Mid American had a screening room in their office building much like the Fox did in their basement. Movies were prescreened before their release. (Info passsed on from Brother Van Bibber)
Screen 1 1955, screen 2 1980, screen 3 1992, screen 4 1992 and screen 5 1995. They are still using 35mm print. Supposedly will convert to digital when it becomes necessary.
From The Hicksville Historical Society:
The Huber Opera House had its humble 1882 beginnings as the two story Mackey’s Brick Hotel. At that time, the building was roughly thirty feet across. Within the decade, the Huber family had purchased the hotel and expanded it about twenty more feet to the west, making a commercial room available for businesses. Traveling salesmen also made use of the hotel as a midtown display area for their wares. Rooms above were small by today’s standards, but fitted with a heat stove, window, and simple furnishings.
After the Pettit Opera House, at the corner of High and Main Streets, burned down, George Huber went into action with plans to transform the hotel into a showplace for live acts. His experience as an NYC hotel and theatre owner gave him a wealth of practical knowledge into the mechanical aspects of theatre needs as well as an artistic eye for outfitting a building for maximum impact.
Opening night was described as a dazzling occasion, with ten arc lights illuminating what was called the audience room and the sophisticated color palette taken from the spectacular stage curtain. Rich golds, blues, and olive greens played against the silvery aluminum and delicate cream tinted terra cotta. Elaborate designs in floor tiling echoed the colors at the building’s front entrance where beautiful paneled doors opened to a spacious lobby.
Theatrically speaking, the Huber was used as a tryout theatre for plays headed to bigger houses in Chicago and New York. William Jennings Bryan was said to have appeared at the Huber along with authors of national note. When local-girl-turned-Broadway-star Amelia Bingham brought her company to town, people paid the unheard of admission price of 75 cents to see the show. Mutt and Jeff’s appearance was advertised on post cards sent to theatre patrons and handed out in advance. In November of 1899, a wild horse was tamed onstage before the eyes of an amazed audience.
For most of its history, the Huber was also a center of community activity. High school graduations and concerts were held there. Class plays and community productions such as Emily White Hull’s Roof Garden Revue and George Patterson’s historical pageants debuted on the Huber stage. War bond rallies, Red Cross meetings, and conventions were held in the auditorium.
Ricky Nelson, Chubby Checker, Huey Lewis, 3 Dog Night, Mike Smith, Tammy Cochran, and Mickey Rooney all took advantage of the near-perfect acoustics. The twentieth century saw silent movies give way to talkies and basketball games.
Then came a time when the building fell into out-of-town ownership and into disrepair and disrepute. Extra law enforcement officers patrolled on weekends and locals avoided downtown Hicksville after dark. In 1994, neighboring business owner Mary Ann Barth suggested the Hicksville Historical Society look into rescuing the building. It took nearly four years to gather enough information and interested parties to work on building acquisition. Area individuals, organizations, civic groups, and government officials formally banded together in 1998 with purchase of the building made by The Huber Opera House and Civic Center in December of 1999. (Click on the thumbnail above to see an artist’s rendering of what the restored opera house may one day look like.)
Many groups and business owners volunteered time and money to further the restoration of the Huber, with the Historical Society working in various capacities until restoration gave way to renovation. While the focus and make-up of the Huber Board has since changed, the Huber remains a place where generations come together and where pride means preserving the past and looking ahead to the future.
Congratulations to Inman residents Dot and Buren Martin. They have purchased the old Inman Theater building and plans are to provide Inman with live entertainment.
The Inman Theater Restoration Project was a volunteer group of citizens, community leaders, and artisans dedicated to restoring the Inman Theater to its former status as a vital entertainment destination in the Inman community. The goal was not only to restore this historic building but to breathe new life and purpose into this Mill Street landmark. By renovating and bringing the structure up to current building codes, its use then becomes limitless and a true asset to the Inman downtown and the surrounding communities as a whole.
Though, the ITP did not purchase the building, our vision HAS been realized with the Martin’s purchase and vision. All of us on the ITP board of directors are delighted with this news. Please support the Martin’s on this endeavor.
The Address for the The Inman Theatre is 43 S. 338, Inman, SC 29349
This theatre was open prior to 1925 as the Imperial Theatre. It became the Star Theatre in the late-1930’s and reverted back to the Imperial in the late-1950’s. It should have an AKA Star Theatre.
The Imperial has made the transition to digital projection and continues to feature first run attractions on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.
A news copy:
August 29, 2012
IMLAY CITY — All has gone dark at the Cinema III, and not in anticipation of the showing of the theater’s next feature film.
Business owner Remo Querciagrossa said a changing industry and escalating economic challenges have forced him to close the doors at the Cedar Street (M-53) location.
Referring to the theater’s demise as a “perfect storm” of unfortunate circumstances, Querciagrossa said the tipping point came when he realized he could no longer rationalize the cost of doing business.
Indeed, that cost will rise dramatically with the coming industrywide transition from 35 millimeter to digital technology.
“All the (film rental) companies I deal with are requiring that we go to digital,” said Querciagrossa. “The contracts have to be signed by next month, with installation required by April 1, 2013.” Querciagrossa estimated he would need to spend about $250,000 to purchase and install the new equipment in his three theaters in Imlay City.
Signs thanking customers for their patronage posted on doors of Cinema III. photo by Tom Wearing.
“I’ve exhausted my financial options,” he said. “With no guaranteed return on the investment, it just no longer makes financial sense to continue.”
While financial realities play large in his decision to close the theater, Querciagrossa lays some of the blame on the film industry’s inability to make movies that attract large, broad-based audiences.
“Other than the superhero and comic book films, the originality of the product coming out of Hollywood has suffered in recent years,” he said. “All they’re doing is remakes. The quality of films has diminished and attendance at movie theaters has followed suit.”
Querciagrossa purchased the theater and building in late 2008, and opened for business in January 2009.
His initial plan was to re-create the flavor of a small-town movie house, featuring first-run and classic movies at affordable prices to customers.
He followed through on that premise by participating in the Downtown Development Authority’s ‘Winter Film Series,’ which offered free admission to classic and family-friendly movies on given nights during the winter months.
Though moderately successful with the program, it and other promotions did not translate to consistently large crowds at the theater.
Querciagrossa nevertheless expressed his appreciation for the support he and Cinema III received from its loyal core of regular patrons.
“We had some good community support,” said Querciagrossa. “We want to thank all those regular customers for their loyalty and patronage.
"I just wish that more people had taken advantage of the theater being here," he continued. "That might have justified our digital conversion cost.”
The past aside, Querciagrossa is hopeful that someone with deeper pockets and a similar passion for movies, will purchase the building and reopen the theater.
“My first choice is to sell to a larger theater operator,” he said, “someone who is in the position to make the transition to digital and be successful here in Imlay City.”
Lssu91 Was the fire on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve? Most articles say New Years Eve. They wre playing “The Return Of The Jedi” and “The Dead Zone”. Also was this theatre located in Pontiac or Waterford Township?
Actually the original address for the Ritz was 3206 Pascagoula St., The Watts address is for the entrance in the side that the current occupants have made.
The Gregg Theatre is open showing current first run attractions.
The Roxy Theatre is open but their website says it is a venue for live events. No mention of showing movies. Their website
3679 South Highland Drive is the correct address for this drive-in.
TheHi-Way 50 Drive-In has made the conversion to digital projection. Thir website
The Holiday Drive-In has made the conversion to digital projection.
Mid American had a screening room in their office building much like the Fox did in their basement. Movies were prescreened before their release. (Info passsed on from Brother Van Bibber)
The address listed by jwmovies is the same as the display ads. 121 Tennessee Rd., Erwin, TN 37650
According to the display ads the drive-in was located at 5107 W. Holiday Drive, Peoria, IL. 61602
Screen 1 1955, screen 2 1980, screen 3 1992, screen 4 1992 and screen 5 1995. They are still using 35mm print. Supposedly will convert to digital when it becomes necessary.
From The Hicksville Historical Society: The Huber Opera House had its humble 1882 beginnings as the two story Mackey’s Brick Hotel. At that time, the building was roughly thirty feet across. Within the decade, the Huber family had purchased the hotel and expanded it about twenty more feet to the west, making a commercial room available for businesses. Traveling salesmen also made use of the hotel as a midtown display area for their wares. Rooms above were small by today’s standards, but fitted with a heat stove, window, and simple furnishings. After the Pettit Opera House, at the corner of High and Main Streets, burned down, George Huber went into action with plans to transform the hotel into a showplace for live acts. His experience as an NYC hotel and theatre owner gave him a wealth of practical knowledge into the mechanical aspects of theatre needs as well as an artistic eye for outfitting a building for maximum impact. Opening night was described as a dazzling occasion, with ten arc lights illuminating what was called the audience room and the sophisticated color palette taken from the spectacular stage curtain. Rich golds, blues, and olive greens played against the silvery aluminum and delicate cream tinted terra cotta. Elaborate designs in floor tiling echoed the colors at the building’s front entrance where beautiful paneled doors opened to a spacious lobby. Theatrically speaking, the Huber was used as a tryout theatre for plays headed to bigger houses in Chicago and New York. William Jennings Bryan was said to have appeared at the Huber along with authors of national note. When local-girl-turned-Broadway-star Amelia Bingham brought her company to town, people paid the unheard of admission price of 75 cents to see the show. Mutt and Jeff’s appearance was advertised on post cards sent to theatre patrons and handed out in advance. In November of 1899, a wild horse was tamed onstage before the eyes of an amazed audience. For most of its history, the Huber was also a center of community activity. High school graduations and concerts were held there. Class plays and community productions such as Emily White Hull’s Roof Garden Revue and George Patterson’s historical pageants debuted on the Huber stage. War bond rallies, Red Cross meetings, and conventions were held in the auditorium. Ricky Nelson, Chubby Checker, Huey Lewis, 3 Dog Night, Mike Smith, Tammy Cochran, and Mickey Rooney all took advantage of the near-perfect acoustics. The twentieth century saw silent movies give way to talkies and basketball games. Then came a time when the building fell into out-of-town ownership and into disrepair and disrepute. Extra law enforcement officers patrolled on weekends and locals avoided downtown Hicksville after dark. In 1994, neighboring business owner Mary Ann Barth suggested the Hicksville Historical Society look into rescuing the building. It took nearly four years to gather enough information and interested parties to work on building acquisition. Area individuals, organizations, civic groups, and government officials formally banded together in 1998 with purchase of the building made by The Huber Opera House and Civic Center in December of 1999. (Click on the thumbnail above to see an artist’s rendering of what the restored opera house may one day look like.) Many groups and business owners volunteered time and money to further the restoration of the Huber, with the Historical Society working in various capacities until restoration gave way to renovation. While the focus and make-up of the Huber Board has since changed, the Huber remains a place where generations come together and where pride means preserving the past and looking ahead to the future.
Mainstreet should be all one word.
The Hoover theatre was listed as open in 1931 with 325 seats. The theatre was still listed as open in the early-1960’s.
Congratulations to Inman residents Dot and Buren Martin. They have purchased the old Inman Theater building and plans are to provide Inman with live entertainment. The Inman Theater Restoration Project was a volunteer group of citizens, community leaders, and artisans dedicated to restoring the Inman Theater to its former status as a vital entertainment destination in the Inman community. The goal was not only to restore this historic building but to breathe new life and purpose into this Mill Street landmark. By renovating and bringing the structure up to current building codes, its use then becomes limitless and a true asset to the Inman downtown and the surrounding communities as a whole. Though, the ITP did not purchase the building, our vision HAS been realized with the Martin’s purchase and vision. All of us on the ITP board of directors are delighted with this news. Please support the Martin’s on this endeavor. The Address for the The Inman Theatre is 43 S. 338, Inman, SC 29349
This theatre was open prior to 1925 as the Imperial Theatre. It became the Star Theatre in the late-1930’s and reverted back to the Imperial in the late-1950’s. It should have an AKA Star Theatre. The Imperial has made the transition to digital projection and continues to feature first run attractions on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.
A news copy: August 29, 2012 IMLAY CITY — All has gone dark at the Cinema III, and not in anticipation of the showing of the theater’s next feature film. Business owner Remo Querciagrossa said a changing industry and escalating economic challenges have forced him to close the doors at the Cedar Street (M-53) location. Referring to the theater’s demise as a “perfect storm” of unfortunate circumstances, Querciagrossa said the tipping point came when he realized he could no longer rationalize the cost of doing business. Indeed, that cost will rise dramatically with the coming industrywide transition from 35 millimeter to digital technology. “All the (film rental) companies I deal with are requiring that we go to digital,” said Querciagrossa. “The contracts have to be signed by next month, with installation required by April 1, 2013.” Querciagrossa estimated he would need to spend about $250,000 to purchase and install the new equipment in his three theaters in Imlay City. Signs thanking customers for their patronage posted on doors of Cinema III. photo by Tom Wearing.
“I’ve exhausted my financial options,” he said. “With no guaranteed return on the investment, it just no longer makes financial sense to continue.” While financial realities play large in his decision to close the theater, Querciagrossa lays some of the blame on the film industry’s inability to make movies that attract large, broad-based audiences. “Other than the superhero and comic book films, the originality of the product coming out of Hollywood has suffered in recent years,” he said. “All they’re doing is remakes. The quality of films has diminished and attendance at movie theaters has followed suit.” Querciagrossa purchased the theater and building in late 2008, and opened for business in January 2009. His initial plan was to re-create the flavor of a small-town movie house, featuring first-run and classic movies at affordable prices to customers. He followed through on that premise by participating in the Downtown Development Authority’s ‘Winter Film Series,’ which offered free admission to classic and family-friendly movies on given nights during the winter months. Though moderately successful with the program, it and other promotions did not translate to consistently large crowds at the theater. Querciagrossa nevertheless expressed his appreciation for the support he and Cinema III received from its loyal core of regular patrons. “We had some good community support,” said Querciagrossa. “We want to thank all those regular customers for their loyalty and patronage. "I just wish that more people had taken advantage of the theater being here," he continued. "That might have justified our digital conversion cost.” The past aside, Querciagrossa is hopeful that someone with deeper pockets and a similar passion for movies, will purchase the building and reopen the theater. “My first choice is to sell to a larger theater operator,” he said, “someone who is in the position to make the transition to digital and be successful here in Imlay City.”
Lssu91 Was the fire on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve? Most articles say New Years Eve. They wre playing “The Return Of The Jedi” and “The Dead Zone”. Also was this theatre located in Pontiac or Waterford Township?
This drive-in has made the conversion to digital projection.
The paneling is gone but the lighting is the same. Auditoriums completely remodeled. Still a buisy theatre.
Mitchell Theatres has expanded this theatre to 6 screens. It is now the Lakeside Cinema 6. New website
The address listed for this theatre was 3200 Lake Ave., Rochester, NY. 14612 It does map properly with this address.
The Lamar has made the conversion to digital projection. They are showing first run attractions.
The address on the Liberty/Gem Theatre should be 105 S. Madison St., Malden, MO 63863. The building is still standing and in use.
The address on the door of the theatre is 3157 Main Highway, Bamberg, SC 29003.
Actually the original address for the Ritz was 3206 Pascagoula St., The Watts address is for the entrance in the side that the current occupants have made.
When the Greenfield Cinemas South opened in 1986 it was a first run house.