Here is a December 1975 article from the Charleston Daily Mail:
Keep X-rated movies downtown, the West Side doesn’t want them, say a businessman and clergyman who reacted with disdain to a proposal that the Custer Theater show skin flicks on a temporary basis. “We need a porno house over here like we need a hole in the head,” said Jack Freeland. president of the West Side Businessmen’s Assn., reacting to published reports that the management of the burned-out Lyric Theater is contemplating a move to the old Custer Theater at 305 Washington St. W.
The association includes about 100 businessmen, and Freeland said, “I think I can speak for all of them when I say that we are going to discourage this proposal in every way we can.” Protests notwithstanding, Mrs. Lydia Bowring said she and her husband plan to crank up projectors and begin showing X-rated films Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve got a right to make a living,” she said. “Look, our patrons are working class people and your higher-up types too. And by the time we open up. the church service will be over.”
Mrs. Bowring said no lurid signs will be displayed on the West Side cinema, which she and her husband have purchased. “We tried to show Walt Disney movies there for $1 a person and no one came,” she said. No one, she said, will be forced to enter the theater. The Rev. John Parks, pastor of Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church, envisions X-rated movies as an affront to his parishioners. A sporting goods shop and an alley separate Parks' church, at 317 Washington St. W.. from the theater, he said.
Freeland said he had received about 10 calls this morning from protesting residents, while Parks had had about three, he said. “I guess we have a feeling about the West Side as a special community.” Parks said. “There is a lot of concern about this.” As to X-rated movies. Parks said he is very wary of denying freedom to film-makers. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not all for them. Some of these films are socially redeeming while others border on pornography,” Parks said. Parks said. “I’m very disappointed. This theater is so close to the church.”
Attempts to contact the theater management were unsuccessful. Freeland could not say what form the businessmen’s association protest will take.
Here is an article from the Chicago Daily Herald in February 1982:
Turned down by county and state courts, a Hanover Township drive-in theater is looking to the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to continue showing X-rated movies. L. Robert Artoe, attorney for the Starview Drive-In Theater, is vowing to appeal an Illinois Supreme Court decision that let stand a Cook County ordinance restricting X-rated drive-ins. The county’s “shield law” provides for a $2,500 fine each time a theater shows an X-rated movie that can be seen from private homes. Artoe said his appeal is “already at the printer’s” and will be filed within two months.
Although Artoe said there is a “very good chance” the high court will take the case, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Nancy Donnellan said she “doubts very seriously” the case will be accepted. Artoe said he expects the Supreme Court to decide by June 1 whether to hear the case.
The Starview Drive-In challenged the county’s “shield law” -which requires X-rated drive-ins to shield the screen from view â€" shortly after it was adopted four years ago. A Cook County Circuit Court Judge found the law constitutional, and the state appellate court partially agreed, saying the county cannot require the theater to block the view from public roads, only private property. The state supreme court this month refused to hear an appeal of the case, in effect letting the appellate ruling stand.
The $2,500 fine already has been applied against the Starview once, and Circuit Court Judge James Murray is scheduled to hear the theater’s appeal of the fine on March 19. Artoe said the owners of the theater, on Lake Street west of Route 59, have spent about $20,000 to plant 3,000 trees and install “extensive” lighting to block the screen. But he said the efforts were not in response to the county law but an attempt to prevent viewing of the movies by anyone who hasn’t paid the $5 admission.
Donnellan agreed that the screen can’t be seen from neighboring homes in the summer, but she said it can be now, and the state’s attorney’s office plans to pursue the fines. The theater opened for the season last weekend.
Here is part of an April 1977 article from the Van Nuys Valley News:
Several hundred picketers protested in front of Lankershim Theater in North Hollywood Friday over the X-rated films shown there. The demonstration was organized by a group calling itself Citizens for Decency, and included parents, teenagers and children. Claudia Clark, one of the leaders of the demonstration, said the group was upset because the theater formerly showed family films until it was purchased by the Pussycat Theater chain in December.
Mrs. Clark said the movie house was the only local theater for children in the area and other protestors complained that the theater was located within several blocks of an elementary and a junior high school. There were scores of signs at the demonstration, declaring “Pornography Is Sick,” “Keep Our Sewers Underground,” “Protect Our Children From Porno Filth” and “Crime, Rape and Murder Next.”
Jim Winters, an aide to Councilman Ernani Bernardi, Seventh District, said the local councilman was “supporting these people in their activity.” Despite the protest demonstration, Mark Edelman, district supervisor for the Pussycat Theaters, said he had “no objections” to the picketers.
Edelman claimed that the theater was losing money by showing the family films before it was bought out. “This theater was operating way in the red but we’ve done quite well” by showing the adult films. He also disputed charges that the X-rated pictures led to an increase in crime and noted that a commission on pornography established by former President Richard Nixon determined that pornography did not have harmful side affects.
Los Angeles police Lt Bernie Conine said that the demonstrators had a right to protest, but also said. “As I understand it. there’s nothing illegal about the theater.”
Here is a June 1973 article in the Harrisonburg (VA) Daily News Record:
Some adult movie houses and book stores closed their doors Friday or planned to change their fare in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling apparently giving police more leeway to get tough with pornography peddlers. “Closed due to uncertainty of court decision. Open when situation more stable,” read a sign on the door of the Adult Movie Arcade in downtown Louisville, Ky.
Don’s Playland a block away decided on a closeout sale. “Due to the most recent ruling by the Supreme Court, we are liquidating all stock — 50 per cent off.“ Owner Don Marsh prophesied the ruling would drive pornography back underground. He called the decision a "rape of the Constitution.” Other newsstands and bookstores displayed signs saying closed “for inventory.”
Most pornography peddlers agreed the industry was in trouble and some film houses planned to change their tastes as a result. “The law is the law. We have to abide by what they say,” said Paul Jones, manager of Today, an X-rated theater in Chicago. “We’ll just have to go to something else. We’ll go to the films with less sex and black films.”
Joseph Boardman, advertising manager of the underground newspaper, the Los Angeles Free Press, said he alerted his sales staff that “there’s a good chance we’ll be changing our advertising policy drastically in light of the Supreme Court ruling.” “If they (the police) start hasseling us …we’ll take the nudies out…”
This theater is already listed:
/theaters/4117/
Here is a December 1975 article from the Charleston Daily Mail:
Keep X-rated movies downtown, the West Side doesn’t want them, say a businessman and clergyman who reacted with disdain to a proposal that the Custer Theater show skin flicks on a temporary basis. “We need a porno house over here like we need a hole in the head,” said Jack Freeland. president of the West Side Businessmen’s Assn., reacting to published reports that the management of the burned-out Lyric Theater is contemplating a move to the old Custer Theater at 305 Washington St. W.
The association includes about 100 businessmen, and Freeland said, “I think I can speak for all of them when I say that we are going to discourage this proposal in every way we can.” Protests notwithstanding, Mrs. Lydia Bowring said she and her husband plan to crank up projectors and begin showing X-rated films Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve got a right to make a living,” she said. “Look, our patrons are working class people and your higher-up types too. And by the time we open up. the church service will be over.”
Mrs. Bowring said no lurid signs will be displayed on the West Side cinema, which she and her husband have purchased. “We tried to show Walt Disney movies there for $1 a person and no one came,” she said. No one, she said, will be forced to enter the theater. The Rev. John Parks, pastor of Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church, envisions X-rated movies as an affront to his parishioners. A sporting goods shop and an alley separate Parks' church, at 317 Washington St. W.. from the theater, he said.
Freeland said he had received about 10 calls this morning from protesting residents, while Parks had had about three, he said. “I guess we have a feeling about the West Side as a special community.” Parks said. “There is a lot of concern about this.” As to X-rated movies. Parks said he is very wary of denying freedom to film-makers. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not all for them. Some of these films are socially redeeming while others border on pornography,” Parks said. Parks said. “I’m very disappointed. This theater is so close to the church.”
Attempts to contact the theater management were unsuccessful. Freeland could not say what form the businessmen’s association protest will take.
I stopped going to the promenade after the Midnight Special book store closed and was turned into a Banana Republic.
Here are some 1984 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/oy6r3q
http://tinyurl.com/qvqhns
Here is the Star Noodle marquee in 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/rypsoe
Here is an article from the Chicago Daily Herald in February 1982:
Turned down by county and state courts, a Hanover Township drive-in theater is looking to the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to continue showing X-rated movies. L. Robert Artoe, attorney for the Starview Drive-In Theater, is vowing to appeal an Illinois Supreme Court decision that let stand a Cook County ordinance restricting X-rated drive-ins. The county’s “shield law” provides for a $2,500 fine each time a theater shows an X-rated movie that can be seen from private homes. Artoe said his appeal is “already at the printer’s” and will be filed within two months.
Although Artoe said there is a “very good chance” the high court will take the case, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Nancy Donnellan said she “doubts very seriously” the case will be accepted. Artoe said he expects the Supreme Court to decide by June 1 whether to hear the case.
The Starview Drive-In challenged the county’s “shield law” -which requires X-rated drive-ins to shield the screen from view â€" shortly after it was adopted four years ago. A Cook County Circuit Court Judge found the law constitutional, and the state appellate court partially agreed, saying the county cannot require the theater to block the view from public roads, only private property. The state supreme court this month refused to hear an appeal of the case, in effect letting the appellate ruling stand.
The $2,500 fine already has been applied against the Starview once, and Circuit Court Judge James Murray is scheduled to hear the theater’s appeal of the fine on March 19. Artoe said the owners of the theater, on Lake Street west of Route 59, have spent about $20,000 to plant 3,000 trees and install “extensive” lighting to block the screen. But he said the efforts were not in response to the county law but an attempt to prevent viewing of the movies by anyone who hasn’t paid the $5 admission.
Donnellan agreed that the screen can’t be seen from neighboring homes in the summer, but she said it can be now, and the state’s attorney’s office plans to pursue the fines. The theater opened for the season last weekend.
The owner of the Stardusk in the early 1960s was Ted Gamble. Capacity was 620 cars at that time.
Here is the Metro in 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/mrhpsx
Here is another 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nm8b3k
Here is part of an April 1977 article from the Van Nuys Valley News:
Several hundred picketers protested in front of Lankershim Theater in North Hollywood Friday over the X-rated films shown there. The demonstration was organized by a group calling itself Citizens for Decency, and included parents, teenagers and children. Claudia Clark, one of the leaders of the demonstration, said the group was upset because the theater formerly showed family films until it was purchased by the Pussycat Theater chain in December.
Mrs. Clark said the movie house was the only local theater for children in the area and other protestors complained that the theater was located within several blocks of an elementary and a junior high school. There were scores of signs at the demonstration, declaring “Pornography Is Sick,” “Keep Our Sewers Underground,” “Protect Our Children From Porno Filth” and “Crime, Rape and Murder Next.”
Jim Winters, an aide to Councilman Ernani Bernardi, Seventh District, said the local councilman was “supporting these people in their activity.” Despite the protest demonstration, Mark Edelman, district supervisor for the Pussycat Theaters, said he had “no objections” to the picketers.
Edelman claimed that the theater was losing money by showing the family films before it was bought out. “This theater was operating way in the red but we’ve done quite well” by showing the adult films. He also disputed charges that the X-rated pictures led to an increase in crime and noted that a commission on pornography established by former President Richard Nixon determined that pornography did not have harmful side affects.
Los Angeles police Lt Bernie Conine said that the demonstrators had a right to protest, but also said. “As I understand it. there’s nothing illegal about the theater.”
Here is a 1982 marquee photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mnfdb3
Here is a June 1973 article in the Harrisonburg (VA) Daily News Record:
Some adult movie houses and book stores closed their doors Friday or planned to change their fare in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling apparently giving police more leeway to get tough with pornography peddlers. “Closed due to uncertainty of court decision. Open when situation more stable,” read a sign on the door of the Adult Movie Arcade in downtown Louisville, Ky.
Don’s Playland a block away decided on a closeout sale. “Due to the most recent ruling by the Supreme Court, we are liquidating all stock — 50 per cent off.“ Owner Don Marsh prophesied the ruling would drive pornography back underground. He called the decision a "rape of the Constitution.” Other newsstands and bookstores displayed signs saying closed “for inventory.”
Most pornography peddlers agreed the industry was in trouble and some film houses planned to change their tastes as a result. “The law is the law. We have to abide by what they say,” said Paul Jones, manager of Today, an X-rated theater in Chicago. “We’ll just have to go to something else. We’ll go to the films with less sex and black films.”
Joseph Boardman, advertising manager of the underground newspaper, the Los Angeles Free Press, said he alerted his sales staff that “there’s a good chance we’ll be changing our advertising policy drastically in light of the Supreme Court ruling.” “If they (the police) start hasseling us …we’ll take the nudies out…”
Here is a B&W photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mram7v
Here are some 2009 restoration photos:
http://tinyurl.com/nt3ftk
This site discusses the theater and its current occupant:
http://tinyurl.com/kluxpn
Thanks. I posted the 1980 photo on the Norwood page.
Here is a 1980 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/d6mthx
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nehnnj
Here are some 1987 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/lw7ahw
http://tinyurl.com/nuwkfv
http://tinyurl.com/kvuj3g
Here is a 1982 photo. The city is misidentified:
http://tinyurl.com/p3txvv
Here is a 1984 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/pbqpma
Here are some 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/qzvle9
http://tinyurl.com/o9fzj2
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/r67ugy
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/okl5f2
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/oeqadw