The showing of Steven Spielburg’s RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK broke all boxoffice attendance records for this theatre becoming the highest grossing film in Asheville when it came out in 1981.
Spielburg’s “E.T.” had the lines snaked around Asheville Mall when it came out as well breaking all boxoffice attendance records in 1982 becoming the highest grossing film for that theatre.
THE EXORCIST played at this theatre in March of 1974. It was at the time the highest grossing flick for that theatre until JAWS surpassed it on June 20,1975 making it not only the highest grossing film for that theatre,but it broke all boxoffice attendance records in Asheville bringing in record crowds during its run.
Not to mention the original STAR WARS played here as well at the Merrimon…breaking all boxoffice attendance records and became the highest grossing film for that theatre……..
By 1997…the Mall Twin was reduced to a discount dollar house with all seats for all shows just $1.00 under Carmike Cinemas…..I have the ad for the 1-1-98 showings at the Mall Twin…..it closed in June of that year due to expansion and renovation of the Asheville Mall.
MALL TWIN AT ASHEVILLE MALL: 1-1-1998 “Air Force” with Harrison Ford-Rated R “In and Out” with Demi Moore-Rated PG 13
The Mall 1 and 2 Theatres were constructed by Wil-Kin and Six Associates Incorporated. This was the last of the twin ULTRAVISION theatres that were built. The Mall 1 and 2 Theatres(under ABC Southeastern Theatres)opened to the public on July 4,1975(the Independence Day holiday)with the premiere attractions for its official grand opening……
MALL THEATRE 1: Warren Beatty and Julie Christie in “SHAMPOO” also starring Goldie Hawn and Jack Warden Rated R
MALL THEATRE 2: Ann Margret and Jack Nicholson along with Roger Daltrey in “TOMMY” also starring Tina Turner. Rated PG….special late show for this feature on Friday and Saturday nights at Midnight.
The BILTMORE CINEMA closed on May 12,1975 with the final feature RANCHO DELUXE as a single screen theatre starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterson.
It reopened as the BILTMORE TWIN THEATRES on May 23,1975 under Martin Theatres.
The Biltmore Cinema is now equipped with two complete auditoriums under one roof..giving you twice the choice of movies at the same convenient location
GRAND OPENING ATTRACTIONS FOR THE BILTMORE CINEMA TWIN
Screen 1: “ROSEBUD” directed by Otto Preminger With Peter O'Toole and Richard Attenborough-Rated PG
Screen 2: “CHINATOWN” directed by Roman Polanski With Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway-Rated R
Friday April 18,1975….NOW SHOWING!!! First Run!!!
The movie that has the lines around the block…No wonder this was 1974’s funniest movie…YOU BET IT IS!
“MEL BROOKS' BLAZING SADDLES” Rated R
February 28,1975….NOW at the Imperial Theatre….
The movie that replaced the “DIXIE DANCEKINGS” after more than three weeks is “FLESH GORDON”[Rated X-No One Under 18 Admitted]
“DIXIE DANCEKINGS” moved to the Starlite Drive-In at Tunnel Road…
March 7, 1975…NOW at the Imperial Theatre….
First-Run Showing with Sean Connery in THE TERRORISTS
February 7,1975…..
The Movie That Ended The Godfather Part II run…..
“W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS”-First Run Showing!!!
With Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Connie Van Dyke
Rated “PG”
The Merrimon Twin Theatre opened on December 21,1973 by Irwin and Fuller Theatres. It was also known as the Merrimon North and South Theatres. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the Merrimon Twin Theatres was Walt Disney’s animated feature ROBIN HOOD that played on two screens for one week.
The following week,the Merrimon South section opened on December 28,1973 with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in PAPILLON that played to capacity crowds.
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS TO THE MERRIMON NORTH & SOUTH:
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in THE STING
Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn along with Lee J. Cobb in the biggest movie event of the year THE EXORCIST
Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss in AMERICAN GRAFFITI
Opened on May 28,1969 as a 780-seat single screen theatre under Schneider-Merl Corporation….
June 20,1975,the Yorktowne became the Yorktowne Twin Theatres under Martin Theatres Group. Auditorium 2 had a seating capacity of 625. The premiere attraction for the Yorktowne II’s opening was Gene Hackman in THE FRENCH CONNECTION PART II
1982-One of the many theatres acquired by Carmike Cinemas after it bought out Martin Theatres.
1987-Became a discount house showing second run films.
1996-The Yorktowne Theatre closed. After it was close in 1996 it was part of megachurch until 2005.
CORRECTION: This theatre did not open in 1970. In fact,THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA at Riverview Shopping Center in North Durham originally opened on April 26,1972 as a 550-seat single screen theatre. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the RIVERVIEW CINEMA was “The French Connection” starring Gene Hackman. The coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA prior to its opening in 1972 were basically a Sidney Poitier double feature with “They Called Me Mister Tibbs!”,and “The Organization”..other coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA…“Hammer!” with Fred Williamson, “Cotton Comes To Harlem” with Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques and “The Chinese Connection” starring Bruce Lee.
This was be reposted on the Cinema Treasures site.
The showing of Steven Spielburg’s RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK broke all boxoffice attendance records for this theatre becoming the highest grossing film in Asheville when it came out in 1981.
Spielburg’s “E.T.” had the lines snaked around Asheville Mall when it came out as well breaking all boxoffice attendance records in 1982 becoming the highest grossing film for that theatre.
THE EXORCIST played at this theatre in March of 1974. It was at the time the highest grossing flick for that theatre until JAWS surpassed it on June 20,1975 making it not only the highest grossing film for that theatre,but it broke all boxoffice attendance records in Asheville bringing in record crowds during its run.
Not to mention the original STAR WARS played here as well at the Merrimon…breaking all boxoffice attendance records and became the highest grossing film for that theatre……..
By 1997…the Mall Twin was reduced to a discount dollar house with all seats for all shows just $1.00 under Carmike Cinemas…..I have the ad for the 1-1-98 showings at the Mall Twin…..it closed in June of that year due to expansion and renovation of the Asheville Mall.
MALL TWIN AT ASHEVILLE MALL: 1-1-1998
“Air Force” with Harrison Ford-Rated R
“In and Out” with Demi Moore-Rated PG 13
Owners:
1975-1979 ABC Southeastern Theatres
1979-1986 Plitt Southern Theatres
1986-1991 Cineplex Odeon Corporation
1991-1998 Carmike Cinemas
More blockbusters that got first-run at this theatre: “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK”-Harrison Ford-(6-12-1981)
“E.T.”-First-run showing in DOBLY STEREO(6-11-1982)
“THE BLUES BROTHERS”-With John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd
More blockbusters that got first-run at this theatre: “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK”-Harrison Ford-(6-12-1981)
“E.T.”-First-run showing in DOBLY STEREO(6-11-1982)
“THE BLUES BROTHERS”-With John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd
The Mall 1 and 2 Theatres were constructed by Wil-Kin and Six Associates Incorporated. This was the last of the twin ULTRAVISION theatres that were built. The Mall 1 and 2 Theatres(under ABC Southeastern Theatres)opened to the public on July 4,1975(the Independence Day holiday)with the premiere attractions for its official grand opening……
MALL THEATRE 1: Warren Beatty and Julie Christie in “SHAMPOO” also starring Goldie Hawn and Jack Warden
Rated R
MALL THEATRE 2: Ann Margret and Jack Nicholson along with Roger Daltrey in “TOMMY” also starring Tina Turner. Rated PG….special late show for this feature on Friday and Saturday nights at Midnight.
Friday June 6, 1975….NOW at the Imperial First-Run! “MANDINGO” with James Mason,Susan George & Perry King and introducing Ken Norton as Mede!!
The BILTMORE CINEMA closed on May 12,1975 with the final feature RANCHO DELUXE as a single screen theatre starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterson.
It reopened as the BILTMORE TWIN THEATRES on May 23,1975 under Martin Theatres. The Biltmore Cinema is now equipped with two complete auditoriums under one roof..giving you twice the choice of movies at the same convenient location
GRAND OPENING ATTRACTIONS FOR THE BILTMORE CINEMA TWIN
Screen 1: “ROSEBUD” directed by Otto Preminger
With Peter O'Toole and Richard Attenborough-Rated PG
Screen 2: “CHINATOWN” directed by Roman Polanski
With Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway-Rated R
Friday April 18,1975….NOW SHOWING!!! First Run!!! The movie that has the lines around the block…No wonder this was 1974’s funniest movie…YOU BET IT IS! “MEL BROOKS' BLAZING SADDLES” Rated R
February 28,1975….NOW at the Imperial Theatre…. The movie that replaced the “DIXIE DANCEKINGS” after more than three weeks is “FLESH GORDON”[Rated X-No One Under 18 Admitted]
“DIXIE DANCEKINGS” moved to the Starlite Drive-In at Tunnel Road…
March 7, 1975…NOW at the Imperial Theatre…. First-Run Showing with Sean Connery in THE TERRORISTS
February 7,1975….. The Movie That Ended The Godfather Part II run….. “W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS”-First Run Showing!!! With Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Connie Van Dyke Rated “PG”
Friday January 31,1975 Showing at the Plaza……
Double Feature with Issac Hayes in “TRUCK TURNER” and Pam Grier in “FOXY BROWN”-Both features Rated “R”
Plaza II: THE HOUSE THAT VANISHED
COMING ATTRACTIONS: Sonny Chiba in THE STREET FIGHTER “THE TEACHER” with Angela Tompkins and Jay North “POLICEWOMAN” with Sondra Currie and Tony Young
It was also known as the BILTMORE CINEMA that opened in 1972 under Martin Theatres/Fuqua Entertainment.
From the Asheville Citizen ad from December 25,1974:
NOW PLAYING: “Is Just As Exciting And Far More Ambitious Than The First "Godfather”
FRANCIS FORD COPPULA’S “THE GODFATHER:PART II”
Exclusive First-Run Asheville Showing!!! No Passes!!!
With Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Robert De Niro
The Merrimon Twin Theatre opened on December 21,1973 by Irwin and Fuller Theatres. It was also known as the Merrimon North and South Theatres. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the Merrimon Twin Theatres was Walt Disney’s animated feature ROBIN HOOD that played on two screens for one week.
The following week,the Merrimon South section opened on December 28,1973 with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in PAPILLON that played to capacity crowds.
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS TO THE MERRIMON NORTH & SOUTH:
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in THE STING
Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn along with Lee J. Cobb in the biggest movie event of the year THE EXORCIST
Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss in AMERICAN GRAFFITI
June 17,1973:NOW PLAYING AT THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA
It’s Fred Williamson In Action HELL UP IN HARLEM!!!
COMING SOON:
Pam Grier in THE ARENA
Bruce Lee in THE CHINESE CONNECTION
December 23 1975: NOW PLAYING AT THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA Pam Grier and Yaphet Kotto in “FRIDAY FOSTER”
Coming Soon:
Fred “Hammer” Williamson in “MEAN JOHNNY BURROWS”
Sonny Chiba in “REVENGE OF THE STREET FIGHTER”
Address: TERRACE THEATRES AT FRIENDLY CENTER 3120 Northline Avenue Friendly Center Shopping Center Greensboro, NC 27408
2500 Chapel Hill Boulevard Durham, NC 27707
THEATRE HISTORY OF THE YORKTOWNE:
Opened on May 28,1969 as a 780-seat single screen theatre under Schneider-Merl Corporation….
June 20,1975,the Yorktowne became the Yorktowne Twin Theatres under Martin Theatres Group. Auditorium 2 had a seating capacity of 625. The premiere attraction for the Yorktowne II’s opening was Gene Hackman in THE FRENCH CONNECTION PART II
1982-One of the many theatres acquired by Carmike Cinemas after it bought out Martin Theatres.
1987-Became a discount house showing second run films.
1996-The Yorktowne Theatre closed. After it was close in 1996 it was part of megachurch until 2005.
2008-Yorktowne Theatre was demolished.
1969-1975 Schneider-Merl Theatres
1975-1982 Martin Theatres
1982-1996 Carmike Cinemas
Address for the RIVERVIEW TWIN CINEMA
5200 North Roxboro Road Riverview Shopping Center Durham, NC 27704
CORRECTION: This theatre did not open in 1970. In fact,THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA at Riverview Shopping Center in North Durham originally opened on April 26,1972 as a 550-seat single screen theatre. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the RIVERVIEW CINEMA was “The French Connection” starring Gene Hackman. The coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA prior to its opening in 1972 were basically a Sidney Poitier double feature with “They Called Me Mister Tibbs!”,and “The Organization”..other coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA…“Hammer!” with Fred Williamson, “Cotton Comes To Harlem” with Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques and “The Chinese Connection” starring Bruce Lee. This was be reposted on the Cinema Treasures site.
I have the ads from the Imperial Cinema I-IV’s grand opening ad from December 23,1977.
fred1: for your information………………….
This is the website for the Galaxy Cinema…….
www.mygalaxycinema.com
The theatre is independently owned and operated and not part of the chain of Galaxy Theatres.