The Salem Plaza Twin Cinema was built for franchisees of the United General Theatres Circuit of Los Angeles. The mini-theaters were built with two identical auditoriums seating 200 each. The circuit advertised their automatic, family-friendly theaters using the likenesses of stars including Debbie Reynolds, Glenn Ford, and Agnes Morehead. They were situated within 1972’s new-build Salem Plaza with W.T. Grant’s as the anchor. The theatre didn’t launch until April 11, 1973 with “Funny Girl” and “Avanti.” The theater was still operating into the 2020s.
This entry buried the lede. The Summit Theatre went out of business in greater style than almost any other theater in film exhibition history rebranding as the Summit / Pandora Theatre for one week in late June of 1977. It brought back “2001: A Space Odyssey” which had run at the Pandora eight years previously. The cinema lovingly presented it with the “ultimate light show” in its “original Cinerama” roadshow concept. This is right up there with the Fox Theatre’s Grand Closing in San Francisco. And the Pandora Theatre nameplate lived on moving the Summit’s Arabic films to Taylor’s failed Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1978.
The Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema launched on March 24, 1972 in the Russell Plaza with “Welcome Home, Soldier Boys.” Peter Cerrone was the first-time operator of a one-button, automagically operating movie theater. And 15 people came to the opening of the theater. When the film’s follow-up, “A Man for All Seasons” played, Cerrone said that his weeknight attendance added up to one patron.
Typical of many operations, what seemed like a $20,000 investment automatically operated became a $60,000 investment and – added to that – was a cost of a union projectionist and a dozen other employees. Like each of the franchises, Cerrone got the bronze plaque with the caricature of Jerry Lewis on it. But when the cinema failed to attract an audience out of the gate, he hung his plaque upside-down in the concession stand area in a showing of derision. The theatre failed along with two other Jerry Lewis Cinemas in the market. Then Jerry Lewis left the company and its parent, Network Cinema Corp. The whole concept was dead in 1973.
The Jerry Lewis signage was removed in the Russell Plaza and the theater renamed under new operators as the West Peabody Twin Cinema on October 5, 1972. The West Peabody Twin closed in April of 1977. When the new King’s Discount Store opened in the Plaza, the plaza became known as the King’s Plaza. New operators took on the theater renaming it the King’s Plaza Cinema 1 & 2. It relaunched on July 21, 1978 as a discount, sub-run house with “Star Wars” on Screen #1 and Screen #2 was closed for repairs.
The King’s Plaza Cinema 1 & 2 closed on January 19, 1984 with “The Big Chill” and “All the Right Moves.”
The Moeser Lane Shopping Center was announced in the Fall of 1970 which would be anchored by Value Giant Discount.Department Store and Safeway launching in 1971. The theater was at the intersection of Moeser Lane and San Pablo Avenue. The Safeway’s future neighbor would be the first of what the company reported as twenty JLC locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
The only Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema launched ever in Alameda County opened August 2, 1972 with “Hannie Caulder” and “Possession of Joe Delaney” in Cinema #1 and “Fuzz” with “The Anderson Tapes" in Cinema #2. On September 13, 1972 it became the El Cerrito Cinema I & II. It went out of business on April 3, 1973 and the Lewis Circuit folded.
The theatre made a spectacular return on August 27, 1975 as the Moeser Lane Cinema I & II named for the shopping center that housed it with Rudy Ray Moore appearing in person to promote “Dolemite” which was supported by “TNT Jackson.” In Cinema II was “Escape to Witch Mountain” and “Son of Flubber.” The theatre closed September 30, 1976.
The theatre came back again with a $185,000 makeover by Associated Theaters Inc. which added Dolby Stereo and larger screens. Now called the El Cerrito Cinemas, it relaunched with “Excalibur” and “Alice in Wonderland” on June 26, 1981. But the investment didn’t pay out with the theatre going out of business within one year June 19, 1982 with a double-feature of “Death Trap” and “Wrong is Right” on Cinema I and “Some Kind of Hero” and “Fighting Back” on Cinema II. Sadly, after four operators, the El Cerrito Cinemas did not come fighting back again. It was chopped up into two retail operations – one of which was a laundromat.
The El Cerrito Jerry Lews Twin Cinema launched August 2, 1972 with “Hannie Coulter” and “Possession of Joe Delaney” in Cinema #1 and “Fuzz” with “The Anderson Tapes in Cinema #2.
On June 18, 1973, it relaunched as the Carmel Center Cinemas I & II. It closed March 7, 1995 as the Carmel Center Cinemas I & II. That’s likely when UA then Resort Theatres came in to change it to the Crossroads Cinema.
The Family Twin Cinema I & II launched on a 20-year lease with “1776” on Cinema I with “Snowball Express” and “The African Lion” on Cinema II. The theatre had two identical 240-seat auditoriums which featured automated equipment and promised family fare. American Family Theatres Circuit took on the operation in 1991 taking it to end of lease.
Family then spent $2 million converting the theatre to a six-plex called the Sterling Cinemas. It re-launched the venue with a benefit screening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” on November 16, 1994 followed by a full slate of films at the grand opening to the public the two days later.
At the half-way point of the its second 30-year lease, Regency Theatres bought out the Sterling Cinemas location in November of 2009 giving it another modern refresh. It was still operating into the 2020s
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Lingg were the latest operators of a Jerry Lewis Theater and the circuit presented a plaque to the at a benefit opening on January 19, 1972 with “Star Spangled Girl” and also “Paint Your Wagon.” The Mayor was there along with Miss Chula Vista. The theatre opened to the public on January 20, 1972 with “Girl” and “Paint” continuing operations on Screen One and “Man on the Wilderness” and Play Misty for Me" on Screen Two. Family fun was also next door in the the retro Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour and Old-Time Restaurant.
The Linggs found out that movie ownership under the Lewis Circuit was not the one-button automagic fun and profits that were promised. The chain tanked a year later and the Linggs moved on. After the Lewis Chain dissolved, new theatre owner, Bob Ortega, had a naming contest. He announced the winning entry was Showcase Cinema but likely was dissuaded from that name as it was in use elsewhere.
On September 20, 1973, he renamed as the Fiesta Twin Cinema with Screen One as a discount, sub-run dollar house showing “Billy Jack” and house two at “regular;ar prices” with “The Legend of Hell House.” The Fiesta got a new owner, Jerry Willits in 1974 who also began screening foreign films at midnight in early 1992.
The neighboring Farrell’s teamed up in the 1990s for dinner and movie concept long before that trend hit. But Farrell’s was taken over by the Scripps Hospital which forced sold the ice cream shop at the end of 1991 and razed thereafter. They also were the owners of the theater which closed later on April 26, 1993. Willits teamed up with Nickelodeon Cinemas of San Diego moving to a new 10-plex operation launching April 27, 1993. The theatre was razed on November 1-3, 1993.
The Jerry Lewis Cinema launched on January 21, 1972 with “Kotch.” The address listed is 2232 Westborough Boulevard. The theatre struggled to find an audience and lowered pricing to 99 cents for adults (75 cents on weekdays) and 49 cents for kids as it became a sub-run discount operation. Technically, all advertised shows are listed as the Westborough Square Jerry Lewis Cinema – which should be its listing here.
That failed and the Jerry Lewis Cinema closed on December 8, 1972 with “Joe Kidd” and “Groundstar Conspiracy” splitting the single screen. The former theater was used by the Democratic Party in early 1973 and was converted to a Stretch and Sew fabric store.
This location closed in style as a sub-run discount house playing an Eastwood/Bronson double feature of “Tightrope” and “The Evil That Men Do” on Screen 1 and a Halloween spectacular, “Friday the 13th” triple feature on Screen 2 with parts 2, 3 and 4 on November 1, 1984.
Opened June 21, 1972 with “Song of the South” and “Bongo” adhering to the circuit’s family fare pledge. After the Jerry Lewis Cinema circuit dissolved, this was renamed the Spanish Lake Cinema on July 17, 1973.
On August 23, 1974, “Deep Throat” was on the big screen at the Spanish Lake Adult Cinema and controversy hounded the operation which had strayed from its original policy. However, the theatre displeased both the community for showing adult films and patrons felt ripped off as the version was heavily edited. The city intervened by twice raiding the theater and arresting the employees.
The theatre closed and reopened on September 7, 1974 with an ad that said, “Reopening with a new and different show. Call for title.” The Spanish LakeImprovement Association protested the establishment the next day. Police raided the theater again for showing, “Prostitution USA” and “Prostitution in the Orient.” It closed and reopened on November 11, 1974. The city placed the operator in jail for a year (though he was let out after 94 days) and closed down the operation.
The Spanish Lake Cinema reopened under new management on January 17, 1975 showing Hollywood films. On February 23, 1975, the theatre was renamed the Belle-Park Cinema and closed soon thereafter. The theatre was listed in the for lease classifieds regularly from May 1, 1975 to July of 1987. After its 30-year lease expiration, the theater came back on May 29, 1992 as PFX Theatres' Spanish Lake Ciné closing on September 2, 1993 as a discount house showing “Aladdin” splitting with “Menace 2 Society.”
Hornell Cinema Corp. became the newest franchisee of the Jerry Lewis Cinema Circuit in 1972 at 191 Main Street. The Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema opened in downtown Hornell on October 25, 1972 with Richard Burton as “Bluebeard” and Robert Redford as “The Candidate.” The Circuit promised family fare and the JLC parent company provided automated equipment that promised one-button, turnkey operation.
One year later, Lewis parted ways with Network Cinema Corporation as the business operation was hurtling toward bankruptcy. Unshackled from the family fare self-regulation, this venue began showing porno chic, X-Rated films. The city could take no more dramatically seizing “The Cheerleaders” from the projection room in 1974. The theater owners sued the city for $150,000. That was enough to get the film back and the suit was dropped. The theater became the Hornell Twin Cinema 1 & 2 and reverted to mainstream Hollywood fare.
The theatre closed and reopened December 19, 2014 as the Spotlight Theater of Hornell where it was in business into the 2020s.
In 1975, Dolphin Corp. took over the Route 295 Cinema showing XXX films closing under much scrutiny in June of 1978. It was sold holding a re-re-grand opening (ad in photos) July 26, 1978 return to family fare for the former Jerry Lewis Cinema / Route 295 Cinema as the Woodcrest Cinema. The theatre failed to find its audience closing April 22, 1979 with “Midnight Express.”
This venue launched as a Jerry Lewis Cinema on October 4, 1972 with “The Godfather.” Long after the Jerry Lewis Cinema circuit had disbanded, it became the Lakeside Cinema on September 12, 1975. Florin Creative Film’s final showings are listed as “Deadly Friend” on October 30, 1986.
The Grant Plaza launched theatre-less at Christmas time in 1969. The theatre announced the addition of a theatre in September of 1971. Coram Cinema Associates would be the latest franchisee of a Jerry Lewis Cinema. Planned as a single-screen, 350-seat automated theater, the theater pledged only family-friendly fare for Coram. This was second Long Island Cinema along with the East Meadow location – the circuit’s first ever twin-screen location.
The Coram Jerry Lewis Cinema appears to have opened with with “Willy Wonka” on March 31, 1972. It appears that the parent company, Network Cinema may have stepped in to run it and one other early cinema in trouble. It was relaunched by Henry Goldman in 1972 who changed the theater’s name to the New Coram Cinema. It was the height of the porno chic exhibition era that Goldman raised eyebrows booking X-rated films. But it was “The Devil in Miss Jones” that landed the operator in major trouble. Goldman was found guilty on two counts of obscenity in 1973 and “Jones” was banned in Suffolk County. The neighboring Pines Cinema ran the X-rated in the Christmas season of 1973 with “Behind the Green Door” and its operator, Arthur Strollo Jr., was also charged with obscenity.
Though Goldman would briefly relaunch the New Coram with R-rated Hollywood film, it found a new operator in Creative Cinemas Circuit. Creative took on the location in 1974 running it as a mainstream location called the Coram Cinema and as Florin Creative Film’s Coram Cinema until the end of March 1984 at the theater’s 12th anniversary.
Although the nearby Pine continued and would transform to a long-running location, there are no further listings or bookings at this location. There are no listings as the Coram Theatre or Coram Theater – though its possible that it simply didn’t advertise. However, it’s just as likely that the one-screen theater was simply repurposed for other retail operations in March 31, 1984 after screenings of “Lassiter” and remains a retail operation into the 2020s.
Announced as a Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1972, this theatre demonstrates the woes of franchisees trying to launch a JLC in 1973 as the Circuit hurtled toward bankruptcy and dissolution. The Jerry Lewis Cinema had its signage and advertised its February 14, 1973, grand opening in the paper. It was even featured in one of the local coupon books. But it’s likely some items needed to finish the theater never arrived. The theater opened under the name of the Royal Theater two months later.
This location was announced as a Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1972 and was pictured as one of several new businesses in the Old Plaza Shopping Center. The forthcoming Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema had its signage in place, film projectors and had advertised its February 14, 1973, Grand Opening in the paper. It was featured in one of the local coupon books. Franchisee Charles Soupley was ready to launch but the Jerry Lewis Chain and its parent, Network Cinema Corp. were already in free-fall toward bankruptcy. Not all elements were likely provided by Network Cinema Corp. (e.g, curtains) as the 1973 franchisees received – at best – spotty delivery.
The operation finally opened at 1916 South Elizabeth Street called the Royal Cinemas owned by a Boston-company of the same name. It launched on April 6, 1973 with “1776” and “Save the Tiger.” It had two 250-seat auditoriums one called the “King” and the other called the “Queen.” According to reports, Hallmark Releasing took on the venue. But CInecom Theaters Circuit next took on the theater but went out of business. Midwest States of Chicago was next to own the venue.
Kerasotes was set to be the next owner but in August of 1976, the theatre was in court – not surprisingly – as it wasn’t clear who owned the projectors, the concession stand, or anything inside. This was critical as back taxes were owed on the building. The theater was relaunched as the Alpa Cinema and appears to have been independently operated from late 1976 until acquired in the Fall of 1977 by General Cinema Corporation (GCC) Circuit.
The GCC Alpha Cinema I & II had a grand re-opening on Friday, October 28, 1977. General Cinema operated the Alpha until September of 1982 likely opting out at a ten-year lease point. The former manager of the Alpha Cinema under General Cinema from 1977 to its closure in September of 1982, Richard Young, took on the cinema independently. Marketed as the locally owned and operated cinema showcase, Young changed the Alpha’s name to the Cinema Showcase from June 23, 1983 until closure on September 1983. The venue closed as the Cinema Showcase on September 29, 1983 with “Trading Places” and “Strange Invaders.”
(The theater should retain its Alpha Cinema as the signage was in place at the theater’s end and always referred to as the Alpha.) Owner Frank Gentry converted it to a nightclub called Gentry’s which featured the band Grand Funk Railroad as one of its first concerts in 1987.
The Jerry Lewis Cinema launched February 19, 1971 with “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.” It became the Canton Village Cinema on March 23, 1978 after the local Sheriff stepped in to run the location after the previous owner hadn’t made rent. It appears to have closed May 27, 1979 with Coming Home.
The Salem Plaza Twin Cinema was built for franchisees of the United General Theatres Circuit of Los Angeles. The mini-theaters were built with two identical auditoriums seating 200 each. The circuit advertised their automatic, family-friendly theaters using the likenesses of stars including Debbie Reynolds, Glenn Ford, and Agnes Morehead. They were situated within 1972’s new-build Salem Plaza with W.T. Grant’s as the anchor. The theatre didn’t launch until April 11, 1973 with “Funny Girl” and “Avanti.” The theater was still operating into the 2020s.
Previous Name: McMillan Cinema I & II (not McMilland – sorry)
Also: It might have helped to add “in 1993” or…
“In a $7 million refresh in 1993,”
to the Mall’s conversion.
This entry buried the lede. The Summit Theatre went out of business in greater style than almost any other theater in film exhibition history rebranding as the Summit / Pandora Theatre for one week in late June of 1977. It brought back “2001: A Space Odyssey” which had run at the Pandora eight years previously. The cinema lovingly presented it with the “ultimate light show” in its “original Cinerama” roadshow concept. This is right up there with the Fox Theatre’s Grand Closing in San Francisco. And the Pandora Theatre nameplate lived on moving the Summit’s Arabic films to Taylor’s failed Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1978.
The Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema launched on March 24, 1972 in the Russell Plaza with “Welcome Home, Soldier Boys.” Peter Cerrone was the first-time operator of a one-button, automagically operating movie theater. And 15 people came to the opening of the theater. When the film’s follow-up, “A Man for All Seasons” played, Cerrone said that his weeknight attendance added up to one patron.
Typical of many operations, what seemed like a $20,000 investment automatically operated became a $60,000 investment and – added to that – was a cost of a union projectionist and a dozen other employees. Like each of the franchises, Cerrone got the bronze plaque with the caricature of Jerry Lewis on it. But when the cinema failed to attract an audience out of the gate, he hung his plaque upside-down in the concession stand area in a showing of derision. The theatre failed along with two other Jerry Lewis Cinemas in the market. Then Jerry Lewis left the company and its parent, Network Cinema Corp. The whole concept was dead in 1973.
The Jerry Lewis signage was removed in the Russell Plaza and the theater renamed under new operators as the West Peabody Twin Cinema on October 5, 1972. The West Peabody Twin closed in April of 1977. When the new King’s Discount Store opened in the Plaza, the plaza became known as the King’s Plaza. New operators took on the theater renaming it the King’s Plaza Cinema 1 & 2. It relaunched on July 21, 1978 as a discount, sub-run house with “Star Wars” on Screen #1 and Screen #2 was closed for repairs.
The King’s Plaza Cinema 1 & 2 closed on January 19, 1984 with “The Big Chill” and “All the Right Moves.”
The Moeser Lane Shopping Center was announced in the Fall of 1970 which would be anchored by Value Giant Discount.Department Store and Safeway launching in 1971. The theater was at the intersection of Moeser Lane and San Pablo Avenue. The Safeway’s future neighbor would be the first of what the company reported as twenty JLC locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
The only Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema launched ever in Alameda County opened August 2, 1972 with “Hannie Caulder” and “Possession of Joe Delaney” in Cinema #1 and “Fuzz” with “The Anderson Tapes" in Cinema #2. On September 13, 1972 it became the El Cerrito Cinema I & II. It went out of business on April 3, 1973 and the Lewis Circuit folded.
The theatre made a spectacular return on August 27, 1975 as the Moeser Lane Cinema I & II named for the shopping center that housed it with Rudy Ray Moore appearing in person to promote “Dolemite” which was supported by “TNT Jackson.” In Cinema II was “Escape to Witch Mountain” and “Son of Flubber.” The theatre closed September 30, 1976.
The theatre came back again with a $185,000 makeover by Associated Theaters Inc. which added Dolby Stereo and larger screens. Now called the El Cerrito Cinemas, it relaunched with “Excalibur” and “Alice in Wonderland” on June 26, 1981. But the investment didn’t pay out with the theatre going out of business within one year June 19, 1982 with a double-feature of “Death Trap” and “Wrong is Right” on Cinema I and “Some Kind of Hero” and “Fighting Back” on Cinema II. Sadly, after four operators, the El Cerrito Cinemas did not come fighting back again. It was chopped up into two retail operations – one of which was a laundromat.
The El Cerrito Jerry Lews Twin Cinema launched August 2, 1972 with “Hannie Coulter” and “Possession of Joe Delaney” in Cinema #1 and “Fuzz” with “The Anderson Tapes in Cinema #2.
On June 18, 1973, it relaunched as the Carmel Center Cinemas I & II. It closed March 7, 1995 as the Carmel Center Cinemas I & II. That’s likely when UA then Resort Theatres came in to change it to the Crossroads Cinema.
The Family Twin Cinema I & II launched on a 20-year lease with “1776” on Cinema I with “Snowball Express” and “The African Lion” on Cinema II. The theatre had two identical 240-seat auditoriums which featured automated equipment and promised family fare. American Family Theatres Circuit took on the operation in 1991 taking it to end of lease.
Family then spent $2 million converting the theatre to a six-plex called the Sterling Cinemas. It re-launched the venue with a benefit screening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” on November 16, 1994 followed by a full slate of films at the grand opening to the public the two days later.
At the half-way point of the its second 30-year lease, Regency Theatres bought out the Sterling Cinemas location in November of 2009 giving it another modern refresh. It was still operating into the 2020s
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Lingg were the latest operators of a Jerry Lewis Theater and the circuit presented a plaque to the at a benefit opening on January 19, 1972 with “Star Spangled Girl” and also “Paint Your Wagon.” The Mayor was there along with Miss Chula Vista. The theatre opened to the public on January 20, 1972 with “Girl” and “Paint” continuing operations on Screen One and “Man on the Wilderness” and Play Misty for Me" on Screen Two. Family fun was also next door in the the retro Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour and Old-Time Restaurant.
The Linggs found out that movie ownership under the Lewis Circuit was not the one-button automagic fun and profits that were promised. The chain tanked a year later and the Linggs moved on. After the Lewis Chain dissolved, new theatre owner, Bob Ortega, had a naming contest. He announced the winning entry was Showcase Cinema but likely was dissuaded from that name as it was in use elsewhere.
On September 20, 1973, he renamed as the Fiesta Twin Cinema with Screen One as a discount, sub-run dollar house showing “Billy Jack” and house two at “regular;ar prices” with “The Legend of Hell House.” The Fiesta got a new owner, Jerry Willits in 1974 who also began screening foreign films at midnight in early 1992.
The neighboring Farrell’s teamed up in the 1990s for dinner and movie concept long before that trend hit. But Farrell’s was taken over by the Scripps Hospital which forced sold the ice cream shop at the end of 1991 and razed thereafter. They also were the owners of the theater which closed later on April 26, 1993. Willits teamed up with Nickelodeon Cinemas of San Diego moving to a new 10-plex operation launching April 27, 1993. The theatre was razed on November 1-3, 1993.
The Jerry Lewis Cinema launched on January 21, 1972 with “Kotch.” The address listed is 2232 Westborough Boulevard. The theatre struggled to find an audience and lowered pricing to 99 cents for adults (75 cents on weekdays) and 49 cents for kids as it became a sub-run discount operation. Technically, all advertised shows are listed as the Westborough Square Jerry Lewis Cinema – which should be its listing here.
That failed and the Jerry Lewis Cinema closed on December 8, 1972 with “Joe Kidd” and “Groundstar Conspiracy” splitting the single screen. The former theater was used by the Democratic Party in early 1973 and was converted to a Stretch and Sew fabric store.
The Jerry Lewis Cinema launches on January 21, 1972 with “Kotch.”
This location closed in style as a sub-run discount house playing an Eastwood/Bronson double feature of “Tightrope” and “The Evil That Men Do” on Screen 1 and a Halloween spectacular, “Friday the 13th” triple feature on Screen 2 with parts 2, 3 and 4 on November 1, 1984.
Opened June 21, 1972 with “Song of the South” and “Bongo” adhering to the circuit’s family fare pledge. After the Jerry Lewis Cinema circuit dissolved, this was renamed the Spanish Lake Cinema on July 17, 1973.
On August 23, 1974, “Deep Throat” was on the big screen at the Spanish Lake Adult Cinema and controversy hounded the operation which had strayed from its original policy. However, the theatre displeased both the community for showing adult films and patrons felt ripped off as the version was heavily edited. The city intervened by twice raiding the theater and arresting the employees.
The theatre closed and reopened on September 7, 1974 with an ad that said, “Reopening with a new and different show. Call for title.” The Spanish LakeImprovement Association protested the establishment the next day. Police raided the theater again for showing, “Prostitution USA” and “Prostitution in the Orient.” It closed and reopened on November 11, 1974. The city placed the operator in jail for a year (though he was let out after 94 days) and closed down the operation.
The Spanish Lake Cinema reopened under new management on January 17, 1975 showing Hollywood films. On February 23, 1975, the theatre was renamed the Belle-Park Cinema and closed soon thereafter. The theatre was listed in the for lease classifieds regularly from May 1, 1975 to July of 1987. After its 30-year lease expiration, the theater came back on May 29, 1992 as PFX Theatres' Spanish Lake Ciné closing on September 2, 1993 as a discount house showing “Aladdin” splitting with “Menace 2 Society.”
Addition / fun fact: Jerry Lewis, himself, visited the work site of this theater on July 8, 1971.
Appears to have opened July 9, 1971 with “Gone with the Wind” on one screen and “They Might be Giants” with “Anne of a Thousand Days” on the other.
The phone directory lists the theatre at 916 Patricia Avenue.
Closed as the Jerry Lewis Cinema on February 14, 1984 with “Uncommon Valor”
Hornell Cinema Corp. became the newest franchisee of the Jerry Lewis Cinema Circuit in 1972 at 191 Main Street. The Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema opened in downtown Hornell on October 25, 1972 with Richard Burton as “Bluebeard” and Robert Redford as “The Candidate.” The Circuit promised family fare and the JLC parent company provided automated equipment that promised one-button, turnkey operation.
One year later, Lewis parted ways with Network Cinema Corporation as the business operation was hurtling toward bankruptcy. Unshackled from the family fare self-regulation, this venue began showing porno chic, X-Rated films. The city could take no more dramatically seizing “The Cheerleaders” from the projection room in 1974. The theater owners sued the city for $150,000. That was enough to get the film back and the suit was dropped. The theater became the Hornell Twin Cinema 1 & 2 and reverted to mainstream Hollywood fare.
The theatre closed and reopened December 19, 2014 as the Spotlight Theater of Hornell where it was in business into the 2020s.
In 1975, Dolphin Corp. took over the Route 295 Cinema showing XXX films closing under much scrutiny in June of 1978. It was sold holding a re-re-grand opening (ad in photos) July 26, 1978 return to family fare for the former Jerry Lewis Cinema / Route 295 Cinema as the Woodcrest Cinema. The theatre failed to find its audience closing April 22, 1979 with “Midnight Express.”
The Hillsboro Cinema closed by Bob Piechota at the end of a 20-year leasing agreement with “Suburban Commando” on October 17, 1991.
This venue launched as a Jerry Lewis Cinema on October 4, 1972 with “The Godfather.” Long after the Jerry Lewis Cinema circuit had disbanded, it became the Lakeside Cinema on September 12, 1975. Florin Creative Film’s final showings are listed as “Deadly Friend” on October 30, 1986.
The Grant Plaza launched theatre-less at Christmas time in 1969. The theatre announced the addition of a theatre in September of 1971. Coram Cinema Associates would be the latest franchisee of a Jerry Lewis Cinema. Planned as a single-screen, 350-seat automated theater, the theater pledged only family-friendly fare for Coram. This was second Long Island Cinema along with the East Meadow location – the circuit’s first ever twin-screen location.
The Coram Jerry Lewis Cinema appears to have opened with with “Willy Wonka” on March 31, 1972. It appears that the parent company, Network Cinema may have stepped in to run it and one other early cinema in trouble. It was relaunched by Henry Goldman in 1972 who changed the theater’s name to the New Coram Cinema. It was the height of the porno chic exhibition era that Goldman raised eyebrows booking X-rated films. But it was “The Devil in Miss Jones” that landed the operator in major trouble. Goldman was found guilty on two counts of obscenity in 1973 and “Jones” was banned in Suffolk County. The neighboring Pines Cinema ran the X-rated in the Christmas season of 1973 with “Behind the Green Door” and its operator, Arthur Strollo Jr., was also charged with obscenity.
Though Goldman would briefly relaunch the New Coram with R-rated Hollywood film, it found a new operator in Creative Cinemas Circuit. Creative took on the location in 1974 running it as a mainstream location called the Coram Cinema and as Florin Creative Film’s Coram Cinema until the end of March 1984 at the theater’s 12th anniversary.
Although the nearby Pine continued and would transform to a long-running location, there are no further listings or bookings at this location. There are no listings as the Coram Theatre or Coram Theater – though its possible that it simply didn’t advertise. However, it’s just as likely that the one-screen theater was simply repurposed for other retail operations in March 31, 1984 after screenings of “Lassiter” and remains a retail operation into the 2020s.
Announced as a Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1972, this theatre demonstrates the woes of franchisees trying to launch a JLC in 1973 as the Circuit hurtled toward bankruptcy and dissolution. The Jerry Lewis Cinema had its signage and advertised its February 14, 1973, grand opening in the paper. It was even featured in one of the local coupon books. But it’s likely some items needed to finish the theater never arrived. The theater opened under the name of the Royal Theater two months later.
This location was announced as a Jerry Lewis Cinema in 1972 and was pictured as one of several new businesses in the Old Plaza Shopping Center. The forthcoming Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema had its signage in place, film projectors and had advertised its February 14, 1973, Grand Opening in the paper. It was featured in one of the local coupon books. Franchisee Charles Soupley was ready to launch but the Jerry Lewis Chain and its parent, Network Cinema Corp. were already in free-fall toward bankruptcy. Not all elements were likely provided by Network Cinema Corp. (e.g, curtains) as the 1973 franchisees received – at best – spotty delivery.
The operation finally opened at 1916 South Elizabeth Street called the Royal Cinemas owned by a Boston-company of the same name. It launched on April 6, 1973 with “1776” and “Save the Tiger.” It had two 250-seat auditoriums one called the “King” and the other called the “Queen.” According to reports, Hallmark Releasing took on the venue. But CInecom Theaters Circuit next took on the theater but went out of business. Midwest States of Chicago was next to own the venue.
Kerasotes was set to be the next owner but in August of 1976, the theatre was in court – not surprisingly – as it wasn’t clear who owned the projectors, the concession stand, or anything inside. This was critical as back taxes were owed on the building. The theater was relaunched as the Alpa Cinema and appears to have been independently operated from late 1976 until acquired in the Fall of 1977 by General Cinema Corporation (GCC) Circuit.
The GCC Alpha Cinema I & II had a grand re-opening on Friday, October 28, 1977. General Cinema operated the Alpha until September of 1982 likely opting out at a ten-year lease point. The former manager of the Alpha Cinema under General Cinema from 1977 to its closure in September of 1982, Richard Young, took on the cinema independently. Marketed as the locally owned and operated cinema showcase, Young changed the Alpha’s name to the Cinema Showcase from June 23, 1983 until closure on September 1983. The venue closed as the Cinema Showcase on September 29, 1983 with “Trading Places” and “Strange Invaders.”
(The theater should retain its Alpha Cinema as the signage was in place at the theater’s end and always referred to as the Alpha.) Owner Frank Gentry converted it to a nightclub called Gentry’s which featured the band Grand Funk Railroad as one of its first concerts in 1987.
The Jerry Lewis Cinema launched February 19, 1971 with “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.” It became the Canton Village Cinema on March 23, 1978 after the local Sheriff stepped in to run the location after the previous owner hadn’t made rent. It appears to have closed May 27, 1979 with Coming Home.