A photo of this theater appears Showplace Cinemas' website assigned to their theater in Princeton, IN. The trees behind this theater do not exist in the other picture, which is also attached to a shopping center that appears to still be standing.
If they’re actually renovating I’d be interested in seeing this with the new Cineworld orange and black disco theme… would be interesting. I always liked the exterior of this theater, one of the last unique UA builds I can recall.
For the record it was never “West Wind Drive-In” it was always the “Santa Barbara Drive-In”, it just so happened to be owned by West Wind Drive-Ins so the logos may have been prevalent.
Google shows this is the site of the “Palm Springs Flea Market & Food Fest” which somehow doesn’t surprise me. Many Drive-Ins doubled as flea markets during the day.
Santikos announced on 4/10/2017 that Regal would be assuming operations of this theatre, the Silverado 19, and take over development of a third theatre in the Houston market.
The 10/28/1971 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer featured an ad touting the grand opening of this United General Theatre the following day with a special Halloween double feature of “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” and “Dracula is Risen from the Dead”
This also appears to be a nearly identical theatre to the Loft Theatre in Tucson, AZ which was originally named Showcase and also had a second screen built upstairs called “The Penthouse”
An article in the 1/17/1974 edition of the Lawton Constitution reported that Video Independent Theatres had purchased the theatre from Transcontinental on that day.
I believe it was actually opened by Blumenfeld Theaters. Though I think Cinerama was basically a partnership between Blumenfeld & Pacific Theaters in Northern California… though I’m not sure exactly how the ownership/evolution worked.
I’ve seen this photo used on 20 different theatre’s websites and wish I knew for sure where it was from. But 99% probability it’s not specifically this theatre.
A photo of this theater appears Showplace Cinemas' website assigned to their theater in Princeton, IN. The trees behind this theater do not exist in the other picture, which is also attached to a shopping center that appears to still be standing.
If they’re actually renovating I’d be interested in seeing this with the new Cineworld orange and black disco theme… would be interesting. I always liked the exterior of this theater, one of the last unique UA builds I can recall.
Based on the grand opening ad, this has always been a dollar cinema, showing discount movies.
For the record it was never “West Wind Drive-In” it was always the “Santa Barbara Drive-In”, it just so happened to be owned by West Wind Drive-Ins so the logos may have been prevalent.
Starts appearing in the Asbury Park Press around 1970 as a Music Makers Theater. Was eventually sold to Loews and closed in 1994.
I enjoy that the font in the “Carriage Sq 5” logo at the top of the ad almost reads “Carnage Sq 5”
Google shows this is the site of the “Palm Springs Flea Market & Food Fest” which somehow doesn’t surprise me. Many Drive-Ins doubled as flea markets during the day.
https://palmspringsfleamarketandfoodfest.com/
America Cinemas has reopened this theatre.
The theater is currently open.
Santikos announced on 4/10/2017 that Regal would be assuming operations of this theatre, the Silverado 19, and take over development of a third theatre in the Houston market.
The 10/28/1971 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer featured an ad touting the grand opening of this United General Theatre the following day with a special Halloween double feature of “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” and “Dracula is Risen from the Dead”
Theater currently has showtimes and does not appear closed. Still operated by Regal.
Wallace didn’t buy into Hawaii until 1992. This theater was opened by Holiday Theatres.
Cineplex acquired a number of Famous Players locations, wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibilities they found rolls and rolls of it somewhere.
This also appears to be a nearly identical theatre to the Loft Theatre in Tucson, AZ which was originally named Showcase and also had a second screen built upstairs called “The Penthouse”
An article in the 1/17/1974 edition of the Lawton Constitution reported that Video Independent Theatres had purchased the theatre from Transcontinental on that day.
Theater is not closed. Has current showtimes and appears on Regal’s website.
The Grand Opening ad is definitely AMC, and the ground floor projection setup was a pretty common practice with AMC theaters at the time.
I believe it was actually opened by Blumenfeld Theaters. Though I think Cinerama was basically a partnership between Blumenfeld & Pacific Theaters in Northern California… though I’m not sure exactly how the ownership/evolution worked.
Prime Cinemas has reopened the theater.
This theater reopened on THU 3/25, operated by the same people that operate West Wind Drive-Ins.
This theater reopened briefly after the initial shutdown, closing again around 10/8/2020.
I’ve seen this photo used on 20 different theatre’s websites and wish I knew for sure where it was from. But 99% probability it’s not specifically this theatre.
Cinemark has announced this theatre has been permanently closed.
Last movies showed on 11/12/2020.