Northpark West 1 & 2
1100 Northpark Center,
Dallas,
TX
75225
1100 Northpark Center,
Dallas,
TX
75225
11 people
favorited this theater
The Northpark was THE theater to go to in the Dallas Metroplex from 1965 until 1998. It was one of the first three theaters in the nation to be equipted with Lucasfilm Ltd’s THX and was personally done so by Tom Holmin, who was head of that division at the beginning. The Northpark never had a presentation flaw in its 33 year run. Even Lab Spiced reels were rejected by the projection team.
The studios, having their Dallas offices not far away, had many of their screenings at the Northpark and you never knew what famous person might run into you. Harrison Ford sat in the back rows during “Blade Runner”. Carol Channing made her way down the aisles, passing out tissues during scenes in “E.T”. Benji pressed his paws in cement in the forecourt. It was said that George Lucas once said that it was his favorite place to show his films. It was one of only 20 theaters in the nation to run “Star Wars” on its opening weekend in May of 1977. It was also only one of a handful of theaters in the nation to show James Cameron’s “Titanic” in 70 mm.
Not only did the Northpark do an out standing job as a first run theater, it also had classics shown, titles ranging from “The Blues Brothers” to “The Sound of Music” graced the screen every summer during their annual Summer Movie nights. And by far the Northpark was considered the best sound system in the nation.
Sadly, General Cinema closed it in 1998 and the building was torn down in 2001.
Contributed by
Paul Hemme
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Recent comments (view all 45 comments)
Keep these stories coming the Northpark must have been a heck of a theatre.
I saw every big picture there was at this theatre from that late 60s until it’s demise. I remember attending a one day screening of the Star Wars Trilogy on May 25, 1985. I believe that was the first time all 3 films were screened together. I skipped college that day to stand in line all morning to get tickets. I got a really bad sunburn on one side of my face much like Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters, but it was worth it. The Fox studio reps handed out buttons and posters to the first 200 in line. I still have both. I drive by Northpark everyday on my way to work. It makes me sad to know it’s no longer there. Most modern theatre just aren’t the same. Thank you to all the folks that worked at the Northpark I & II over the years that helped make it such a magical movie going experience, and for sharing your stories on this site.
@MikeRogers:
It really wasn’t. No inspiring architecture, absolutely nothing to look at if the movie was bad (it usually wasn’t). It just had flawless projection, incredible sound, a fantastic concession stand/staff, high presentation standards, excellent comfort, and usually ran movies everyone wanted to see…oh, wait…I think that all means it WAS one heck of a theatre.
You doggone right,something lacking in these monster 30 Plexes.
Right you are; the greatest design feature of I&II, IMO, was no shared wall between auditoriums.
Having lived about 2 minutes away from this venue back in the late 70’s, I recall my team from TI attending the opening night of SUPERMAN at the Northpark II (600 seats, I think) on 12/14/78. The presentation was flawless, but it was indeed a 35mm print. The labs were way behind schedule with the 70’s on that one due to the late delivery of the final cut. NY and LA got the 70’s from day one, ‘natch. The house was upgraded with a 70mm Dolby Six-Track split-surround print about a week or so later. I did go back!
I also recall when Northpark I was upgraded with Dolby Stereo (big 1100 seater) and attended the opening day of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS there.
I did also attend the notorious, big splashy preview “premiere” (complete with searchlights) of BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE. The packed audience literally laughed it off the screen. The horror. WB was already writing off the investment…
I was gone from Dallas by the time “Beyond The Poseidon Adventure” premiered and I have never caught the film (I am a fan of bad movies, the REALLY bad ones) but I have heard of this particular event from a friend who was present and his story jibes with yours, egcarter. Wish I’d been there. Shades of “Meteor” and “Rollercoaster!”
I was the projectionist on the night of the “Beyond The Poseidon Adventure” premiere; the movie was pretty bad. Irwin Allen was there and came up to the booth before the show to check on everything. I was threading up the first reel when he opened the door and came in. He didn’t see me but I saw him; so being the jokester I am, I started exclaiming “Warning—-Danger Will Robinson!” (which was a line the robot in “Lost In Space” said in practically every episode). Needless to say, he was a bit startled but then a wide grin came on his face! Two things quite noticeable about him—-he was a small man and he wore white cotton gloves like film editors wore! Ah the good old days.
I wish somebody can rebuild this place to its original splendor. I’ve never been to this place before, but it sounds like it was just amazing. That’s that.
Favorited.
I uploaded an 1965 grand opening ad with an picture to the photo section of this theatre.