1962 Yellow Pages list (in Library)
Wilson Theatre
JAckson 7-1480
1730 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
In (exact date cut off) 1948 the Washington Times-Herald lists the Wilson still at 1730 Wilson Bl.. Phone was OX-1480 showing “Return of the Badmen” with Randolph Scott and Ann Jeffreys
The Tysons Twins were located at Fashion Court of the original one level Tysons Corner Center. Entrance to the theatres was on what is now the upper level but then the only level. Down one level was a mezzanine where offices and projection rooms were located (no theatre seating on the mezzanine) . The auditoriums were on the second level down (what is now the Mall lower level but at that time was delivery access under the mall) . Back to back twins 1200 & 800 seats (as I remember) with a large lobby between them. The projection rooms each had Century projection & sound heads with water cooled Stron Futura II arc lamps mounted on old Simplex pedestals. The theatres were Independent, owned by Mr. Francis J. Storty. The big twins closed when the Roth (8 ?) miniplex opened on the lower level by were Lord & Taylor is now.
I went to the Wells Theatre in 1959 or 1960. Saw a western double feature, Bob Hope western? It was a grand old Palace on hard times. Sat in the balcony. I was 11 or 12 years old and didn’t notice any unusual behavior, if I saw any I didn’t know to notice.
The Buckingham was built with the Buckingham Apartments. The name Buckingham is from the dairy farm that occupied the area before the apartments. Single screen, projection equipment was typical Neighborhood Theatres of Virginia fare.. E-7s with Peerless Magnarcs..
Learned to operate projectors at the Arlington… As stated E-7s & Peerless Magnarcs.. Worked next door from 1976 â€" 1981.. Don’t believe the Nazis were ever in the building, they were always causing trouble in North Arlington (Wilson Blvd area)the theatre is in South Arlington.
I was told in the early 1970s by some very senior members of Local 619 (Alexandria Virginia) that the Airport Drive-In was located in the vicinity of the Crystal City Theatre (1811 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington) The Crystal City Marriott is today’s (2006) landmark.
Growing up in Norfolk VA there were two large theatres still open downtown, The Lowes and The Granby. The theatre was known only as The Lowes, The name State was not used in the late 50s. The marquee in the picture reads “HG Wells The Time Machineâ€, I saw the Time Machine at The Lowes with a neighborhood birthday party. I remember the theatre had stained glass exit signs over the fire exits and each exit was numbered on the stained glass sign. Also the balcony was really more of a mezzanine as that it was not over the orchestra seats. Everything about it was big when I was a kid.
Found a listing for..
Rosslyn Spectrum
1611 N. Kent Street
Arlington, VA 22209
703-276-6701
View link
Sure looks like the old Roslyn Plaza.. alos exterior roof line of the old theatre is still visable from I-66 when passing behind it..
1962 Yellow Pages list (in Library)
Wilson Theatre
JAckson 7-1480
1730 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
In (exact date cut off) 1948 the Washington Times-Herald lists the Wilson still at 1730 Wilson Bl.. Phone was OX-1480 showing “Return of the Badmen” with Randolph Scott and Ann Jeffreys
Booth ran Simplex E-7s and Peerless Magnarcs..
Booth ran Simplex E-7 projectors with Peerless Magnarcs powered by generators
Booth ran Simplex XL projectors..
Chain was Redstone..
Booth ran Simplex XLs and Ashcraft lamps.. water cooled gates but still ran very hot.
Not demolished.. sort of…
Building has been converted to a party/banquet hall
Street name should be West Ox Road (not W. Ox, West is it’s name not a modifier)
Drive In was in poor repair in 70s and 80s.
The Tysons Twins were located at Fashion Court of the original one level Tysons Corner Center. Entrance to the theatres was on what is now the upper level but then the only level. Down one level was a mezzanine where offices and projection rooms were located (no theatre seating on the mezzanine) . The auditoriums were on the second level down (what is now the Mall lower level but at that time was delivery access under the mall) . Back to back twins 1200 & 800 seats (as I remember) with a large lobby between them. The projection rooms each had Century projection & sound heads with water cooled Stron Futura II arc lamps mounted on old Simplex pedestals. The theatres were Independent, owned by Mr. Francis J. Storty. The big twins closed when the Roth (8 ?) miniplex opened on the lower level by were Lord & Taylor is now.
I went to the Wells Theatre in 1959 or 1960. Saw a western double feature, Bob Hope western? It was a grand old Palace on hard times. Sat in the balcony. I was 11 or 12 years old and didn’t notice any unusual behavior, if I saw any I didn’t know to notice.
The Buckingham was built with the Buckingham Apartments. The name Buckingham is from the dairy farm that occupied the area before the apartments. Single screen, projection equipment was typical Neighborhood Theatres of Virginia fare.. E-7s with Peerless Magnarcs..
Learned to operate projectors at the Arlington… As stated E-7s & Peerless Magnarcs.. Worked next door from 1976 â€" 1981.. Don’t believe the Nazis were ever in the building, they were always causing trouble in North Arlington (Wilson Blvd area)the theatre is in South Arlington.
I was told in the early 1970s by some very senior members of Local 619 (Alexandria Virginia) that the Airport Drive-In was located in the vicinity of the Crystal City Theatre (1811 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington) The Crystal City Marriott is today’s (2006) landmark.
Note to above comments… The Norva was the other Large Downtown Theatre… The Granby was there but one of several smaller theatres.
Growing up in Norfolk VA there were two large theatres still open downtown, The Lowes and The Granby. The theatre was known only as The Lowes, The name State was not used in the late 50s. The marquee in the picture reads “HG Wells The Time Machineâ€, I saw the Time Machine at The Lowes with a neighborhood birthday party. I remember the theatre had stained glass exit signs over the fire exits and each exit was numbered on the stained glass sign. Also the balcony was really more of a mezzanine as that it was not over the orchestra seats. Everything about it was big when I was a kid.