in a big lazy chair and color TV. Wow< i had never seen such a set up.
Plenty of sundays i could catch some of the ball games when the shows got in. color tv was great.However, when GCC OPENED at the mall Mr.Adams sent there. i don’t think he was too happy about it because COLUMBIA SQUARE was so close to his house. But you go where the union says. So THE COLOR TV moved out to the mall. In a few short years i would find myself back with Mr. Adams working for GCC.
They found out the A.C. DUCT over the platter in COLUMBIA TWO was REALLY SCREWING up the film on the platter. the answer? GOT a piece of cardboard and taped it up to send the air in a different direction. Wonder if some 17 year old kid would have thought that up because,Sadly, that is what is running most of the booths today. Mr ADAMS was replaced by Wave Ballard who would one day replace Mr Adams at the MALL.
Yeah, I KNOW , not NO.
REGAL CINEMAS !!! So thankful i worked for ABC/PLITT and GCC .No way could i ever work for these folks just ask any manager,and if he or she has the guts, you will no what i mean.
How come someone from Atlanta has not written on all the WEIS cinemas in your city. Albert Weis had Savannah all wrapped up.Had screens in Augusta and Macon. He was a big player in your city during the 70’s. Just asking.
When I worked at GCC’s GEORGIA SQUARE MALL CINEMAS,I had to run up to AKERS MILL. I think THE TWILIGHT ZONE was Playing and i want to say OCTOPUSSY was also there. I did go over to the AMC,because I had never been to an AMC since ATHENS and AUGUSTA never had them. I was really impressed and could not believe AKERS MILL was still open.Wasn’t it in almost walking distance of AKERS MILL?
Ihave a complete history on COLUMBIA 1 and 2,funny thing is you could change the name to STONEMONT, i bet the history/ STORIES would be the same.
Another B,F.KEITH theatre was THE IMPERIAL THEATRE in Augusta,GA. it is on CINEMA TREASURES if you want a bit more history.
Nick, if you get a chance could you go to FOREST HILLS DRIVE IN, someone has a link to look at pictures of the old drive in.If you are able,Could you make me a copy of the picture since the only one i have is in my mind.We tried to do it,but it would not work.
HOW come someone in KNOXVILLE has not worked up an article on THE TWIN AIRE DRIVE IN in Knoxville.How could you guys forget it and i live in Georgia.
THE STONEMONT 1 and 2 THEATRES had a twin sister in Martinez,Ga.{AUGUSTA} We opened Nov,1976.and there is also another ABC theatre just like COLUMBIA 1 and 2 is the CEDAR BLUFF 1 and 2 THEATRES in Knoxville,Tenn. One thing at ABC THEATRES we did not call our theatres twin theatres or cinemas. it was STONEMONT 1 and 2 or COLUMBIA 1 and 2 Or CEDAR BLUFF 1 and 2 theatres . COLUMBIA 1 and 2 is listed under COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS, but we NEVER went by such a title. I was Luckly to get a seat and a piece of carpet before it was gone. SHOULD HAVE GRABBED ONE JOSEPH!
RAY, I noticed THE KNOX THEATRE is on CT.Might want to check it out.You might be able to add some history.I have added a lot to our Augusta theatres in the past few weeks.
I have a nose of getting closed theatres.Ten years at least i Got in through a back exit door, It was almost rotten.The theatre had been closed 5 or 6 years. I walked around,Mainly looking for one sheets. Found one.I had heard the place was a treasure of one sheets and according to a friend the owner had sold them all to someone in Jackson,S.C. I looked inside the tiny boxoffice and saw some one sheets but could not reach them. One time probably in the late 80’s i went by one evening while eating at a nearby cafe.I saw the Theatre neon lights come on.Walked across the street introduced myself and the manager or owner took me up to the booth.
There was not crusty oldman running the movies but a woman. Probably in her 70’s.Old Carbon arc projectors.20 minutes reel. She had to make change overs. The area is mainly black rural so the movie was one of those countless action kill fests. But, it had a good bright picture. I talked to someone from Warrenton and he said the theatre is being worked on.
March 1972. John Wayne was a great star.NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE would have been a theatre Duke would have been proud to play is pictures.In most all his Bios,he was always concerned about how his films were presented to his fans. Sadly, very few John Wayne movies played here. THE COWBOYS did get that honor to play on that big screen.THE COWBOYS played first run at NATIONAL HILLS. Glad we could do it for you Duke.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 26 1975 THE CHEERLEADERS which was one time RATED X is now playing with an R rating. A re-cut?
MODJESKA THEATRE Feb,26 1975 A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN. Judith Brown is THE WOMAN. with a second feature BUTTERFLY AFFAIR. Both of these “fine” films are playing day and date MODJESKA AND SKYVIEW DRIVE IN.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 2 1965 Brigitte Bardot in LA PARISIENNE and second feature YOUNG FURY.
MODJESKA THEATRE July 4 1965 Another Brigitte Bardot movie called SCHOOL FOR LOVE with a second feature HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH DISH.Adults only. 75 cents.
July 10 1975,Big sell out for PART 2 WALKING TALL. Lighting from a bad storm hit nearby the theatre and somehow knocked the sound off to almost a whisper.If you were eating popcorn you never would have heard the movie.Luckly,the lighting hit was towards the end of the movie.no one ask for a refund.
Mr.Tinney made an ad up on YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN and put a quote from John Mackey “It is the funniest movie ever made,but you did not hear it from me.” 4th weekk run.
April 5 1975 ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.effects not good,but kids seem to like it. Remember GUS. what bad Disney movie.
1966 The second movie ever to play at NATIONAL HILLS was THE WRONG BOX with Peter Sellers.
NATIONAL HILLS April 25 1974 we have THE GREAT GATSBY and i can not wait till it leaves boring.Bad news is CONRACK is coming about a South Carolina Teacher.
NATIONAL HILLS Great to see BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID back saw it in 1969 here.WE are tying it in with the STING our ad line for BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is “ACTION WITH A STING” not bad.
NATIONAL HILLS Today 2 and 8 p.m. 70mm and sterophonic sound GONE WITH THE WIND.Reserved seats .Tickets now at the box office or by mail.Wed.MAT.$1.50 other times $2.00
NATIONAL HILLS Charles said CLOCKWORK ORANGE should do great business since the X RATED VERSION was banned in Augusta.It is on a late show.
Dec.24 1974 Charles and me pop what we believe to be a record for bagged popcorn. It is for the Christmas movie ISLAND AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD.Sadly, by evening shows most of it gone.People do go to the movies on Christmas day and night.
NATIONAL HILLS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is doing great. Charles Bruni with all the in house advertising believes it might be one of the greatest movies ever made. I saw it in Charlotte with John Mackey.
March 31 1972 the ART THEATRE is playing the Gene Hackman movie CISCO PIKE.
ART THEATRE now showing GREETINGS “an overground sex protest film.RATED X. Starts at 12:30 P.m.