An article in the April 7, 1952 edition of the Lynchburg Daily Advance reported that this drive-in would open at 6pm that night and had a capacity for 520 cars. Operated by Neighborhood Theater, Inc. of Richmond.
Based on old newspapers I strongly believe that this theater did not replace the two Cinemas at the mall but was in fact the same two theaters combined.
Also the San Jacinto mall and and wherever these were inside it, is now demolished.
I’ve always been curious about this theater because it looks like it was originally built as a twin and had another building added on to it. To see that AMC opened it as a 5-plex is even more curious to me. Did they build it this way? Did they convert an existing building?
Before this theater opened General Cinema operated multiple theaters inside the parking lot that surrounded the Redondo Beach Galleria and ultimately advertised them as one complex. Each originally a single screen, their last designations as General Cinema were Cinema 1, Cinema 2-3, and Cinema 4-5-6. When this theater opened the Cinema 4-5-6 limped on as a discount theater known as the Redondo Cinema 3, which has a separate listing here.
Great Western Theaters this theater as the Great Western 4 on May 25, 1987. Though there were discussions that Pacific would assume operations the never appear to materialize. The theater was torn down to make way for the Mountain Gate 7.
I’m late to the game – From the 5/4/1988 edition of the Allentown Morning Call. A representative from UA was attributed as saying “The sale did not include five Sameric theatres in Harrisburg and Princeton, N.J.” The U.S. Justice Department prohibited United ARtists from acquiring those because the company owned enough theaters in those markets,"
Am trying to find reference to who may have operated it after Sameric, if indeed this is one of the five UA never operated. I see it continuing as the Eric Lawrenceville until around 1992, so interesting that if it wasn’t UA, they were able to continue to call it the Eric Theater.
January 31st 2024 new report on “Newson6.com” states theater closed that Sunday January 28th with hopes to reopen sometime should a new investor come through.
An article in the 7/15/1990 edition of The South Bend Tribune reported that the Millers, a local family that operated theatres in Elkhart had just sold their operations to GKC Theatres. The transaction included GKC assuming the lease of this theatre.
An article in the December 27, 1999 edition of the Allentown Morning Call reported that the former AMC 6 had been reopened as a discount theater called the USA Grand Slam Cinemas.
A November 19, 1990 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Cinema World had recently acquired this theatre from Hoyts Cinemas.
An article in the April 7, 1952 edition of the Lynchburg Daily Advance reported that this drive-in would open at 6pm that night and had a capacity for 520 cars. Operated by Neighborhood Theater, Inc. of Richmond.
Carmike acquired this in January of 1994.
Carmike operated this theater until its new 8-plex (now Venue Cinemas) was opened in July of 1991.
Many of AMCs 6-plexes of the era were built with ground floor projection booths using mirrors, usually three separate booths each serving two screens.
The Sunrise Drive-In? https://www.cinematreasures.org/theaters/6623
Based on old newspapers I strongly believe that this theater did not replace the two Cinemas at the mall but was in fact the same two theaters combined.
Also the San Jacinto mall and and wherever these were inside it, is now demolished.
Any indication as to why it was the Central Park II?
It appears to be part of the Auto Mart dealership at approximately 970 Bowens Mill Rd SW. Visible on Google street view.
I’ve always been curious about this theater because it looks like it was originally built as a twin and had another building added on to it. To see that AMC opened it as a 5-plex is even more curious to me. Did they build it this way? Did they convert an existing building?
The theater was at 761 E 88th Ave – the World Alive Church as of October 2023.
I was wrong with my comment above. It was in fact operated by Cineplex Odeon.
The theater is no longer listed on Cinema West’s website and appears to be closed.
Before this theater opened General Cinema operated multiple theaters inside the parking lot that surrounded the Redondo Beach Galleria and ultimately advertised them as one complex. Each originally a single screen, their last designations as General Cinema were Cinema 1, Cinema 2-3, and Cinema 4-5-6. When this theater opened the Cinema 4-5-6 limped on as a discount theater known as the Redondo Cinema 3, which has a separate listing here.
Great Western Theaters this theater as the Great Western 4 on May 25, 1987. Though there were discussions that Pacific would assume operations the never appear to materialize. The theater was torn down to make way for the Mountain Gate 7.
I’m late to the game – From the 5/4/1988 edition of the Allentown Morning Call. A representative from UA was attributed as saying “The sale did not include five Sameric theatres in Harrisburg and Princeton, N.J.” The U.S. Justice Department prohibited United ARtists from acquiring those because the company owned enough theaters in those markets,"
Am trying to find reference to who may have operated it after Sameric, if indeed this is one of the five UA never operated. I see it continuing as the Eric Lawrenceville until around 1992, so interesting that if it wasn’t UA, they were able to continue to call it the Eric Theater.
I’m certain Arrowhead was always 14. The grand opening ad on their page shows it as 14 when it opened.
January 31st 2024 new report on “Newson6.com” states theater closed that Sunday January 28th with hopes to reopen sometime should a new investor come through.
To my knowledge this was never the Marin County Motor Movies, but always Marin Motor Movies.
An article in the 7/15/1990 edition of The South Bend Tribune reported that the Millers, a local family that operated theatres in Elkhart had just sold their operations to GKC Theatres. The transaction included GKC assuming the lease of this theatre.
So wait… THE THEATER WILL NOT BE CLOSED FOR GOOD! Good thing I didn’t cut my losses. ;)
Masslive.com reports Cinemark will close this location after business on 12/4/2023.
An article in the December 27, 1999 edition of the Allentown Morning Call reported that the former AMC 6 had been reopened as a discount theater called the USA Grand Slam Cinemas.
Last day of operation was 10/31/2023.
Checking Historic Aerials – it does appear that the original Martin Twin/Triple was torn down when the 9-plex was built. Late 90s/ealy 2000’s.