Southgate Cinema

SOUTHGATE and SOUTHSIDE CINEMAS now have a facebook page..

I remember a girl who worked the concession counter at Southgate: Betsy Lynch from Butler High School. I was smitten with her beauty and personality. I was happiest when Betsy and I had the lobby to ourselves and could talk about “everything”. Each and every day I would ask Betsy to wear her hair down. She never did. Not one single day…that is until I took another girl on a date to the opening of the Godfather at the Miller on March 24th 1972. The next night, Betsy came to work with her hair free flowing. Betsy…..I noticed!

no I didn’t have a camera…….spur of the moment thing….

Drove by the old SOUTHGATE today, front doors wide open,, VANDALS at work, Notice the concession was gone, It had become a church,,walked in the theatre, looked like screen was ripped, sorta expected to find seats, but they were all gone,,BOXOFFICE ticket machine still there with cash drawers had never been upstairs, saw the small managers office right next to the booth, two PEERLESs projectors there, knocked around, I had thought later on the theatre went with platters, never did, carbon arc I guess to the last showing..BOOTH filled with trash,,,marquee letters everywhere….

I worked at Southgate Cinema from May of 1971 until September of 1972. I was 17 years old. I loved the movies and enjoyed working at a “real” theater. Mr. Andrews was the manager then. Mr. Griffith was the projectionist. It was a union projection booth that I was rarely allowed to enter. The box office was a tiny booth that had an exterior window (to the right of the doors) for selling tickets. There was a stairway behind the box office that led to the projection booth and the managers office. The box office lady was related to Mr. Griffith — I believe it was his daughter-in-law. Mr. Griffith’s son (I think it was his son) was also a projectionist and filled in occasionally.

The auditorium was draped in gold curtains. Access to the speakers and storage area behind the screen was to the right of the screen.

My favorite movie from my time working there was Goodbye, Columbus (1969). Goodbye, Columbus was re-released during the summer of 1971 to capitalize on the success of Love Story. The tag line for Goodbye, Columbus was “Every Father’s Daughter is a Virgin”. Mr. Andrews refuse to let this line appear on the marquee and instead ordered me to put up “That Love Story Girl is Back!”

Mr. Andrews and Mr. Griffith would view the film before opening day looking for any nudity or obscenities. Mr. Griffith would cut objectionable material from the film, saving the trims on this editing desk. Before returning the print to the studio, the excised footage would be restored. In the days of 35mm film, there were often splices just before and after nudity scenes as many theaters across the county would cut and restore “objectionable” material from the prints.

Adam West and Burt Ward walked into Southgate Cinema one night. They came late, 30 minutes after the start of the last showing. I was alone in the lobby and sold them tickets and concessions. When they told me who they were, I didn’t believe them. They insisted that they were actually Batman and Robin. I asked them to show me their driver’s licenses. They did. It was them!

Saw a 1988 reissue of “The Fox and the Hound” here with my dad as a kid. Twice. Used to work in this shopping center not long after the theater closed down.

I bet all the projection equipment was left there, it was one the few booths i never got to see inside of.SUe. IF she has pictures I would love to have copies..

Ok Mike…I have a question for you since you seem to remember so much about Southgate :) My mother was Ellen Carter and we were talking the other day about the theater and couldn’t remember the exact day it closed. Do you remember?

Thanks

Jan 31 1993 playing “TRESPASS”. a concession special COKE,POPCORN and Candy 99 cents each…..

Drove Southgate today, Funny the whole world is watching the MASTERS about 8 miles up the road from Southgate,What depressed part of Town, looks like CLARLY CHAPEL was on the marquee,from what i could make of it,looks like the church has even left Southgate.

A few of the movies that ran here:

“10” playing at 99 cents on Dec.28 79.

Sept. 15 1978 “HIGH ANIXETY” 99 cents,

Nov.5 1976 sometimes trash would play here, “SEX MACHINE”.

July 2 1982 has “HANKY PANKY” all seats a dollar.

DEc.25 1970 the longest running First run movie to play Southgate,“LOVE STORY”.

Dec 18 1970 “BURN”

July 15 1971 has “RED SKY AT MORNING”.

April 6 1979 “SUPERMAN” 99 cents.

August 31 1979 one showing in the evening “THE DEER HUNTER”

Sept.11 1970 the X rated “BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS” is here.

June 20 1975 First run “RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER”.

Just a small selection of movies.

007 leaves MASTERS 4 after a long summer run to play at Southgate on August 1 1977.“SPY WHO LOVES ME” shows at 7:20 and 9:45.