It truly is amazing the screens you see from the past covered in moss in many rural towns like the Midway or Newport Drive-in. I have traveled that area even before the interstates as a kid and I remember Drive-ins almost carved into Mountains. Moonshine and drive-ins.
If I can ever get my two daugthers off the computer over the weekend,I am really going to do it.the Augusta Chroncile charges for the service,which is okay.My friend Tim,Stage Manager at the Imperial pulled hundreds of ads from the 60’s searching for info on the PEPSI BUDDY CLUB kid movies,I am sure you remember them every saturday at the IMPERIAL. I guess I am top THEATRE DAWG with TLSLOEWS second even though he never worked for PLITT or GCC. Robin loses a point for working for Georgia Theatres! Nick,in Tampa is Third he only worked 6 months in the business!
Tlsloews,Nick in Tampa plays the Big Lottery and if he ever wins 50 million dollars he has already invited me to quit my job and go on the road searching for old Theatres.I am sure I can talk him into inviting you,but you are right you gotta get on the Backroads.I don’t think I will ever sale my one-sheets,stills and pressbooks.
The way my luck as been running on getting facts straight I wouldn’t be surprized if someone comes on and corrects what ihave. there could be a SALISBURY DRIVE-in and a OPEN AIR DRIVE-In.
Your best bet would be to hop in a car get off the interstate and you can find old theatres even today.Instead of taking the interstate to Jacksonville Fla. I got on U.S.1 from Augusta,Ga, and i spotted several old theatres.one I could look thru a large glass window and see the managers office still with paper work on the desk.I would be willing to bet there are quite a few one-sheets and it was awful tempting to slip in and old exit door,Something I have done more than once just to explore,but this time i didn’t.the theatre was the BEACON and it was in a South Georgia small town,I am sure there are hundreds still out there today.
I was so lucky to be in Lexington on business and spotted the KENTUCKY THEATRE,i was given a first class tour and bought a history book on the theatre on sale at the concession.I think next door there was another theatre being cleaned up to reopen,I wonder if any Kentucky folks know what i am writing about.Can’t remember that theatre’s name.
Robin, you are a great theatre person,but i know you mean.when you say the IMPERIAL you are speaking of when you managed it because it would take years to compile every film that played there. Heck, we are going to have to do I was thinking the first year of NATIONAL HILLS.I really would like to know all the films we played while i was there from 1976 to 1980. Even if i don’t list themall on CT,But i saw a few places where folks have listed years and years of movies at one theatre.Local paper has all those great ads.
Sept 24 1967 now showing Sharon Tate in “EYE OF THE DEVIL” with an added treat which doesn’t make alot of sense with a film like this but the New Riviera added “CHILLY-WILLY AND WOODY WOODPECKER” cartoon.
Sept 24 1967 sees the LAKEMONT showing “FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE” in keeping with their showings no sceond feature. That coming Wed. and Thursday was one feature “DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE”. However, over the weekend they did play two features and for Friday and Saturday being “DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE” and “THE FORTUNE COOKIE”
Now Showing Sept.11 1967 was the 007 spoof “CASINO ROYLE” with no second feature,which was rare for Drive-ins located near large cities such as Knoxville.
The Dixie-Lee was considered a Knoxville theatre.Sept 19 1967 showing on that outdoor screen was Barbara Steele in “THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK”. and second feature on the “FESTIVAL OF FEAR” was “THE AWFUL DR.ORLOF”. This was playing day and date with the RIVER BREEZE Drive-in.
Bbrown1,yep, the Drive-in I was thinking about was closer to the city,but not far from the Scenic{Newport,which is still on the road marquee was called Newport] the Woodzo was next to it. So the third one was called NEWPORT DRIVE-in. I guess when they closed one closer to Town,they must have changed the Scenic to Newport,because I have family in East Tenn,and i make it a point to get off the interstate there and look at the old Drive-ins. The Woodzo a couple of years ago was standing with tall grass. There was also a walk in theatre on that same street closer to town,I remember “TROG” on the marquee when we drove by.It looked when they widen the road the theatre was torn down,but lokked quite modern.
i am thinking seriously of doing what others have done and list All the movies that played at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 while i was there.Partly because i am curious of what we played,It will take time,but i really want to do it.
Thanks Michael it is amazing the stuff you and Chuck1231 on old theatres.Wish i would have saved seven years of Boxoffice Magazines.While in the business.
CWlaczak,thanks for your kind words about my seach for Showcase 4.I should be more careful because the first thing I learned real quick that there folks on here that know everything.I had a guy correct me on the opening year of a Twin theatre that I was House Manager on and I think this guy lived in L.A..
I know back in 2001 businessman Troy Hall was trying to restore the WINK theatre. He had to make bids on the building and he was the only one and bid one dollar over the$100.000 and became a theatre owner. A christian radio station he owned was moved to the WINK so he could run that and supervise the renovation.He was able to use day labor to save money.In a interview with the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION he said he remembered seeing “GONE WITH THE WIND"there. Often the concessions in the 50’s would take in$3000.00 in nickles on a busy saturday with double features and very few TV’s to watch at home.
Donnyman,if they closed it like they did REGENCY EXCHANGE in Augusta This GCC theatre most likely had rats running inside.I got into the EXCHANGE here in Augusta and the candy and popcorn were left in the candy room i had to dodge rats when i walked in.The booth was in perfect shape,Platters just like they were left.really a strange feeling walking around inside with a flashlight. REGENCY EXCHANGE is on CT.
TLsloews, I figured you Too to be a FAMOUS MONSTER of Filmland fan.
It truly is amazing the screens you see from the past covered in moss in many rural towns like the Midway or Newport Drive-in. I have traveled that area even before the interstates as a kid and I remember Drive-ins almost carved into Mountains. Moonshine and drive-ins.
If I can ever get my two daugthers off the computer over the weekend,I am really going to do it.the Augusta Chroncile charges for the service,which is okay.My friend Tim,Stage Manager at the Imperial pulled hundreds of ads from the 60’s searching for info on the PEPSI BUDDY CLUB kid movies,I am sure you remember them every saturday at the IMPERIAL. I guess I am top THEATRE DAWG with TLSLOEWS second even though he never worked for PLITT or GCC. Robin loses a point for working for Georgia Theatres! Nick,in Tampa is Third he only worked 6 months in the business!
Tlsloews,Nick in Tampa plays the Big Lottery and if he ever wins 50 million dollars he has already invited me to quit my job and go on the road searching for old Theatres.I am sure I can talk him into inviting you,but you are right you gotta get on the Backroads.I don’t think I will ever sale my one-sheets,stills and pressbooks.
The way my luck as been running on getting facts straight I wouldn’t be surprized if someone comes on and corrects what ihave. there could be a SALISBURY DRIVE-in and a OPEN AIR DRIVE-In.
Tlsloews you guys and North Carolina have alot of Drive-ins and I have seen alot in East Tenn.
Your best bet would be to hop in a car get off the interstate and you can find old theatres even today.Instead of taking the interstate to Jacksonville Fla. I got on U.S.1 from Augusta,Ga, and i spotted several old theatres.one I could look thru a large glass window and see the managers office still with paper work on the desk.I would be willing to bet there are quite a few one-sheets and it was awful tempting to slip in and old exit door,Something I have done more than once just to explore,but this time i didn’t.the theatre was the BEACON and it was in a South Georgia small town,I am sure there are hundreds still out there today.
So the STATE theatre is now part of the KENTUCKY Theatre.
I was so lucky to be in Lexington on business and spotted the KENTUCKY THEATRE,i was given a first class tour and bought a history book on the theatre on sale at the concession.I think next door there was another theatre being cleaned up to reopen,I wonder if any Kentucky folks know what i am writing about.Can’t remember that theatre’s name.
Robin, you are a great theatre person,but i know you mean.when you say the IMPERIAL you are speaking of when you managed it because it would take years to compile every film that played there. Heck, we are going to have to do I was thinking the first year of NATIONAL HILLS.I really would like to know all the films we played while i was there from 1976 to 1980. Even if i don’t list themall on CT,But i saw a few places where folks have listed years and years of movies at one theatre.Local paper has all those great ads.
This Drive-in was called the OPEN AIR drive-in in 1956. It parked 375 cars and was owned by A.Rubinstein.
Sept 24 1967 now showing Sharon Tate in “EYE OF THE DEVIL” with an added treat which doesn’t make alot of sense with a film like this but the New Riviera added “CHILLY-WILLY AND WOODY WOODPECKER” cartoon.
Sept 24 1967 sees the LAKEMONT showing “FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE” in keeping with their showings no sceond feature. That coming Wed. and Thursday was one feature “DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE”. However, over the weekend they did play two features and for Friday and Saturday being “DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE” and “THE FORTUNE COOKIE”
Now Showing Sept.11 1967 was the 007 spoof “CASINO ROYLE” with no second feature,which was rare for Drive-ins located near large cities such as Knoxville.
The Dixie-Lee was considered a Knoxville theatre.Sept 19 1967 showing on that outdoor screen was Barbara Steele in “THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK”. and second feature on the “FESTIVAL OF FEAR” was “THE AWFUL DR.ORLOF”. This was playing day and date with the RIVER BREEZE Drive-in.
Bbrown1,yep, the Drive-in I was thinking about was closer to the city,but not far from the Scenic{Newport,which is still on the road marquee was called Newport] the Woodzo was next to it. So the third one was called NEWPORT DRIVE-in. I guess when they closed one closer to Town,they must have changed the Scenic to Newport,because I have family in East Tenn,and i make it a point to get off the interstate there and look at the old Drive-ins. The Woodzo a couple of years ago was standing with tall grass. There was also a walk in theatre on that same street closer to town,I remember “TROG” on the marquee when we drove by.It looked when they widen the road the theatre was torn down,but lokked quite modern.
i am thinking seriously of doing what others have done and list All the movies that played at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 while i was there.Partly because i am curious of what we played,It will take time,but i really want to do it.
Clifford,I just saw some of your art work and it was great.You certainly have a real talent!
Thanks Michael it is amazing the stuff you and Chuck1231 on old theatres.Wish i would have saved seven years of Boxoffice Magazines.While in the business.
okay,thanks.Bill Barkley,old projectionist in Aiken was guessing I thought you might have some paper work on it.
Bob,this East Tennessee Drive-in was showing movies in 1956 and parked 250 cars it was owned by M.D. Williams.
Chuck 1231 do you know when the FOX DRIVE-in in Aiken,S.C. closed by any chance.It is on CT. Bill thought it was 1975.
CWlaczak,thanks for your kind words about my seach for Showcase 4.I should be more careful because the first thing I learned real quick that there folks on here that know everything.I had a guy correct me on the opening year of a Twin theatre that I was House Manager on and I think this guy lived in L.A..
I know back in 2001 businessman Troy Hall was trying to restore the WINK theatre. He had to make bids on the building and he was the only one and bid one dollar over the$100.000 and became a theatre owner. A christian radio station he owned was moved to the WINK so he could run that and supervise the renovation.He was able to use day labor to save money.In a interview with the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION he said he remembered seeing “GONE WITH THE WIND"there. Often the concessions in the 50’s would take in$3000.00 in nickles on a busy saturday with double features and very few TV’s to watch at home.
Donnyman,if they closed it like they did REGENCY EXCHANGE in Augusta This GCC theatre most likely had rats running inside.I got into the EXCHANGE here in Augusta and the candy and popcorn were left in the candy room i had to dodge rats when i walked in.The booth was in perfect shape,Platters just like they were left.really a strange feeling walking around inside with a flashlight. REGENCY EXCHANGE is on CT.