I saw a lot of Disney movies here during summer vacations spent with my grandparents. In fact, I don’t think I saw anything BUT Disney movies here. I also remember there being a Shakey’s Pizza just a bit further down the road, and it was always a treat to go there after a movie.
This is likely the most unusual theatre I’ve ever personally been to. I saw only two movies there: “The Lord of the Rings” (on a 5th grade field trip!) and “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (what a combo!), but I can remember the place as if it were yesterday.
My grandparents lived near to here, so I saw a lot of movies at this theatre, as well as the St. Ann. I believe the last movie I saw there was “WarGames.” I don’t remember much about the place, other than it was huge to a child’s eyes. To this day, seeing the General Cinemas logo reminds me of this theatre.
I also seem to remember that it was the site of the very first screening of “Flash Gordon.”
Gosh, I have so many fond memories of this place. I saw most movies from my childhood here and, later, at the Nameoki Cinema. I do believe it was likely the first movie theatre I’d ever been to; I can remember being carried into the Washington for a screening of “Deliverance,” and I really kicked up a fuss because I was frightened by the movie’s poster art.
Later I was there for “Jaws” and “Halloween,” and I remember begging my mother to let me see “The Omen” (which she refused). If we were downtown shopping, we always had to walk by so that I could see the movie posters and lobby cards. All the Disney movies I ever saw in a theatre were screened here. (I am guessing that the Washington had exclusive screening rights to Disney films.)
I remember the Saturday afternoon contests, though I never won anything. I also remember going to see a Christian-themed movie called “Time to Run,” where a pastor was in attendance; he sermonized after the movie was over and invited kids down to the front to be saved. My sister was one who took him up on it.
One thing that isn’t part of my Washington memories is sitting in the balcony. It was always roped off and closed whenever I was there.
I sure wish I could see some pictures of the place. So many happy memories…
I can say that I never saw a movie here because, well, I was underage! But even at a young age, I knew what notoriety this place had. I do remember from the newspaper ads that Andy Warhol’s “Frankenstein” was shown every weekend…in 3-D!
The Bel-Air is an integral part of my childhood. My family and I lived in Mitchell, not far from the drive-in, but I can only recall going there a handful of times. The first movie I can remember going to there was “The French Connection,” conking out before the movie even started. Still, if we happened to be out driving somewhere and our route took us past the Bel-Air, I’d have to look at the screen to see what was playing and look at the neon sign in front. I have the distinct memory of seeing Hitchcock’s “Frenzy” as we passed it one night, and seeing the film as an adult I can pick out which scene it was.
I don’t know how common this was among drive-ins, but the Bel-Air would have “dusk to dawn” marathons every year, usually a series of horror movies. I would see ads in the Granite City Press-Record and fliers around town. I never went to one, and I don’t know anyone who ever did.
The BAC chain owned several video stores in the area, and when the drive-in closed, the car speakers were sold in the stores, touted as unique souvenirs.
I saw a lot of Disney movies here during summer vacations spent with my grandparents. In fact, I don’t think I saw anything BUT Disney movies here. I also remember there being a Shakey’s Pizza just a bit further down the road, and it was always a treat to go there after a movie.
This is likely the most unusual theatre I’ve ever personally been to. I saw only two movies there: “The Lord of the Rings” (on a 5th grade field trip!) and “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (what a combo!), but I can remember the place as if it were yesterday.
My grandparents lived near to here, so I saw a lot of movies at this theatre, as well as the St. Ann. I believe the last movie I saw there was “WarGames.” I don’t remember much about the place, other than it was huge to a child’s eyes. To this day, seeing the General Cinemas logo reminds me of this theatre.
I also seem to remember that it was the site of the very first screening of “Flash Gordon.”
Gosh, I have so many fond memories of this place. I saw most movies from my childhood here and, later, at the Nameoki Cinema. I do believe it was likely the first movie theatre I’d ever been to; I can remember being carried into the Washington for a screening of “Deliverance,” and I really kicked up a fuss because I was frightened by the movie’s poster art.
Later I was there for “Jaws” and “Halloween,” and I remember begging my mother to let me see “The Omen” (which she refused). If we were downtown shopping, we always had to walk by so that I could see the movie posters and lobby cards. All the Disney movies I ever saw in a theatre were screened here. (I am guessing that the Washington had exclusive screening rights to Disney films.)
I remember the Saturday afternoon contests, though I never won anything. I also remember going to see a Christian-themed movie called “Time to Run,” where a pastor was in attendance; he sermonized after the movie was over and invited kids down to the front to be saved. My sister was one who took him up on it.
One thing that isn’t part of my Washington memories is sitting in the balcony. It was always roped off and closed whenever I was there.
I sure wish I could see some pictures of the place. So many happy memories…
I can say that I never saw a movie here because, well, I was underage! But even at a young age, I knew what notoriety this place had. I do remember from the newspaper ads that Andy Warhol’s “Frankenstein” was shown every weekend…in 3-D!
The Bel-Air is an integral part of my childhood. My family and I lived in Mitchell, not far from the drive-in, but I can only recall going there a handful of times. The first movie I can remember going to there was “The French Connection,” conking out before the movie even started. Still, if we happened to be out driving somewhere and our route took us past the Bel-Air, I’d have to look at the screen to see what was playing and look at the neon sign in front. I have the distinct memory of seeing Hitchcock’s “Frenzy” as we passed it one night, and seeing the film as an adult I can pick out which scene it was.
I don’t know how common this was among drive-ins, but the Bel-Air would have “dusk to dawn” marathons every year, usually a series of horror movies. I would see ads in the Granite City Press-Record and fliers around town. I never went to one, and I don’t know anyone who ever did.
The BAC chain owned several video stores in the area, and when the drive-in closed, the car speakers were sold in the stores, touted as unique souvenirs.