Cinema 4

I show the address for the Cinema 4 as 3075 W. Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.

IS THIS THEATER FOR SALE?

This theater is for sale.

How do you know it is for sale, and how do I contact the owner?

Please contact mad2269@yahoo.com

i live a couple of blocks from this theater and the hollywood, both are closed and both are for sale. the cinema 4 is still standing and the other movies where blow and crocidile dundee does la or something like that

If you are interested in purchasing this theater, pleae contact me by posting a message.

This is a photo of the Cinema 4.

Could this have been originally the "South Hills" theater in Dormont, Circa 1927-8?

It is the South Hills theater, and was until the early 90's, I believe.

Is there a chance any pictures of the original auditorium exist?

maddy33...are you the onwer of the theater....if you can, please email me details and condition of the theater and also your asking price...I am very interested in this building. dalesaller18@hotmail.com
Thank you

Ahhh the old South Hills Theater. I had wonder concert experience back in 1989 when Nuclear Assault opened for Testament. Good times. A piece of my childhood died one evening when I doing the Dormont crawl and saw that C4 was condemned. Ahhh, good times.

I was at that show as well. Savatage opened for both Nuclear Assault and Testament. I think that may have been the last show at the South Hills Theater. I pass the theater every day and it breaks my heart to see it sit unused.

Both the Cinema 4 and the Hollywood theaters in Dormont are ripe for revitalization. Dormont is a safe, established community (incorporated in 1909) with affordable and attractive older houses and easy access to the downtown Pittsburgh business community. In recent years it has been attracting younger residents because of these reasons. Yes, parking is somewhat of a problem but not impossible. The area is also incredibly accessible by public transportation. There are also numerous apartments & duplex rentals resulting in a high concentration of residents - who tend to patronize local businesses. Either of these could be a real money maker for someone with a little imagination and initiative.

Here are some pictures of the Cinema 4 (I think it used to be called the South Hills Theater as well)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/363331/OZYWK-Picture019.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/363331/JXMPO-Picture020.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/363331/DWOCQ-Picture021.jpg

It needs some TLC, but can defenitely be reusable. I'm guessing the theater has been closed for about 5 years, since "Along Came a Spider" was released in 2001.

I got a tour from the realestate agent the other day; the roof is leaking and most of the plaster is wet, the 4 auditoriums especially smell mouldy. This theater was origionally the South Hills Theater, whose single auditorium had a balcony that came down to the main floor, sort of an early form of stadium seating. There is a decent sized stage, (presently walled off), with about 6 dressing rooms, 3 to a side. There are several large office/lounge rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors, two with large arched windows that overlook the mainstreet. With a lot of work, this could be a very nice theater again.

what was the price ?

They are asking $300,000.

On an additional note, while rereading old posts, PI asked if the origional auditorium still exists, well that depends. First of all the space has been divided in half lengthwise, and the balcony and stage walled off to create the 4 screens. Second the plaster is soggy and crumbeling, one can see the plaster capitals on the pilasters in the auditrorium, but they are in bad shape. The two side boxes, if you could call them that since they were accessed from the stage bathrooms, (they probably were the organ pipe chambers), have been butchered up, and as it was walled off, I couldn't see the processium, so who knows what shape it is in. From what I remember, back when it was the South Hills, the place had a Medieval/castle theme, but after my tour, I would say that the origional style was a simplified classsical look circa the 1920's. Think a typical downtown movie palace, but with mostly plain walls. That said though, the interior may have been remodeled in the 1940's-50's and simplified, So who knows.

thanks,,,,,,,

Thanks for the updates JDR!!!

Here is a recent photo of Cinema 4. The sign reads "Price Reduced". Phone number is on the sign.

I would really like to return this theater to its former glory. Does anyone know somebody who specializes in theater restoration?

I used to work for the South Hills Theatre (Cinema 4) from 1982-1986. I really liked working there and have many fond memories of my time there. After reading a newspaper article saying that the Hollywood Theatre in Dormont is currently being renovated and will be opening up for business soon, it made me wonder what is going on with the South Hills Theatre, which eventually brought me here. I really hope that the same happens with the South Hills Theatre too as it breaks my heart to see it in its current condition when I drive past it. If I were given the opportunity to walk through it today, I would probably be really sad from reading comments pertaining to the description of the interior. I agree with Mad Monkey, I too would like to see it returned to its former glory.

I drove past the Cinema 4 today and was sad to see it in this condition. I noted that Dormont's Liberty Ave was very much like a downtown Main Street in any number of communities accross the United States. I witnessed heavy traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) and very few empty storefronts. This area could support the re-opening of this theater if parking arraingments could be made with nearby church or other property owners. Residence should confront their community leaders and encourage them to build a parking garage.

I am the son of the projectionist who used to work at South Hills Theater up until 1983. The fact is, my father killed himself in January of 1983. I was 12 years old when this happened so I don't know much about his death. But, I was reading on a blog under the "Hollywood Theater" that my father committed this act in the booth of the theater. It is ironic how much this theater was my father's life and love and his life tragically ended there.

On a brighter note, I spent a great deal of time at this old theater and I have a lot of great memories. I can remember the grand stage with high arched openings on each side. The auditorium had a balcony that was similar to the stadium seating of today. I spent a good deal of time in the projectionist booth as well as it was easily accessible from the balcony. As kids, we would often watch movies from the spotlight house at the center of the balcony. I can also remember a packed-house for 70's film classics like Star Wars, Jaws and Animal House, to name a few.

I have noticed the ol' theater is for sale. I would love to see this theater restored to its original glory. In fact, I believe the theater was featured on a Rick Sebak special, "Things that aren't there anymore." I'm not completely sure it was this exact special, but I can remember an interview in a Sebak special in which a person was interviewed in that theater before it was turned into the C4. This person was interviewed from the balcony and the original stage and auditorium can be seen in the background.

I would love to talk more about my memories if anyone cares to talk about it.

I am the son of the projectionist who used to work at South Hills Theater up until 1983. The fact is, my father killed himself in January of 1983. I was 12 years old when this happened so I don't know much about his death. But, I was reading on a blog under the "Hollywood Theater" that my father committed this act in the booth of the theater. It is ironic how much this theater was my father's life and love and his life tragically ended there.

On a brighter note, I spent a great deal of time at this old theater and I have a lot of great memories. I can remember the grand stage with high arched openings on each side. The auditorium had a balcony that was similar to the stadium seating of today. I spent a good deal of time in the projectionist booth as well as it was easily accessible from the balcony. As kids, we would often watch movies from the spotlight house at the center of the balcony. I can also remember a packed-house for 70's film classics like Star Wars, Jaws and Animal House, to name a few.

I have noticed the ol' theater is for sale. I would love to see this theater restored to its original glory. In fact, I believe the theater was featured on a Rick Sebak special, "Things that aren't there anymore." I'm not completely sure it was this exact special, but I can remember an interview in a Sebak special in which a person was interviewed in that theater before it was turned into the C4. This person was interviewed from the balcony and the original stage and auditorium can be seen in the background.

I would love to talk more about my memories if anyone cares to talk about it.

mooviebuff,

When I was a teenager, I worked at the South Hills Theatre as a concession girl from 1982 to 1986. I worked, and was fairly acquainted, with your father while he was the projectionist there. My sympathies to you for losing your father in such a tragic way and at such a young age. I never heard that rumor that you saw on a blog. I can, however, share my experience of the night that your dad passed away. The theater had the movie "E.T." showing, we had a full house (the floor and balcony were filled). Your dad was scheduled to work that night, but he never showed up and never called. The manager was concerned and called our boss at home and asked what to do. We were told that not just anyone can go up to the projection booth and play the movie, that it had to be someone from the union. They attempted to get a fill-in to replace your dad, but on such short notice, they were unable to do so. Therefore, the manager had to get up on the stage and announce to the audience that the movie is cancelled because we have no projectionist and they will issue refunds. The manager gave each customer a refund plus a free pass. Since there were so many people, it took a long time. I remember, when I got home that night, being completely devastated and filled with such sadness not to mention in shock that someone I knew and liked was now gone. As it turned out, in the four years that I worked at that theater, three people that I worked with passed away, your dad and two others.

I have fond memories of your dad from the times that I did work with him. Once he got the movie started, he would come down to the concession stand for a break and get some popcorn and a soft drink and he would tell us (concession girls, ushers and manager) funny (and often dirty) jokes. However, since I was so young, I didn't always "get them" so someone in the group always had to explain the punchline to me. I didn't know anything about his life outside the theater, only that he was a really nice guy to work with. I missed his presence around there during the remainder of my employment there.

Lastly, I saw that show "Things That Aren't There Anymore" from beginning to end. Yes indeed they interviewed a man inside the theater before it was renovated for the C4. Seeing that short little scene with the theater that I was so familiar with in the background brought back so many fond memories for me.

I also hope that someone buys the theater and restores it to it's former glory. If and when that ever happens, I'll be there for it's grand re-opening! (Keeping my fingers crossed)

Please feel free to share more of your memories of your dad or of the theater. I love reminiscing about things of the past that are near and dear to my heart and the South Hills Theatre is one of them.

angel4sam,

Thank you so much for posting that message in regard to the night my father died. I did not think he died in the booth of the SHiT (as my father called it) but I wasn't sure because I was young and never asked questions about that night until now. It was interesting to see what happened at the theater that night.

My father really did put his heart and soul into that old theater and I would probably feel very sad if I toured it in its current condition. I remember as a kid, Old Man Baker, had a beautiful office on the second floor. I can remember studying his office as a kid. It was adorned in what I think was natural wood and the detailing was superb. Baker was a collector of elephants for some reason. I remember his office was full of different elephant statues and sculptures.

I also remember being there every Saturday and Dormont had some very good places to go. We used to walk down the street and go down to Jo Lynn's Pizza on West Liberty and get pizza and spaghetti (I still to this day haven't been able to find pizza that good). We would also play video games there. Or sometimes we would go to Isaly's and get some fresh cheese and chipped ham and bring it back to the booth where my father had a TV. We would watch shows like the Bob Newhart show, Hee Haw and professional wrestling while eating our chipped ham sandwiches. We always had soda to drink because he or we would go to the concession stand to get it. We had a season pass to the Dormont pool and often when we would come back from swimming, we would go onto the roof top of the theater and catch some rays.

My father would show us how to properly splice film and how to load a reel into the projector. He never missed a reel change. I remember in the early hours before the first matinee showing, my father would always play albums like ELO and Kansas and pipe it through the theater. I can remember being back stage and seeing how amazing it was; all the cables and wiring, etc. The stage itself had an elevator in the middle to raise and lower equipment. Of course, we rode this elevator a few times.

My last good memory of this great old theater was sometime in the late 80's, my parents (my mom and stepdad) took me to a "Cowboy Junkies" concert there. It was such a great and intimate venue.

If this theater could be brought back to life to do exactly what it did in the 70's and 80's, there would be no end to the revenue stream. Of course it would take some creative marketing to compete with the big multi-plexes of today and parking would be an issue but, I remember full-houses there weekend after weekend--that was never an issue.

I've been reading the comments on this site for quite some time. I am so enthralled by all of the fond memories people have posted about the South Hills Theatre. I have been researching the building and the history and to that end I have enlisted people to help save the building. We are in the process of organizing a non-profit group to restore the theatre. We were informed yesterday that a developer is looking at the building (actually the land) and would eventually tear it down. Today, we began a petition campaign, enlisting citizens who support our plan of revitilazation. In a matter of hours we collected nearly 800 signatures. we are still trying to save and renovate this theatre. I need everyone who checks this page to look at our website and send and e-mail of support! Here's the link: www.southhillstheatre.org

I'm not sure how to update information, but I have collected a lot of research on this theatre. The architect was a man named Charles R. Geisler. He was a local person, who also designed the Hollywood Theatre on Potomac. I have a lot more info included on our website: www.southhillstheatheatre.org
If anyone can tell me how to update the info, I will do it!

mooviebuff,

You mentioned some things that also brought back memories for me! I remember Mr. Baker as well as Mr. Stone and Mr. Seng. I remember those nice offices upstairs, and if my memory is correct, there was even a shower up there! I remember Jo Lynn's Pizza (but I forgot the name until you mentioned it). We would get their pizza A LOT during our break between matinee and evening shows. I also remember Isaly's, I remember going there for milkshakes or ice cream.

I have to tell you this...when you mentioned that your dad played music that was piped into the theater, I remember that too! The reason why I remember is that one day, I heard a song played by your dad by a group called Yaz (or Yazoo). Yaz wasn't a well known group because they weren't "Top 40", but I knew of them and had their album at home. I was so happy to hear that played over the loudspeakers before the movie started. I remember overhearing a customer nearby asking is this a disco? I laughed inside.

I also remember the theater periodically having organ concerts. I remember the name of the organist was Dennis, but cannot remember his last name. I remember talking with Dennis when he'd come to the concession stand.

I also remember there being a show, not a movie, but a live show of some sort and Mr. Fred Rogers (Mr. Roger's Neighborhood) attended this show, accompanied by his bodyguards. I remember being thrilled to see him in person because I, like many others, watched him on TV when I was a little kid.

I could go on and on with my memories. It's fun taking a trip down memory lane.

thespian110,

Thank you so much for posting that website! I had no knowledge of its existence. When I first saw the photo though, I said, nope that's not the South Hills Theatre I'm thinking of, this must be another South Hills Theatre. So I referred to a recent photo of SHT and compared it to that one, and concluded it is the the same theater! I was amazed! I see both differences and similarities to the theater I remember from the 80's. I would be absolutely devastated if a developer were to tear down that building. I realize it has deteriorated over the years, but I think it would serve the community better to restore it whether it be for 1st run movies, 2nd run movies or live shows. I will keep my eyes and ears open to see what happens. I'm hoping that since the Hollywood Theatre is about to re-open again that the same happens for the SHT.

Angel4sam,
Thanks for the support! In updating our website today, I included a link to a weblog. I think it may be really helpful if everyone who sees this page puts a message of support on our blog. Thanks again and I will keep everyone posted on the progress!

Angel4sam,
Thanks for the support! In updating our website today, I included a link to a weblog. I think it may be really helpful if everyone who sees this page puts a message of support on our blog. Thanks again and I will keep everyone posted on the progress!

moviebuff,
I knew your father well in the 70s and early 80s. John was a nice man and always ready to share a story or two. I was saddenned when I heard of his loss. I was part of the group that presented the pipe organ concerts on the Style D Wurlitzer organ that was in the building since the mid 1920s. Jim Baker and Bob Stone were also great people to have known. They, of course, ran Mode-Art Pictures which was the parent company that was located in the offices upstairs. The movies provided a means to help pay the overhead on the building. Their main business was producing educational and documentary films for industry.

Even if someone could make general repairs, install new seating, etc. and continue to operate it as a "quad" (and do promotions) I betcha it would do well. It wouldn't as good as a total restoration, but it would be better than demolition.

The LaGrange Theatre in LaGrange, IL is the same vintage as this theatre. It was "quadded" years ago, has somewhat limited parking, but gets good walk-in trade from the community. It does very well and is very crowded on weekends.

Catherine,
Unfortunately, the time for general repairs has past. I have spent a great deal of time in the building over the last few months. We have had architects and engineers going over every inch of the buuilding. There are major issues with the "life systems" (fire suppression, electrical, plumbing, sewage)of the building. Also, there is a major leak in the roof, which has in turn destroyed most of the plasterwork in the house and created a major mold occurance. We are estimating the cost of just fixing the roof and bring the building to code at over a million dollars. We know that this will be a long process, but we are ready to roll up our sleeves and do it. It is the right thing for the community and especially our local youth. Take a look at our website at www.southhillstheatre.org

The Hollywood Theater opens tonight! Hopefully everyone who posts on this site will be there, I know that I will! Dreamgirls at 7:45, $3.00. Let's show our local support!

thesian 110,

I took your advice and went to the Hollywood Theater openning. It was wonderful to walk into the lobby and see so many friends and neighbors...a real community event! The price was right, the seating was spacious, the movie was entertaining and the popcorn was hot. It was a great way to spend a Friday night. I was also heartened to see so many young people out for an evening of wholesome fun. Bravo to the Hollywood and here's hoping that the South Hills Theatre reopens their doors so that we can also enjoy some live entertainment.

Thespian110

Thanks for the information on the condition of this place. I don't live in Pittsburgh, but a friend of mine did for a few years and he'd been to this place.

As you are no doubt aware, restoring a theatre to either performing arts or movies is risky. It has to be done properly by people with deep pockets and a solid business plan (as was done with the Hollywood).

mooviebuff,

I used to meet your dad every week after we finished our shifts at the theaters we each worked. Your father was a genius, and he designed many innovations which contributed to the excellent quality of the presentation in the old South Hills. Fortunately, I worked there before the fourplexing debacle happened, and it was at thr time, the most beautful and technologically excellent theater in the area, bar none.

Hi everyone,
I have updated the South Hills Theatre Group website. Check it out at: www.southhillstheatre.org

thespian110,

I just checked out the website. When the announcement is made as to the date of the inaugural production, my husband and I will be there for sure! I'll keeping checking the website periodically for updates.

I thought that the re-opening of the Hollywood might also help garner interest in getting this place re-opened. Now that the Hollywood failed, will that hurt this place's chances too?

Paul, I hadn't heard that the Hollywood closed until I read your post. I'm so disappointed to hear that. Recently, I read that the Denis Theater in Mt. Lebanon is also getting renovated:

http://www.denistheatre.org/Home

I also hope that the news about the Hollywood doesn't hurt the chances of the South Hills Theatre getting renovated and re-opening. The fact their website is down concerns me. I used to browse their website from time to time to get updates on it's progress. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens...

I looked at those photos of the Denis. That modern marquee sure was ugly!

I'm hoping that someone could revive the Hollywood, the C4, and the Denis. The Dormont/Mt. Lebanon area could support them. My husband and I went to the Hollywood once during the period it was re-opened and we really liked it.

The South Hills Theatre opened as a Harris theater with 1,222 seats. (There were far fewer seats once the theater was chopped up into Cinema 4.)

While the nearby Hollywood Theatre on Potomac Avenue for decades had first (South Hills) neighborhood run of films from United Artists, Universal(-International), Warner Bros., Disney and (until 1958) RKO Radio, the South Hills had the first South Hills run of films from MGM, Paramount, Fox and Columbia.

From there, the bigger hits (and a minority of the lesser ones) moved onto the Denis in Mt. Lebanon for a third run.

Business was brisk from the 1940s through the 1960s but began eroding as more of the bigger hits that had played Downtown were booked into the more modernly appointed new theaters such as the Village (now Carmike 10 at South Hills Village, the short-lived Cinemette South and eventually Galleria 6 and Destinta Chartiers.

These newer houses siphoned off so much of the audience that the two Dormont theaters were elbowed into being last-run houses at bargain prices.

In the old days it was not unusual for the South Hills to draw big crowds. I think they even oversold the house on a Friday night in mid-February 1961 when the original "Village of the Damned" (coupled with the tag-on feature "Haunted Strangler") played to standing room only, with many teenagers sitting in the aisles.

Occasionally the stage was used, as for Saturday morning performances by the Knickerty Knockerty Players, but live performances were rare.

During the mid-1970s the South Hills booked a package of 20 Warner Bros. classics ("Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "Casablanca," "Marked Woman," etc.) and ran them back-to-back, four per weekend from midnight to about 8 a.m. on Fridays and possibly Saturday nights, too.

After the South Hills was purchased by Jim Baker, assisted by Bob Stone, the theater tried occasional live bookings, as for the River City Brass Band and for a musical revue featuring district native Karen Prunczik, who had been in Broadway's "42nd Street."

Baker even spoke of alleviating the notorious parking problem in Dormont by busing people from neighborhood lots such as the one at Keystone Oaks High School. The plan apparently never materialized or, if at all, only for special performances.

Mode Art Pictures, which may or may not have been affiliated with Baker, was based in the theater while he was the owner.

When "Out of Africa" opened in late 1985 or early 1986, Universal was feuding with one of the local theater circuits, and so Baker's South Hills, which had been playing late-run films, snapped up the future Oscar-winning Best Picture for a first-run engagement. To the chagrin of purists, Baker inserted an intermission where none was intended.

Eventually the theater was purchased by veteran exhibitor Mike Cardone, who turned it into a quad called Cinema 4 with a new, trimmer marquee.

Cardone sold the quad in 2000 to Key 15 Productions to be run by a young local couple who had no experience in moviehouse management.

A problem involving one of the four small auditoriums led to one of the four being closed almost immediately, never to be used for movies again. The other three screens closed abruptly in 2001. The final three attractions - "Blow," "Along Came a Spider" and "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" - lingering on the marquee for years afterward.

Many of us would love to see the South Hills - and it will always be the South Hills to most of us - rehabilitated.

But, like the Hollywood a few blocks away, it was defeated by a number of factors. Dormont is still a nice community, but moviegoers here must rely on street parking, in some cases with meters.

But the bigger problem is that when neighborhood theaters were constructed during the first 60-70 years of the 20th Century, they were designed (a.) to serve an audience within walking distance or convenient public transportation, and (b.) a very significant portion of the movie audience waited until films had played first run Downtown and then filtered through a pecking order of second, third and fourth runs at lower prices at handy neighborhood houses, generally on bargain double bills.

When a dollar was a dollar and a quarter was a quarter, teenagers and children routinely waited a few weeks until they could see films at affordable prices.

Today, full-price muiltiplexes/megaplexes around the world cater to a free-spending young audience that not only "must" see heavily hyped movies the first weekend but even the first day. Truly, it's a different world.

Ane because we have so many screens playing first-run films for so long, there's no blood left in the turnip by the time it's available for showing at second-run theaters. (As of this moment, the Maxi-Saver in West Mifflin is the last surviving bargain house in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and it's grosses are terrible. It can't keep going indefinitely.)

And so, for all of the integrity and good intentions in reopening theaters such as the South Hills and the Hollywood, they face a nearly insurmountable challenge in drawing an audience regularly. Collectively, we pay fervent lip service to supporting such theaters; in practice, when we go to moviehouses, we go to big sterile complexes while a film's buzz is hot.

Our ideals and our habits get out of sync.

Thank you Ed Blank for the information on the C4 (aka South Hills). It's strange, but with the economy not doing so well, I would think that second-run bargain theatres would be doing well. People don't want to spend as much when the money is tight. But the past month saw both the Hollywood and the Screenworks close after very brief periods of being re-opened.

Your logic is right, I believe, Susan, but historically, in the past fopur decades or so of prosperity, older people - today's most reticent moviegoers - are the first to respond to economic downturns.

Young people are the last to change their habits. They're the most eager spenders, which is why advertisers and film companies court them so eagerly. And young people overwhelming buy, buy, buy the moment as product becomes available, not two months later when it's cheaper.

Thank you Ed Blank. You're right about the younger kids--but I still see them at the Maxi-Saver too. I would have thought that families and the older movie goers would appreciate the lower prices. I would have thought that market would still be strong.

I've also thought that the re-naming of the theatre was done rather cheaply. On the marquee, you can still see the "SH" labelscar.

I don't want to overload the Cinema 4/South Hills Theatre line with comments about Maxi-Saver, but the word is that it had become dirty and scruffy. Older audiences are too discriminating to settle for that. It's also what hurt the Denis Theatre's attempts to appear to the art house crowd in the past decade or so. Middleage and older audiences require higher standards - not lower than average.

This theater should have its location changed from Pittsburgh to Dormont.

Ed Blank, I just wanted to leave you a message as your name came up in a conversation I had last night with a manager that's been around for a while. I'm the son of a predominant theater company VP, who used to work as a projectionist/manager around the Pittsburgh area and we were talking about the old days of Cinema World and the other theaters that used to be around the area. I, myself, am only 22, but I miss these theaters that were such an essential part of my childhood. As a child of the movies, I myself have many memories, most hauntedly probably when there was a shooting at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill and I went there the next day and could see the blood stains on the walls. All in all, these great theaters seem to be mostly a thing of the past, with the exceptions being the aforementioned Manor, the Squirrel Hill, and the Southland 9, which truly is my favorite place to see movies. I would love to get a chance to talk to you some more about this, as I am now in the theater management business myself as well. It was good, and somewhat coincidental, to see you on here.

Not sure how to establish non-published contact as no information seems to be available on how to reach you.

I'm sorry. My e-mail address is ckrannacker@yahoo.com Feel free to message me on there.

I'm sorry. My e-mail address is ckrannacker@yahoo.com Feel free to message me on there.

Hi. I briefly lived in Dormont between 2003 and 2005, and often walked past the C4 and everytime I did, I felt regret that it was closed. I often imagined what the place was like in it's prime. I am from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and live beside a small local independantly owned cinema that is under threat from closure all the time. I just wanted to post as I have vastly enjoyed the history of the South Hills Theatre as well as the heartfelt and moving stories. I hope the place can be restored and not demolished! I don't know if MoovieBuff still checks here, but that was a lovely story. My dad used to be a projectionist for a small cinema in the town where he met my mother, and I remember him taking us to see The Goonies! If you want to get in touch, feel free, at niwriter@yahoo.co.uk

There are some 2004 photos on this page:
http://pittsburghsigns.org/archives/dormont/

The photos at the above link are from 2003.

I too worked at the SHT, from 1979-1981. The comments above from John the Projectionist's son and the concession girl really brought back some amazing memories for me. As an usher, I was responsible for managing the crowd- and quite often on weekends this beauty of a theater was quite full. It was always a big deal when we opened up the balcony. The majority of time I had to shoo young amorous couples OUT of the balcony...an interesting job to say the least. A few of my fave memories:

* "Indian Theater" on Sunday afternoons. For a Dormont boy, this was eye-opening...my first exposure to such a foreign culture. The Bollywood movies were hilarious, and Mr. X the organizer (can see him plain as day, name is gone) would set up a table of Indian food to sell. You know how hard it is to sweep chickpeas with a broom?

* The marquee. Movies would start on Friday's, so Thursday night meant changing the letters on the marquee. We had a long pole with finger-like grips to hoist each letter onto the sign. It was tricky, and sometimes the letters fell to their death on the sidewalk of W. Liberty Avenue. Our supply of letters was dwindling in the early 80's, so either new ones were (finally) bought or dollar signs had to be used for S's.

* Popcorn. The supply of popcorn arrived already popped in big yellow bags that the ushers had to store behind the concession stand. John the projectionist taught me the trick of filling a bucket with popcorn, applying a massive dollop of "butter" (whatever it was, it tasted great), setting a second bucket on top and then shaking like hell to disperse the butter. It worked great!

* Alien. The movie was still popular when we got it and weekend crowds were large. Bored one Saturday night, a few of the ushers decided to use the letter changing pole described above to scare the bejeezus out of an unsuspecting female patron in the last row. It was a well-timed thrust above her head just as the film monster appeared for the first time that elicited a huge scream. Oh my, how we laughed and laughed...

I could go on and on. Mr. Baker was odd, to say the least, but he gave me my first job and it taught me a lot about how to deal with people. Would be great to have a "Friends of the SHT" reunion some day. Wish it could be in the lobby, frozen in time from 1980, but alas...time marches on. Any other former employees around to share?

SHTusher: If you would've stuck around the SHT a little while longer, you and I most likely would've worked together as I started working there in 1982, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I enjoyed reading your memories of SHT. A few years back, I got in touch with another former usher that I used to work with and he is a freelance writer/musician now. He said he came up with the idea to write a book about the SHT, and he even has a good title in mind for it: "The South Hills Theatre: Behind the Marquee." He said he was thinking about interviewing former employees and getting their memories and stories about the theater, and then putting it all in a book. I told him that is a great idea, but I don't know if he'll ever do it. Some of my memories: I heard "rumors" that concession girl(s) before I came along would collect the used, empty cups from the floor in the auditorium after the 1st show, then re-sell popcorn and cold drinks to customers for the 2nd show using the cups they collected and then secretly pocket the cash. However, I believe they eventually were caught and got fired for doing that. (Perhaps I was hired to replace one of them.) Then, there was a hole in the wall between the ladies restroom and the janitorial room and the ushers would peep through the hole as female patrons (or employees) were using the facilities!! I believe eventually that hole was patched up! When we had the movie "Ghandi" playing, it was like a 3-hr movie, so we had an intermission. Some of the patrons came out to the lobby to pray or worship, but at the time, I didn't know why because I never saw the movie nor did I know the story. Lastly, sometimes on Sat. or Sun. we would have to work both the matinee and the evening shows, so someone would pick up a pizza so that we could eat dinner between shifts. So when patrons arrived for the evening show, the lobby still had the aroma of pizza, so they would come up to the concession stand and order pizza. We would have to say we don't sell pizza here, even though everyone could clealy smell it!

I was very much hoping for the SHT to be completely renovated and re-open for business someday, but I think the people who were trying to make that happen ran into financial problems and gave up the idea. They used to have a website, but the link no longer works. However, their MySpace page is still around and they have photos of the deteriorating interior of the theater. Click here if you'd like to see those photos:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=181172197&albumId=73834

A SHT reunion would be cool; if my former co-worker ever writes that book, it could be a SHT reunion/book launch party!

Renewing link.

angel4sam: Thanks for replying! I figured this thread had dwindled to nothing and that my musings were primarily for my own benefit. It's nice to know at least a few folks are still reading about the SHT. Perhaps there IS a community of SHT-lovers that needs a place to share. Sounds like a facebook page, no? Hmmm...

We've got a facebook page South Hills Theater fans!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dormont-PA/South-Hills-Theater/61601902833

Feel free to visit and contribute.

Here it is, the way that it was, the way that it should still be...

http://www.americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c2288&catpageindex=9&ProductID=33242

And a great night shot...

http://www.americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c2288&catpageindex=9&ProductID=33245

Denny, thank you so much for posting those photos!!!!!!!! I have been searching the net for photos of the theater with "SHT" on the marquee rather than "C4" but have been unsuccessful. Those photos sure do bring back memories! I especially like the night shot...

Yes, thanks Denny- perhaps you can come join our Facebook community?

Those shots are a year or two after my tenure. I remember how big a deal it was when we increased ticket prices from $1.50 to $1.75. Sure, paying customers complained, but the managers hated calculating on the fly multiples of $1.75 most of all! I can still see myself sweeping that front lobby or changing those letters on the marquee...

SHTusher: As you can see, the photo is dated 11/83. There is a chance that I am inside the building at the time this photo was snapped as I worked there from 8/82 - 8/86! What a trip down memory lane it is for me to see those photos!

Now if we could only find photos of the interior of the theater before it became C4....(I know, wishful thinking on my part)

Sad news for former employees as well as former patrons of the South Hills Theatre/Cinema 4 who have fond memories of this old theater: it's going to be torn down!!

I received the following message from one of my former co-workers from the SHT:

I found out that CVS has purchased the South Hills Theatre along with all of the property from the corner on down to the Animal Hospial. They plan on tearing down the theatre along with the house next to it and putting up a big CVS store. So, after nine years of sitting vacant, looks like the theatre is coming to an end.

I am extremely sad and disappointed to hear this news. I was really hoping for a buyer that would renovate and bring new life to this theater, but those dreams have just ended.

Even though I lived in Oakland, I often drove out to the South Hills Theater to see movies since it had a large auditorium and the presentation was perfect. Bob Stone and Jim Baker owned the theater as well as Mode Art Films which was also located in the building. Mode Art produced industrial films and documentaries. During the day when the theater was closed, the Mode Art crew would do post-production on their films from positions in the balcony. Hidden in the ceiling above the balcony were film screens and loud speakers which could be lowered during those projects. I applied for a job with Mode Art and spoke to Mr. Stone. There were no positions open at that time, but he gave me a pass to the theater.

The projectionists always gave a good show. I remember on time when the music that was played before the movie began blended in with the opening music of the film. Classy.

In later years, a group of film buffs would gather in the lobby to buy, sell and swap movie memorabilia.

As the movie business changed, as well as people's viewing habits, large theaters were no longer necessary. DVDs, home theaters and downloaded movies will continue to shape the movie industry. I doubt that it will never return to the way it was. That's why we have memories.

That's a shame. Just what we all need, another boring chain drug store! I've never been the the SHT/C4, but here's hoping the renovated Denis and Hollywood Theatres can make a go of it.

Thank you radiojay, i was one of those projectionist, what a beautiful theatre with it's thick red carpet. Every chance I got I never turned down a job at this beauty