I guess i have so many posts is because i really enjoyed working at that Theatre. I mean it sounds strange to love a building? I have many friends i worked with there ,but sadly i have come to realize that while i loved working there to those guys it was just a job.
We even had ABC THEATRE reunion back in 1985 and we had quite a few old employees to show, so much so that about the next 4 years we had a get together every holiday season.Now, they have something like this and all i get is “I have said it all. Not so.” A few of them where there way before i got hired.
I was at the CITADEL before it opened. Craig Zacker was sent there along with an assistant from Augusta,Barry Morrison to help start the cinemas from day one. I drove over there and was impressed at how nice the theatre was. Barry Morrison was led to believethat he would manage the new cinemas,but what would i say, probably office politics kept Barry from it. He soon said to heck with it. Barry may have a whole different take on it. One thing was certain on those large opening night crowds , Barry was not getting a per centage of Concessions. That Hurt the most. And people not keeping their word.
Another Drive in in this city was THE HUB DRIVE IN owned by D.H.HUBBARD.I have some info on the CHIEF DRIVE IN in Austin,Texas if you are working up that state’s drive-ins.I could not find the CHIEF on CT.
Big MIDNIGHT SHOW HIT….AMERICAN WERWOLF IN LONDON.As in Augusta,this film brings in the money. I would say while WIZARDS was one of our best performers at late shows at ABC PLITT THEATRES,while at GCC this is one popular flick.
The name of the first manager of THE WEIS DRIVE in was CARY CLOUD. I looked in the local phonebook to see if he was still in the area,but no such name.
NICK, wasn’t MATINEE filmed in Lakeland,Fla.The girls still talk about Charlie’s movie theatre in his house.those 16mm movies were great i wish we could have stayed another night.
As I said at COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS one of best friends and fellow assistant manager< even though we were house managers.Basiclly, assistants since the city managers office was there. we were sipping a cold one after everyone had left and about midnight out walks a guy who had fallen asleep.Tommy and me standing there with our mouths open. I am sure it has happen alot. I have somthing posted on the LOWES VENDOME you might want to read.
THIS IS COMMENTARY FROM BILL BARKLEY HEAD PROJECTIONIST AT THE IMPERIAL.
Bonnie and Clyde had its dedut at the IMPERIAL . it did only fair business.and a short run.
The picture had caught on by the time it made the drive in rounds and was booked back into the IMPERIAL . On Saturday night and Sunday, downstairs sold out every show all day and the balcony had to be opened.
The movie was nominated for 11 academy awards.However,Martin Luther King was shot and the awards were rescheduled for another night: All of a suddden , VIOLENCE on the screen was not the IN thing. So the movie picked up 2 awards. Estelle Parsons for supporting actress and best cinematography. DID THE 2 night delay give members another chance to re-vote?
OKAY it’s June 11 1997 and my little triple in mall is dark. So this GCC theatre is showing: BUDDY, THE LOST WORLD, {on 2 screens} SPRUNG, TRIAL AND ERROR. FIFTH ELEMENT, ANACONDA & ADDICTED TO LOVE.
$3.00 all seats all showings before 6pm. EVENING $4.00. Children $3.50 all times. 2009——-even in 1997 they were running cheaper 1st run movies than REGAL.
The summer movie camp included LASSIE 10am 12pm. TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS ONLY.
TISLOEWS, I have tons of pictures of all my theatres. I just don’t have anyway to print them. I have in friend in Tampa that was looking into it, I wondered if i mailed them to CT if they would put them on? I am real new to this. Heck, My kids have cut the computer on and find CT. IF you some grat stories let me know the theatres I would willing to bet i witness the same thing down here.
The site of the auditorium of LOWES VENDOME ,Between 7th ave north and an alleyway off Church Street has been bought by NELSON ELAM , president of the White Way Laundry Co. The price was $50.000 and the transaction was listed as between LOWES THEATRES and Realty Corp of New York and Elam. Most of the theatre was destroyed in a fire in August 1967.
FEB. 26 1970 the manager was PAUL PIERRET who trained there and was later moved up the ladder to the new WESTWOOD theatre when it opened. DALTON BOUTIN took over the PAT THEATRE.
See WESTWOOD theatre for more info.From BOXOFFICE APRIL 26 1970.
The WESTWOOD THEATRE was built for $ 325.000 BY owner Matt Guidry and is widely praised in the trade as one of the most beautiful new theatres built in recent years in the south.It opened MARCH 26 1970 with FUNNY GIRL.
It had a 26-foot long snack bar 2 soda fountains and 2 candy cases.
Guidry installed 600 de luxe rocking chair seats forWESTWOOD PATRONS. Part of the $90.000 he spent on comfortably furnishing the theatre.
The Building was designed by Bob Schoeffler,of O'Rouke and Gossen a local Architectural firm. 2 parking lots ,one cement and the other shelled. it will hold 275 cars.
The first theatre manager was Paul Pierret who comes from the Local PAT THEATRE.
Glad to help you WESTWOOD THEATRE lovers out. BOXOFFICE APRIL 27, 1970.
March 28 1986 REGENCY is going to show ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW for a midnight show, Of cousre,Craig Zacker is now in Athens, Ga. So maybe this outfit managing the theatre will do a better job than the ZACKER ARMY ..RUSSELL,,BARRY..& MIKE.
ALSO playing on the weekend midnight shows are EUROPEAN VACATION{a very weak show for a midnight crowd, then i am not there to pick the flicks.] AND third feature is NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
What few times i drive by the Martin it use to bug me in one one sheet frame they have written in marker all Seats $5.00. I think a one sheet from the movie playing should be in that frame.Even though today’s one sheets are smaller than what we use to get. Tacky.
YEAH, TISLOEWS as i have said on my past withNATIONAL HILLS ,COLUMBIA SQUARE and THE IMPERIAL.I got in in 1974,just about the time the theatre business was about to change.At least in Augusta.I did get couple of good years in promotions and such at ABC THEATRES. Time I got to GEORGIA SQUARE it was pretty much run them in and out. I don’t think we could even fit into the business today.And with 20 screens! Run the booth,manage the floor. I mean here in Augusta i noticed cops on duty at FIRST RUN houses who wants the headache?
The Martin Theatre chain was located in Columbus.Ga. Home of the horrible CAR-MIKE CINEMAS. IN 1956, MARTIN THEATRES had theatres in Georgia close to 20 cities with several screens in some of these towns. They had theatres in Alabama and Florida.
When I worked at NATIONAL HILLS and COLUMBIA 1 and 2 I can’t remember JAMES BROWN ever going to the movies at those locations.Sure, he hit the IMPERIAL alot.One night THE GODFATHER OF SOUL is standing in line at REGENCY to buy tickets. I spot him and walk over and say “Mr.Brown,you don’t have to wait in line."
It tickled him to death that someone noticed him in line. Everytime i let him into a movie he always gave me an autograph,so much so I started to give them .alway.The last one he gave said "It is so great to see one of America’s own regonize me.GOD BLESS JOHN BELUSHI.” I still have that one.
He had good handwriting compared to most stars.
Well,once again i always seem to be working when something has to be taken care of. A lady walks out and informs me there is a man in CINEMA ONE with a gun on his side.
I walk over before the show starts and asks about the gun.He’s a cop and he understood the worry.
You know we always let the cops in free in Augusta.One time at REGENCY someone spotted a man in CINEMA ONE with a gun on his side. and told me.Of course, i had to walk over and ask for his badge.Thank goodness he was a cop and understood.
I guess i have so many posts is because i really enjoyed working at that Theatre. I mean it sounds strange to love a building? I have many friends i worked with there ,but sadly i have come to realize that while i loved working there to those guys it was just a job.
We even had ABC THEATRE reunion back in 1985 and we had quite a few old employees to show, so much so that about the next 4 years we had a get together every holiday season.Now, they have something like this and all i get is “I have said it all. Not so.” A few of them where there way before i got hired.
I was at the CITADEL before it opened. Craig Zacker was sent there along with an assistant from Augusta,Barry Morrison to help start the cinemas from day one. I drove over there and was impressed at how nice the theatre was. Barry Morrison was led to believethat he would manage the new cinemas,but what would i say, probably office politics kept Barry from it. He soon said to heck with it. Barry may have a whole different take on it. One thing was certain on those large opening night crowds , Barry was not getting a per centage of Concessions. That Hurt the most. And people not keeping their word.
1982 AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON is one of our top grossers on a midnight show.
Another Drive in in this city was THE HUB DRIVE IN owned by D.H.HUBBARD.I have some info on the CHIEF DRIVE IN in Austin,Texas if you are working up that state’s drive-ins.I could not find the CHIEF on CT.
Big MIDNIGHT SHOW HIT….AMERICAN WERWOLF IN LONDON.As in Augusta,this film brings in the money. I would say while WIZARDS was one of our best performers at late shows at ABC PLITT THEATRES,while at GCC this is one popular flick.
The name of the first manager of THE WEIS DRIVE in was CARY CLOUD. I looked in the local phonebook to see if he was still in the area,but no such name.
NICK, wasn’t MATINEE filmed in Lakeland,Fla.The girls still talk about Charlie’s movie theatre in his house.those 16mm movies were great i wish we could have stayed another night.
I think i have another JAMES BROWN story posted at the REGENCY MALL 1.2.3. in Augusta.
As I said at COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS one of best friends and fellow assistant manager< even though we were house managers.Basiclly, assistants since the city managers office was there. we were sipping a cold one after everyone had left and about midnight out walks a guy who had fallen asleep.Tommy and me standing there with our mouths open. I am sure it has happen alot. I have somthing posted on the LOWES VENDOME you might want to read.
THIS IS COMMENTARY FROM BILL BARKLEY HEAD PROJECTIONIST AT THE IMPERIAL.
Bonnie and Clyde had its dedut at the IMPERIAL . it did only fair business.and a short run.
The picture had caught on by the time it made the drive in rounds and was booked back into the IMPERIAL . On Saturday night and Sunday, downstairs sold out every show all day and the balcony had to be opened.
The movie was nominated for 11 academy awards.However,Martin Luther King was shot and the awards were rescheduled for another night: All of a suddden , VIOLENCE on the screen was not the IN thing. So the movie picked up 2 awards. Estelle Parsons for supporting actress and best cinematography. DID THE 2 night delay give members another chance to re-vote?
OKAY it’s June 11 1997 and my little triple in mall is dark. So this GCC theatre is showing: BUDDY, THE LOST WORLD, {on 2 screens} SPRUNG, TRIAL AND ERROR. FIFTH ELEMENT, ANACONDA & ADDICTED TO LOVE.
$3.00 all seats all showings before 6pm. EVENING $4.00. Children $3.50 all times. 2009——-even in 1997 they were running cheaper 1st run movies than REGAL.
The summer movie camp included LASSIE 10am 12pm. TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS ONLY.
TISLOEWS, I have tons of pictures of all my theatres. I just don’t have anyway to print them. I have in friend in Tampa that was looking into it, I wondered if i mailed them to CT if they would put them on? I am real new to this. Heck, My kids have cut the computer on and find CT. IF you some grat stories let me know the theatres I would willing to bet i witness the same thing down here.
MORE HISTORY
The site of the auditorium of LOWES VENDOME ,Between 7th ave north and an alleyway off Church Street has been bought by NELSON ELAM , president of the White Way Laundry Co. The price was $50.000 and the transaction was listed as between LOWES THEATRES and Realty Corp of New York and Elam. Most of the theatre was destroyed in a fire in August 1967.
BOXOFFICE April 26 1970
FEB. 26 1970 the manager was PAUL PIERRET who trained there and was later moved up the ladder to the new WESTWOOD theatre when it opened. DALTON BOUTIN took over the PAT THEATRE.
See WESTWOOD theatre for more info.From BOXOFFICE APRIL 26 1970.
The WESTWOOD THEATRE was built for $ 325.000 BY owner Matt Guidry and is widely praised in the trade as one of the most beautiful new theatres built in recent years in the south.It opened MARCH 26 1970 with FUNNY GIRL.
It had a 26-foot long snack bar 2 soda fountains and 2 candy cases.
Guidry installed 600 de luxe rocking chair seats forWESTWOOD PATRONS. Part of the $90.000 he spent on comfortably furnishing the theatre.
The Building was designed by Bob Schoeffler,of O'Rouke and Gossen a local Architectural firm. 2 parking lots ,one cement and the other shelled. it will hold 275 cars.
The first theatre manager was Paul Pierret who comes from the Local PAT THEATRE.
Glad to help you WESTWOOD THEATRE lovers out. BOXOFFICE APRIL 27, 1970.
COLUMBIA ONE we are going to run ALOHA,BOBBY AND ROSE on our late show series.I feel it should okay. It ran First run at NATIONAL HILLS.1978
March 28 1986 REGENCY is going to show ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW for a midnight show, Of cousre,Craig Zacker is now in Athens, Ga. So maybe this outfit managing the theatre will do a better job than the ZACKER ARMY ..RUSSELL,,BARRY..& MIKE.
ALSO playing on the weekend midnight shows are EUROPEAN VACATION{a very weak show for a midnight crowd, then i am not there to pick the flicks.] AND third feature is NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
Nick, I urge all theatre lovers to check out the fine history you presented for Tampa’s showplaces.
What few times i drive by the Martin it use to bug me in one one sheet frame they have written in marker all Seats $5.00. I think a one sheet from the movie playing should be in that frame.Even though today’s one sheets are smaller than what we use to get. Tacky.
YEAH, TISLOEWS as i have said on my past withNATIONAL HILLS ,COLUMBIA SQUARE and THE IMPERIAL.I got in in 1974,just about the time the theatre business was about to change.At least in Augusta.I did get couple of good years in promotions and such at ABC THEATRES. Time I got to GEORGIA SQUARE it was pretty much run them in and out. I don’t think we could even fit into the business today.And with 20 screens! Run the booth,manage the floor. I mean here in Augusta i noticed cops on duty at FIRST RUN houses who wants the headache?
Ray, go to THOMSON TWIN on CT.I have a write up on it,maybe you can add more.
The Martin Theatre chain was located in Columbus.Ga. Home of the horrible CAR-MIKE CINEMAS. IN 1956, MARTIN THEATRES had theatres in Georgia close to 20 cities with several screens in some of these towns. They had theatres in Alabama and Florida.
When I worked at NATIONAL HILLS and COLUMBIA 1 and 2 I can’t remember JAMES BROWN ever going to the movies at those locations.Sure, he hit the IMPERIAL alot.One night THE GODFATHER OF SOUL is standing in line at REGENCY to buy tickets. I spot him and walk over and say “Mr.Brown,you don’t have to wait in line."
It tickled him to death that someone noticed him in line. Everytime i let him into a movie he always gave me an autograph,so much so I started to give them .alway.The last one he gave said "It is so great to see one of America’s own regonize me.GOD BLESS JOHN BELUSHI.” I still have that one.
He had good handwriting compared to most stars.
Well,once again i always seem to be working when something has to be taken care of. A lady walks out and informs me there is a man in CINEMA ONE with a gun on his side.
I walk over before the show starts and asks about the gun.He’s a cop and he understood the worry.
You know we always let the cops in free in Augusta.One time at REGENCY someone spotted a man in CINEMA ONE with a gun on his side. and told me.Of course, i had to walk over and ask for his badge.Thank goodness he was a cop and understood.