Metro Park 8

10201 N. Metro Parkway E,
Phoenix, AZ 85051

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movieguyphx65
movieguyphx65 on August 28, 2021 at 1:21 pm

This theatre opened in December of 1977. It had two large auditoriums that were later split into four. Later four more screens were added to include a total of eight. The original high walls in the lobby, which also had an ice cream counter, had a collage of old movie posters. I remember seeing Gone With the Wind, ET, French Lieutenants Woman, Out of Africa, The Color Purple and a few others there. This theatre opened as a Blair Cinema and later was operated by United Artists Theatres. I moved to California in 1990, so don’t know when it actually closed. Wish I had all those posters that were cut up to use as the lobby decorations.. Probably worth a few thousand by now. Happy memories!

euge_phoenix
euge_phoenix on June 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm

Right, this theater opened as a two-plex and then Bill Blair expanded it to a four-plex and finally an eight-plex. With each expansion you could see that the architecture got a little bit better. The original two theatres had the front few rows at an angle so that the people in those seats were leaning back and toward the screen. I think part of the rationale was to give you a better view but it also made it easier to clean the theater at night with a leaf blower, with everything going into the gulley.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on February 18, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Reminds me when we opened “PETE’S DRAGON” and the “GAUNTLET” for Christmas movies.Very little cross over when CLINT sold out!

Coate
Coate on February 18, 2011 at 2:34 pm

<<< “Metro Park 8 Theatres opened in 1977” >>>

This theater did open in 1977, as claimed, but certainly not as an 8-plex. (I bet the number of 8-plexes in existence in 1977 can be counted on one hand.) I believe it opened, as a twin, on December 23, 1977, with the debut features being “Oh, God!” and “The Choirboys.”

Mrbobo
Mrbobo on February 16, 2011 at 6:10 am

One thing I remember about the lobby of this theater is the walls and celling were decorated with a photo collage made up of bits of posters of the various films that played in this multi plex. Unfortunately, when this theater was remodeled in 1989, the collage was replaced with United Artists rather bland interior. I believe this theater opened as a 4 plex and was expanded to 8 in 1989.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on June 30, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Might have been open 1990-2001?

Previously operated or owned by:

Blair Theaters?

United Astists Theaters

More info and photos?

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 30, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Allen0318,try and get opening day movies if you can.Be great to see what they opened with.Thanks for the entry.