The Rivoil Theatre opened in 1958 with a seating capacity of 1,078.
It was owned the operated by Wilby-Kincey Corporation until 1975 when it was acquired by ABC Southeastern Theatres and later on by Plitt Southern Theatres. Stewart and Everett Theatres last operated the Rivoil until its closing in 1980.
Disney’s MARY POPPINS became a roadshow enagement at the Northgate in 1964,running continously during its run and also during it was re-released.
Other roadshow enagements when the Northgate became a single screen cinema were MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY,
CHEYENNE AUTUMN, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE,just to name a few.
Disney’s MARY POPPINS became a roadshow enagement at the Northgate in 1964,running continously during its run and also during it was re-released.
Other roadshow enagements when the Northgate became a single screen cinema were MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY,
CHEYENNE AUTUMN, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE,just to name a few.
A lot has changed at Northgate too,and it has become a breeding ground for a lot of crime activity and gangs that frequently roamed around the mall either looking for trouble or starting something. Just for safety if you ever there,be very careful of your surroundings!!!!
K&S Cafeteria moved to the location in the strip mall where the Harris Teeter grocery used to be(was also formerly a Big Star grocer and Colonial Stores)which replaced Morrison’s Cafeteria.
Sears hasn’t moved since it relocated from its old location on East Main Street Downtown to Northgate Mall where it has been since 1973. The other stores like Willis' Book and Stationary, Tharrington’s Men Store, Robbins', Burton’s Women Shop, Kerr Drugs,
Hahn Shoes,Morrison’s Cafeteria,Pappy’s,Radio Shack,
Spencer Gifts,and the Record Bar are G-O-N-E!!!!
Baskin-Robbins,which replaced Mayberry’s is GONE too!!!
Mayberry’s actually relocated to North Duke Mall for a brief spell,and that is gone too!!!
I too recall going to Morrison’s Cafeteria there which was a very good eating establishment. The Cafeteria was on the opposite side of the mall two or three doors down from the theatre. You probably remember another great restaurant that opened at Northgate Mall too called “Pappy’s” which was a pizzeria style family restaurant chain that also was a ice-cream parlor too
that replaced Mayberry’s in the mid-to-late 1970’s. They also had Baskin-Robbins inside the mall too.This was when Northgate became Durham’s first enclosed shopping center during the mid-1970’s,circa around 1974. Did you know that Chick-Fil-A was the first fast food establishment to opened at Northgate Mall? Its still there ever since it opened in 1974. I remember the stores like Hahn Shoes,Van Stratten’s,and Spencer Gifts,and Radio Shack.
It is quite sad,that Morrison’s is no longer in business and Northgate these days,looks pretty rundown.
Northgate has gotta to be a place for high crime and a lot of gang activity these days,so watch you back!!!!
Yes,Pappy’s and Baskin-Robbins are no longer there. So is Spencer Gifts and the Radio Shack(GONE)not to mention Kerr Drugs,which used to be in the strip mall back in the 1960’s moved inside the mall next to Sears during the 1970’s. The exclusive women’s store Robbins and Tharrington’s Men Store are a piece of Northgate history.
The theatre is still around,but it moved over to the other side of the mall,where it used to be Belk’s and a Thalhimers back in the day(it is now a 10-plex cinema owned by East Coast Entertainment).
Basically,anything goes at this theatre…..they’ll show anything!!!
First-run features, second run features, exclusives, and cult films.
Independent films and foreign features are the speciality of the house.
I got to see “Last Tango In Paris” and “Fritz The Cat”,during a double feature midnight screening here at the Griffith,in its original “X-rated” format.
Also ended up as roadshow enagements at the Lakewood CENTER included
“Grand Prix”,“Far From The Madding Crowd”,and “Ice Station Zebra”,when it was a single screen theatre during the mid-1960’s.
FYI:
If you think “Avatar” is climbing onto the list,then Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has already passed the $200 million mark and still going. Was the Number One movie in America,three weeks in a row.
HISTORY:
The Lakewood Center Theatre opened on November 24,1966 as a single screen theatre with a seating capacity of 800. It remained a single screen theatre until 1970.
When it was a single screen theatre,the CENTER was the first to present exclusive roadshow enagements that included “My Fair Lady”,“The Sound of Music”,“Doctor Zhivago”,and “Battle of the Bulge”. Later would have other exclusive showings for “Camelot”,“Oliver!”,and
“Funny Girl”.
A second auditorium was constructed during the mid-1960’s and in 1970 the CENTER II opened with a seating capacity of 625 for the 12-25-1970 opening of “Patton"
starring George C. Scott and it was a Triangle roadshow enagement.
The Lakewood CENTER THEATRE also had re-released films that were shown as well during their exclusive enagements. Films re-released that played here were
“Gone With The Wind”,“The Ten Commandments”,“Gigi”,
“West Side Story”,“Ben-Hur”,and “Lawrence of Arabia”.
THE NEW LAKEWOOD CENTER THEATRE opens it doors to the public on Thursday November,24,1966 to two grand opening events.
The first one was a private exhibition that was to be shown to prestigious guests and members of the Durham City and County Council and to the Mayor of Durham and it was by invitation only on Sunday,November 20,1966.
The theatre was opened to the general public at 1:00pm on Thursday,November 24,1966 with the Tony Curtis feature “Not With My Wife You Don’t!”
Advertisement from the November 23, 1966 edition of the Durham Herald-Sun:
THE DOORS WILL OPEN TO THE BEAUTIFUL NEW LAKEWOOD CENTER THEATRE…MOVIEGOING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!
The Center Theatre Will Bring Durham And The Triangle Area A Wonderful New World of Luxury And Comfort In Motion Picture Theatres.
-Luxurious Rocking Chairs
-Stereophonic Surround Sound
-Mammoth Cured(Ultravision) Distortion Free Screen
-A Sea of Front Door Parking!!!
-Startling Luxurious Surroundings
With a seating capacity of over 800 and convenient front door parking,the new Center Theatre will make movie going more convenient than ever. From the ultra-plush carpeting,the accoustically draped walls,roomy airflo rocking chairs,you will experience innovations that project you into a new world of moviegoing.
For the eye,the mammoth curved screen reproduces the sharpest distortion-free screen image yet known….
For the ear…full range stereophonic sound envelopes you in a feeling of participation. The latest in electronic air-conditioning insures consistent maximum comfort. From architecture to entertainment,the Center Theatre is an incomparable showplace.
Theater is re-opening with new and classic movies at discount prices!
All Seats for All Shows Are Just $3.00!!!!
They recently had some very good flicks that played at the Varsity.
James Cameron’s Avatar is REALLY pulling in some big business too as the main attraction!!! Forget going to see this in IMAX!!!! “Avatar” has been selling-out shows every night and the crowds are snaked around the cinema all the way down Franklin Street at discount prices! The website is www.varsityonfranklin.com
The classic films ranged from “Gone With The Wind”, “Mary Poppins”,
“Old Yeller”,to “Back To The Future”,“Raiders of the Lost Ark”,
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”,“Fast Times At Ridgemont High”,
“Casablanca”,“A Clockwork Orange”,“Young Frankenstein”,and “Ben-Hur”.
Coming Soon: The Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello beach film festival
It was formerly The Richmond Theatre which opened in 1930 with a seating capacity of 700 that was operated by Wilby-Kincey Theatres.
The Richmond was in business from 1930 until 1964. In 1964,the management changed the name to the Strand Theatre,which was still a 700 seat cinema which Wilby-Kincey operated until the late 1960’s when it was acquired by Charlotte based Eastern Federal Corporation.
The Strand closed in 1975. By the late 1990’s,the Strand was saved from destruction and was turned into a performing art house and live theater. Today,it is known as the Richmond Community Theater.
I notice that in North Carolina that it played for 61 weeks at the Ambassador Theatre in Raleigh when it opened on August 11,1965 in its exclusive enagement run.
It also played in various theatres too: I notice that it also played at the Center in Durham on January 13,1967 as a exclusive enagement. FYI….The Center Theatre in Downtown Durham closed its doors in 1965 and moved to the suburbs at Lakewood Shopping Center in December of 1966. The Center at the time THE SOUND OF MUSIC played there was a single screen theatre and it was shown in stereophonic sound and widescreen too in full 70MM print when it opened on January 13,1967.
Also in March of 1967,it also ended up as a exclusive enagement showing during its run at the Carolina Theatre in Chapel Hill(when it was a single screen theatre with a seating capacity of over 1,145).
It was also re-released in 1973 as also an exclusive enagement run when it played at the Yorktowne Theatre in Durham and the Village Plaza in Chapel Hill. Not to mention was also re-released the following year as well when it played for a short-run at the Cardinal Theatre in Raleigh.
Did the Gaston Mall Cinema played all United Artists features including all of the James Bond films with both Sean Connery and Roger Moore? I know some Woody Allen films made during the 1970’s released under United Artists also have played here as well as some films of various interest like family films including Disney flicks.
“Jaws” was one of two Triangle area theatres that booked the film’s original opening on June 20,1975.
The Yorktowne was still a single screen theatre when “Jaws” officially opened. The original auditorium where it played had a seating capacity of over 800 that included a super widescreen that was capable of showing both 35mm and 70mm films. However,the opening weekend showings brought in record capacity crowds which had it showing at the Yorktowne for 26 weeks.
At the time “Jaws” opened,the second auditorium was under construction and basically almost completed for its 325 seat auditorium for the Yorktowne II’s official opening in late June of 1975 for the opening of “French Connection II”. The only problem the Yorktowne had was the availability for parking which was limited for the cinema’s lot and around back but for additional parking you had to go across to used the parking lot over at the Hutton Building and from there had to walk across the street to the theatre.
Great movie theatre,but had a serious problem with parking there
There was also a African-American drive-in theatre located on either Cheek Road or Fayetteville Street that cater to black audiences during the 1940’s and 1950’s that is not listed on this site. During the 1940’s,the 1950’s and part of the early to mid 1960’s,several theatres in Durham were segregated,and most of the theatres along Pettigrew Street and in other section of the city catered to blacks.
All that changed in 1963,when Durham integrated all theatres and businesses.
The Village Theatre remained a single screen cinema until 1975. On June 20,1975,the Cameron Village Theatres were twinned with the original 750 seat auditorium still intact,and adding another side that expanded the seating to over 900.
The opening of Steven Spielburg’s 1975 blockbuster “Jaws” was the featured opener for the Village Twin that opened to capacity crowds in Screen 1. Screen 2 played a Disney flick “Escape To Witch Mountain” that lasted one week before it booked another flick “The Other Side Of The Mountain” a week later. “Jaws” however was the potential sell-out and crowd pleaser each week where it played at the Village for 26 weeks.
The Northgate Theatre was twinned on June 12, 1975 with the opening features “The Other Side of the Mountain”,and the family feature “Pippi Goes On Board”.
It was owned and operated by Fuqua Theatres Group,which was a subsidiary of Consolidated Theatres before Martin Theatres took over operations in early 1976.
“Home Alone” also played here on two screens in December of 1990. Reason? The lines were snaked around the mall opposite near the J.C. Penney department store,and the way the auditoriums were designed it wasn’t enough to hold the capacity crowds. One auditorium was about the size of school classroom with the screen that was barely to see the entire film which sucked not to mention once all the seats were full,it had to be standing room only due to the capacity space. It was no wonder The South Square Mall Cinemas was the WORST movie theatre in Durham.
The Architect who built the Cardinal Theatre was E.H. Geissler in 1965.
More information on the Cardinal at North Hills is at….
http://www.cinematour.com
The seating capacity for The Broadway Theatre is 496.
It remained in operations until the mid-to-late 1970’s.
The Rivoil Theatre opened in 1958 with a seating capacity of 1,078.
It was owned the operated by Wilby-Kincey Corporation until 1975 when it was acquired by ABC Southeastern Theatres and later on by Plitt Southern Theatres. Stewart and Everett Theatres last operated the Rivoil until its closing in 1980.
Disney’s MARY POPPINS became a roadshow enagement at the Northgate in 1964,running continously during its run and also during it was re-released.
Other roadshow enagements when the Northgate became a single screen cinema were MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY,
CHEYENNE AUTUMN, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE,just to name a few.
Disney’s MARY POPPINS became a roadshow enagement at the Northgate in 1964,running continously during its run and also during it was re-released.
Other roadshow enagements when the Northgate became a single screen cinema were MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY,
CHEYENNE AUTUMN, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE,just to name a few.
A lot has changed at Northgate too,and it has become a breeding ground for a lot of crime activity and gangs that frequently roamed around the mall either looking for trouble or starting something. Just for safety if you ever there,be very careful of your surroundings!!!!
K&S Cafeteria moved to the location in the strip mall where the Harris Teeter grocery used to be(was also formerly a Big Star grocer and Colonial Stores)which replaced Morrison’s Cafeteria.
Sears hasn’t moved since it relocated from its old location on East Main Street Downtown to Northgate Mall where it has been since 1973. The other stores like Willis' Book and Stationary, Tharrington’s Men Store, Robbins', Burton’s Women Shop, Kerr Drugs,
Hahn Shoes,Morrison’s Cafeteria,Pappy’s,Radio Shack,
Spencer Gifts,and the Record Bar are G-O-N-E!!!!
Baskin-Robbins,which replaced Mayberry’s is GONE too!!!
Mayberry’s actually relocated to North Duke Mall for a brief spell,and that is gone too!!!
To MovieBuff11:
I too recall going to Morrison’s Cafeteria there which was a very good eating establishment. The Cafeteria was on the opposite side of the mall two or three doors down from the theatre. You probably remember another great restaurant that opened at Northgate Mall too called “Pappy’s” which was a pizzeria style family restaurant chain that also was a ice-cream parlor too
that replaced Mayberry’s in the mid-to-late 1970’s. They also had Baskin-Robbins inside the mall too.This was when Northgate became Durham’s first enclosed shopping center during the mid-1970’s,circa around 1974. Did you know that Chick-Fil-A was the first fast food establishment to opened at Northgate Mall? Its still there ever since it opened in 1974. I remember the stores like Hahn Shoes,Van Stratten’s,and Spencer Gifts,and Radio Shack.
It is quite sad,that Morrison’s is no longer in business and Northgate these days,looks pretty rundown.
Northgate has gotta to be a place for high crime and a lot of gang activity these days,so watch you back!!!!
Yes,Pappy’s and Baskin-Robbins are no longer there. So is Spencer Gifts and the Radio Shack(GONE)not to mention Kerr Drugs,which used to be in the strip mall back in the 1960’s moved inside the mall next to Sears during the 1970’s. The exclusive women’s store Robbins and Tharrington’s Men Store are a piece of Northgate history.
The theatre is still around,but it moved over to the other side of the mall,where it used to be Belk’s and a Thalhimers back in the day(it is now a 10-plex cinema owned by East Coast Entertainment).
Basically,anything goes at this theatre…..they’ll show anything!!!
First-run features, second run features, exclusives, and cult films.
Independent films and foreign features are the speciality of the house.
I got to see “Last Tango In Paris” and “Fritz The Cat”,during a double feature midnight screening here at the Griffith,in its original “X-rated” format.
Also ended up as roadshow enagements at the Lakewood CENTER included
“Grand Prix”,“Far From The Madding Crowd”,and “Ice Station Zebra”,when it was a single screen theatre during the mid-1960’s.
FYI:
If you think “Avatar” is climbing onto the list,then Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has already passed the $200 million mark and still going. Was the Number One movie in America,three weeks in a row.
HISTORY:
1966-1971 Wilby Kincey
1971-1976 ABC Southeastern Theatres
1976-1988 Plitt Southern Theatres
1988-1990 Cineplex Odeon Corporation
1990-2001 Carmike Cinemas
HISTORY:
The Lakewood Center Theatre opened on November 24,1966 as a single screen theatre with a seating capacity of 800. It remained a single screen theatre until 1970.
When it was a single screen theatre,the CENTER was the first to present exclusive roadshow enagements that included “My Fair Lady”,“The Sound of Music”,“Doctor Zhivago”,and “Battle of the Bulge”. Later would have other exclusive showings for “Camelot”,“Oliver!”,and
“Funny Girl”.
A second auditorium was constructed during the mid-1960’s and in 1970 the CENTER II opened with a seating capacity of 625 for the 12-25-1970 opening of “Patton"
starring George C. Scott and it was a Triangle roadshow enagement.
The Lakewood CENTER THEATRE also had re-released films that were shown as well during their exclusive enagements. Films re-released that played here were
“Gone With The Wind”,“The Ten Commandments”,“Gigi”,
“West Side Story”,“Ben-Hur”,and “Lawrence of Arabia”.
Isn’t Trans Lux Theatres a subsidary of United Artists?
I know they operated a chain of theatres under the UA logo.
THE NEW LAKEWOOD CENTER THEATRE opens it doors to the public on Thursday November,24,1966 to two grand opening events.
The first one was a private exhibition that was to be shown to prestigious guests and members of the Durham City and County Council and to the Mayor of Durham and it was by invitation only on Sunday,November 20,1966.
The theatre was opened to the general public at 1:00pm on Thursday,November 24,1966 with the Tony Curtis feature “Not With My Wife You Don’t!”
Advertisement from the November 23, 1966 edition of the Durham Herald-Sun:
THE DOORS WILL OPEN TO THE BEAUTIFUL NEW LAKEWOOD CENTER THEATRE…MOVIEGOING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!
The Center Theatre Will Bring Durham And The Triangle Area A Wonderful New World of Luxury And Comfort In Motion Picture Theatres.
-Luxurious Rocking Chairs
-Stereophonic Surround Sound
-Mammoth Cured(Ultravision) Distortion Free Screen
-A Sea of Front Door Parking!!!
-Startling Luxurious Surroundings
With a seating capacity of over 800 and convenient front door parking,the new Center Theatre will make movie going more convenient than ever. From the ultra-plush carpeting,the accoustically draped walls,roomy airflo rocking chairs,you will experience innovations that project you into a new world of moviegoing.
For the eye,the mammoth curved screen reproduces the sharpest distortion-free screen image yet known….
For the ear…full range stereophonic sound envelopes you in a feeling of participation. The latest in electronic air-conditioning insures consistent maximum comfort. From architecture to entertainment,the Center Theatre is an incomparable showplace.
From the previous comment:
Theater is re-opening with new and classic movies at discount prices!
All Seats for All Shows Are Just $3.00!!!!
They recently had some very good flicks that played at the Varsity.
James Cameron’s Avatar is REALLY pulling in some big business too as the main attraction!!! Forget going to see this in IMAX!!!! “Avatar” has been selling-out shows every night and the crowds are snaked around the cinema all the way down Franklin Street at discount prices! The website is www.varsityonfranklin.com
The classic films ranged from “Gone With The Wind”, “Mary Poppins”,
“Old Yeller”,to “Back To The Future”,“Raiders of the Lost Ark”,
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”,“Fast Times At Ridgemont High”,
“Casablanca”,“A Clockwork Orange”,“Young Frankenstein”,and “Ben-Hur”.
Coming Soon: The Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello beach film festival
It was formerly The Richmond Theatre which opened in 1930 with a seating capacity of 700 that was operated by Wilby-Kincey Theatres.
The Richmond was in business from 1930 until 1964. In 1964,the management changed the name to the Strand Theatre,which was still a 700 seat cinema which Wilby-Kincey operated until the late 1960’s when it was acquired by Charlotte based Eastern Federal Corporation.
The Strand closed in 1975. By the late 1990’s,the Strand was saved from destruction and was turned into a performing art house and live theater. Today,it is known as the Richmond Community Theater.
To The Article:
I notice that in North Carolina that it played for 61 weeks at the Ambassador Theatre in Raleigh when it opened on August 11,1965 in its exclusive enagement run.
It also played in various theatres too: I notice that it also played at the Center in Durham on January 13,1967 as a exclusive enagement. FYI….The Center Theatre in Downtown Durham closed its doors in 1965 and moved to the suburbs at Lakewood Shopping Center in December of 1966. The Center at the time THE SOUND OF MUSIC played there was a single screen theatre and it was shown in stereophonic sound and widescreen too in full 70MM print when it opened on January 13,1967.
Also in March of 1967,it also ended up as a exclusive enagement showing during its run at the Carolina Theatre in Chapel Hill(when it was a single screen theatre with a seating capacity of over 1,145).
It was also re-released in 1973 as also an exclusive enagement run when it played at the Yorktowne Theatre in Durham and the Village Plaza in Chapel Hill. Not to mention was also re-released the following year as well when it played for a short-run at the Cardinal Theatre in Raleigh.
Did the Gaston Mall Cinema played all United Artists features including all of the James Bond films with both Sean Connery and Roger Moore? I know some Woody Allen films made during the 1970’s released under United Artists also have played here as well as some films of various interest like family films including Disney flicks.
“Jaws” was one of two Triangle area theatres that booked the film’s original opening on June 20,1975.
The Yorktowne was still a single screen theatre when “Jaws” officially opened. The original auditorium where it played had a seating capacity of over 800 that included a super widescreen that was capable of showing both 35mm and 70mm films. However,the opening weekend showings brought in record capacity crowds which had it showing at the Yorktowne for 26 weeks.
At the time “Jaws” opened,the second auditorium was under construction and basically almost completed for its 325 seat auditorium for the Yorktowne II’s official opening in late June of 1975 for the opening of “French Connection II”. The only problem the Yorktowne had was the availability for parking which was limited for the cinema’s lot and around back but for additional parking you had to go across to used the parking lot over at the Hutton Building and from there had to walk across the street to the theatre.
Great movie theatre,but had a serious problem with parking there
There was also a African-American drive-in theatre located on either Cheek Road or Fayetteville Street that cater to black audiences during the 1940’s and 1950’s that is not listed on this site. During the 1940’s,the 1950’s and part of the early to mid 1960’s,several theatres in Durham were segregated,and most of the theatres along Pettigrew Street and in other section of the city catered to blacks.
All that changed in 1963,when Durham integrated all theatres and businesses.
The Village Theatre remained a single screen cinema until 1975. On June 20,1975,the Cameron Village Theatres were twinned with the original 750 seat auditorium still intact,and adding another side that expanded the seating to over 900.
The opening of Steven Spielburg’s 1975 blockbuster “Jaws” was the featured opener for the Village Twin that opened to capacity crowds in Screen 1. Screen 2 played a Disney flick “Escape To Witch Mountain” that lasted one week before it booked another flick “The Other Side Of The Mountain” a week later. “Jaws” however was the potential sell-out and crowd pleaser each week where it played at the Village for 26 weeks.
The Northgate Theatre was twinned on June 12, 1975 with the opening features “The Other Side of the Mountain”,and the family feature “Pippi Goes On Board”.
It was owned and operated by Fuqua Theatres Group,which was a subsidiary of Consolidated Theatres before Martin Theatres took over operations in early 1976.
“Home Alone” also played here on two screens in December of 1990. Reason? The lines were snaked around the mall opposite near the J.C. Penney department store,and the way the auditoriums were designed it wasn’t enough to hold the capacity crowds. One auditorium was about the size of school classroom with the screen that was barely to see the entire film which sucked not to mention once all the seats were full,it had to be standing room only due to the capacity space. It was no wonder The South Square Mall Cinemas was the WORST movie theatre in Durham.