Nick, IS THE EXPERT ON TAMPA drive ins and walk in Theatres in that city.I will let him know about your post and I am sure he will be able to about answer any question on Tampa theatres.
Hey, thanks.it is a pity MCDONALDS left. Ithink I took pictures inside the hamburger stand, I remember one sheets framed around the resturant. LECO lights shinning down on the tables.
Never date an employee dept. I took my Concessionstand Girl,Cathy to see NETWORK at the Daniel Village. I was hoping Columbia 1 and 2 would get it,but Georgia Theatres got all the UA product. Cathy, having still working at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 and should have known better talked through the entire movie.
Can you believe it? Charles calls and tells me NATIONAL HILLS the Pride of Augusta Theares is getting HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON, we both agree this thing ought to be out at the WEIS CINEMA CENTER. Why in 1977 would such a film be booked in this neighborhood?
I did go over to watch it and It was nothing! Iam sure it was sent to the WEIS DRIVE IN after a week run. Stars Joey Heatherton and George Hamilton. rated R.
Yeah, The theatre business today is a step above BURGER KING. Really, I half way enjoyed wearing a suit and Tie,even though I gripped about it, I mean it made you look like you had a little Authority even though we were in our early 20’s.
But Tisloews I am glad we didn’t do BOWTIES.
Luckly, South Augusta had not all gone down the tubes when we were playing the WARRIORS. Today, it would be a nightmare to play such fare. American Werewolf having just been released for Midnight Shows did better than I thought it would.Of course,ROCKY HORROR as posted above was run twice at Midnight and again at 2 am.
Iwent to a McDONALD’s in Raleigh years ago and i swear the McDONALDS was built in an old Downtown theatre.Does anyone up that way have any info on that old theatre?
Selecting Midnight Shows 101. Things had changed since my ABC THEATRE days. The late show moviegoer got DUMMER!I could tell when Zack and myself would set down and select films. All the movies that 70’s filmgoers wanted were out the door. No STRAWBERRY STATEMENT or DUNWICH HORROR. Certainly not THE MARX BROTHERS.Forget about classics such as 1930’s Dracula. It was HEAVY METAL or some rock film that really when compared to TOMMY by the WHO; very lame. I did get 2001 on the list,but when I saw that beautiful film on such a small screen,I couldn’t watch.
One movie i did get was Bruce Lee’s last film GAME OF DEATH,which had played to unimpressive grosses at the MILLER THEATRE in Downtown Augusta.However, I wanted to see how they took 20 minutes of film and made a 100 minute movie with a double and out takes from earlier Lee films. It played in CINEMA 3 and actually did quite well. I figured no one went downtown to see it.After that it was back to THE WARRIORS and such. Really,the films rarely had any film merit to them. And I guess that was the way it was in those days. Also VHS was coming into market along with the RCA SELECTAVISION which carried movies on large discs. So midnight shows were having some other forms of media to compete with in the 80’s.
Yeah, it was a waste and a heart breaker to know they are part of the Augusta landfill.The Janitor knew Bill that is why i couldn’t understand why he did not save them.
N,DiMaggio, I thought in the back of my mind it came out in 72.But I went and checked a video book i had and it had 1975. I am afraid to put dates down unless I checked them. I did.And the book said 1975.The book was wrong.
I remember playing FIREFOX with Clint Eastwood. Our last show was like 10:00 pm it was aftermidnight when we walked out,Yeah, It was over time for the booth but not for a dogbeat Assistant manager.
I guess it was almost an X rated Film,Tisloews. How else can I write it. It was what came down to us at the IMPERIAl. Heck, I don’t even think i saw the movie or even worked the weekend it was showing. I am sure you played a PG movie back PG was not Kiddie fare and said Doggone it that thing could an R rated. It’s Opinion anyways with the rating system. I never gave it much creedence.
MAn,I am glad we didn’t have to wear bow ties. I finally gave up on clip on ties when my Projectionist Mr.Ballard gave me a tie for Christmas that i had to learn to TIE. It had a tiny golfer putting on the tie with the quote “Oh, S—–. He said that that was my favorite word, When i got to GCC it still must have been my favorite saying according to the Concession Girls. Damn I miss those days.
I know the Augusta theatres had an ad stating all the Afternoon features were cancelled, but never mention if they were showing evening movies. The ad makes it look like they might have opened for evening shows just for people to get away from Dallas.
Here is one for the books. We are playing a Disney movie:can’t remember the name ,but Remember a LETTER TO THE EDITOR from a concerned mom about playing a coming attraction that scared her kid to death! The Trailer was LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK. RATED G! 1975.
Can’t make this up.
Saturday Nov.23 1963 a very sad day for our country, the Valley was running HOOTENANNY HOOT and FOLLOW THE BOYS.Show time at 7:00 pm. One wonders if they even ran a movie that night.
The Atlanta Constiution did a big article on the closing. pictures of the old projectionist,booth,etc. That reporter must have loved Drive-ins. Of course, i cut out the article and HAVE IT somewhere!
Nick, IS THE EXPERT ON TAMPA drive ins and walk in Theatres in that city.I will let him know about your post and I am sure he will be able to about answer any question on Tampa theatres.
Hey, thanks.it is a pity MCDONALDS left. Ithink I took pictures inside the hamburger stand, I remember one sheets framed around the resturant. LECO lights shinning down on the tables.
Never date an employee dept. I took my Concessionstand Girl,Cathy to see NETWORK at the Daniel Village. I was hoping Columbia 1 and 2 would get it,but Georgia Theatres got all the UA product. Cathy, having still working at COLUMBIA 1 and 2 and should have known better talked through the entire movie.
Can you believe it? Charles calls and tells me NATIONAL HILLS the Pride of Augusta Theares is getting HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON, we both agree this thing ought to be out at the WEIS CINEMA CENTER. Why in 1977 would such a film be booked in this neighborhood?
I did go over to watch it and It was nothing! Iam sure it was sent to the WEIS DRIVE IN after a week run. Stars Joey Heatherton and George Hamilton. rated R.
Yeah, The theatre business today is a step above BURGER KING. Really, I half way enjoyed wearing a suit and Tie,even though I gripped about it, I mean it made you look like you had a little Authority even though we were in our early 20’s.
But Tisloews I am glad we didn’t do BOWTIES.
Luckly, South Augusta had not all gone down the tubes when we were playing the WARRIORS. Today, it would be a nightmare to play such fare. American Werewolf having just been released for Midnight Shows did better than I thought it would.Of course,ROCKY HORROR as posted above was run twice at Midnight and again at 2 am.
Three Biggest Grossers MIDNIGHT SHOWS 1 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
American Werewolf in
London.
The WARRIORS.
Summer of 1982.
Iwent to a McDONALD’s in Raleigh years ago and i swear the McDONALDS was built in an old Downtown theatre.Does anyone up that way have any info on that old theatre?
Selecting Midnight Shows 101. Things had changed since my ABC THEATRE days. The late show moviegoer got DUMMER!I could tell when Zack and myself would set down and select films. All the movies that 70’s filmgoers wanted were out the door. No STRAWBERRY STATEMENT or DUNWICH HORROR. Certainly not THE MARX BROTHERS.Forget about classics such as 1930’s Dracula. It was HEAVY METAL or some rock film that really when compared to TOMMY by the WHO; very lame. I did get 2001 on the list,but when I saw that beautiful film on such a small screen,I couldn’t watch.
One movie i did get was Bruce Lee’s last film GAME OF DEATH,which had played to unimpressive grosses at the MILLER THEATRE in Downtown Augusta.However, I wanted to see how they took 20 minutes of film and made a 100 minute movie with a double and out takes from earlier Lee films. It played in CINEMA 3 and actually did quite well. I figured no one went downtown to see it.After that it was back to THE WARRIORS and such. Really,the films rarely had any film merit to them. And I guess that was the way it was in those days. Also VHS was coming into market along with the RCA SELECTAVISION which carried movies on large discs. So midnight shows were having some other forms of media to compete with in the 80’s.
Yeah, it was a waste and a heart breaker to know they are part of the Augusta landfill.The Janitor knew Bill that is why i couldn’t understand why he did not save them.
N,DiMaggio, I thought in the back of my mind it came out in 72.But I went and checked a video book i had and it had 1975. I am afraid to put dates down unless I checked them. I did.And the book said 1975.The book was wrong.
Clifford, Unless it was an X rated satire LOST HORIZON never played at this theatre,believe me!
Clifford, I will get the few shots I took.I am looking for them.And will let you have what i snapped. Just wished the screen was still up.
I ECHO the same statement, movies 10063.
I remember playing FIREFOX with Clint Eastwood. Our last show was like 10:00 pm it was aftermidnight when we walked out,Yeah, It was over time for the booth but not for a dogbeat Assistant manager.
I guess it was almost an X rated Film,Tisloews. How else can I write it. It was what came down to us at the IMPERIAl. Heck, I don’t even think i saw the movie or even worked the weekend it was showing. I am sure you played a PG movie back PG was not Kiddie fare and said Doggone it that thing could an R rated. It’s Opinion anyways with the rating system. I never gave it much creedence.
MAn,I am glad we didn’t have to wear bow ties. I finally gave up on clip on ties when my Projectionist Mr.Ballard gave me a tie for Christmas that i had to learn to TIE. It had a tiny golfer putting on the tie with the quote “Oh, S—–. He said that that was my favorite word, When i got to GCC it still must have been my favorite saying according to the Concession Girls. Damn I miss those days.
I know the Augusta theatres had an ad stating all the Afternoon features were cancelled, but never mention if they were showing evening movies. The ad makes it look like they might have opened for evening shows just for people to get away from Dallas.
GEEZ, I don’t know about all those forms of transportation.
Here is one for the books. We are playing a Disney movie:can’t remember the name ,but Remember a LETTER TO THE EDITOR from a concerned mom about playing a coming attraction that scared her kid to death! The Trailer was LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK. RATED G! 1975.
Can’t make this up.
Bill was right while the Bomb plant was in full swing; Drive ins sprang up everywhere in Aiken County.Only to have a short life span.
Saturday Nov.23 1963 a very sad day for our country, the Valley was running HOOTENANNY HOOT and FOLLOW THE BOYS.Show time at 7:00 pm. One wonders if they even ran a movie that night.
The DOWNS DRIVE IN in 1956 parked 400 as mentioned above and was owned in the late 50’s by Down Theatre Company.
IT was owned by P.E. Smith in 1956 according to the 1956 motion picture Almanac.He owned the SUNSET Drive in too.
The Atlanta Constiution did a big article on the closing. pictures of the old projectionist,booth,etc. That reporter must have loved Drive-ins. Of course, i cut out the article and HAVE IT somewhere!