Theatre Organ,for years as a kid every Friday i would clip ads from the movie section and boy were they Great. Did this for years and then decided to put them in a tree fort on the walls. Wish i would have never done that.
Does it surprize anyone that Carmike let another theatre go to pot. They seem to set up shop in smaller cities. i visited a location in LaFollotte.Tenn and it had to be the biggest dump of a twin theatre. Do they even employe District Managers,because as much as i disliked most of mine they did serve a purpose. Also,Clemson is not that far from Greenville S.C. and folks might just want to catch a dinner and flick there. Same problem Aiken S.C. still has with Augusta,Ga. Nearby,Locals often prefer to drive a little bit for more variety.But from what I have seen of some CARMIKE operations I am sorry they have MIKE in their name.
Well,I was counting Augusta’s first run houses and really except for the MODJESKA all of them were pretty much First run, Not including the Drive-ins. I guess you read some of us theatre folks are going to honored May 29. It is on the IMPERIAL THEATRE site, Give it a look see. Tlsloews must be out tonight,Robin is reading these,but wants me to EMAIL her,I don’t have an Email. Great story on BELMONT DRIVE-in honoring Mrs.Peggy who we met it is on CT.
Great,I hope i ain’t the only one there from the theatres. I noticed you don’t include the ART THRATRE {CINEMA1}.I know Cinema 1 played only Kung-fu the the Art Theatre on {CT} did play quite a few classics.during her run of the 60’s and early 70’s. Joe Goode was a projectionist that I think owned Snappys Next to the Imperial and decided to open a Theatre. Bill Barkley knows so much of this.
Nick, after what we discussed over the phone I think you getting back on CT is the best thing to do. I sure enjoy it. Never will believe you weren’t a theatre manager.
Pretty Good line up minus the Disney cartoon.It is hard to believe Tampa was behind most cities her size even Augusta’s population in those days maybe a little over 200.000 people had more First Run houses.
Bob, Can I share this story with you. When “Bonnie and Clyde” premiered in London. Star of the film, Warren Beatty was watching the movie and he noticed the gunshots were like pops,so he rushes up to the Booth and he shocked the projectionist not use to seeing a star in the booth. Beatty said “is there something wrong with the sound and the operator said proudly "Oh no, I fixed it. I have not had a picture this badly mixed since"SHANE”. Great story Bob.
like the Bon-Air and Forest Hills Drive-ins and the Woodzo and Newport Drive-ins,The ALPS DRIVE-in theatre was quite close to the ATHENS DRIVE-in. In the 50’s both spots were in the sticks heading to Atlanta. Why were they built so close? The Alps parked 350 cars and was owned by Newman Coker. A ALPS THEATRE would be built in Athens on that side of town.
BWCHICAGO,Are you sure it closed in 1980? Going by the location ALPS ROAD AND ATLANTA HIGWAY i just can’t remember a Drive-in there. That whole area was getting commercial businesses in that area.
The famous theatre painter Davis Cone painted this Drive-in and it is in his book. It parked 450 cars and it was owned by Publix Theatres in the late 50’s. I remember it because it was close to GEORGIA SQUARE MALL where i worked for GCC. At that time it was a Georgia Theatre playing typical second run movies like “BLAZING STEWARTRESS” and “NAUGHTY STEWARTRESS” soft core R rated features.
Time I got up to Athens the Drive-in was gone and a car lot was there. On at ATLANTA HIGHWAY heading towards HOTLANTA!
Thanks Nick. Go to the IMPERIAL site.THE FRIENDS OF THE MILLER are planning a tribute to AUGUSTA’S THEATRE EMPLOYEES. I plan to be there. DESERVE something after all those years at the IMPERIAL. I told Robin to tell Bill about it.
MORE ON THE WHITE HORSE DRIVE-In. I thought at one time it was a Plitt Theatre,but after talking with my Cousin,Ray Rogers.He stated it was run by EXHIBITORS SERVICE COMPANY.Which in the late 50’s operated out of Jacksonville,Fla. Exhibitors Service Company ran the book keeping of Ray’s Theatres in HENDERSONVILLE,N.C. He said Frank Jones was the main booker and stayed there until the Litchfield Company hired him.
I drove by one time going home. It was closed for good.I snapped a couple of pictures. Under the screen there was a nice apartment for the Manager to live in.
After I would pass the VIKING DRIVE-in In Anderson S.C. in about 40 minutes i would pass the WHITE HORSE DRIVE-in on my way to East Tennessee with my family. You could see the Viking Screen clearly{until they ran X rated product.} THE White Horse was on a very busy four lane highway and pretty much kept to And Greenville PG product,since I am sure they had no lights to blank the screen,and it wasn’t out in the sticks like the VIKING DRIVE-IN in Anderson,S.C.{On CT} And of South Carolina cities Greenville would be the most Conservative and would not put up with a Drive-in in that location showing SMUT. I remember “THE TOY” playing there going down the road.
There was also a BAY DRIVE-IN here.
Parked a large amount of cars 1800 and was owned by M&R Amusement Corp.
Theatre Organ,for years as a kid every Friday i would clip ads from the movie section and boy were they Great. Did this for years and then decided to put them in a tree fort on the walls. Wish i would have never done that.
Does it surprize anyone that Carmike let another theatre go to pot. They seem to set up shop in smaller cities. i visited a location in LaFollotte.Tenn and it had to be the biggest dump of a twin theatre. Do they even employe District Managers,because as much as i disliked most of mine they did serve a purpose. Also,Clemson is not that far from Greenville S.C. and folks might just want to catch a dinner and flick there. Same problem Aiken S.C. still has with Augusta,Ga. Nearby,Locals often prefer to drive a little bit for more variety.But from what I have seen of some CARMIKE operations I am sorry they have MIKE in their name.
Great Work Nick. We all enjoy the stories you write. We need to print Charlie’s Bio. “life as a projectionist”. The CT gang would love it.
Well,I was counting Augusta’s first run houses and really except for the MODJESKA all of them were pretty much First run, Not including the Drive-ins. I guess you read some of us theatre folks are going to honored May 29. It is on the IMPERIAL THEATRE site, Give it a look see. Tlsloews must be out tonight,Robin is reading these,but wants me to EMAIL her,I don’t have an Email. Great story on BELMONT DRIVE-in honoring Mrs.Peggy who we met it is on CT.
Yes,It parked 290 cars and was owned by Finger Lakes Inc: Don Wilson.
For what it is worth it was operated by Earle-Swigert theatre service. In the late 50’s.
Second Run “MOONRAKER” plays At COLUMBIA 2 right after I was fired keeping my record of never having played a 007 movie in 7 years in the business.
Odd it opened with a double feature,Never heard of that before.
Great,I hope i ain’t the only one there from the theatres. I noticed you don’t include the ART THRATRE {CINEMA1}.I know Cinema 1 played only Kung-fu the the Art Theatre on {CT} did play quite a few classics.during her run of the 60’s and early 70’s. Joe Goode was a projectionist that I think owned Snappys Next to the Imperial and decided to open a Theatre. Bill Barkley knows so much of this.
Nick, after what we discussed over the phone I think you getting back on CT is the best thing to do. I sure enjoy it. Never will believe you weren’t a theatre manager.
Pretty Good line up minus the Disney cartoon.It is hard to believe Tampa was behind most cities her size even Augusta’s population in those days maybe a little over 200.000 people had more First Run houses.
Dixie Drive-in in MACON, Georgia too.
Bob, Can I share this story with you. When “Bonnie and Clyde” premiered in London. Star of the film, Warren Beatty was watching the movie and he noticed the gunshots were like pops,so he rushes up to the Booth and he shocked the projectionist not use to seeing a star in the booth. Beatty said “is there something wrong with the sound and the operator said proudly "Oh no, I fixed it. I have not had a picture this badly mixed since"SHANE”. Great story Bob.
Prince Ave.Drive-in was the third and final Drive-in in Athens.
like the Bon-Air and Forest Hills Drive-ins and the Woodzo and Newport Drive-ins,The ALPS DRIVE-in theatre was quite close to the ATHENS DRIVE-in. In the 50’s both spots were in the sticks heading to Atlanta. Why were they built so close? The Alps parked 350 cars and was owned by Newman Coker. A ALPS THEATRE would be built in Athens on that side of town.
BWCHICAGO,Are you sure it closed in 1980? Going by the location ALPS ROAD AND ATLANTA HIGWAY i just can’t remember a Drive-in there. That whole area was getting commercial businesses in that area.
The famous theatre painter Davis Cone painted this Drive-in and it is in his book. It parked 450 cars and it was owned by Publix Theatres in the late 50’s. I remember it because it was close to GEORGIA SQUARE MALL where i worked for GCC. At that time it was a Georgia Theatre playing typical second run movies like “BLAZING STEWARTRESS” and “NAUGHTY STEWARTRESS” soft core R rated features.
Time I got up to Athens the Drive-in was gone and a car lot was there. On at ATLANTA HIGHWAY heading towards HOTLANTA!
I too hope it looks great for a great Theatre in that small city.And thank goodness they saved it.
Quite afew.It was a nice Drive-in I would pass hundreds of times going up to Tennessee.Have a picture.wonder if Robin would print it?
No, sadly my book covers the year 1956.
Seems like alot of small towns have a “REX” or “PAL” theatre. Patsy,Good story on Mrs.PEGGY at the Belmont Drive-in site on {CT}.
Thanks Nick. Go to the IMPERIAL site.THE FRIENDS OF THE MILLER are planning a tribute to AUGUSTA’S THEATRE EMPLOYEES. I plan to be there. DESERVE something after all those years at the IMPERIAL. I told Robin to tell Bill about it.
MORE ON THE WHITE HORSE DRIVE-In. I thought at one time it was a Plitt Theatre,but after talking with my Cousin,Ray Rogers.He stated it was run by EXHIBITORS SERVICE COMPANY.Which in the late 50’s operated out of Jacksonville,Fla. Exhibitors Service Company ran the book keeping of Ray’s Theatres in HENDERSONVILLE,N.C. He said Frank Jones was the main booker and stayed there until the Litchfield Company hired him.
I drove by one time going home. It was closed for good.I snapped a couple of pictures. Under the screen there was a nice apartment for the Manager to live in.
After I would pass the VIKING DRIVE-in In Anderson S.C. in about 40 minutes i would pass the WHITE HORSE DRIVE-in on my way to East Tennessee with my family. You could see the Viking Screen clearly{until they ran X rated product.} THE White Horse was on a very busy four lane highway and pretty much kept to And Greenville PG product,since I am sure they had no lights to blank the screen,and it wasn’t out in the sticks like the VIKING DRIVE-IN in Anderson,S.C.{On CT} And of South Carolina cities Greenville would be the most Conservative and would not put up with a Drive-in in that location showing SMUT. I remember “THE TOY” playing there going down the road.