July 21, 1950 is the exact opening date, opening with Judy Garland in “In The Good Old Summertime” and Joel McCrea in “East Of St. Louis” along with a few unnamed cartoons. Grand opening ad posted.
The University Plaza Theaters opened its doors as a twin on May 7, 1969 with a double Clint Eastwood feature of “For A Few Dollars More” and “A Fistful Of Dollars” in Screen 1 and “Faces” in Screen 2. It was originally operated by Associated Theatres, while the nearby downtown Kent Theatre at the time was operated by the Pittsburgh Theatres Corporation (or Pittsburgh Theatres Corp). Cinemette Corporation of America later took over the Plaza for a very short period of time before the Pittsburgh Theatre Corporation (locally registered under the name Ohio Movies at the time) took it over.
A third screen was added in mid-1983, followed by an additional four more screens in late-March 1984, creating a seven-screen multiplex as the “Plaza 7”, but later renamed “Plaza Kent Theaters”. Its name was later swapped to just “Kent Plaza Theaters”. An eighth screen was added in 1995, and two more screens were added on November 27, 2002 after being taken over by Moviescoop, bringing a total to 10 screens.
The Elco Theatre actually operated as early as 1924. It was closed on June 30, 1958 with Rock Hudson in the appropriate-titled “A Farewell To Arms” (unknown if extras added).
In May 1961, the World Premiere of “Return To Peyton Place” starring Carol Lynley was held at the Colonial. The original auditorium was divided into a five-plex in 1983, with the main auditorium dividing into four screens and the stage area converting into a fifth screen. The Colonial closed as a movie theater in August 2002, that also housed a pizza place in a separate area.
On June 15, 2015, the city of Laconia announced they had partnered the Belknap Economic Development Council (BEDC) on a $15 million package to purchase, restore and reopen the Colonial Theatre as well as redevelop the retail space and the 14 apartments in the building. BEDC created a limited liability corporation, 609 Main Street, LLC, to run a capital campaign to cover some of the cost of restoring the building. The first part of rehabilitation began in March 2016 when the partitions that divided the auditorium into four screens was removed and was reverted back to its original single-screener.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Once operated by Hoyts.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
Taken over by Regal on March 28, 2003.
This was originally a Martin Theatres theater, so 1984 or 1985 seems to be right.
A short-lived video store began operating in the lobby in 1986.
The old city hall/fire department with a Fedelcode Model 7 siren on top. I wonder what happened to the old hall.
July 21, 1950 is the exact opening date, opening with Judy Garland in “In The Good Old Summertime” and Joel McCrea in “East Of St. Louis” along with a few unnamed cartoons. Grand opening ad posted.
Edited from my July 9, 2024 (10:02 AM) comment:
The University Plaza Theaters opened its doors as a twin on May 7, 1969 with a double Clint Eastwood feature of “For A Few Dollars More” and “A Fistful Of Dollars” in Screen 1 and “Faces” in Screen 2. It was originally operated by Associated Theatres, while the nearby downtown Kent Theatre at the time was operated by the Pittsburgh Theatres Corporation (or Pittsburgh Theatres Corp). Cinemette Corporation of America later took over the Plaza for a very short period of time before the Pittsburgh Theatre Corporation (locally registered under the name Ohio Movies at the time) took it over.
A third screen was added in mid-1983, followed by an additional four more screens in late-March 1984, creating a seven-screen multiplex as the “Plaza 7”, but later renamed “Plaza Kent Theaters”. Its name was later swapped to just “Kent Plaza Theaters”. An eighth screen was added in 1995, and two more screens were added on November 27, 2002 after being taken over by Moviescoop, bringing a total to 10 screens.
Twinned in December 1973.
The nearby Marunouchi Piccadilly also opened on the same day as the Nippon Nichigeki Theatres.
A 1957 aerial view shows the drive-in, meaning that it opened before that year.
Closed as a movie theater in late-January 1978, and became a chiropractor office the following month.
It’s been 100 years since the legendary and historic Route 66 was formed.
Spammer trash? I don’t know who the hell did it. Also, if you click on any theater function, it takes you to an error screen.
Once operated by Cinemark.
Most likely closed as a full-time movie house on May 11, 1995. The Central City 10 opened the following day.
Last operated with three screens.
The Elco Theatre actually operated as early as 1924. It was closed on June 30, 1958 with Rock Hudson in the appropriate-titled “A Farewell To Arms” (unknown if extras added).
Last operated by RKO Stanley Warner.
In May 1961, the World Premiere of “Return To Peyton Place” starring Carol Lynley was held at the Colonial. The original auditorium was divided into a five-plex in 1983, with the main auditorium dividing into four screens and the stage area converting into a fifth screen. The Colonial closed as a movie theater in August 2002, that also housed a pizza place in a separate area.
On June 15, 2015, the city of Laconia announced they had partnered the Belknap Economic Development Council (BEDC) on a $15 million package to purchase, restore and reopen the Colonial Theatre as well as redevelop the retail space and the 14 apartments in the building. BEDC created a limited liability corporation, 609 Main Street, LLC, to run a capital campaign to cover some of the cost of restoring the building. The first part of rehabilitation began in March 2016 when the partitions that divided the auditorium into four screens was removed and was reverted back to its original single-screener.
Operated as early as 1907.
Actual opening date is May 16, 1909.
Still open in 1979.