I wrote my comments above in 2015, here we are 8 years later in 2023 & the view hasn’t changed at all, even the marquee ceiling lights still remain from the mid 1970’s. It amazes me that a large potential revenue generating space can remain empty and dormant for decades.
I worked at Skyway Cinemas in the mid-70’s as an usher— an amazing job for a high school kid—– but what was especially cool was that there was an arrangement between Skyway, the old Odeon on Lakeshore downtown, and the Burlington Mall cinemas where employees could see movies free at any theater Mon—Fri, so I spent many, many evenings at this theater. I remember them being plush, with real drapes across the screen that would ratchet up, and soft comfortable seats.
I always wonder what the interior of the auditoriums of these defunct movie palaces look like today.
It would seem the old Odeon/Hume auditorium was demolished at some point. The front facade is indeed a retail operation but looking at Google Earth only a small part of the auditorium remains.
I worked here as an usher from 1975-1977 while in high school, my first job. It was then Skyway Cinemas, there were 2 cinemas, Cinema 1 which held about 450, & a smaller auditorium Cinema 2, at about 250. Definitely of the modern, spartan design, no screen curtains, balconies or any other frills. Good memories of this place though, the manager was an older, no-nonsense lady named Mrs. Willard, if still with us she’d be well into her 90’s today. Nice lady though, treated us well.
I’d love to go in there & take a look around, the view on Google Earth shows the entrance much as it was.
The Drive-In is now, sadly, permanently closed, the on-site weekend swap-meet will continue until June 2024.
I wrote my comments above in 2015, here we are 8 years later in 2023 & the view hasn’t changed at all, even the marquee ceiling lights still remain from the mid 1970’s. It amazes me that a large potential revenue generating space can remain empty and dormant for decades.
The entrance to Skyway/Lakeside Cinemas in 2019, looking exactly as I remember from the 1970’s.
I’ve lived in El Cajon for about 14 years & I’d never heard of it. It seems not a lot of people here have, which is probably why it no longer exists.
I worked at Skyway Cinemas in the mid-70’s as an usher— an amazing job for a high school kid—– but what was especially cool was that there was an arrangement between Skyway, the old Odeon on Lakeshore downtown, and the Burlington Mall cinemas where employees could see movies free at any theater Mon—Fri, so I spent many, many evenings at this theater. I remember them being plush, with real drapes across the screen that would ratchet up, and soft comfortable seats. I always wonder what the interior of the auditoriums of these defunct movie palaces look like today.
It would seem the old Odeon/Hume auditorium was demolished at some point. The front facade is indeed a retail operation but looking at Google Earth only a small part of the auditorium remains.
I worked here as an usher from 1975-1977 while in high school, my first job. It was then Skyway Cinemas, there were 2 cinemas, Cinema 1 which held about 450, & a smaller auditorium Cinema 2, at about 250. Definitely of the modern, spartan design, no screen curtains, balconies or any other frills. Good memories of this place though, the manager was an older, no-nonsense lady named Mrs. Willard, if still with us she’d be well into her 90’s today. Nice lady though, treated us well. I’d love to go in there & take a look around, the view on Google Earth shows the entrance much as it was.