That’s my main problem with Digital 3D too. Since they talk about it being the future, they should try and come up with a process of projecting it on screens like these View link View link
Project ‘em on those screens, then you have a fantastic expereince. If not, then the novelity will wear off.
As an advocate of actual film, I like the digital 3D. I had a blast seeing MBV in 3D. And while it’s great, people like Jeff Katzenberg shouldn’t expect it to be the end-of all in how we watch movies. And the cost to convert is too high in these times of financial turmoil.
They want to convert up to 20,000 or more screens for the format, which would cost about a billion dollars. Yet they won’t spend a microcent of that to convert 100-200 large screens to SDS-70MM. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I’m starting to believe that digital purists are kind of affraid of the power in which shooting in 65MM and projecting in 70 or SDS-70 possesses. Just go to your 35MM theater and watch the trailer for “The International”. The 35MM scenes are typical of the projection, yet when the trailer shows the scene with Clive Owen and the bad guy on the roof, you see an instant surge in picture quality due to the scene being shot in 65MM.
The Plaza 1,2,3 opened December 12th, 1980. First films to play here were “Stir Crazy” on two screens. “Any Which Way You Can” took over one of those screens on 12/17, and the the third opened on Christmas Day. Roy Leonard of WGN attended the grand opening ceremony.
11/26/08 – TWILIGHT (moveover from #10)
12/19/08 – SEVEN POUNDS
12/25/08 – CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (in Sony 4K DLP)
1/16/09 – GRAN TORINO (moveover from #10)
1/30/09 – TAKEN
4/2/82 – SOME KIND OF HERO
4/1/88 – BEETLEJUICE
4/8/88 – ABOVE THE LAW
9/30/88 – GORILLAS IN THE MIST
10/7/88 – ALIEN NATION
6/1/90 – TOTAL RECALL
6/8/90 – ANOTHER 48 HRS
5/28/93 – CLIFFHANGER
6/11/93 – JURASSIC PARK
Also, I got the Cineplex Odeon directory for 4/7/89, and “Lean on Me” was still playing (sixth week BTW) in #1, but what caught my eye was that #14 was closed. #13 was showing a movie called “Sing”. But I have a CO directory for May of ‘89, and #14 was up and running.
Oh yeah, Plitt took over operations of the Diana in December of ‘84.
JRS40, River Oaks 1-6 opened on 12/16/88. First movies to play there were “The Land Before Time”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Tequila Sunrise”, and “Twins” on two screens. From what I got from the ad, the sixth screen opened the next friday with “Hellraiser 2”. Also, all 14 screens operated until about October, maybe early November ‘89. At least from what I’m getting via my mircofilm collection. My family says the last movie that they saw at 2-3/13-14 was “Do The Right Thing”. I have a microfilm for that date too, and it was on both screens. And interesting enough, “Batman” was on both 9-10 and 11-12. #9 being in 70MM.
Don’t quote me on this, but I have a wild hunch as to why it was called the Diana. When it opened in 1975, it was owned by Essaness Theatres. Perhaps the head of Essaness named the theater after a family member? That could be a reason. Because had someone like General Cinema or Plitt got the project, it would’ve been called the Washington Square Theatre, named after the mall it was located in.
I myself never went inside the theater or the mall. I remember going by there in ‘97 or so, and I saw the CO logo around the outside of the mall. It’s page says it closed in 1994, but it was open until 1998. I have a copy of a “Movie Facts” from early 98, and Diana was listed under CO’s other area locations. My brother saw quite a few flicks there, and he remembers that neverending hallway to the concessions/screens after you bought tickets.
I think with all the 3-D craze today, these theaters should have at least 4 auditoriums equiped for 3-D. Though I’d like to see them projected on a 50ft wide screen with 400-500+ seats, because they’re being installed in the smaller auditoriums at most places.
I’m glad nobody built one megaplex at RO. The way the theaters were set up were very unique. Back when my father was taking me and the rest of us there, I couldn’t wait for the friday paper to see which location our movie would be playing. Even if it weren’t 9-10, I would still get giddy if it were playing in 1-6, 7-8, or even 11-12. It seems as if each building had their own character. Remember the smell of burnt popcorn in the lobby of 7-8? The red carpeting and cream colored lobby of 11-12? Remember the thin hallway leading to the spacious screens of 11-12? The neon colors and marble floors of 1-6? Those are the kind of touches you don’t find in today’s megaplexes. And what’s even worse is the top-down masking/shrink-scope of the screens in said megaplexes.
Anyway, I want to say that should I build 2 screens next to 9-10, they would hold about 300-350 each. Also, the revamped lobby of the building will look somewhat like this.
The indie festival for area filmmakers is a great idea. I’ll put that in my notes. I had classic titles already in mind. In fact, I hope to run a 70MM festival every year. And I hope to show a demo of the Super Dimension 70 system.
JRS40, the last time I can remember 9-10 using the curtains was in the late ‘90s. I saw “Phantom Menace” there, and the curtain covered the screen. When I returned to see “MI:2”, the screen was exposed from that point on. And what was the deal with those flood lights? Every time they came on, I could barely make out the credits on the screen. River Run had lights that came on after shows, but I could still see credits. That really sticks out in my mind from when I saw “Scream 2” and “The General’s Daughter” there.
If my plan becomes a reality, then I’ll take you up on that offer. And the price will be right.
I also want to add that should I operate the theatres, I will install signs around the mall so shoppers will know where to go. If you’re headed in the direction of Sears, I will have a sign (possibly with arrows) saying, “Showmanship Cinemas 1-6 this way”. And if you’re heading towards Westwood College, “Showmanship Cinemas 7-8 this way”. And if you’re heading to Macy’s, “Showmanship 9-10 this way”. I also want to make a point that 9-10 have the largest screens outside of IMAX in the suburbs.
Also, I need some votes here. Should there be stadium seating or traditional staggered seating? I favor the ladder, but a few insiders (investors) suggest the former. If I have to go stadium, then fear not. I hear this screen became a stadium house, and they say it’s still a great experience. We’ll see.
If it were open today, here’s what would be playing. This is in order of the auditoriums.
Cinemas 1-6
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”[PG]
“Bedtime Stories”[PG]
“The Unborn”[PG-13]
“Slumdog Millionare”[R]
“Seven Pounds”[PG-13
“The Reader”[R]
Cinemas 7-8
“Notorious”[R] on 2 screens
Cinemas 9-12 (11-12 attached to #10)
“Gran Torino”[R]
“Defiance”[R]
“Curious Case of Benjamin Button”[PG-13]
“Revolutionary Road”[R]
At River Run/Lansing 8
“Not Easily Broken”[PG-13]
“Hotel for Dogs”[PG]
“My Bloody Valentine 3D”[R]
“Yes Man”[PG-13]
“Bride Wars”[PG]
“Marley & Me”[PG]
“Last Chance Harvey”[PG-13]
“Valkyrie”[PG-13]
So you see, they still get a good piece of movie pie. With all the theaters, Cal City/Lansing will become a top moviegoing destination.
Wow, JRS40 answered before I did. And I have the ad for the opening date for “Tron”. While that played in #5, “The Thing” and another movie(might be “Firefox”) with it was playing in #6. If only I were alive back then. Summer ‘82 must’ve been a great time to be at the movies.
Also, when you walk in Office Depot, my brother says you can make out where the screens were.
No, the theater in the photo was always 7-8. In the 10/21/83 Plitt Theatre guide, they announce the grand opening of 7-8. The ad says, “2 all-new theatres to entertain you! River Oaks 7-8. Located 1 block N E of River Oaks 1-4. Grand openings tonight at 5:45pm”.
5-6 (later 11-12) was at the River Oaks West mall near the post office. Address was 520 RO West. This is where I saw “A Low Down Dirty Shame” and “Mercury Rising”. My family saw “Poltergeist” there back when it came out. It opened in December of 1980. The opening day ad for that said, “GRAND OPENING TODAY! River Oaks 5-6 Calumet City, Located in the west mall”. First movies to play there were “Resurrection” and “Mountain Family Robinson”. It’s very easy to get the bulidings mixed up, since they built so much in and around that area. Another thing, even when it was under CO, the building always had the sign, “River Oaks”, and then “Plitt Theatres” under that. It closed in ‘98. It was torn down (along with the old Kohl’s next to it) in late '07 to make way for the Sam’s Club that’s open now. When 2-3 closed, it became a Silo eletronics store. That lasted until the late 90’s. It was gutted inside and out, and turned into an Office Depot and Men’s Warehouse.
Like 9-10, 1-6 and 7-8 are still sitting, closed. I’m still writing by business plan and gathering up some funds. Perhaps if my proposed theatres get off the ground, it could lead to the mall getting more upscale stores/resturants.
On another note, I hope Cinematour can correct the info in that photo, because they have it has aka RO 2-3.
It closed because of the bankruptcy of Loews-Cineplex. During the 99-01 period, they started getting rid of locations they felt really didn’t need. In this case, CR would be fine with the 6 screens in the mall. Same with what they did with River Run. Since they had 10 screens at River Oaks, they could afford to lose RR.
Chicago Ridge Mall and the Commons strip mall are actually seperated by 99th street. CR mall streches from 95th to 99th. If Commons Cinemas were still open, one could exit the mall at Carson’s, cross the street (99th), enter the Commons parking lot and go right. You couldn’t miss the theaters (now X-port Fitness).
Also, Commons opened June 24th, 1988. Seating capacity was 1700. It ran “Backdraft” in 70MM in ‘91.
No, this is one of the rare locations that didn’t get remodeled into that style. The carpeting has the same style that the Esquire had (sea green/blue). The auditoriums now have blue drapes on the walls. Before 2003, it had red/gold drapes. Wild guess here, that style may have dated back to Essaness. The two sets of concession stands and lobby colors are pink/light red (the lighting scheme makes it pink). And this also has the honor of being one of those rare 80’s cinemas with multiple bathrooms. There’s a set of bathrooms right after you buy your tickets, one right near the entrance to auditorium #4 (or is it #3?), and one by #1. Nice theater, but my only problem is the screens. #5 is the largest, with nearly 500 seats. Yet you can tell that #5 and #6 used to be one large and wide screen, Possibly the one that ran 70MM. My guess is CO split it in ‘94.
On another note, Kerasotes is opening the Showplace 14 nearby at 71st & Harlem. I hope CR will still hold it’s own.
If you think Voight was bad in that, wait ‘til you see him in the crapsterpiece, “Karate Dog”, in which he yells out with MISconviction, “Get that dog!”.
JRS40 and Audiodude,
What do you think about a night sky ceiling for #9? It would look almost like the one at the Music Box.
PS: The business plan is coming along nicely. Once I get it pristine, I will look for investors.
That’s my main problem with Digital 3D too. Since they talk about it being the future, they should try and come up with a process of projecting it on screens like these
View link
View link
Project ‘em on those screens, then you have a fantastic expereince. If not, then the novelity will wear off.
As an advocate of actual film, I like the digital 3D. I had a blast seeing MBV in 3D. And while it’s great, people like Jeff Katzenberg shouldn’t expect it to be the end-of all in how we watch movies. And the cost to convert is too high in these times of financial turmoil.
They want to convert up to 20,000 or more screens for the format, which would cost about a billion dollars. Yet they won’t spend a microcent of that to convert 100-200 large screens to SDS-70MM. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I’m starting to believe that digital purists are kind of affraid of the power in which shooting in 65MM and projecting in 70 or SDS-70 possesses. Just go to your 35MM theater and watch the trailer for “The International”. The 35MM scenes are typical of the projection, yet when the trailer shows the scene with Clive Owen and the bad guy on the roof, you see an instant surge in picture quality due to the scene being shot in 65MM.
I like digital 3D, but I want it to coexist with film.
View link
http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/wizard_fixed.htm
The Plaza 1,2,3 opened December 12th, 1980. First films to play here were “Stir Crazy” on two screens. “Any Which Way You Can” took over one of those screens on 12/17, and the the third opened on Christmas Day. Roy Leonard of WGN attended the grand opening ceremony.
Now if I were running it today…
11/26/08 – TWILIGHT (moveover from #10)
12/19/08 – SEVEN POUNDS
12/25/08 – CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (in Sony 4K DLP)
1/16/09 – GRAN TORINO (moveover from #10)
1/30/09 – TAKEN
More from #1
4/2/82 – SOME KIND OF HERO
4/1/88 – BEETLEJUICE
4/8/88 – ABOVE THE LAW
9/30/88 – GORILLAS IN THE MIST
10/7/88 – ALIEN NATION
6/1/90 – TOTAL RECALL
6/8/90 – ANOTHER 48 HRS
5/28/93 – CLIFFHANGER
6/11/93 – JURASSIC PARK
Also, I got the Cineplex Odeon directory for 4/7/89, and “Lean on Me” was still playing (sixth week BTW) in #1, but what caught my eye was that #14 was closed. #13 was showing a movie called “Sing”. But I have a CO directory for May of ‘89, and #14 was up and running.
I still hope Costco will go elsewere. This theater has too much history to just vanish in the wind.
I mean, look at how many classic films played here in it’s almost 39 year history. “Halloween”, “Alien” etc…
Aek316 and Paul Fortini,
This was the color of the curtains on each of the 3 screens at McClurg. The cinema in the photo was also a remodel by Cineplex Odeon.
I sure will A_projectionist.
Oh yeah, Plitt took over operations of the Diana in December of ‘84.
JRS40, River Oaks 1-6 opened on 12/16/88. First movies to play there were “The Land Before Time”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Tequila Sunrise”, and “Twins” on two screens. From what I got from the ad, the sixth screen opened the next friday with “Hellraiser 2”. Also, all 14 screens operated until about October, maybe early November ‘89. At least from what I’m getting via my mircofilm collection. My family says the last movie that they saw at 2-3/13-14 was “Do The Right Thing”. I have a microfilm for that date too, and it was on both screens. And interesting enough, “Batman” was on both 9-10 and 11-12. #9 being in 70MM.
Don’t quote me on this, but I have a wild hunch as to why it was called the Diana. When it opened in 1975, it was owned by Essaness Theatres. Perhaps the head of Essaness named the theater after a family member? That could be a reason. Because had someone like General Cinema or Plitt got the project, it would’ve been called the Washington Square Theatre, named after the mall it was located in.
I myself never went inside the theater or the mall. I remember going by there in ‘97 or so, and I saw the CO logo around the outside of the mall. It’s page says it closed in 1994, but it was open until 1998. I have a copy of a “Movie Facts” from early 98, and Diana was listed under CO’s other area locations. My brother saw quite a few flicks there, and he remembers that neverending hallway to the concessions/screens after you bought tickets.
I think with all the 3-D craze today, these theaters should have at least 4 auditoriums equiped for 3-D. Though I’d like to see them projected on a 50ft wide screen with 400-500+ seats, because they’re being installed in the smaller auditoriums at most places.
I’m glad nobody built one megaplex at RO. The way the theaters were set up were very unique. Back when my father was taking me and the rest of us there, I couldn’t wait for the friday paper to see which location our movie would be playing. Even if it weren’t 9-10, I would still get giddy if it were playing in 1-6, 7-8, or even 11-12. It seems as if each building had their own character. Remember the smell of burnt popcorn in the lobby of 7-8? The red carpeting and cream colored lobby of 11-12? Remember the thin hallway leading to the spacious screens of 11-12? The neon colors and marble floors of 1-6? Those are the kind of touches you don’t find in today’s megaplexes. And what’s even worse is the top-down masking/shrink-scope of the screens in said megaplexes.
Anyway, I want to say that should I build 2 screens next to 9-10, they would hold about 300-350 each. Also, the revamped lobby of the building will look somewhat like this.
DietMAX wasn’t gonna be nothing special anyway. Real IMAX are those with the 5-7 story tall screens.
KingBiscuits,
The indie festival for area filmmakers is a great idea. I’ll put that in my notes. I had classic titles already in mind. In fact, I hope to run a 70MM festival every year. And I hope to show a demo of the Super Dimension 70 system.
JRS40, the last time I can remember 9-10 using the curtains was in the late ‘90s. I saw “Phantom Menace” there, and the curtain covered the screen. When I returned to see “MI:2”, the screen was exposed from that point on. And what was the deal with those flood lights? Every time they came on, I could barely make out the credits on the screen. River Run had lights that came on after shows, but I could still see credits. That really sticks out in my mind from when I saw “Scream 2” and “The General’s Daughter” there.
If my plan becomes a reality, then I’ll take you up on that offer. And the price will be right.
I also want to add that should I operate the theatres, I will install signs around the mall so shoppers will know where to go. If you’re headed in the direction of Sears, I will have a sign (possibly with arrows) saying, “Showmanship Cinemas 1-6 this way”. And if you’re heading towards Westwood College, “Showmanship Cinemas 7-8 this way”. And if you’re heading to Macy’s, “Showmanship 9-10 this way”. I also want to make a point that 9-10 have the largest screens outside of IMAX in the suburbs.
Also, I need some votes here. Should there be stadium seating or traditional staggered seating? I favor the ladder, but a few insiders (investors) suggest the former. If I have to go stadium, then fear not. I hear this screen became a stadium house, and they say it’s still a great experience. We’ll see.
If it were open today, here’s what would be playing. This is in order of the auditoriums.
Cinemas 1-6
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”[PG]
“Bedtime Stories”[PG]
“The Unborn”[PG-13]
“Slumdog Millionare”[R]
“Seven Pounds”[PG-13
“The Reader”[R]
Cinemas 7-8
“Notorious”[R] on 2 screens
Cinemas 9-12 (11-12 attached to #10)
“Gran Torino”[R]
“Defiance”[R]
“Curious Case of Benjamin Button”[PG-13]
“Revolutionary Road”[R]
At River Run/Lansing 8
“Not Easily Broken”[PG-13]
“Hotel for Dogs”[PG]
“My Bloody Valentine 3D”[R]
“Yes Man”[PG-13]
“Bride Wars”[PG]
“Marley & Me”[PG]
“Last Chance Harvey”[PG-13]
“Valkyrie”[PG-13]
So you see, they still get a good piece of movie pie. With all the theaters, Cal City/Lansing will become a top moviegoing destination.
Wow, JRS40 answered before I did. And I have the ad for the opening date for “Tron”. While that played in #5, “The Thing” and another movie(might be “Firefox”) with it was playing in #6. If only I were alive back then. Summer ‘82 must’ve been a great time to be at the movies.
Also, when you walk in Office Depot, my brother says you can make out where the screens were.
No, the theater in the photo was always 7-8. In the 10/21/83 Plitt Theatre guide, they announce the grand opening of 7-8. The ad says, “2 all-new theatres to entertain you! River Oaks 7-8. Located 1 block N E of River Oaks 1-4. Grand openings tonight at 5:45pm”.
5-6 (later 11-12) was at the River Oaks West mall near the post office. Address was 520 RO West. This is where I saw “A Low Down Dirty Shame” and “Mercury Rising”. My family saw “Poltergeist” there back when it came out. It opened in December of 1980. The opening day ad for that said, “GRAND OPENING TODAY! River Oaks 5-6 Calumet City, Located in the west mall”. First movies to play there were “Resurrection” and “Mountain Family Robinson”. It’s very easy to get the bulidings mixed up, since they built so much in and around that area. Another thing, even when it was under CO, the building always had the sign, “River Oaks”, and then “Plitt Theatres” under that. It closed in ‘98. It was torn down (along with the old Kohl’s next to it) in late '07 to make way for the Sam’s Club that’s open now. When 2-3 closed, it became a Silo eletronics store. That lasted until the late 90’s. It was gutted inside and out, and turned into an Office Depot and Men’s Warehouse.
Like 9-10, 1-6 and 7-8 are still sitting, closed. I’m still writing by business plan and gathering up some funds. Perhaps if my proposed theatres get off the ground, it could lead to the mall getting more upscale stores/resturants.
On another note, I hope Cinematour can correct the info in that photo, because they have it has aka RO 2-3.
It closed because of the bankruptcy of Loews-Cineplex. During the 99-01 period, they started getting rid of locations they felt really didn’t need. In this case, CR would be fine with the 6 screens in the mall. Same with what they did with River Run. Since they had 10 screens at River Oaks, they could afford to lose RR.
Chicago Ridge Mall and the Commons strip mall are actually seperated by 99th street. CR mall streches from 95th to 99th. If Commons Cinemas were still open, one could exit the mall at Carson’s, cross the street (99th), enter the Commons parking lot and go right. You couldn’t miss the theaters (now X-port Fitness).
Also, Commons opened June 24th, 1988. Seating capacity was 1700. It ran “Backdraft” in 70MM in ‘91.
Paul,
No, this is one of the rare locations that didn’t get remodeled into that style. The carpeting has the same style that the Esquire had (sea green/blue). The auditoriums now have blue drapes on the walls. Before 2003, it had red/gold drapes. Wild guess here, that style may have dated back to Essaness. The two sets of concession stands and lobby colors are pink/light red (the lighting scheme makes it pink). And this also has the honor of being one of those rare 80’s cinemas with multiple bathrooms. There’s a set of bathrooms right after you buy your tickets, one right near the entrance to auditorium #4 (or is it #3?), and one by #1. Nice theater, but my only problem is the screens. #5 is the largest, with nearly 500 seats. Yet you can tell that #5 and #6 used to be one large and wide screen, Possibly the one that ran 70MM. My guess is CO split it in ‘94.
On another note, Kerasotes is opening the Showplace 14 nearby at 71st & Harlem. I hope CR will still hold it’s own.
Now that David Barton Gym will be located at Roosevelt Collection instead of 108 N State, perhaps the Muvico’s seating capacity can be expanded.
Damn, now I’m jealous of ya’ll in Seattle. You guys get to see Vertigo not only at the Cinerama, but in 70MM too.
Ah, if only plane or train tickets cost $5.
My guess is that it (GG) will reopen in the spring, right before the 25th anniversary.
Can anyone tell me what is the largest audiorium here? And how wide is the screen?
If you think Voight was bad in that, wait ‘til you see him in the crapsterpiece, “Karate Dog”, in which he yells out with MISconviction, “Get that dog!”.