Columbia Square Cinemas

Was this part of the General Cinema Theatres chain?

Columbia 1 and 2 opened with Columbia 1 showing "Nickelodeon" on November 23, 1977. On the show's opening night everyone was admitted for 5 cents. Thousands showed up, so many that we had to bicyle the print over to Columbia 2 which hadn't opened yet, and let folks fill that theatre up. The film starred Ryan O'Neal and Burt Reynolds, but even with that star power it died a quick death. I think the thousands that saw it that night was about it. Following opening night we had very bad crowds for a new theatre.

Columbia 1 and 2 was located in Martinez, Georgia, a suburb of Augusta. Columbia 1 had dual projection Xerox lamps, and Columbia 2 had a platter system. Columbia 1 seated close to 500 while Columbia 2 had about 350 seats. Both screens for a twin were wonderful. The staff included two veteran I.A. Projectionists, Paul Adams and Bob Smith. Smith would later go on to a TV broadcast career at TV 12 doing the weather. Bob also had a career in radio at several top AM stations.

The management team was made up of City Manager Jerry Tinney, and two assistants or house managers, Tommy Capers and Mike Rogers. Tommy came from the Imperial in downtown Augusta, and after having a regular diet of "Shaft" movies, Columbia 1 and 2 was much different. However, Tom will tell you today that he loved the Imperial.

Plain and simple, Mike Rogers was glad to be five miles closer to home. Columbia 1 and 2 played mainly PG films like National Hills - a family theatre. The hardest adult movie that played was a South American film called "Dona Flora". Thank goodness Columbia County didn't have a vice squad! Also, Al Pacino's "Cruising" was a very hard R.

Mike Rogers let it be known that he would put up the first marquee. Well, on an errand to National Hills Theatre, Mark Kuchinski comes and puts "Nickelodeon" up. Talk about being hot! Mike did put up "A Star is Born" on Columbia 2. Columbia 2 opened on Christmas Day 1977 with Streisand's "A Star Is Born". To this day I don't know why another film wasn't shown in that theatre when it opened in November 1977. Some of the other managers from our theatre chain would sneak up to Columbia 1 and 2 and stand on Tommy Caper's van and fiddle with the marquee. On one night Mike Rogers caught them and we all laughed!

Columbia 1 and 2 was an ABC theatre, and remained so until the broadcasting giant sold out to Plitt Theatres. Only Mr. Tinney, Bob Gordon Smith, and Mike Rogers knew of the sale. When Plitt Theatres took over there was no change at all.

The only news item that came from this theatre was when some local churches were protesting the George Burns film "Oh God!" The local paper came out, and somehow the Associatd Press picked up the story, and it made it's way all the way to Hollywood alerting Warner Brothers! Jerry Tinney stated that the churches sold more tickets just like the protest of "The Exorcist" had done at the Imperial.

By far, the biggest grossing 1st run picture was "A Star Is Born". Columbia 1 played late shows but they never pulled crowds like National Hills and the Imperial would. Probably the biggest grossing late show was "Easy Rider". The worst was the 1976 remake of "King Kong" where only two people showed up on Friday night.

"Star Wars" was set for Columbia 1 and 2 but instead played across town at Weis Cinemas, a very small twin theater. Mike Rogers did keep the original art work one-sheet. I guess the boys in the home office in Charlotte didn't think it would do business. It played the entire summer at Weis Cinemas.

The architecture for Columbia 1 and 2 was not one-of-a-kind. Theaters owned by ABC/Plitt in Knoxville and Atlanta had the same style and color. Tommy Capers stayed at Columbia Square until he got and accountant job at a major department store in 1978. Mike Rogers would stay until 1979 when he was fired for missing an employee meeting. Karen Harpe was the first female assistant manager at Columbia Square joining Cindy Muns who was assistant manager at National Hills when Charles Bruni quit. Jerry Tinney would stay a few more years before moving to the local newspaper. He was replaced by Richard Anderson, whom almost every employee couldn't stand. Jerry Tinney made it family. Anderson was 100% opposite.

Columbia 1 and 2 was robbed once - shaken employees but no one was hurt. The concession crew included Helen Stark, Pam Mance, Frankie Burroughs, Laurie Avclair, Cathy McNitt, Mary See, Karen Harpe, Angie Darrell, and Cindy Dogget. A fantastic crew for 2 young assistant managers. Susan Shaver was lead box office girl. She was from National Hills, and trained new box office girls, and kept Mike Rogers mind on closing up the box office with the right numbers! Cathy McNitt would marry Johnny Arena, the assistant manager at the Imperial. Cathy Medlin and Mark Barkley, two employees at the Imperial, would also marry.

Columbia 1 and 2 was bought out by United Artists which quickly cut Columbia 1 into two theatres, ruining a beautiful screen. Later, United Artists sold to Georgia Theatres, and they cut Columbia 2 into two theaters making a quad. By that time it was second run, and all the magic that was there in 1977 was long gone.

I NOTICE THAT IT SEEMS THE WORD CINEMA IS THROWN AROUND QUIT A BIT. WHEN WE OPENED COLUMBIA SQUARE IT WAS NO MENTION OF THE WORD CINEMA. I GOT CAUGHT ONE TIME BY OUR CITY MANAGER SAYING COLUMBIA CINEMAS AND MAN YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS ENDING IT WAS ALWAYS COLUMBIA 1 and 2 THEATRES....AND HECK COMPARED TO A LOT OF MULTIPLEXS WE DID HAVE HUGE THEATRES.........I GUESS EVERY THEATRE MANAGER HAS A PROJECTION BOOTH STORY, ONE NIGHT OUR PROJECTIONIST WAVE BALLARD BROUGHT HIS BASSET HOUND JUST LIKE COLUMBO TO THE MOVIES TO STAY IN THE BOOTH. WAVE WANTED ME TO SEE THE DOG AND HE SAID HE WOULD NOT BARK.WELL, THE DOG'S NAME WAS FRED AND IT WAS A SLOW THURSDAY NIGHT WITH A SECOND RUN ON THE JANE FONDA MOVIE COMING HOME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RATHER QUITE LOVE MAKING SCENE OLD FRED STARTS TO BARK AND I JUMP OUT OF MY SEAT AND SHOOT UP THE BOOTH AND THERE IS WAVE TRYING HIS BEST TO QUITE FRED. THAK GOODNESS WE ONLY HAD A HANDFUL OF FOLKS THAT NIGHT.

ANOTHER TRUE STORY FROM THE FILES OF COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. WHEN WE OPENED FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FIRST SHOWING OF THE PETER FALK AND ALAN ARKIN FILM THE IN-LAWS A OLDER LADY IN HER 70'S WALKS UP TO THE BOXOFFICE AND CALMLY TELLS ME WE DO NOT HAVE SOAP IN THE LADIES ROOM. WELL, I AM A PRETTY DECENT GUY AND TOLD HER I WOULD GET RIGHT ON IT. WE HAD ABOUT 100 FOLKS ROPED OFF IN THE LOBBY.
AND I HAD TO GET THEM IN...BOY, DID SHE GO CRAZY. I MEAN IN FRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE SCREAMING ABOUT. IT GOT SO BAD I WAS GETTING READY TO CALL THE COPS. YELLING ABOUT NO SOAP. FINALLY, I GUESS HER SON CAME AND GOT HER AND SAID HE WAS SO SORRY.
ONE NIGHT TOMMY CAPERS AND ME ARE SITTING ON THE CONESSIONSTAND SIPPING A COLD ONE AFTER A LONG NIGHT. OUT OF COLUMBIA ONE WALKS A MAN. SAID HE FELL ASLEEP. SO MUCH FOR OUR USHERS THAT NIGHT.
ANOTHER NIGHT A LADY COMES UP TO ME AFTER WATCHING THE ENTIRE MOVIE AND DEMANDED HER MONEY BACK. SHE DID NOT GET IT. WHAT NERVE. HAD SHE COME OUT IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OR SO,SURE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HER 3.00 BACK. BOY, THE THEATRE BUSINESS. AND I AM JUST WRITING THE G RATED STUFF.

SMART THEATRE MANAGER, JERRY TINNEY HAVING HAD A TIME AT THE IMPERIAL WITH THE EXORCIST HE INVITED RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM AUGUSTA'S CHURCHES TO VIEW A SPECIAL SHOWING OF OH, GOD.
WE REALLY WERE NOT CERTAIN HOW IT WOULD PLAY SINCE THE TRAILER WAS NOTHING BUT A BLANK SCREEN AND GEORGE BURNS TALKING. MANY PRIESTS AND PASTORS CAME... OPENING NIGHT WE HAD PROTESTS ABOUT THE MOVIE. ALL THEY DID WAS SELL MORE TICKETS.

COLUMBIA 2 still playing A STAR IS BORN. 8th week. CASSANDRA CROSSING OPENED TO STRONG CROWDS, ...FEB. 17 1977.
LATE SHOWS AT COLUMBIA SQUARE ARE BOMBING. WE HAD TWO PEOPLE FOR FAMILY PLOT ON SATURDAY. WE HAVE DECIDED TO SELL TICKETS AT 1.50 a seat.
AUGUST 2 1977 WE ARE PLAYING THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE AND COLUMBIA TWO IS DOING VERY WELL WITH THE DEEP.
CEDAR BLUFF IN KNOXVILLE, TENN. STONE MONT IN ATLANTA ARE THE SAME THEATRES HAS COLUMBIA SQUARE. ALL OPENED ABOUT THE SAME TIME.

NOV. 23. 1978 IN THE MAIL COMES A PACKAGE FROM WARNER BROTHERS. OF COURSE, I QUICKY OPEN IT AND IT HAS A NOTE INSIDE SAYING; THR GAUNTLET ONE SHEETS NOW ON DISPLAY ARE TO BE TAKEN DOWN AND THROWN AWAY.. TRASH THEM! WELL, THIS CLINT EASTWOOD FAN AIN'T THROWNING A CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIE POSTER AWAY. I TOOK OUT THE NEW ONES AND LOOKED FOR A CHANGE. WHY CHANGE? THE ART WORK WAS THE SAME.
HOWEVER, I ASSUMED SONDRA LOCKE SAW HER NAME SMALLER THAN CLINT'S SHE MUST HAVE HAD A FIT.. SO ON THE FIRST BATCH OF ONE SHEETS HER NAME IS SMALLER. ON THE NEW ONE SHEETS SONDRA LOCKE'S NAME IS EQUAL BILLING WITH CLINT. COME ON CLINT!

I REMEMBER JUNE 11 1979.
JOHN WAYNE DIED. IT TOOK ALITTLE TIME TO SOAK THAT IN. IT WAS FRIDAY EVENING AND DANGIT, JOHN WAYNE DESERVED A LITTLE NOTICE IN THIS CITY. ON MY OWN TIME, I GOT THE A-FRAME OUT AND HEADED TO THE MARQUEE WITH A HANDFUL OF LETTERS. ON MY OWN TIME. THE MOVIES WERE OVER AND THE PARKING LOT BARE.
THE NEXT MORNINGIT READ... JOHN WAYNE 1907- 1979" WE WILL MISS YOU ..DUKE" I ONLY WISHED I WOULD HAVE TAKEN A PICTURE. I KNOW WE WERE THE ONLY THEATRE IN AUGUSTA TO DO THIS. WE DID IT CAUSE I WORKED AT COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. FUNNY HOW YOU REMEMBER THINGS.

I WAS WRONG ON STAR WARS BEING BOOKED INTO COLUMBIA 1 AND 2 THEATRES. SEE WEIS CINEMA CENTRE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS GOOF-UP.

MikeRogers... Are you sure Columbia Square opened in 1977? A 1976 grand opening seems more likely given the two films you cited as the debut attractions, not to mention that in your comment on Sep. 30 you claimed "A Star Is Born" during February of '77 was in its 8th week (which would backtrack to a Christmas '76 opening).

Well you are right again about MY theatre. I HAVE the tear sheet from the AUGUSTA CHRONICLE and what threw me off is the big 1977 celebration with bells. I GUESS JERRY TINNEY WAS LOOKING TOWARD THE NEW YEAR. I guess we did open in the latter part of 1976. We had NICKELODEON and STAR IS BORN. NATIONAL HILLS HAD THE GREAT ADVENTURE while the Imperial had THE ENFORCER.

When we played THE EYES OF LARUA MARS we had a promotion; something you never hear much about nowadays;with WBBQ the largest radio station in Augusta, We gave away a very expensive 35mm camera to a lucky moviegoer that had won tickets on the radio. The first show was for radio winnners only.We about filled up COLUMBIA 2 that night.


Also remember getting hyped up for THE DEEP. It was written by PETER Benchly the guy that gave us JAWS.THE DEEP did okay for a couple of weeks. IT WAS NO JAWS!

I remember when a little Paul Newman played at Coulumbia Two. Called SLAP SHOT It was the first time i could remember Paul Newman really using dirty language, I think he only made a handful of R -rated films.

One time before the seven o'clock evening show started I walked into Columbia Two to see Several kids climbing the masking to touch the screen. I couldn't believe some adults hadn't come out and gotten some of the staff. I threw them out,

I will try to keep this clean. One night while closing up : i was checking the restrooms and in the men's restroom on Columbia Two someone had did number two on the floor in front of the toilet. Not in the toilet.ON THE FLOOR. Well, we had two old janitors,Husband and wife , I couldn't leave it on the floor so with a popcorn box i scooped it up and threw it in the toilet! YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS UP.

One Afternoon my old girlfriend, Beverly,brings her new boyfriend to the afternoon show in Columbia One. Like an Idiot i walk up and down the aisle. My friend Charles said that was the dumdest thing i could have done.


SONDY'S PIZZA was a few stores down from the theatre.I worked out a deal for me FREE pizza and free passes for him. Most underpaid theatre managers did this all over the country.

I was so glad when we picked up THE ENFORCER from the IMPERIAL. We played it COLUMBIA ONE TO PRETTY GOOD CROWDS FOR AWEEK OR SO. Even at that time alot of folks in COLUMBIA COUNTY DID NOT DRIVE DOWN TO THE IMPERIAL for any movie and Clint's movie was THE IMPERIAL'S Christmas movie. WISH we would have gotten it FIRST RUN.


One thing that bothered me when i saw the booking sheet for two CHRISTMAS movies The G -RATED PETE'S DRAGON with THE GAUNTLET in COLUMBIA TWO. I COULD SEE THE PROBLEM WHEN Clint sold out and all would be left for adult moviegoers a DISNEY movie. A musical at that. We were the only theatre out that far,so someone would never have time to drive down to MASTERS 4 or NATIONAL HILLS the closest theatres. At That time most of the films started around 9:15 Or9;30.

COLUMBIA ONE... When Elvis died we did like many theatres and showed ELVIS ON TOUR and THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. I could not believe the people taking pictures of this filmed concert.I TRIED to tell them all they would have is a blank picture. THEY knew nothing about film speed.

COLUMBIA ONE..... THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN as one of our better 1979 movies,Alan Alda and an unknown MERYL STREEP. I SORTA THOUGHT IT WAS LOOSELY BASED ON Sen.Ted Kennedy.

COLUMBIA ONE....AVALANCHE EXPRESS Opens to bad business. I THOUGHT it would do well with Robert Shaw and Lee Marvin.Seems like word leaked out and this is way before cable yak shows that Shaw had died before the soundtrack was finished and he had to be re-dubbed.Sadly, it was to be one
of Marvin's last films. MAYBE we outta give it another look.


COLUMBIA TWO..... We played the 1978 Michael Douglas movie COMA to real good crowds. Mediacl flick.Medical College of Georgia located here. MAGIC also played in Columbia Two.



COLUMBIA ONE...... How did we ever get DONA FLOR AND HER TWO HUSBANDS in 1978 i cannot explain it. In Portuguese and sub titles. IT was pretty hard core of a R RATING IN THOSE DAYS.


COLUMBIA ONE...... On REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER the loudest cricket i had ever heard got loose opening night.After the show I HUNTED and HUNTED for that cricket.


COLUMBIA ONE.....One night i went in the theatre to sit down.For some reason i get up walk out to the lobby and spot Laurie Auclair smoking a cigrette behind the concession. I tlod her if she wasn't dating Chewy[ ASST,MGR AT THE IMPERIAL ] she would be gone. I THINK SHE WORRIED MORE ABOUT ME TELLING HER DAD who was a projectionist at Daniel Village.


COLUMBIA ONE AND TWO THEATRES.... One night after a sellout i am in the boxoffice going over some BOR'S when a man walks up to the box office.We had sold out both houses. He asks Mary See "What do you mean you are sold out?" as only Mary could do she grabs a BOR and Tries to explain it while he walks off.


COLUMBIA ONE AND TWO THEATRES...... Wave Ballard was a decent fellow and dog lover. HE took pride in putting on a good picture from the booth.However, in fun Wave and i would always be fighting over music to play before the film started. I sorta wanted soft rock and he wanted GLENN MILLER.


COLUMBIA ONE AND TWO THEATRES......Test print for both theatres before opening was PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE...I found it hard to watch it in my spare time while they made adjustments in the booth.

THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE END


AUGUSTA CHRONCILE BUSINESS SECTION OCT 13 2000,By John Bankston



Coming Sunday if you want to See a movie for a dollar go rent SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT. Augusta's last dollar theatre will close after 25 years.
COLUMBIA THEATRES Located in Columbia Square Shopping center will roll it's final screening Sunday. The theatre, owned by Georgia theatres is the city's second run movie theatre to close.General Cinema's REGENCY 8 located behind Regency Mall shut down Sept. 28 after 13 years in South Augusta.
Georgia Theatre executives were out of office and unavailable for comment.Only, One theatre remains for Augustan's to see second runmovies at Discount prices- The Regal Augusta Village 12 in the west Augusta shopping center, The Regal 12 charges $2.25 A SEAT.
The Maxwell Properties,Manager Kelly Davis said at least one party has expressed interest in reopening the theatre.

I know at the time my friend and co-worker,Tommy Capers , asked me about the possible chance of him opening the theatre.Some of us really loved those theatres,even though i always felt Tom would care more about National Hills at least he had a interest in saving it.It was ruined when they added two more screens and i told him so.I passed on some BOXOFFICE magazines i was still getting for Tom to look over, I KNOW had i had the money,National Hills would been restored to the 70MM HOUSE IT WAS. You know TED TURNER bought a six plex in the CNN center in Atlanta and ran GONE WITH THE WIND EVERY DAY! That kind of money.

On opening night we ran out of popcorn,Heck, Tickets were five cents to see NICKLEODEON with the money going to the MARCH OF DIMES.Anyway, i get sent down to the Imperial for the popcorn.When I get back to Columbia 1 and 2 Channel 12 is wrapping up shooting for the 11p.m. news. RATS. I missed getting on TV.

Somehow I forgot our two doormen hired Tom Wedemeire and Chuck Spearman. Tom stayed in the theatre for awhile to help Johnny Arena at the Imperial,Sorry I forgot you guys.

You know COLUMBIA TWO played the movie that broke many film producers and If i remember right HEAVEN"S GATE did not do any business here.I did not commit to the three hour movie ,but i do remember sitting down and watching it.It seemed like a David Lean production. HEAVEN"S GATE i believe played only a week.
I Don't think it even went second run in this town.However, what bit i saw looked beautiful.I guess we were in the STAR WARS era.

Columbia Two still playing COMA at 7:15 and 9:15

COLUMBIA TWO THE GAUNTLET checked the old newspaper i saved and doggone it our last show was at 10:00 p.m. THOSE are GCC times.

COLUMBIA ONE we are playing the big Georgia movie SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT,but is has played all over town.

COLUMBIA TWO now here is a rather strange booking the 1967 thiller WAIT UNTIL DARK. I think it played a week.

COLUMBIA ONE the Robby Benson movie ONE ON ONE.A basketball movie of all things.not much better in COLUMBIA TWO We have SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER.

COLUMBIA ONE the guys in the booking department are driving me nuts we have THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE the story of Cinderella.THIS makesSOMEBODY KILLED HER HUSBAND look great. At least we have a pretty decent late show tonight WHITE LINE FEVER. Some Action!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Big snow storm or at least for Augusta. 3 inches maybe less. I call in Mr.Tinney said of course we are opening up. IN COLUMBIA TWO we were playing the animated Ralph Bashki's LORD OF THE RINGS. NO one showed up for whatever was playing on COLUMBIA ONE,but yes we had a few for RINGS. NO 9;00 p.m. shows.

COLUMBIA TWO is showing SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER with new PG version for kids. I guess they cut some bad words out.

I am getting a little miffed about us picking up second run from GEORGIA THEATRES.We are ABC THEATRES and here comes CARRIE to be booked into COLUMBIA ONE after it playing at MASTERS 4. I guess if we get any business it will be because of JOHN TRAVOLTA.

Well, i never thought i would be putting TONY CURTIS' name on a marquee.Hasn't he retired. Sure enought in COLUMBIA ONE we have THE BAD NEWS BEARS GO TO JAPAN. It really looks like a winner. Oh, I am joking it died a quick death.

My 1977 JOURNAL OF COLUMBIA SQUARE NATIONAL HILLS AND IMPERIAl here are the events.

1977 The big wigs at ABC THEATRES gave ue THE GOODBYE GIRL.But 3 other theatres are playing it here. Two Drive ins and SOUTHGATE CINEMA which is now charging 99 cents a seat. We are charging $3.00 a seat first run prices.

1977

well.It is tuesday and i will be in the box office again. and then again on thursday. GENERAL CINEMA IS looking good when the mall opens.Charles swears he is going to GCC.

1977 Would you believe i just saw the booking sheet and we are getting the 1969 movie MAROONED with GREGORY PECK.I saw this on NBC SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES. That is an 8 year old film.

COLUMBIA ONE is getting EASY RIDER for a Late show. I love working with Tommy. He helped me with the display. No one sheets at all!

April 2 1977 COLUMBIA TWO is still playing SLAP SHOT. COLUMBIA ONE IS getting THE LATE SHOW with ART CARNEY and LILY TOMLIN. I think this film will die. WE got word we are getting something called STAR WARS and THE DEEP. {we got the DEEP}

COLUMBIA TWO is getting CASEY'S SHADOW a horse movie.I bet it will do well in Aiken S.C. Big horse country. COLUMBIA one is getting FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI. the first BENJI cleaned up at NATIONAL HILLS.

1977 COLUMBIA TWO is picking up THE OMEN 2 from THE IMPERIAL. It should do okay out here since most of the folks out here will not go downtown. COLUMBIA ONE is playing a funny PETER FALK film THE CHEAP DECTECTIVE. SPOOOF on BOGIE movies.

1977 something called BAKER'S HAWK is coming to COLUMBIA ONE. It is some G RATED nature film.Come on guys.HECK, I should have stayed at NATIONAL HILLS. I really don't want some of the trash WEIS plays but man.

COLUMBIA TWO We have SGT.PEPPER and man the only good thing is STEVE MARTIN. I am pushing him on the marquee.

COLUMBIA TWO don't like picking up second run from WEIS CINEMAS but HEAVEN CAN WAIT is a great movie.My mom loves it and she can't stand movies today with the bad lanuage.

Well, I saw DELIVERANCE and thought that would do it violence wise, but we picked up {I THINK FROM MASTERS 4 } MIDNIGHT EXPRESS and i could not believe the graphic scenes in this movie. Playing in COLUMBIA ONE.

COLUMBIA ONE we playing BREAKING AWAY which is about growing up in a small town and a bicycle race. What i see it looks like a good movie.But good movies like this hardly sell out. 1979

COLUMBIA TWO We are getting SIDEWINDER ONE a movie about motocross. I just don't see any business.Plus we will play day and date with the WEIS DRIVE-IN. Just why are we getting this film?

Just got the news we are getting "10"I hear it has an R rating. Set for COLUMBIA TWO.BO DEREK stars . I hear she is the next RAQUEL WELCH.

I made a mistake I was fired Nov.9 1980. Glad i kept a journal.
Hey, at least i loved the business enought to jot down the 1970's.

COLUMBIA ONE we open to pretty good crowds with CAPRICORN ONE. It was about a fake landing on Mars. I enjoy sitting down in slow periods and watching it. { years later i met HAL HOLBROOK a co star in the movie and asked him about it.He could not remember what i was asking about.Goes to show you. For an actor it is hit your mark and say your lines. The fans expect so much it seems.}

COLUMBIA ONE we open to pretty good crowds with CAPRICORN ONE. It was about a fake landing on Mars. I enjoy sitting down in slow periods and watching it. { years later i met HAL HOLBROOK a co star in the movie and asked him about it.He could not remember what i was asking about.Goes to show you. For an actor it is hit your mark and say your lines. The fans expect so much it seems.}

COLUMBIA TWO we have LOGAN'S RUN. Picked it up from MASTERS 4. I guess one day i will get over us getting their films. Doesn't seem to bother anyone else. I am not impressed with this flick.

COLUMBIA TWO Feb. 24 1980

Well, we got it what Mr.Tinney really didn't want a film about a GAY killer or a killer of GAYS and can you believe it AL PACINO is the star. CRUISING is not a Columbia County movie or for that fact an Augusta movie. IT has special warning about the subject matter discretion is urged for younger audiences.

I have seen parents bring kids to R rated ,but what kind of parent would bring a child to this? {2009- it did do okay, but not a long run}.

COLUMBIA TWO is playing JABBERWOCKY a Monty Python film at least that is what i have on the Marquee.I have tried to watch it and force a laugh,but British humor i guess.

Can you believe it withall the good CHRISTMAS movies out we are stuck with MOMENT BY MOMENT with JOHN TRAVOLTA and LILY TOMLIN. They said she had first billing, but TRAVOLTA is the only way to sell this flick. COLUMBIA ONE 1978.

I did some reseach in the book of VHS and DVD's and MOMENT BY MOMENT is not even listed,It truly was a bad movie that killed us in 1978. Mike R 2009.

COLUMBIA TWO has one of my actors will be here.... GENE HACKMAN in THE DOMINO PRINCIPLE. This should do great business. RATED R.

{the DOMINO PRINCIPLE died a quick death. It was boring,}

With Jacqueline Bisset in the DEEP and that wet t-shirt she wore in the movie we are getting the 1971 film SECRETS and from what i was told it is earned its R rating. And i am sure of a tie in with the DEEP. COLUMBIA TWO. {SECRETS would be a rather hot film,but it did not do much box office. 2009 }

NINE TO FIVE opens at COLUMBIA 1 to massive crowds.I know this is not a Jane Fonda town. It is DOLLY PARTON they are coming to see and DOLLY PARTON is Mr.Adams favorite country performer. Everytime i walk up in the boothand the movie is starting he has NINE TO FIVE blasting off the soundtrack in the booth. It doesn't bother me even though i am a ALICE COOPER man.

Karen Harpe and Cathy McNitt are constantly throwing ice at me when i walk by the concession. They seem to enjoy it. Well, Karen is moving to the Box Office,but heck, that is too close to the concession stand. I noticed the girls are counting inventory on one side and closing it up and getting candy from the side open. They say it gets them out earlier and i guess on a slow night it makes sense.

Well, this is a golf town.PEOPLE are going crazy when they hear BILL MURRAY DOING his Augusta National MASTERS bit. CADDYSHACK IS A MONEY MAKER. Sadly CADDYSHACK 2 WOULD play at REGENCY 1,2.3. and DIE . playing in COLUMBIA TWO.

COLUMBIA ONE we are playing YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE. Oct. 22 1977. Man, i cannot believe the booking. OH,GOD is doing okay and there was a whole section the LETTERS TO THE EDITOR about the movie OH,GOD. I counted most of it bad.Which,will sell more tickets.
YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE is not that great of a movie.Rated PG.

COLUMBIA ONE we are going to run ALOHA,BOBBY AND ROSE on our late show series.I feel it should okay. It ran First run at NATIONAL HILLS.1978

Will, someone explain to me what is going on in the home office. COLUMBIA ONE is going to play at a first run theatre EASY RIDER which has played countless late shows! on COLUMBIA TWO we will have THE WAY WE WERE. EASY RIDER shows at 7:25 and 9:15 while WAY WE WERE shows at 6:35 and 8:50.

Mike you mentioned "CRUSING" in an earlier post we also opened this movie at the LOEWS CRESCENT on a friday it did not do much business that day. But a local preacher protested in front of the theater and got on the local news that night,it was great free advertising for us because we were slamed for about the next week, I guess people just had to see what was so bad about this movie, the trouble was the movie was bad and quickly died off.Sorry Al Pacino.

Yeah, On OH,GOD a pretty unoffensive film we were protested as mentioned somewhere on this COLUMBIA 1 and 2 Theatres page. All it did was sell the movie out at the 9:20 showing. Ours made the AP.

COLUMBIA TWO I can't believe it but we are once again picking up product from WEIS CINEMA CENTER this time it is ORCA. I did see the killer whale chomp off Bo Derek's Leg. Smart Fish. One week run. 1977.

COLUMBIA ONE Well, Just heard we are getting BITTERSWEET LOVE a movie about two teens falling in love only to find out the are half brother and sister. So far the selection of movies for this new theatre has not been good. {see opening movie posted above}

COLUMBIA ONE Man, we just got rid of a dog, BITTERSWEET LOVE and we are playing Day and Date with the CINEMA in Aiken,S.C. and i can't believe it...SASQUATCH..A stinking movie about Bigfoot. Heck, right now it is playing at that "wonderful" drive-in the SOUTH HILL drive in in Barnwell,S.C, I can't believe such booking.People on this side of town do not want Bigfoot movies. And it is rated G.

COLUMBIA ONE must be cursed so far we have had three bad films NICKELODEON , BITTERSWEET LOVE and SASQUATCH. Lots of empty seats.
COLUMBIA TWO solid hit.....A STAR IS BORN. and the Theatres aren't 4 months yet.

The more i think about it I wished this was listed as COLUMBIA ONE and TWO theatres because all my history was of those two nice theatres not the hatchit job Georgia Theatres did when they ruined the place, Or United Artists theatres one of the two.

By that time, no one cared. I have stuff when was tripled I could put on , but I am going to do it.I was gone when Plitt sold out. That is when it really became about how many people can we squeeze in here with lousy screens and dim lit movies becuse they wanted every penny out of a bulb. They put four screens in. To heck with a good film presentation, that pretty much went out in the Mid to late 70's. Ask anyone in management at that time.

COLUMBIA ONE and TWO THEATRES OCT.21 1977
Our District Manager Mr. Biggs has toLd the assistants must cut their time down. He stated to Mr.Tinney Charles Bruni is putting in close to 40 hours a week. {36 hours}

COLUMBIA ONE and TWO THEATRES Charles and his girlfriend come by COLUMBIA SQUARE it is his night off, we talk a bit in front of the BoxOffice and when he gets ready to go somehow he forgot to unlock his handlebars so when he cut the bike on it flipped both of them.
No one hurt.But I wanted to laugh so hard.

COLUMBIA TWO Who makes up such titles and do they think about the guys that have to put them up?


GEORGE SEGAL JACQUELINE BISSET


WHO IS KILLING
THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE ?
RATED PG

This was a big title in 1978 but i got it all on the marquee pretty much like you see it. I only took a handful of puctures of my marquees today i wish i would have taken more.

COLUMBIA ONE We getting a cheesy Sci- fi movie STARSHIP INVASIONS with my Hammer hero CHRISTOPHER LEE. It was a turkey. Rated PG. 1977

COLUMBIA ONE We are playing another road action smash up movie,man since SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT that is a constant booking. Now Showing
THUNDER AND LIGHTING with David Carridine and Kate Jackson

rated PG. Does pretty good business. KUNG-Fu and CHARLIE'S ANGELS maybe that is the draw.