Imperial Theatre
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
745 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 301 - 325 of 335 comments
HOOPER opens at the IMPERIAl and does okay but it is not SMOKEY. 1978 .
1978 A REMAKE OF OZ? Something called THE WIZ is coming To the IMPERIAL. You can bet i won’t be there.
1977 CHRISTMAS PARTY and SEMI-TOUGH Party. At the IMPERIAL.Large group from all our theatres except ME. The conessionstand was full of food and drinks. I must have been on a date with Bev.
Everyone is excited about THE SWARM coming to the IMPERIAL. Hey, I just saw the trailer and man this thing is lousy. About killer bees hasn’t this been done by ROGER CORMAN? We are talking WARNER BROTHERS. Micheal Caine stars.Boy, he will be big pull down town.
{2009 THE SWARM died a quick death. About as bad as Billy Jack fare.}
MR.Jordan wants me to dress up like CAPTAIN MARVEL and promote his late shows here at the IMPERIAl.
Tommy Capers called and said he is upset he did not get more than $ 2.75 an hour.He said Mr.Helms was the reason. He is not only the Assistant Manager at the IMPERIAL,but Mr.Tinney has him closing up the late shows at NATIONAL HILLS. Charles got the right idea and quit.
Saw GREY LADY DOWN at the IMPERIAL. Great movie,WRONG THEATRE.
FROM MY ABC PLITT THEATRE JOURNAL
1975 We are shipping BARRY LYNDON to Southgate Cinema. I do not see how that side of town will watch that movie. It opened here at the IMPERIAL first run. And i never did get downtown to see it.
OMEN 2 opens at the IMPERIAL one weeknight on the last show some lady comes out after the last show raising cain that Mark Barkley cut off the credits and that she knew someone on the credits.Boy, you Projectionists were so safe up in the booth. When i look back on it in those days the end credits did not run 10 minutes or more like they do today.
HOT POTATOE opens withJIM KELLY there is some smoke coming some old wiring so the FIRE DEPARTMENT is called.In the morning paper it shows a fire truck under the marquee saying HOT PATATOE.
The IMPERIAL has a Henry Winkler movie THE ONE AND ONLY a wrestling movie.HEROES did not do too bad at COLUMBIA TWO.
The IMPERIAL is having a thanksgiving ELVIS special with three hours of ELVIS movie fun.With seats 2.00 dollars.
Mr.Tinney orders hundreds of BILLY JACK hats for sale at the movie they are playing THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK. Bad thing was no one came to “COURT” the IMPERIAL. A TURKEY. THREE hours of it. I hated BILLY JACK.
APRIL 6 1972 IMPERIAL
Enter your frog in WBBQ’s MISS AMERICAN FROG CONTEST. Everyone entering a frog will recieve two passes to see the movie FROGS.
March 22 1977 IMPERIAL
Saw SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA with Beverly.I had no idea the grapic sex in the movie.
Talk about panic, My first day as Assistant Manager i walk up unlock the doors let Cathy and Margret in and proceed to the check out office to open the safe. Well, I had the combonation and i stated to open the safe.Only i couldn’t hit the right numbers. The Safes at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 NATIONAL HILLS were a breeze.
Heck, You could miss it and the safe would open. Not this safe at the IMPERIAL. It looked like it dated back to FORD’S THEATRE! I just could not get it open. I finally Tommy was working at a nearby department store and i called him for help. Thank goodness he was able to open that stupid safe: having opened it thousands of times. He admitted you really had to stop right on the right number. I think the rest of the day i closed it, but didn’t dare lock it.
RICHMOND COUNTY NEWS
By David Wardlaw
VAUDEVILLE PART OF CITY HISTORY
Towards the turn of the century, a southern businessman named Jake Wells came to Augusta and built what then considered one of the grandest Vaudeville theatres in the south, and now,in keeping with its facade of grandeur is the oldest operating motion picture theatre in Augusta today. In fact, the next oldest theatre was not built until 22 years later.
THE IMPERIAL THEATRE was built in 1917 and opened Feb.19 1918,At this time it was called the WELLLS THEATRE.Being named after its owner. It’s opening was gala occasion in this town.
The interior of this grand vaudeville house was immaculate; News Reports stated…“the color scheme of the new WELLS THEATRE is most attractive. It is two tones of ivory and old rose.the rich,old rose hangings harmonizing perfectly with the grey and white tones of the wood work.The floors are covered with red velvet carpets. A charming feature of the new theatre is the commodious foyer,adorned with handsome mirrors and at last magnificent flowers.The stairways leading to the balcony are of white marble.
Mr. Herman R. Arndt, 92. began working in vauderville theatres in 1910 and worked as stage manager at the IMPERIAL from time to time it opened,through the vaudeville era. He recalled “I saw the IMPERIAL built from the ground up. I used to enjoy just standing there and watching” he added wistfully as if he had been standing inside the theatre at that very moment,“Yes, that one fine theatre in its day” and after a silence he gave a deep dramatic sigh and said,“those were the days.”
In those first few months of operation, the theatre was owned entirely by Wells. Wells paid B.F.Keith’s Vaudeville circuit a large ammount of money so that his theatre might be on Keith’s circuit of traveling shows. This soon became too much of a money burden fo r Wells and it forced the new theatre, not yet two years old, out of business. June 1919.thus the end of the Wells theatre,
The exact date is not known, but very soon after it is said B.F. KEITH firm bought the theatre at a great cost from Wells. Keith had already had successful theatres in New England area. This purchase was part of his southward purchase of theatres. The Name was changed from THE WELLS to THE IMPERIAL and reopened Dec,22 1919. This Change of ownership brought some of the finest vaudeville acts to the stage of the IMPERIAL.
This story by David Wardlaw was written in Nov.23 1979. I have to take credit for getting David this story because he wanted to do it and the newsweekly i worked for Editor Jay Mann he jumped on this.The big newspaper never would wrote a story on the Imperial.
I told David who worked at NATIONAL HILLS this was a great story.Heck, in them days we always thought theIMPERIAL would always be showing movies. Well, the sad part is this WAS A TWO PART STORY and somehow i lost the part two losing all the conversation with 92 year old Mr. Arndt. If DAVID WARDLAW is out there somewhere maybe you have Part two which is priceless to classic theatre buffs.
You know it truly is a small world. Next to Columbia Square Cinemas was Sondy’s Pizza. I dated a waitress there named Marsha Mcvay. Her dad was a naval officer and was an extra in IN HARMS WAY. FOR ABOUT 4 seconds Mr.Mcvay shares the SCREEN with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas when they enter the warroom on a battleship.Mr.McVay is the young baldheaded naval officer rising at attention when John Wayne walks BEHIND HIM. Oh, For the record IN HARMS WAY played first run at the Imperial! I have the newspaper ad.
You saw it at the MARRAH theatre. I think that is how you spell it, I can look it up for the right spelling. YOU should have seen it at one of the Downtown theatres, I know the one in North Augusta was tiny compared to the Miller or Imperial. I found a wall size poster for THUNDERBALL when we were cleaning out the MILLER for the Ballet. I wish i would have kept my mouth shut cause all my stagehand brothers grabbed ALL THE BEATLES STUFF. Worth THOUSANDS today. I wish i could afford to get it framed.SOME of the bottom part is missing THUNDERBALL is cut right in the middle,
Mike, I was at Fort Gordon when “Thunderball” opened, but I didn’t see it at the Miller. I went to a newer indoor that was just to the east of Augusta – possibly in SC, maybe across a river or bridge. Can you tell me what that was? I think “Boeing-Boeing” was the next attraction.
YES, Ed it sold itself as a rocking chair theatre,To be honest, I never attended the downtown theatres much as a kid. National Hills And Daniel Village were closer for mom. I did see THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLT LIVE TWICE at the Miller with a buddy who lived in Augusta,while at the time i was in the sticks of Evans on the way to Clarks Hill Lake. LIKE i said earlier even as a late teen the Modjeska always scared me.
Mike, I think the changeover to rocking chairs occurred later than May 1966. That’s when I left Augusta. In my memory, the Imperial and the Miller were comparable in comfort but in no way modern back then. The nearby Modjeska was dilapidated by comparison. The only other relatively nearby indoor theater was the Daniel Village, which was new and by far the most comfortable in 1965-(early)66.
It might have seated 1159 folks with old wooden seats,but when the rocking chairs went in in the mid to late 60’s that theatre held 881 people , I know that beacuse of one movie,,JAWS.
ANOTHER POPULAR SHOW was the PEPSI/ KELLY BUDDY ClUB kid shows every saturday morning.Bring 4 pepsi bootle caps and 2 kelly hamburger wrappers to see a free movie and WIN prizes given away by TROOPER TERRY a WJBF KID SHOW HOST.Every kid in AUGUSTA would want to have their birthday party on tv 6 every afternoon. The Imperial would be packed with kids. 881 seats!
HERE IS A LITTLE FACT PUT TOGETHER BY OUR CREATIVE JERRY TINNEY.BILL BARKLEY PROJECTIONIST AT THE IMPERIAL HAS SEEN JAWS 257 TIMES when this ad was made,it ran alot longer. THAT EQUALS 30.840 MINUTES 2.774.640 FEET OR 525 MILES OF THIS MOVIE.
MAY 27 1977…. AN X RATED FILM IN AUGUSTA HAS CAUSED ALOT OF HEAT FROM THE LOCALS. THE IMPERIAL HAD LAST TANGO IN PARIS BOOKED FOR A LATE SHOW, BUT THE BOOKERS IN THE HOME OFFICE PULLED IT.
AUGUST 2 1977.. THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING GREASED LIGHTING.
OCT, 15 1977… LATE SHOWS INCLUDE DELIVERANCE, DEATH WISH. FRITZ THE CAT. AND NATIONAL HILLS WILL PLAY BOTH GODFATHER FILMS BACK TO BACK.
FEB.4 1978 THE IMPERIAL IS PLAYING WIZARDS AND PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. I HAVE IT NOTED THAT WIZARDS WAS ONE OF BEST GROSSERS.
MAY 25 1978 THE IMPERIAL BOOKED MYRA BRACKINRIDGE FOR A LATE SHOW. WE HEARD THE WEIS DRIVE-IN WAS TURNING THEM AWAY.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE THE X RATED VERSION WAS BOOKED FIRST RUN AT THE IMPERIAL, THE AUGUSTA POLICE SAID THEY WOULD RAID THE THEATRE. GUESS WHAT? NO CLOCKWORK ORANGE. JIM NEELY AND MYSELF WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TO ATHENS.GA. TO SEE IT. AND DOGGONE IT WAS PLAYING AT THE CLASSIC THEATRE.. A GEORGIA THEATRE.
ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS FILLING IN FOR A MANAGER, THE IMERIAL WAS PLAYING IT’S ALIVE A HORROR FILM..GOING UNDERNEATH THE STAGE TO CUT OFF THE A.C. UNITS WAS, WELL SCARY. THE IMPERIAL HAD RATS THE SIZE OF CATS DOWN THERE.
ONE NIGHT SCOTT KRUGER WAS POPPING CORN BEHIND THE SCREEN, WALKS UP TO THE CONESSIONSTAND FOR A COKE.AND STARTS TALKING. GUESS WHAT HAPPENED.. YEP. A FIRE IN THE POPCORN ROOM. WASN’T TOO BAD.. THE MOVIE WAS GREASED LIGHTING.AND NO YOU CAN’T MAKE THAT UP.
Thanks, Mike. I’ll check the Southside. By the way, we have a SouthSide Works Cinema multiplex here in Pittsburgh.
ED I DO KNOW ALOT ABOUT AUGUSTA THEATRES BUT IF YOU PULL UP SOUTHSIDE CINEMA IN AUGUSTA YOU WILL READ ABOUT RAY HUTTO WHO TOOK IT A STEP CLOSER AND BUILT A MOVIE THEATRE. HE KNOWS ALOT MORE THAN I ABOUT THOSE OLDER SITES YOU SEEM TO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT. RAY CERTAINLY LOVED THE IMPERIAL AND WHEN HE COULD NOT GET JOB THERE HE WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO THE MILLER THEATRE AND GOT A JOB,
ED BELIEVE ME MY 16 year old daughter has to help me all the time.orAND friend nick dimaggio in TAMPA. he has been helping me so much that he had had to stop on this history of tampa theaters.and once nick gets going on tampa’s theatres i think alot of folks willbe pleased. THE IMPERIAL THEATRE IN AUGUSTA WAS THE ONLY THEATRE IN TOWN THAT HAD UNIVERSAL’S SENSURROUND. AND I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT BECAUSE ALL OF THE DOORMEN WERE SENT TO THE IMPERIAL ONE NIGHT TO PLACE THE HUGE BASS SPEAKERS IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN AND THE BALCONY. and did we do it when no movie was playing? NO WE DID WHILE LITTLE BIG MAN WAS PLAYING ON A LATE SHOW.IT WAS A JOB GETTING THOSE SPEAKERS IN THE TOP BALCONY. AND OF COURSE WE WERE TOLD BY ABC THEATRES WERE BEING PAIDED UNIVERSAL SCALE FOR 1974. A BIG $15.00BUCKS AN HOUR. NOT BAD WHEN WE WERE MAKING ABOUT $ 1.80 AN HOUR. GUESS WHAT WE NEVER SAW THE MONEY. oh,FOR an ushers UNION. WELL, ANYWAYS THE MOVIE OPENS AND :SWEET OLD MARGRET WHITEHEAD WAS WORKING HER USUAL AFTERNOON SHIFT WHEN THE FIRST QUAKE HITS IN THE MOVIE SHE FLIES OUT OF THE CONCESSIONSTAND SEEING LIGHT FIXTURES IN LOBBY MOVING YELLING ‘’ THE DAMN BUILDING IS CAVING IN ! ‘’ no margret it is ony a MOVIE. THE IMPERIAL PLAYED MIDWAY IN SENSURROUND AND THE MILLER PLAYED ROLLERCOASTER WITHOUT THE EFFECT. GOOD OLD GEORGIA THEATRES TOO CHEAP TO DO IT RIGHT. i am sure SOMEONE WILL CORRECT ME BUT WASN’T THAT ALL UNIVERSAL MADE 3 FEATURES? in sensurround. the imperial did play MIDWAY IN SENSURROUND.
Thank you very much, Mike. I’ll look up the ones you mentioned. Perhaps you’d be kind enough to add notes here and there after conversations with your moviehouse buddies. Some may not have the patience to type comments or many not be sufficiently computer savvy.
THE HILLTOP WAS ACROSS THE RIVER OVERLOOKING THE CITY OF AUGUSTA, the cloverleaf was a few miles down the road. the drive in closest to fort gordon are THE WEIS DRIVE IN, FORREST HILLS , BON AIR AND THAT WAS IT FOR THE ONES NEAR THE FORT.THE WEIS OPEN IN THE LATE 60S WAS REAL CLOSE TO GATE 3. I AM TRYING TO ADD MORE TO THESE BUT SO MANY PROJECTIONISTS HAVE PASSED AWAY AND THEY ARE A GOLD MINE OF INFO CAUSE THOSE OLD GUYS LOVED THE BUSINESS.thanks so much i can not get any of my theatre buddies to write a thing but when we see each other that is all we talk about.
THE HILLTOP WAS ACROSS THE RIVER OVERLOOKING THE CITY OF AUGUSTA, the cloverleaf was a few miles down the road. the drive in closest to fort gordon are THE WEIS DRIVE IN, FORREST HILLS , BON AIR AND THAT WAS IT FOR THE ONES NEAR THE FORT.THE WEIS OPEN IN THE LATE 60S WAS REAL CLOSE TO GATE 3. I AM TRYING TO ADD MORE TO THESE BUT SO MANY PROJECTIONISTS HAVE PASSED AWAY AND THEY ARE A GOLD MINE OF INFO CAUSE THOSE OLD GUYS LOVED THE BUSINESS.thanks so much i can not get any of my theatre buddies to write a thing but when we see each other that is all we talk about.
Hello, Mike. Obviously you know the area very well. Would you be able to do an inventory of the names and general locations of the three or four drive-ins nearest to Fort Gordon? One I attended was just acrosss the border in South Carolina, but there were at least two near Augusta including one that seemed to be within the cirty limits.