I think they got the information for the motion picture almanacs about six months ahead of time, so it could have closed in 1970. I’ve seen a few 1970 entries where the theater had already been demolished the year before.
This theater was operated by A.I.T. Theaters in the early seventies. This was an Oceanside, NY-based chain that operated in several NY cities at the time.
In 1970 the Ronkonkoma was operated by A.I.T. Theaters, a company based in Oceanside, NY. Conrad Baker was the president. AIT also operated theaters in Bellmore, Bethpage, Levittown, Massapequam Oceanside, Plainview, Farmingdale, Commack, Deer Park, Hauppage, Kings Park and Setaucket at that time.
This is a 1951 ad from the Deming Headlight. Perhaps the Cinema 3 opened in the 80s, but the building was used as a theater years before: http://tinyurl.com/2glraz
I think they got the information for the motion picture almanacs about six months ahead of time, so it could have closed in 1970. I’ve seen a few 1970 entries where the theater had already been demolished the year before.
Here is another view of the marquee from JTFox’s source of May 2006:
http://lanepl.org/CMR_16/IMG0040.jpg
The Mars was part of Alliance Amusements, a Chicago-based company, in the early seventies.
In 1970 the Saunders was operated by the Alliance Amusement Co. President was Spiro J. Papas.
This theater was operated by A.I.T. Theaters in the early seventies. This was an Oceanside, NY-based chain that operated in several NY cities at the time.
In 1970 the Ronkonkoma was operated by A.I.T. Theaters, a company based in Oceanside, NY. Conrad Baker was the president. AIT also operated theaters in Bellmore, Bethpage, Levittown, Massapequam Oceanside, Plainview, Farmingdale, Commack, Deer Park, Hauppage, Kings Park and Setaucket at that time.
The Corral was operated by the Pioneer Circuit throughout the sixties. Capacity was 350 cars, according to the 1970 IMPA.
Here is a February 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/28ndwg
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/3cq2or
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2nr66u
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2j89ae
It looks like the El Rancho and the Luna may have been part of the same chain at that time.
This whole block is now office buildings, I think.
The photo posted on 12/1/06 states that the Cinema 3 was formerly the El Rancho Theater.
Here is a May 1949 ad from the Press-Telegram:
http://tinyurl.com/3y363e
That must be the one. Thanks.
Here is a June 1969 ad from the Lima News:
http://tinyurl.com/yvyy4o
This is a 1951 ad from the Deming Headlight. Perhaps the Cinema 3 opened in the 80s, but the building was used as a theater years before:
http://tinyurl.com/2glraz
This ad was in the Press-Telegram in May 1949. I can’t place the location:
http://tinyurl.com/3y363e
Here is an August 1952 ad from the Valley Morning News:
http://tinyurl.com/2g6prz
Here is a grand opening ad from July 1955:
http://tinyurl.com/2edgwh
Here is a March 1958 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/yqbndk
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/2zr23a
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/27wkr6
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/ywn2r9