This was one of the theatres that DIckinson divested themselves of when they went bankrupt in the early to middle 90’s. Goodrich changed the name from the Southglen to SouthQuality at that time.
Dickinson used the name ‘Glen’ after the founder Glen Dickinson Sr. Currently the remaining theatres in Kansas CIty are the NorthGlen, WestGlen 18 and EastGlen 16. If anyone has any information on how the KC Dickinson are doing it would be intereasting to hear as they are selling off theatres and not adding anything new for quite some time.
The above information is correct, Dickinson was always proud of this drive-in, as they talked about it alot. They also had an indoor theatre in Pittsburg and owned several indoor and drives ins, in and around the Joplin Missouri area just across the state line. Eventually they built a theatre in the mall, which is now apart of Showplex Cinemas.
This theatre was eventually owned by the Commonwealth circuit. It catered to a really ‘rough’ crowd and Commonwealth had trouble finding people to work at this theatre.
Again another closing of a Dickinson Theatre. It’s sad to see this circuit in such bad shape.
The Northrock 14 was a nice theatre when it was constructed, but time has taken its toll. Bill Warren is the dominate player in Wichita, but the ‘don’t care’ attitude at Dickinson doesn’t help much either. While other circuits are opening new locations, Dickinson is either selling them off or closing them.
Again so sad!!!
This was a family run operation. The Cooper family eventually opened the Mall Cinema Twin in the city of Hays and operated a drive in and an indoor at Dodge City, Kansas as well.
It is sad to see the Dickinson circuit fall apart in the manner that it is. At one time it was advertised as the ‘fine family of luxury theatres,: and now it is just a shadow of its former self. The theatres are run down and dirty, no upgrading, and instead of expanding they are being sold off one by one. How sad!
On Regal’s web site they do not list which auditorium has the huge D-150 screen. It is just a standard listing of whats showing and at what time. Since adding the stadium seating I’ve always wondered how that auditorium turned out. Any comments would be appreciated.
If you should happen to have a link to the article you are writing about please post it as I would like to read it.
I worked at one time in the district office for Mann out of the former Mall Cinema on East Harry street. There were numerous discussions about twinning many of the theatres in our district. In the discussions about the Boulevard it was decided that it would not be practical because the auditoriums would be very long and narrow, much more than the Fox Garvey in downtown Wichita. Adding an additional auditorium would not work because of the shops on either side of the theatre, not enough space. There was discussion about adding an auditorium at the back of the building, but that would cut into the parking lot. So if this theatre was actually twinned I am not aware of it, it was discussed at length, but as far as I not followed through with.
Based on the ‘flickr’ picture above they really butchered the place. It kind of had an old english look.
The two ‘towers’ in front held the attraction signage, you can see where the sign was bolted to them. The building was made of red brick which has been painted. The smaller boarded up part would have been the boxoffice. The stores on the George Washington Blvd. side all had glass fronts. That would be the extent of the ‘shopping center.’ Parking was behind the theatre and you would walk through the breeze way between the stores and the theatre to get to the front of the theatre. A huge Sears store was directly across the street.
When I worked for Mann in Wichita this theatre was where the ads were created. In the upper left corner of the building was the ad room, and the manager, Buddy Brown, who was very creative, drew up the ads for all the Wichita Mann theatres. He would take a black pen that was dipped in ink and draw out the borders, some borders would be cut from the Mann borders and I would go in with rubber cement and cut and paste the title art of the movie to the page. In that office was an extensive library of probably 1950 to 1975 (when I worked there) newspaper ad slicks.
At one time I worked in the district office for Mann out of Wichita, Kansas. However this theatre would have been in the adjacent district. I do not recall Mann operating a drive-in in the Kansas City area, although I could be mistaken. On the dates listed above, if Fox Intermountain and Mann operated this drive in, then NGC would have operated it in the dates in between. I am curious if anyone else has any information about this property.
View link
Pictures of Eastglen16 and several other DIckinson Theatres can be found on the Luke Construction
Web site, link is posted above.
Just following link, Thanks!
This was one of the theatres that DIckinson divested themselves of when they went bankrupt in the early to middle 90’s. Goodrich changed the name from the Southglen to SouthQuality at that time.
Dickinson used the name ‘Glen’ after the founder Glen Dickinson Sr. Currently the remaining theatres in Kansas CIty are the NorthGlen, WestGlen 18 and EastGlen 16. If anyone has any information on how the KC Dickinson are doing it would be intereasting to hear as they are selling off theatres and not adding anything new for quite some time.
Following Link, Thanks!
The above information is correct, Dickinson was always proud of this drive-in, as they talked about it alot. They also had an indoor theatre in Pittsburg and owned several indoor and drives ins, in and around the Joplin Missouri area just across the state line. Eventually they built a theatre in the mall, which is now apart of Showplex Cinemas.
This theatre was eventually owned by the Commonwealth circuit. It catered to a really ‘rough’ crowd and Commonwealth had trouble finding people to work at this theatre.
Again another closing of a Dickinson Theatre. It’s sad to see this circuit in such bad shape.
The Northrock 14 was a nice theatre when it was constructed, but time has taken its toll. Bill Warren is the dominate player in Wichita, but the ‘don’t care’ attitude at Dickinson doesn’t help much either. While other circuits are opening new locations, Dickinson is either selling them off or closing them.
Again so sad!!!
This was a family run operation. The Cooper family eventually opened the Mall Cinema Twin in the city of Hays and operated a drive in and an indoor at Dodge City, Kansas as well.
It is sad to see the Dickinson circuit fall apart in the manner that it is. At one time it was advertised as the ‘fine family of luxury theatres,: and now it is just a shadow of its former self. The theatres are run down and dirty, no upgrading, and instead of expanding they are being sold off one by one. How sad!
Interesting that B&B is in a selling mood.
Following link. Thank you!
Following link, Thanks!!
On Regal’s web site they do not list which auditorium has the huge D-150 screen. It is just a standard listing of whats showing and at what time. Since adding the stadium seating I’ve always wondered how that auditorium turned out. Any comments would be appreciated.
If you should happen to have a link to the article you are writing about please post it as I would like to read it.
I worked at one time in the district office for Mann out of the former Mall Cinema on East Harry street. There were numerous discussions about twinning many of the theatres in our district. In the discussions about the Boulevard it was decided that it would not be practical because the auditoriums would be very long and narrow, much more than the Fox Garvey in downtown Wichita. Adding an additional auditorium would not work because of the shops on either side of the theatre, not enough space. There was discussion about adding an auditorium at the back of the building, but that would cut into the parking lot. So if this theatre was actually twinned I am not aware of it, it was discussed at length, but as far as I not followed through with.
Based on the ‘flickr’ picture above they really butchered the place. It kind of had an old english look.
The two ‘towers’ in front held the attraction signage, you can see where the sign was bolted to them. The building was made of red brick which has been painted. The smaller boarded up part would have been the boxoffice. The stores on the George Washington Blvd. side all had glass fronts. That would be the extent of the ‘shopping center.’ Parking was behind the theatre and you would walk through the breeze way between the stores and the theatre to get to the front of the theatre. A huge Sears store was directly across the street.
When I worked for Mann in Wichita this theatre was where the ads were created. In the upper left corner of the building was the ad room, and the manager, Buddy Brown, who was very creative, drew up the ads for all the Wichita Mann theatres. He would take a black pen that was dipped in ink and draw out the borders, some borders would be cut from the Mann borders and I would go in with rubber cement and cut and paste the title art of the movie to the page. In that office was an extensive library of probably 1950 to 1975 (when I worked there) newspaper ad slicks.
At one time I worked in the district office for Mann out of Wichita, Kansas. However this theatre would have been in the adjacent district. I do not recall Mann operating a drive-in in the Kansas City area, although I could be mistaken. On the dates listed above, if Fox Intermountain and Mann operated this drive in, then NGC would have operated it in the dates in between. I am curious if anyone else has any information about this property.
Following Link. Thanks!
Following link, Thanks!
Following link. Thank you!
I just checked the Dickinson Theatres website and it IS listed.
Adding Link. Thanks!
Adding link. Thanks!
Adding link. Thanks!
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