Thanks to a good friend who was way more aware than I about this new film, I saw it on several occasions at the State in Cleveland, once at the Summit in Detroit, and of course countless subsequent times in other venues over the years. The runs at the State and Summit were simply magnificent. I will never forget those experiences, or that incredible summer over which ‘2001’ loomed so large.
As always, thanks for the great research marking a notable anniversary and revitalizing some wonderful memories.
It’s a little disappointing that the newsreel doesn’t take us inside, but it’s still essential viewing. I never knew the theater in its prime, but I lived in the area and attended a number of second runs in the mid-1970s, and it was the most amazing interior ever. A supreme loss.
The newsreel ends with Warner Brothers' wish that the theater not be found unworthy. Some five decades later, it was found very unworthy by the city of Beverly Hills, as was much else there. What was once a wonderful “village” of affordable and accessible shops, theaters, bookstores, record stores, and eateries, is now a sterile gold and platinum wasteland, almost unrecognizable to those who knew it only a few decades ago.
Right. I’ve been trying to nail down where on the east side we kids were taken to see it. We were living in Whitehall, and I' m pretty certain it was nearby. I remember GRAND CANYON was still with it.
What I recall from having gone just a couple of times was that you still entered through the main walkway, then jogged around to the left side of the main building, and I believe the doors to the small building were on its south side. I hate to say it but I don’t even recognize it from that photo. I thought there might have been a small patio style entrance, but basically it was just a plain little building with two tiny screens.
Based on my (admittedly few and long ago) memories, that just seems SO out of scale for the size of the theater and its lovely surroundings.
(I have nice memories of visiting Cincinnati in the late 60s and early 70s, and being taken here with family to see “Cactus Flower”, “If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium”, and I think “French Connection”.)
Thanks so much for reviving and continuing this series! Lived in Cleveland from 1967-1972 and my only “Cinerama” film seen there was “2001” at the State (went a few times). I also remember quite well a few other great large format films at the Cedar Center and the Colony in Shaker Square. Again, thanks, and keep up the great work.
When I first saw the schedule, I knew I’d be missing “The Woman in the Window” because I’d be out of town then — and it killed me on Saturday morning, driving up I-71 in Ohio, thinking about the feature about to begin! Really sorry to miss it. Otherwise, it was an all too brief but really fine spring season, and I look forward to the fall one.
Thank you so much for these uploads. My mom and dad bought their first house in Whitehall in 1955, and drive-ins were our chief form of movie-going entertainment. I remember the name Miles, and I have a few memory fragments of this drive-in in particular, due to its configuration on the north side of Main and facing south.
Thanks also, whoever contributed the note about the neighboring root beer drive-in. Don’t remember that specifically, but I have no doubt whatever that we were patrons there as well!
I’d like to echo Bill Heulbig’s sentiment above. Did DEFG leave the site? I don’t know anyone in this thread personally, but if that happened, I believe it’s a loss that needs to be addressed.
Yesindeed. Always loved balconies, and I especially remember sitting up there at the Florida’s summer kids' matinees.
Thanks to a good friend who was way more aware than I about this new film, I saw it on several occasions at the State in Cleveland, once at the Summit in Detroit, and of course countless subsequent times in other venues over the years. The runs at the State and Summit were simply magnificent. I will never forget those experiences, or that incredible summer over which ‘2001’ loomed so large.
As always, thanks for the great research marking a notable anniversary and revitalizing some wonderful memories.
Yeah, what the….?
Wonderful!
Yes, thank you so much for this.
It’s a little disappointing that the newsreel doesn’t take us inside, but it’s still essential viewing. I never knew the theater in its prime, but I lived in the area and attended a number of second runs in the mid-1970s, and it was the most amazing interior ever. A supreme loss.
The newsreel ends with Warner Brothers' wish that the theater not be found unworthy. Some five decades later, it was found very unworthy by the city of Beverly Hills, as was much else there. What was once a wonderful “village” of affordable and accessible shops, theaters, bookstores, record stores, and eateries, is now a sterile gold and platinum wasteland, almost unrecognizable to those who knew it only a few decades ago.
I was in Beechwood Elementary in 4th and 5th grades.
Right. I’ve been trying to nail down where on the east side we kids were taken to see it. We were living in Whitehall, and I' m pretty certain it was nearby. I remember GRAND CANYON was still with it.
(I mean 1959)
kenreiff6, would you remember if the Esquire played Disney’s Sleeping Beauty in its first run — 1958?
Well, I didn’t get the pristine print I’d hoped for, but after a rough start it was mostly good, and seeing PLAYTIME on the big screen was wonderful.
Anyone see the first showing of PLAYTIME? I’m coming down for that one today, with hopes high for a great print.
What I recall from having gone just a couple of times was that you still entered through the main walkway, then jogged around to the left side of the main building, and I believe the doors to the small building were on its south side. I hate to say it but I don’t even recognize it from that photo. I thought there might have been a small patio style entrance, but basically it was just a plain little building with two tiny screens.
Exactly.
It’s still so disheartening.
Granted, I haven’t read the article. Maybe there’s a big silver lining to that.
HORRIBLE!
That’s a real time travel look back at Fort Lauderdale in 1965. Bob Freund. Woody Woodbury.
And what a year…My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music opening in Miami Beach…or just about to.
Take me back. Please.
Thank you, Tinseltoes!
Thank you both for the updates!
Information on the Fort Lauderdale area theaters in those years is extremely welcome. Thank you, sporridge.
(Sure would LOVE to find some more pictures!)
That is great. The interior was all red, I think, when I knew it, but how great to “be in it” again. Yes, more places should have this.
Based on my (admittedly few and long ago) memories, that just seems SO out of scale for the size of the theater and its lovely surroundings.
(I have nice memories of visiting Cincinnati in the late 60s and early 70s, and being taken here with family to see “Cactus Flower”, “If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium”, and I think “French Connection”.)
Five!?
Thanks so much for reviving and continuing this series! Lived in Cleveland from 1967-1972 and my only “Cinerama” film seen there was “2001” at the State (went a few times). I also remember quite well a few other great large format films at the Cedar Center and the Colony in Shaker Square. Again, thanks, and keep up the great work.
When I first saw the schedule, I knew I’d be missing “The Woman in the Window” because I’d be out of town then — and it killed me on Saturday morning, driving up I-71 in Ohio, thinking about the feature about to begin! Really sorry to miss it. Otherwise, it was an all too brief but really fine spring season, and I look forward to the fall one.
Thank you so much for these uploads. My mom and dad bought their first house in Whitehall in 1955, and drive-ins were our chief form of movie-going entertainment. I remember the name Miles, and I have a few memory fragments of this drive-in in particular, due to its configuration on the north side of Main and facing south.
Thanks also, whoever contributed the note about the neighboring root beer drive-in. Don’t remember that specifically, but I have no doubt whatever that we were patrons there as well!
I’d like to echo Bill Heulbig’s sentiment above. Did DEFG leave the site? I don’t know anyone in this thread personally, but if that happened, I believe it’s a loss that needs to be addressed.