February 7,1975…..
The Movie That Ended The Godfather Part II run…..
“W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS”-First Run Showing!!!
With Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Connie Van Dyke
Rated “PG”
The Merrimon Twin Theatre opened on December 21,1973 by Irwin and Fuller Theatres. It was also known as the Merrimon North and South Theatres. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the Merrimon Twin Theatres was Walt Disney’s animated feature ROBIN HOOD that played on two screens for one week.
The following week,the Merrimon South section opened on December 28,1973 with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in PAPILLON that played to capacity crowds.
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS TO THE MERRIMON NORTH & SOUTH:
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in THE STING
Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn along with Lee J. Cobb in the biggest movie event of the year THE EXORCIST
Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss in AMERICAN GRAFFITI
CORRECTION: This theatre did not open in 1970. In fact,THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA at Riverview Shopping Center in North Durham originally opened on April 26,1972 as a 550-seat single screen theatre. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the RIVERVIEW CINEMA was “The French Connection” starring Gene Hackman. The coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA prior to its opening in 1972 were basically a Sidney Poitier double feature with “They Called Me Mister Tibbs!”,and “The Organization”..other coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA…“Hammer!” with Fred Williamson, “Cotton Comes To Harlem” with Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques and “The Chinese Connection” starring Bruce Lee.
This was be reposted on the Cinema Treasures site.
From the tagline…It’s “MASH” with an “X”! “MASH’D”
I found some information on this movie. It was an “X” rated movie from 1976 and it starred two porn actresses of their day…Remember Annie Sprinkle and Andrea True.
Mike Rogers: “MASH’D” was a X-rated rip off of “MASH”…imagine members of the 4077th doing explicit sex acts in a porn parody of the TV-show and the 1970 movie……..I thought the girl was NO Loretta Swit…
STAR WARS played here at the Dreamland Drive-In as one of the many re-releases on July 21,1978 that brought in capacity crowds….STAR WARS played here for several weeks before it ended its run on September 7,1978.
First “PG” rated film….BILLY JACK in 1971….
First “R” rated film ..LADY SINGS THE BLUES from 1972
Second “R” rated film…WHICH WAY IS UP? from 1977
My first “G” rated film…Disney’s THAT DARN CAT
My first “X” rated film…EMANUELLE from 1974
My Third “R” rated film…THE EXORCIST..I saw this…
Ed Solero and Mike Rogers: I’m surprised that NO ONE even mentioned SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT in the comments. This 1977 film became a boxoffice smash with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field and not to mention the comedical comeback of Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice….I remember going to see this movie around the summer of 1977 at the Northgate Twin Theatres in Durham, NC opening weekend….the lines were snaked from one end of the shopping center to the other with the first two matinee showings SOLD OUT…Very funny film that was “PG” rated….
The year 1977…..on the record charts…..THE BEE GEES, THE TRAMMPS,THELMA HOUSTON,DONNA SUMMER,THE SPINNERS…
On Television….ABC had the top five TV hits in 1977..
“THREE’S COMPANY”, “HAPPY DAYS”, “CHARLIE’S ANGELS”,
“THE LOVE BOAT”, “THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN”……..
At CBS…“ALL IN THE FAMILY”, “THE JEFFERSONS”, “MASH”,
“THE BOB NEWHART SHOW”,and “60 MINUTES”……In 1977…not to mention “GOOD TIMES”,and “THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW”…even “KOJAK”,and “THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW”!
At NBC…“THE ROCKFORD FILES”, “CHICO AND THE MAN”,
“LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE”, “SANFORD AND SON”,not to mention Angie Dickinson in “POLICEWOMAN”…1977
1977….the top four highest grossing movies at the boxoffice…..
“STAR WARS”-was still going strong during Christmas of 77
“CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND”
“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”-John Travolta….DISCO BOY!!!
“SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT”-I put it there since it needed to be mentioned!!! In 1977,this was a runaway boxoffice hit becoming the 3rd highest grossing film of 1977 behind STAR WARS AND CLOSE ENCOUNTERS!!!…ANNIE HALL does not count!!!!
There is a Galaxy Theatres located in Cary,North Carolina too that is a six-screen cinema that specializes in showing first-run independent features as well as Bollywood,Foreign and Documentary films.
There is an great article that was mentioned from the Raleigh News and Observer’s Saturday July 1,1967 ad about the Cardinal Theatre grand opening. Beverly Hall was the manager of the theatre. The grand opening feature was the Doris Day and Richard Harris espionage comedy CAPRICE.
The original Cardinal Theatre upon its opening in 1967 had a huge auditorium with a seating capacity of 750 that had a round “Ultravision” screen that had a 180 degree angle for showing bigger presentations that were capable of films that were in either 70MM and 35MM formats. By 1977 when this theatre was twinned,they kept the original “Ultravision” screen and basically equipped
it with a Dobly Stereo Sound System in December of 1977 for its showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. This theatre was one of five theatres in the state in 1980 to get the full 70MM-6 Track Dobly Stereo engagement showing of “The Empire Strikes Back”,and in 1984 for “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” that was also in 70MM. This theatre closed in 1990 under Cineplex Odeon.
The Tri-City Shopping Center opened in 1969 with Mason’s Department Store as its main anchor along with two grocery stores……A&P and Harris Teeter….a Eckerd Drugs and specialty shops.
CORRECTION:
It was known as the CINEMA upon its opening in 1967. The theatre was next door to a record store. The Richmond Plaza opened in 1966 with a Penney’s Department Store as its primary anchor. On the other end was a Big Star/Colonial Stores grocer,and later on a Bi-Lo. There was a Roses Department Store, a Macks Department Store, a neighborhood pharmacy, Baxter’s Men Shop,Kinney Shoes,Lerner Shops and other specialty stores. And speaking of Belk’s,it didn’t open in Richmond Plaza until 1978 when the Belk’s located in Downtown Rockingham closed and moved there. As of this writing…the Penney’s is still there,as well as Belk’s and Roses. The building that was the CINEMA is vacant that closed in 1998 by Carmike Cinemas.
February 7,1975….. The Movie That Ended The Godfather Part II run….. “W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS”-First Run Showing!!! With Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Connie Van Dyke Rated “PG”
Friday January 31,1975 Showing at the Plaza……
Double Feature with Issac Hayes in “TRUCK TURNER” and Pam Grier in “FOXY BROWN”-Both features Rated “R”
Plaza II: THE HOUSE THAT VANISHED
COMING ATTRACTIONS: Sonny Chiba in THE STREET FIGHTER “THE TEACHER” with Angela Tompkins and Jay North “POLICEWOMAN” with Sondra Currie and Tony Young
From the Asheville Citizen ad from December 25,1974:
NOW PLAYING: “Is Just As Exciting And Far More Ambitious Than The First "Godfather”
FRANCIS FORD COPPULA’S “THE GODFATHER:PART II”
Exclusive First-Run Asheville Showing!!! No Passes!!!
With Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Robert De Niro
The Merrimon Twin Theatre opened on December 21,1973 by Irwin and Fuller Theatres. It was also known as the Merrimon North and South Theatres. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the Merrimon Twin Theatres was Walt Disney’s animated feature ROBIN HOOD that played on two screens for one week.
The following week,the Merrimon South section opened on December 28,1973 with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in PAPILLON that played to capacity crowds.
THE COMING ATTRACTIONS TO THE MERRIMON NORTH & SOUTH:
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in THE STING
Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn along with Lee J. Cobb in the biggest movie event of the year THE EXORCIST
Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss in AMERICAN GRAFFITI
June 17,1973:NOW PLAYING AT THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA
It’s Fred Williamson In Action HELL UP IN HARLEM!!!
COMING SOON:
Pam Grier in THE ARENA
Bruce Lee in THE CHINESE CONNECTION
December 23 1975: NOW PLAYING AT THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA Pam Grier and Yaphet Kotto in “FRIDAY FOSTER”
Coming Soon:
Fred “Hammer” Williamson in “MEAN JOHNNY BURROWS”
Sonny Chiba in “REVENGE OF THE STREET FIGHTER”
Address: TERRACE THEATRES AT FRIENDLY CENTER 3120 Northline Avenue Friendly Center Shopping Center Greensboro, NC 27408
Address for the RIVERVIEW TWIN CINEMA
5200 North Roxboro Road Riverview Shopping Center Durham, NC 27704
CORRECTION: This theatre did not open in 1970. In fact,THE RIVERVIEW CINEMA at Riverview Shopping Center in North Durham originally opened on April 26,1972 as a 550-seat single screen theatre. The premiere attraction for the grand opening of the RIVERVIEW CINEMA was “The French Connection” starring Gene Hackman. The coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA prior to its opening in 1972 were basically a Sidney Poitier double feature with “They Called Me Mister Tibbs!”,and “The Organization”..other coming attractions to the RIVERVIEW CINEMA…“Hammer!” with Fred Williamson, “Cotton Comes To Harlem” with Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques and “The Chinese Connection” starring Bruce Lee. This was be reposted on the Cinema Treasures site.
I have the ads from the Imperial Cinema I-IV’s grand opening ad from December 23,1977.
fred1: for your information………………….
This is the website for the Galaxy Cinema…….
www.mygalaxycinema.com
The theatre is independently owned and operated and not part of the chain of Galaxy Theatres.
From the tagline…It’s “MASH” with an “X”! “MASH’D”
I found some information on this movie. It was an “X” rated movie from 1976 and it starred two porn actresses of their day…Remember Annie Sprinkle and Andrea True.
Mike Rogers: “MASH’D” was a X-rated rip off of “MASH”…imagine members of the 4077th doing explicit sex acts in a porn parody of the TV-show and the 1970 movie……..I thought the girl was NO Loretta Swit…
STAR WARS played here at the Dreamland Drive-In as one of the many re-releases on July 21,1978 that brought in capacity crowds….STAR WARS played here for several weeks before it ended its run on September 7,1978.
First “PG” rated film….BILLY JACK in 1971…. First “R” rated film ..LADY SINGS THE BLUES from 1972 Second “R” rated film…WHICH WAY IS UP? from 1977 My first “G” rated film…Disney’s THAT DARN CAT My first “X” rated film…EMANUELLE from 1974 My Third “R” rated film…THE EXORCIST..I saw this…
Ed Solero and Mike Rogers: I’m surprised that NO ONE even mentioned SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT in the comments. This 1977 film became a boxoffice smash with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field and not to mention the comedical comeback of Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice….I remember going to see this movie around the summer of 1977 at the Northgate Twin Theatres in Durham, NC opening weekend….the lines were snaked from one end of the shopping center to the other with the first two matinee showings SOLD OUT…Very funny film that was “PG” rated….
The year 1977…..on the record charts…..THE BEE GEES, THE TRAMMPS,THELMA HOUSTON,DONNA SUMMER,THE SPINNERS…
On Television….ABC had the top five TV hits in 1977.. “THREE’S COMPANY”, “HAPPY DAYS”, “CHARLIE’S ANGELS”, “THE LOVE BOAT”, “THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN”……..
At CBS…“ALL IN THE FAMILY”, “THE JEFFERSONS”, “MASH”, “THE BOB NEWHART SHOW”,and “60 MINUTES”……In 1977…not to mention “GOOD TIMES”,and “THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW”…even “KOJAK”,and “THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW”!
At NBC…“THE ROCKFORD FILES”, “CHICO AND THE MAN”, “LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE”, “SANFORD AND SON”,not to mention Angie Dickinson in “POLICEWOMAN”…1977
1977….the top four highest grossing movies at the boxoffice…..
“STAR WARS”-was still going strong during Christmas of 77
“CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND”
“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”-John Travolta….DISCO BOY!!!
“SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT”-I put it there since it needed to be mentioned!!! In 1977,this was a runaway boxoffice hit becoming the 3rd highest grossing film of 1977 behind STAR WARS AND CLOSE ENCOUNTERS!!!…ANNIE HALL does not count!!!!
There is a Galaxy Theatres located in Cary,North Carolina too that is a six-screen cinema that specializes in showing first-run independent features as well as Bollywood,Foreign and Documentary films.
There is an great article that was mentioned from the Raleigh News and Observer’s Saturday July 1,1967 ad about the Cardinal Theatre grand opening. Beverly Hall was the manager of the theatre. The grand opening feature was the Doris Day and Richard Harris espionage comedy CAPRICE.
The original Cardinal Theatre upon its opening in 1967 had a huge auditorium with a seating capacity of 750 that had a round “Ultravision” screen that had a 180 degree angle for showing bigger presentations that were capable of films that were in either 70MM and 35MM formats. By 1977 when this theatre was twinned,they kept the original “Ultravision” screen and basically equipped it with a Dobly Stereo Sound System in December of 1977 for its showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. This theatre was one of five theatres in the state in 1980 to get the full 70MM-6 Track Dobly Stereo engagement showing of “The Empire Strikes Back”,and in 1984 for “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” that was also in 70MM. This theatre closed in 1990 under Cineplex Odeon.
The Tri-City Shopping Center opened in 1969 with Mason’s Department Store as its main anchor along with two grocery stores……A&P and Harris Teeter….a Eckerd Drugs and specialty shops.
This drive-in theatre was a victim to WAL-MART.
CORRECTION: It was known as the CINEMA upon its opening in 1967. The theatre was next door to a record store. The Richmond Plaza opened in 1966 with a Penney’s Department Store as its primary anchor. On the other end was a Big Star/Colonial Stores grocer,and later on a Bi-Lo. There was a Roses Department Store, a Macks Department Store, a neighborhood pharmacy, Baxter’s Men Shop,Kinney Shoes,Lerner Shops and other specialty stores. And speaking of Belk’s,it didn’t open in Richmond Plaza until 1978 when the Belk’s located in Downtown Rockingham closed and moved there. As of this writing…the Penney’s is still there,as well as Belk’s and Roses. The building that was the CINEMA is vacant that closed in 1998 by Carmike Cinemas.
The information on this theatre was changed as of August 28,2012.