This link is to the October 4, 1952 issue of Boxoffice where the construction and acoustic panels of the Cinema Shoppers World is discussed. There are some photos.
I would be interested in finding a modern chain complex that has subdivided a theatre for more screens. It seems unless space is an issue that most chains nowadays will choose to add on instead of divide.
And thus begins another year of corrections stating another chain owns it. To me, the theatre is still just the Plaza 5… whomever owns it should be represented in the chain listing and not the name of the theatre… but that’s just me.
It’s not alawys up to the theatre operator as to whether or not another theatre is built. I’m sure nobody wants to make one of their own theatres obsolete but when a retail developer announces they’re putting a theatre in, they’re going to do it with or without you. So even though opening a new 20-plex may have hurt Century’s own Berryessa, it was likely Century do it (and get the money) or let another chain come in and get the money. Either way you’re screwed as a theatre operator and in the process, yes… we waste a building.
Why did Maya gut the theatre? It already had stadium seating, just need new seats and a thorough cleaning. Unless all those rumors I heard about structural instablity were true…?
It is in fact reopening on FRI May 7, 2010. Iron Man 2 will show at 8:00pm and 10:25pm on FRI, SAT & SUN and starting Monday it will become a double feature with How to Train Your Dragon.
General Admission is $6.75 – Children 3-11 are $1.00. On Tuesdays General Admission is $4.75.
While the parking area could use a fresh paving I’m sure that’s something that will come in time should the drive-in be a success. As for the rest of the property it has been spruced up leaps and bounds since West Wind took it over, take a look at Cinematour.
I think the area may have just become overscreened. If I recall my Cinematouring around that area there were a bunch of other theatres within a couple of miles.
February 6, 1978 issue of Boxoffice has an article about the location installing Christie AW3’s for their March 25, 1977 opening of Star Wars. Article says the theatre was seven years old at the time.
Sadly I think it has something to do with antiquated laws/regulations concerning parking:seat ratios. Back in the days of singles and twins it was fairly predictable to say a city needs X spaces to accomodate Y seats. Now this predictability is gone since theatres have learned to minimize downtime and ensure a constant steady stream of customers. It’s just my guess but I think the city is probably bound to operate under the outdated regulations and the theatres take advantage of that.
At least I hope so because if politicians can’t understand that twice as many choices might draw twice as many customers then we truly do elect some strange individuals.
I love that city councils think that keeping the number of seats the same means the same amount of traffic… don’t they understand that half those seats are empty anyway? If they spread the same seats out over 14 screens there will be TWICE the traffic regardless.
I enjoy that the building owner wants the tennant to make a capital investment in their property. In my experience in the theatre business that’s not usually how it works. If the landlord wants AMC to stay, he needs to make a capital investment.
If you haven’t already, try contacting Metropolitan Theatres. If they’re doing any sort of switch to digital any time soon they may have some old projectors they’d like to get rid of. Also you never know if they have any old projectors in storage from locations that they closed down in the SB area.
Regal shows that the 7-13 is their theatre now but doesn’t mention the 1-6. Did they just up and close that?
View link
This link is to the October 4, 1952 issue of Boxoffice where the construction and acoustic panels of the Cinema Shoppers World is discussed. There are some photos.
This theatre was recently demolished.
I would be interested in finding a modern chain complex that has subdivided a theatre for more screens. It seems unless space is an issue that most chains nowadays will choose to add on instead of divide.
The Chinese in Aurora isn’t really that unique of a design.
And thus begins another year of corrections stating another chain owns it. To me, the theatre is still just the Plaza 5… whomever owns it should be represented in the chain listing and not the name of the theatre… but that’s just me.
It’s not alawys up to the theatre operator as to whether or not another theatre is built. I’m sure nobody wants to make one of their own theatres obsolete but when a retail developer announces they’re putting a theatre in, they’re going to do it with or without you. So even though opening a new 20-plex may have hurt Century’s own Berryessa, it was likely Century do it (and get the money) or let another chain come in and get the money. Either way you’re screwed as a theatre operator and in the process, yes… we waste a building.
News coverage with the Santa Barbara News Press.
www.newspress.tv
That’s the one.
Is the address listed above correct? I thought this theatre was downtown, not on El Camino.
Colony Square was actually originally operated by Mann Theatres until they sold all their Colorado theatres to Colorado Cinemas LLC.
Why did Maya gut the theatre? It already had stadium seating, just need new seats and a thorough cleaning. Unless all those rumors I heard about structural instablity were true…?
I should also note that the screen as been repainted just for the Drive-In, it is no longer dirty as is shown in the 2008 photo.
It is in fact reopening on FRI May 7, 2010. Iron Man 2 will show at 8:00pm and 10:25pm on FRI, SAT & SUN and starting Monday it will become a double feature with How to Train Your Dragon.
General Admission is $6.75 – Children 3-11 are $1.00. On Tuesdays General Admission is $4.75.
More info at www.westwinddi.com
While the parking area could use a fresh paving I’m sure that’s something that will come in time should the drive-in be a success. As for the rest of the property it has been spruced up leaps and bounds since West Wind took it over, take a look at Cinematour.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/10876.html
There are plenty of photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/1933.html
I think the area may have just become overscreened. If I recall my Cinematouring around that area there were a bunch of other theatres within a couple of miles.
The Santa Barbara Drive-In will be reopening on FRI May 7, 2010 to show Iron Man 2. More info to come.
The Century 12 in Abilene is nearly identical to the Century 12 in Odessa with the exception of a few color schemes.
February 6, 1978 issue of Boxoffice has an article about the location installing Christie AW3’s for their March 25, 1977 opening of Star Wars. Article says the theatre was seven years old at the time.
Sadly I think it has something to do with antiquated laws/regulations concerning parking:seat ratios. Back in the days of singles and twins it was fairly predictable to say a city needs X spaces to accomodate Y seats. Now this predictability is gone since theatres have learned to minimize downtime and ensure a constant steady stream of customers. It’s just my guess but I think the city is probably bound to operate under the outdated regulations and the theatres take advantage of that.
At least I hope so because if politicians can’t understand that twice as many choices might draw twice as many customers then we truly do elect some strange individuals.
I love that city councils think that keeping the number of seats the same means the same amount of traffic… don’t they understand that half those seats are empty anyway? If they spread the same seats out over 14 screens there will be TWICE the traffic regardless.
I enjoy that the building owner wants the tennant to make a capital investment in their property. In my experience in the theatre business that’s not usually how it works. If the landlord wants AMC to stay, he needs to make a capital investment.
The photo Chuck posted on 5/22/09 is NOT the Sundance Kabuki. The Kabuki was originally built by AMC and looks very much like a multiplex.
If you haven’t already, try contacting Metropolitan Theatres. If they’re doing any sort of switch to digital any time soon they may have some old projectors they’d like to get rid of. Also you never know if they have any old projectors in storage from locations that they closed down in the SB area.
This was actually an 8-plex when it closed and was called simply Century 8 Oakland. Century 21 & 22 should be an AKA.