New 400 Theaters

I’ve been a little out of the loop lately. Village Theatres has bitten the dust? Yeah, I’ll shed a tear for them. They were one of the worst chains ever.

According to the ChiTown Daily News, the owner of the strip mall plans on renovating and reopening the theater himself. Perhaps this should be listed as “Closed/Renovating/Restoring”?

Can we agree now that changing this listing to “Visionary” was premature, since it was only a name used on the telephone for about a month?

Postings from the Bristol TN theatres indicate that Russo is a former general manager for Village.

Jimpiscitelli, no doubt I’m aiming to reopen 7-8 and 9-10. 9-10 still sits off Torrence Ave in the mall lot, boarded up and all.

To CinemarkFan: If you are going after the River Oaks not only 1-6, but hopefully go can go after 7-8 and especially 9-10 if it is still standing and not converted to retail or demolished.

As for the Golf Glen, why bother reopening it when you have the Showplace 12 at Golf Mill.

Yeah, I’m not sure it’s time yet to change the name, since Visionary Theatres is obviously a corporate name.

Paul and BW, how are you guys willing to bet that in the next few months, improvments will start being made?

I finally went here in August to see the latest “Mummy” flick, and I was impressed with the place. For an old building with management who runs good theaters (Water Tower, Burnham Plaza, Stratford Square) in the ground, it was in decent condition. What I hope Visionary will do is install new carpeting, improve bathrooms, new decor, because the current state makes it look like a seedy nightclub. This is really evident in the hallway leading to auditoriums 3-4. Of course new seats and lighting in the auditoriums themselves would be swell. The current condition is a lot better than what some user reviews at yelp.com make them out to be. But then I was at an afternoon showing. All and all, I will return soon, and combine it with another trip to Carmen’s Pizza (great stuff) a few blocks away.

I can’t remember the exact seating count, but #1 seats 140. 2 seats 100, 3 and 4 both seat about 120.

Everyone give props to Paul, who predicted that Village Theatres would be gone by 2008. With my theater corporation yet to get off the ground, this was a lesson in how NOT to run a business. It is truly sad how some once good or great theaters have died early deaths under Village’s reign. Had someone with a plan entered the business, Burnham Plaza and the Village in old town would’ve been around longer. Same can be said for Stratford Square, which could’ve survived in it’s original carnation. I would’ve added 2-4 screens to it, then remodel the nearby Bloomingdale Court. Yeah I know the new Century/Cinemark is the thing, but I still love those early 80s mall theaters with big screens and simple decor. And SS opened in March of 1981.

Anyway, rant over. But looking at some of their theaters, Water Tower’s days were numbered long ago. They really went under when ICE management took over, then couldn’t pay taxes. And I don’t know how long Lincoln Village has. The current mix of Bollywood and first run movies aren’t bringing in LOTS of people needed to stay strong. And it needs improvments badly. And on another note, Phoenix Theaters is reopening Golf Glen soon. And me, I’m going after River Oaks (keep fingers crossed everyone!). I have a name for my potential corporation too, but I want to suprise everyone.

Rant really over. And happy thanksgiving everyone!

I wonder who owns it and operates it. Is it independent?

Robin,

I think it is official. The Fandango website is now showing it as “Visionary Theatres” View link

So the name of this theatre should be “Visionary Theatres”.

Does anyone know how I can obtain a picture of the 400 Theater to use in a tribute video about my parents for their upcoming 59th anniversary?

They met at the 400 in 1946 and used to go there to see films while dating. They were married in late 1950.

Also needed are some stills of Sullivan High School from that same era.

I must complete the editing by Nov 25th 2008. Contact me at:

Your help is much appreciated.

Update, the one in Blountville is now a Nova Cinemas, per Yahoo Movies.

The 400 was another one that in the `80’s had midnight runs of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. I heard from a friend that it was pretty much a free for all, where attendees threw their toast and what not with no apparent intervention by management.

I seem to remember they did get a crack at some pretty good 2nd run films at one time. Maybe even first run since the closest theatre still operating in the 90’s was the Adelphi.

The only film I remember seeing at the 400 was some indie action romp, starring John Matusak formerly of Oakland Raiders and “North Dallas Forty” fame. He died not long after the film was released. So maybe 1988 or so.

The Oasis was/is a 4am tavern just across the street on Sheridan. It was pretty much necessary after that.