Regency Exchange Cinema
2870 Regency Boulevard,
Augusta,
GA
30904
2870 Regency Boulevard,
Augusta,
GA
30904
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 80 comments
Yes, you and I got in on the tail end of the Theatre Business.I still think the 8 plex would have been better served in North Augusta,S.C. It could still be open over there as second run. Harley Drew fom WBBQ was there,it seemed he opened every theatre in Town.
Mike, I remember the grand opening of this place! We had great food, ice sculpture, door prizes, local celebrities, a live radio remote, and my favorite was those big search-lights out in the parking lot! Lot of work, that’s for sure. I had a great staff back in those days. For it to be in such a horrible part of town, we did alright, and with no incidents. However, I have to admit that I felt like I was going to be robbed everytime I drove the last deposit of the night over to the bank inside the mall! I remember doing all sorts of promotions on movies back then. You never see that nowadays. In fact, the other day, I went to a local theater to see if I could get some free movie passes donated to my daughter’s high school band, and they looked at me like I had 2 heads! I asked for the manager, and the assistant told me that he only came in on the weekend and that the rest of the time, during the week, the company (Georgia Theatre Co.) used him as their “computer-guy” going to all the other theaters in the division. The assistant said the company did that with all their managers! So, I guess the days of the manager always being there and actually running the place are long gone! Sad!
Alonzo,once again all that is written above,you are killing yourself with extra work.
The silver screens at Regency Exchange 8 faded to black , as the last remaining movie house in south Augusta rolled the ending credits for the last time.
The General Cinema Corp.-owned theater abruptly closed after 13 years in operation in the troubled Regency Mall complex.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” said Red Robbins, manager of the Augusta Exchange Regal 20 Cinema. “I heard it through the movie theater grapevine.”
General Cinema’s public relations director, Brian Callahan, declined to comment specifically on the reasons for the closing, but said the company is closing several locations .
From the program Continuity Schedule at REGENCY EXCHANGE A GCC THEATRE for unit 493, 9-22-2000.
Movies that played here.
“4 KINGS”
“BAIT"
"THE CELL"
"WATCHER"
"HOLLOW MAN"
"ART OF WAR"
"BRING IT ON"
"NUTTY PROFESSOR 2”
TRAILERS THAT PLAYED HERE,Sadly the Eight plex would close and most of these movies would never make it to REGENCY EXCHANGE.
Cinema one
“LITTLE VAMPIRE"
"CHARLIES ANGELS"
"PRICE OF GLORY"
"LADIES MAN”
Cinema Two
“MEN OF HONOR"
"BAMDAZZELED"
"GET CARTER"
"RED PLANET”
Cinema THREE
“THE TITANS"
"GIRLFIGHT"
"LOST SOULS"
"BLAIR WITCH 2”
CINEMA FOUR
“LEGEND OF DRUKENMASTER"
"MEN OF HONOR"
"MEET THE PARENTS"
"1000 CORPSES”
CINEMA FIVE
“MEN OF HONOR"
"ALMOST FAMOUS"
"UNBREAKABLE”
CINEMA SIX
“13 DAYS"
"UNBREAKABLE”
“LOST SOULS"
"GET CARTER”
CINEMA SEVEN
“CHARLIES ANGELS"
"WOMAN ON TOP"
"MEET THE PARENYS"
"WATCHER”
CINEMA EIGHT
“MEN OF HONOR"
"NURSE BETTY"
"4 KINGS"
"THE GRINCH”
Thanks to projectionist Bill Barkley for saving this sheet there you have the last films and a added bonus I don’t think any theatre has,The Last coming attractions.
From an old Benton Bros.film Express booking book.MOVIES THAT PLAYED AT THE REGENCY 8
“MARK TWAIN” 7-8-87
It was shipped over tp Peach Orchard Cinemas {Weis}
“PRINCESS BRIDE” 11-19-87 was shipped to Thomson Twin.
“CINDERELLA” 2-18-88
“BROADCAST NEWS” 2-18-88
“DIRTY DANCING” 2-19-88
“EMPIRE OF THE SUN"
"UNTOUCHABLES"
"RENT A COP” all 2-25-88
“COLD STEEL"
"MERCENARY FIGHTERS"
"BRADDOCK MIA” all 2-3-88
“IRONWEED"
"SHE’S HAVING A BABY"
"FATAL ATTRACTION” al 3-10-88
“CRY FREEDOM"
"JIMMY REARDEN"
"SWITCHING CHANNELS"
"FRANTIC"
"VICE VERSA” 3-31-88
“NEW LIFE"
"3 MEN AND A BABY"
"MASQUERADE"
"D.O.A"
"ACTION JACKSON"
"BRIGHTLIGHT BIG CITY"
"POLICE ACADEMY V"
"APPT>WITH DEATH"
"LITTLE NIKITA"
"BAD DREAMS"
"MOONSTRUCK"
"STAND AND DELIVER"
"COP"
"RETURN TO SNOWY RIVER"
"SUNSET"
"TURNAROUND"
"SALSA"
"UNHOLY"
"BILOXI BLUES"
"BIG"
"NIGHTFALL"
"ABOVE THE LAW"
"SHAKEDOWN"
"WRONGGUYS"
"PINOCCHO"
"COLORS"
"AMERICAN TAIL"
"CAREBEARS"
"POLTERGEIST III"
"WARWORKS"
"BENJI"
"PERSIDO"
"FOLLOW THAT BIRD"
"BIG BUSINESS"
"RAMBO 3"
"NEVER ENDING STORY"
"MIDNIGHT RUN"
"CROCODILE DUNDEE"
"SHORT CIRCUIT"
"ARTHUR 2"
"LICENSE TO DRIVE"
"CHARLOTTES WEB"
"MONKEY SHINES"
"CHIPMUCK ADVENTURE"
"VIBES"
"PIPPI LONGSTOCKING”
Robin,the place is going downhill fast.Don’t know what the Board of Education is going to do with it,
Augusta VILLAGE 12.don’t know whereAUGUSTA EXCHANGE 12 came from. I need a vacation.
I can’t believe i went over there and got an application.the story is on AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 12 on CT. There was no way to watch people from sneaking in without a ticket too many accesses.
That theatre was ok…didn’t really like their lobby / concession area. I think their ac was shot too. Think about it :)
Last time I went in there with flash light in hand there was already a leaky roof in one of the cinemas. The 12 plex is still empty the AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 12 it is on CT. that is a better spot,but who the heck has that kind of money and REGAL cleaned it out when they left town.
Wish they could do something about the neighborhood…I would seriously love to do something with this place!!!
As i said before,the bigwigs at GCC actually asked my opinion on where to build the 8 plex,they had at one time wanted to expand the triple in the Mall out into the parking lot,but that never happened. I told them,build it in NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C.,nice decent town on the other side of the river. Had they done it I bet a mom and pop outfit could be running second run in that city and make money,There are probably 30.000 to 40.000 folks in that town and no screens since the HILLTOP DRIVE IN went dark in the early 80’s. So it goes.
Sad looking photos of the closed theatre.
I have got to get more of my favorite theatres posted on my site like you and TLSLOEWS have.
Bill said the cops would have the clear the lots often of people parking there for no reason.that is what i meant to say above.
Robin, as i wrote above.I squeezed in a back exit door and took quite a few pictures.EVERYTHING was left just liked they closed it, Rats were in the stock room eating corn and candy in boxes!The offices had the computers left right were they closed. The booth was left just as if they plan to open the next day.All the platters are there. IT is just in a TERRIBLE NEIGHBORHOOD. Bill told me often before the theatre closed they would have to come up and run hundreds of kids parking their cars in that lot.It wasn’t safe and Told GCC the best place for that 8-plex would have been North Augusta,but they didn’t listen.maybe that is why GCC is gone.
I just thought to look for this theatre. We really enjoyed seeing movies here. I didn’t even realize that Bill or Tommy worked here.
At one time my husband and his Dad were looking into doing something with this theatre. Opening it as part theatre / part live music / meetings…whatever. They found out the building was supposedly donated to the BOE. With the financial problems the BOE is having right now, someone should be able to get it CHEAP!!! Ok Mike…what do you think? You in??? LOL
Projectionists of record. Chuck Dray a staple in Augusta theatres moved from the Regency Triple in the Mall. To work the EXCHANGE. Other UNION projectionists weren H.V. HANSON and BILLY BARKLEY who had run movies like Dray in several Augusta theatres. They used Tom Dray for relief and a non union man to help out. BY that time the Union was seeing the writing on the wall.
I WAS able to get in the theatres years ago through a busted exit door that has now been welded shut.I took a bunch of pictures,The boothwas just like they left it.ERRIE,and strange like the world ended.
Here is a picture from December 2009.
Before the cinemas opened to the public GCC threw a Grand opening Party for V.I.P.’s. Having Known Russell Smeak,the new and first manager of the EXCHANGE I was invited. They had a different movie playing in each Cinema.Not new releases,but sorta new.
I watched PLATOON and just about walked out on this crap. Where was JOHN WAYNE? The food was good in the lobby,and afterwards we all went back to Craig Zacker’s Hotel room for more food and drink. And Zacker asks me if I would like to come Back for a third time to assist Russell. No problem working with Russell,just MARRIED to my old box office girl and she knew the theatre business and Managers and assistants.
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.
CURTAIN FALLS ON REGENCY 8
By Albert Ross Jr.
The silver screens at Regency Exchange 8 faded to black Thursday night as the last movie house in SouthAugusta.
The General Cinema Corp. Theatre closed after 13 years in operation in the troubled Regency Mall complex.
General Cinema’s public relations director, Brian Callahan declined comment specifically on the reasons for the closing but said the company is closing several locationc nationwide.
“As larger theatres are being built smaller ones are closing.” said Callahan. A former theatre employee, speaking on annonymity said the cinema’s staff was given three days notice to find another job. Mr.Callahan said GCC has no plans to expand in the market ,nor build a new theatre in Augusta. The REGENCY 8 was built in 1987. The EXCHANGE saw competion heat up when Regal Cinemas 12 hit town. The final blow came when REGAL 20 opened last year.
Mr.Callahan thanked Augusta for its support of GCC “ WE WERE GLAD TO SHARE MOVIE MEMORIES WITH AUGUSTA.”
Okay, Mr. Eight plex man, head over to Regency 1.2.and 3. I have the ROCKY HORROR story written out. I HOPE you agree since you and I ARE the only ones left from that wild five weeks, UNLESS, Barry was hiding in the handicap restroom downstairs.