The Wakonda Shopping Center was announced way back in 1957. The project stalled but finally got contracts for building and its anchor tenant in 1963 with the Center finally opened theatre-less in November of 1964. Richard L. Davis' Davis Theatres teamed with Heartland Cinema Co. to build a venue here in 1969. Davis had the River Hills / Cinerama complex and the Eastgate twin. It was a luxury suburban venue seating 344 patrons opening in 1969.
The third operator of the venue, Fridley Theatres Circuit, closed the Fine Arts on December 6, 1987 with “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” and “Jean de Florette.” The theater had been scuffling closing temporarily in the summer of 1987 due to lack of business.
Closed permanently on October 6, 1996 with “Independence Day” and “Courage Under Fire.” Was torn down weeks later to make way for a Menard’s Home Improvement big box retail store.
The Plantation closed permanently for films on Labor Day September 1, 1986 with “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Friday, the 13th: Part II.” It’s next event was a sand volleyball tournament the next month.
The Pioneer closed on a high note after with a Cheech & Chong triple feature with “Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke,” “Cheech & Chong’s Still Smokin'” and “Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie.” Despite strong snack sales on September 11, 1983, the venue didn’t open the next season.
Closed the way a good drive-in used to close… with a triple feature. The Capitol closing July 4, 1983 with “Hell’s Angels Forever,” “Women of Passion” and “Satan’s Mistress.” Demolished in 1985, the neon attractor was salvaged and sent to California.
The original Avalon Theatre was around the corner at 852 Hull Street launching on November 18, 1934 by E.M. Garrett. It closed on January 28, 1946 with Abbott & Costello in “The Naughty 90s” to move to new digs. That took place on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1946 with Shirley Temple “Kiss and Tell.” Days later, the original building was sold to close an estate - indicating that one or both of the original Avalon owners may have passed. The Avalon closed permanently on Labor Day, September 2, 1957 with “Oklahoma.”
The art deco Capri Theatre closed at the end of its lease on August 26, 1990 with “Presumed Innocent.” Its long-standing neighbor as the Uptown Theatre, Boyce’s, served as its de facto concession stand in its formative years. Likely the most significant event in the venue’s history was when screen legend Gloria Swanson made a personal appearance on July 20, 1950 escorted by local DJ Al “Rocky” Rockwell at the Uptown in support of “Sunset Boulevard.”
Carrols Development built this on the north end of Macomb near Western Illinois in 1971. The 604-seat venue was automated launching on October 27, 1971 following an open house the previous day. Orange rocking chair seats were an upgrade over the aging downtown Macomb Theatres run by Kerasotes.
Dubinksy Brothers took over the cinema in fairly short order. Excellence took over when it bought out Dubinksy Bros. effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the Cinema Twin to Carmike ownership.
Carmike closed the Cinema 1 & 2 on May 28, 2009 at the expiry of Excellence’s 20-year lease. The Rialto opened on East Jackson Street on June 18, 2009 and was operated by the same manager, Larry Jarvis, but a new company. To answer the query above, the Cinema 1 & 2 was relit for overflow screenings and special purpose WIU-curated titles which the new operator didn’t want to run in the 6-plex. With no leasing obligation and everything still working (at least the analog equipment), it was a short-lived attempt to draw WIU students who were within walking distance of the venue. That didn’t spark much enthusiasm, so it closed once again - this time permanently.
The University took over the spot and had the venue demolished in early April of 2015 (beginning April 3d). Pictures of the demolition can be found in photos.
Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Jones created a new-build, multiuse venue announced in 1925 for a theater, a cafe, and apartments above. Grand Opening of the Gem Theatre was on December 9, 1925. Challenged by the sound transition, they sold the venue to Dr. L.H. Chamberlin in 1930.
Chamberlin had the entire building reimagined. It was gutted with its facing removed. It was retrofitted to the plans Tinsley, McBroom & Higgins into a single-purpose, theater space. It was on the drafting table as a fraternal hall known as the Beaverdale Masonic Temple. The long-gestating project came to fruition on March 4, 1935 as the Acanthus Masonic Lodge. Chamberlin then leased the property to Cecil G. Mulanix formerly of the Varsity Theatre.
Mulanix quickly turned the fraternal hall into the Beaver Theatre after a $15,000 retrofit. The movie house opened September 15, 1935 with “No More Ladies” likely on a 20-year leasing agreement. A year later, Gladys Anderson took on the venue with husband, Paul. She ran it into August of 1955 closing the Beaver Theatre just past the 20-year anniversary.
Anderson cited mobility and parking as the issues that the theater was facing at closure after weathering the advent of television. The space was converted to retail in 1956.
Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Jones created a new-build venue announced in 1925 for a theater, a cafe, and apartments above. Grand Opening of the Gem Theatre was on December 9, 1925. Challenged by the sound transition, they sold the venue to Dr. L.H. Chamberlin in 1930.
Chamberlin had the entire building gutted and face removed. It was retrofitted to the plans Tinsley, McBroom & Higgins into a theater space. It was on the drafting table as a fraternal hall known as the Beaverdale Masonic Temple. The long-gestating project came to fruition on March 4, 1935 as the Acanthus Masonic Lodge. Chamberlin then leased the property to Cecil G. Mulanix formerly of the Varsity who turned into the Beaver Theatre after a $15,000 retrofit. The movie house opened September 15, 1935 with “No More Ladies” likely on a 20-year leasing agreement.
A year later, Gladys Anderson took on the venue with husband, Paul. She ran it into August of 1955 closing the Beaver Theatre just past the 20-year anniversary. Anderson cited mobility and parking as the issues that the theater was facing at closure after weathering the advent of television. The space was converted to retail in 1956.
Pace Warehouse Store - Kmart’s version of a Costco or Walmart’s Sam’s Club - opened in this new-build facility on October 24, 1986. They scooted in 1993 with a hefty unpaid tax bill of six figures leaving a challenging / costly building to retrofit.
Dallas-based Silver Cinemas sunk $1.8 million into the refresh of a portion of the building They carved out a second-run discount cinema in 1997 with a capacity of 1,800 seats. Shifting a year later to first-run when older first-run theaters began to close, the venue was simply overmatched by superior megaplexes. Flailing, it switched back to discount films five weeks before closing permanently on November 4, 2004. The space was converting once more away from cinematic endeavors.
In a space drawn up by architect Charles Herbert and Associates, Prestige Jewelers and Distributors (aka Ardans - a store akin to a Service Merchandise) was the focal point of a shopping center addition known in planning as the Daniels Building and just for a short time as the Prestige Mall. Located next to Merle Hay Mall just beyond its Sears store, Davis Theatres launched the Forum IV Theatres with two auditoriums ready to go on December 18, 1974 opening with “Godfather II” and “The Gambler.”
The Forum lobby was an ancient Roman concept bathed in red and gold with signage above the doors used roman numerals and the entries has statues and pillars. Forums I-IV seated 274, 400, 200, and 250 for a total of 1,124 seats. It was the Westside’s first quad-plex. Its programming was diverse. With Davis having success with adult films in the porno chic era elsewhere in town, R-rated softcore titles were booked in the Forum. In June of 1975, you could see “The Happy Hooker” and “If You Don’t Stop It, I’ll go Blind” in auditoriums I and IV. Auditorium III had the kid-friendly “Secret of the Sacred Forest” (with the Plaza down the way with its giant 60’ screen seating 700 having the much more popular “Benji”). But overshadowing those titles beginning June 20, 1975 was Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws.” It played six full months in Forum II to the Christmas season as the venue’s biggest hit.
Davis Theatres was under the microscope for its racier presentations as it struggled to get clearances for other mainstream Hollywood hits. Overmatched in a more competitive multiplex environment, Davis told stockholders it wasn’t equipped to compete in the marketplace. So it sold out its theatrical operation in 1976 to the Dubinsky Brothers Circuit.
The Forum lost a lot of its dated kitschy feel in a redesign in the 1980s which took it down slightly to 1,030 seat capacity. Chicago-based Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership. The mall. meanwhile, had morphed several times and the theater was now considered simply part of the Haymarket Mall.
The theatre was purportedly the first to be equipped with DTS sound in Des Moines and — again — it was another Spielberg title packing the Forum’s largest screen with the opus “Jurassic Park” in 1993. “JP” did monster business for the theatre with the sound leaking to the neighboring screen. But Carmike Cinemas had inherited the Forum IV’s design issues that became one of three complexed cited in an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit against the chain locally. That suit also included the River Hills / Riviera and the Sierra 3. Rather than retrofit the aged theatre to comply with ADA, the Forum was closed on May 19, 1998. Carmike was already focused on megaplexes of that era including its Wynnsong 16 that opened the next day causing not only the Forum’s closure but Carmike 11’s downgrade to sub-run, dollar discount status.
The Forum theatre space was gutted and retrofitted for other retail purposes becoming a very-long running space for Hobby Lobby beginning a little over a year later on October 24, 1999.
Movie One Theatres , Inc. of El Paso opened here as part of the Keck Garage and the downtown Skyway projects as the Super Saver 7 on June 26, 1987. A dollar, sub-run discount house at launch, it opened with “Lethal Weapon,” “Project X,” “NOES III,” “Extreme Prejudice,” “Creepshow 2,” and “Hot Resort.” The company suggested that such a project was a bad idea except in Des Moines because of the Skyway foot traffic. They were more than patient with this dog scampering away less than three years into the project on May 6, 1990.
Excellence Theatres of Chicago took on the venue coming in just in time for its third anniversary at rebirth as the Value Cinema 7 on June 22, 1990. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the lightly trafficked venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike was beyond patient before closing up here on January 29, 1998. $1.7 million was sunk into the venue to convert for usage by the school district.
The Westown Shopping Center was announced in 1971 with Woolworth’s big box store, Woolco, signed on as the primary anchor tenant and opening in 1972. Fridley inked a deal to be the cinema provider but in October 1972, Dubinksy and Robert Fridley became partners in six cinemas locally and the others were taken on solely by Dubinsky. So this venue was officially a Dubinsky Bros./Fridley cinema, the Sierra 3 Theatres launching April 13, 1973.
Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and here at the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
In November, Fridley Theatres decided to revisit the venue after preliminary discussions with Parkway Asset Management of Hackensack, NJ - operators of the center. Fridley Luxury Theatres relit the Sierra 3 with “The Yards,” “Dude, Where’s My Car,” and “Meet the Parents” on December 14, 2000. The venue lasted until November 11, 2007 closing with “The Nanny Diaries,” “Resurrecting the Champ” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.”
Ericson Development announced the $14 million Valley West Mall in 1971 with J.L. Brandeis Department Store as the only announced anchor tenant. The Brandeis and mall would launch August 4, 1975. Dubinsky Brothers Theatres Inc. decided to jump into the Valley West and Southridge Malls, locally. At the VW’s north side would be a new cinema, the Valley 3 Theatres, an 850-seat operation that was next to the Petersen-Harned-Van Mauer anchor. It launched with two audis ready on July 30, 1976 with “Shadow of the Hawk” and “The Shootist.”
Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and here at the Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000. Carmike would run away with “Chicken Run,” “The Kid” and “Thomas and the Magic Railroad.” The space was repurposed for restaurant related endeavors.
Dubinsky launched here on July 25, 1986. Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; here at the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
The venue was reconfigured and became The Westwood Entertainment Complex featuring the Westwood Cinemas 3 and the Vieux Carré Dance Club on May 18, 2001. Opening films were “Joe Dirt,” “Crouching Tiger: HD,” and “Exit Wounds.” The venue appears to have ceded cinematic operations on July 4, 2001 after less than two months under the banner of the Westwood 3 Cinema Grill. The dance club continued and the cinemas appear to have become sports grill-y type of viewing experiences.
Filling in a bit of operator history here. Davis Theatres sold its final theaters in 1976 to Dubinsky Bros Circuit which took on this venue. Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; here at the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000. “Autumn in New York” and “The Crew” were the final listings on September 7, 2000 for the River/Riveria.
Missing an operator here. Excellence Theatres took over the Haymarket Square Shopping Center’s (aka, informally, the Save U-More & Toys ‘r’ Us Shopping Center back in the day) Century 6 when it bought out Dubinksy Bros. effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the 6-plex to Carmike ownership.
Carmike closed the venue after its September 7, 1995 screenings for a major expansion. It transitioned the house to an 11-screen multiplex reopening on December 22, 1995 using the Cobblestone Theaters floor plan. That expansion came with new sound systems and a $40,000 marble floor along with two THX-certified auditoriums.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and here at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
After a two-year hiatus and rather unexpectedly, low-cost Nova Cinemas came in and operated the the 11-turned-10 screen venue as the Nova 10 Cinemas beginning on September 1, 2002. Ten years later - likely at the end of lease but also unable to convert to digital and having suffered a major break-in in late June of 2012, moved onward on June 30, 2012. The space was converted to retail space. Most of the venue’s post-theatrical life has been as a thrift store.
The City Council granted Gruesner and Luscher’s G&L Theatres the right to convert the existing Walker Building at 708 Front Street to the Palace Theatre in Nov. of 1930. After a sneak preview, it held its grand opening on April 15, 1931 with “Big Money.” It closed on Nov. 11, 1939 with “Wild Brain Kent.”
The Grand Theatre opened September 19, 1912 equipped with two Powers 6-A projectors and showing films. The Grand closed January 30, 1956 at the end of its leasing agreement with “Untamed Mistress” and “The Sleeping Tiger.” In 1958, a retailer had taken over the space.
The Wakonda Shopping Center was announced way back in 1957. The project stalled but finally got contracts for building and its anchor tenant in 1963 with the Center finally opened theatre-less in November of 1964. Richard L. Davis' Davis Theatres teamed with Heartland Cinema Co. to build a venue here in 1969. Davis had the River Hills / Cinerama complex and the Eastgate twin. It was a luxury suburban venue seating 344 patrons opening in 1969.
The third operator of the venue, Fridley Theatres Circuit, closed the Fine Arts on December 6, 1987 with “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” and “Jean de Florette.” The theater had been scuffling closing temporarily in the summer of 1987 due to lack of business.
This theater’s name was the Eastgate Cinema III matching the one-word moniker of its shopping center.
Closed permanently on October 6, 1996 with “Independence Day” and “Courage Under Fire.” Was torn down weeks later to make way for a Menard’s Home Improvement big box retail store.
The Plantation closed permanently for films on Labor Day September 1, 1986 with “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Friday, the 13th: Part II.” It’s next event was a sand volleyball tournament the next month.
The Pioneer closed on a high note after with a Cheech & Chong triple feature with “Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke,” “Cheech & Chong’s Still Smokin'” and “Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie.” Despite strong snack sales on September 11, 1983, the venue didn’t open the next season.
Closed the way a good drive-in used to close… with a triple feature. The Capitol closing July 4, 1983 with “Hell’s Angels Forever,” “Women of Passion” and “Satan’s Mistress.” Demolished in 1985, the neon attractor was salvaged and sent to California.
The original Avalon Theatre was around the corner at 852 Hull Street launching on November 18, 1934 by E.M. Garrett. It closed on January 28, 1946 with Abbott & Costello in “The Naughty 90s” to move to new digs. That took place on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1946 with Shirley Temple “Kiss and Tell.” Days later, the original building was sold to close an estate - indicating that one or both of the original Avalon owners may have passed. The Avalon closed permanently on Labor Day, September 2, 1957 with “Oklahoma.”
The art deco Capri Theatre closed at the end of its lease on August 26, 1990 with “Presumed Innocent.” Its long-standing neighbor as the Uptown Theatre, Boyce’s, served as its de facto concession stand in its formative years. Likely the most significant event in the venue’s history was when screen legend Gloria Swanson made a personal appearance on July 20, 1950 escorted by local DJ Al “Rocky” Rockwell at the Uptown in support of “Sunset Boulevard.”
Filling in a bit further then:
Carrols Development built this on the north end of Macomb near Western Illinois in 1971. The 604-seat venue was automated launching on October 27, 1971 following an open house the previous day. Orange rocking chair seats were an upgrade over the aging downtown Macomb Theatres run by Kerasotes.
Dubinksy Brothers took over the cinema in fairly short order. Excellence took over when it bought out Dubinksy Bros. effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the Cinema Twin to Carmike ownership.
Carmike closed the Cinema 1 & 2 on May 28, 2009 at the expiry of Excellence’s 20-year lease. The Rialto opened on East Jackson Street on June 18, 2009 and was operated by the same manager, Larry Jarvis, but a new company. To answer the query above, the Cinema 1 & 2 was relit for overflow screenings and special purpose WIU-curated titles which the new operator didn’t want to run in the 6-plex. With no leasing obligation and everything still working (at least the analog equipment), it was a short-lived attempt to draw WIU students who were within walking distance of the venue. That didn’t spark much enthusiasm, so it closed once again - this time permanently.
The University took over the spot and had the venue demolished in early April of 2015 (beginning April 3d). Pictures of the demolition can be found in photos.
Hope that helps ya.
Oct. 30, 1920 grand opening ad in photos featuring “The Brute,” a silent race film directed, written, produced and distributed by Oscar Micheaux.
Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Jones created a new-build, multiuse venue announced in 1925 for a theater, a cafe, and apartments above. Grand Opening of the Gem Theatre was on December 9, 1925. Challenged by the sound transition, they sold the venue to Dr. L.H. Chamberlin in 1930.
Chamberlin had the entire building reimagined. It was gutted with its facing removed. It was retrofitted to the plans Tinsley, McBroom & Higgins into a single-purpose, theater space. It was on the drafting table as a fraternal hall known as the Beaverdale Masonic Temple. The long-gestating project came to fruition on March 4, 1935 as the Acanthus Masonic Lodge. Chamberlin then leased the property to Cecil G. Mulanix formerly of the Varsity Theatre.
Mulanix quickly turned the fraternal hall into the Beaver Theatre after a $15,000 retrofit. The movie house opened September 15, 1935 with “No More Ladies” likely on a 20-year leasing agreement. A year later, Gladys Anderson took on the venue with husband, Paul. She ran it into August of 1955 closing the Beaver Theatre just past the 20-year anniversary.
Anderson cited mobility and parking as the issues that the theater was facing at closure after weathering the advent of television. The space was converted to retail in 1956.
Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Jones created a new-build venue announced in 1925 for a theater, a cafe, and apartments above. Grand Opening of the Gem Theatre was on December 9, 1925. Challenged by the sound transition, they sold the venue to Dr. L.H. Chamberlin in 1930.
Chamberlin had the entire building gutted and face removed. It was retrofitted to the plans Tinsley, McBroom & Higgins into a theater space. It was on the drafting table as a fraternal hall known as the Beaverdale Masonic Temple. The long-gestating project came to fruition on March 4, 1935 as the Acanthus Masonic Lodge. Chamberlin then leased the property to Cecil G. Mulanix formerly of the Varsity who turned into the Beaver Theatre after a $15,000 retrofit. The movie house opened September 15, 1935 with “No More Ladies” likely on a 20-year leasing agreement.
A year later, Gladys Anderson took on the venue with husband, Paul. She ran it into August of 1955 closing the Beaver Theatre just past the 20-year anniversary. Anderson cited mobility and parking as the issues that the theater was facing at closure after weathering the advent of television. The space was converted to retail in 1956.
Pace Warehouse Store - Kmart’s version of a Costco or Walmart’s Sam’s Club - opened in this new-build facility on October 24, 1986. They scooted in 1993 with a hefty unpaid tax bill of six figures leaving a challenging / costly building to retrofit.
Dallas-based Silver Cinemas sunk $1.8 million into the refresh of a portion of the building They carved out a second-run discount cinema in 1997 with a capacity of 1,800 seats. Shifting a year later to first-run when older first-run theaters began to close, the venue was simply overmatched by superior megaplexes. Flailing, it switched back to discount films five weeks before closing permanently on November 4, 2004. The space was converting once more away from cinematic endeavors.
In a space drawn up by architect Charles Herbert and Associates, Prestige Jewelers and Distributors (aka Ardans - a store akin to a Service Merchandise) was the focal point of a shopping center addition known in planning as the Daniels Building and just for a short time as the Prestige Mall. Located next to Merle Hay Mall just beyond its Sears store, Davis Theatres launched the Forum IV Theatres with two auditoriums ready to go on December 18, 1974 opening with “Godfather II” and “The Gambler.”
The Forum lobby was an ancient Roman concept bathed in red and gold with signage above the doors used roman numerals and the entries has statues and pillars. Forums I-IV seated 274, 400, 200, and 250 for a total of 1,124 seats. It was the Westside’s first quad-plex. Its programming was diverse. With Davis having success with adult films in the porno chic era elsewhere in town, R-rated softcore titles were booked in the Forum. In June of 1975, you could see “The Happy Hooker” and “If You Don’t Stop It, I’ll go Blind” in auditoriums I and IV. Auditorium III had the kid-friendly “Secret of the Sacred Forest” (with the Plaza down the way with its giant 60’ screen seating 700 having the much more popular “Benji”). But overshadowing those titles beginning June 20, 1975 was Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws.” It played six full months in Forum II to the Christmas season as the venue’s biggest hit.
Davis Theatres was under the microscope for its racier presentations as it struggled to get clearances for other mainstream Hollywood hits. Overmatched in a more competitive multiplex environment, Davis told stockholders it wasn’t equipped to compete in the marketplace. So it sold out its theatrical operation in 1976 to the Dubinsky Brothers Circuit.
The Forum lost a lot of its dated kitschy feel in a redesign in the 1980s which took it down slightly to 1,030 seat capacity. Chicago-based Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership. The mall. meanwhile, had morphed several times and the theater was now considered simply part of the Haymarket Mall.
The theatre was purportedly the first to be equipped with DTS sound in Des Moines and — again — it was another Spielberg title packing the Forum’s largest screen with the opus “Jurassic Park” in 1993. “JP” did monster business for the theatre with the sound leaking to the neighboring screen. But Carmike Cinemas had inherited the Forum IV’s design issues that became one of three complexed cited in an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit against the chain locally. That suit also included the River Hills / Riviera and the Sierra 3. Rather than retrofit the aged theatre to comply with ADA, the Forum was closed on May 19, 1998. Carmike was already focused on megaplexes of that era including its Wynnsong 16 that opened the next day causing not only the Forum’s closure but Carmike 11’s downgrade to sub-run, dollar discount status.
The Forum theatre space was gutted and retrofitted for other retail purposes becoming a very-long running space for Hobby Lobby beginning a little over a year later on October 24, 1999.
Movie One Theatres , Inc. of El Paso opened here as part of the Keck Garage and the downtown Skyway projects as the Super Saver 7 on June 26, 1987. A dollar, sub-run discount house at launch, it opened with “Lethal Weapon,” “Project X,” “NOES III,” “Extreme Prejudice,” “Creepshow 2,” and “Hot Resort.” The company suggested that such a project was a bad idea except in Des Moines because of the Skyway foot traffic. They were more than patient with this dog scampering away less than three years into the project on May 6, 1990.
Excellence Theatres of Chicago took on the venue coming in just in time for its third anniversary at rebirth as the Value Cinema 7 on June 22, 1990. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the lightly trafficked venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike was beyond patient before closing up here on January 29, 1998. $1.7 million was sunk into the venue to convert for usage by the school district.
The Westown Shopping Center was announced in 1971 with Woolworth’s big box store, Woolco, signed on as the primary anchor tenant and opening in 1972. Fridley inked a deal to be the cinema provider but in October 1972, Dubinksy and Robert Fridley became partners in six cinemas locally and the others were taken on solely by Dubinsky. So this venue was officially a Dubinsky Bros./Fridley cinema, the Sierra 3 Theatres launching April 13, 1973.
Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and here at the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
In November, Fridley Theatres decided to revisit the venue after preliminary discussions with Parkway Asset Management of Hackensack, NJ - operators of the center. Fridley Luxury Theatres relit the Sierra 3 with “The Yards,” “Dude, Where’s My Car,” and “Meet the Parents” on December 14, 2000. The venue lasted until November 11, 2007 closing with “The Nanny Diaries,” “Resurrecting the Champ” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.”
Ericson Development announced the $14 million Valley West Mall in 1971 with J.L. Brandeis Department Store as the only announced anchor tenant. The Brandeis and mall would launch August 4, 1975. Dubinsky Brothers Theatres Inc. decided to jump into the Valley West and Southridge Malls, locally. At the VW’s north side would be a new cinema, the Valley 3 Theatres, an 850-seat operation that was next to the Petersen-Harned-Van Mauer anchor. It launched with two audis ready on July 30, 1976 with “Shadow of the Hawk” and “The Shootist.”
Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and here at the Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000. Carmike would run away with “Chicken Run,” “The Kid” and “Thomas and the Magic Railroad.” The space was repurposed for restaurant related endeavors.
Dubinsky launched here on July 25, 1986. Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; here at the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
The venue was reconfigured and became The Westwood Entertainment Complex featuring the Westwood Cinemas 3 and the Vieux Carré Dance Club on May 18, 2001. Opening films were “Joe Dirt,” “Crouching Tiger: HD,” and “Exit Wounds.” The venue appears to have ceded cinematic operations on July 4, 2001 after less than two months under the banner of the Westwood 3 Cinema Grill. The dance club continued and the cinemas appear to have become sports grill-y type of viewing experiences.
Filling in a bit of operator history here. Davis Theatres sold its final theaters in 1976 to Dubinsky Bros Circuit which took on this venue. Excellence Theatres took over here effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; here at the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000. “Autumn in New York” and “The Crew” were the final listings on September 7, 2000 for the River/Riveria.
Missing an operator here. Excellence Theatres took over the Haymarket Square Shopping Center’s (aka, informally, the Save U-More & Toys ‘r’ Us Shopping Center back in the day) Century 6 when it bought out Dubinksy Bros. effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the 6-plex to Carmike ownership.
Carmike closed the venue after its September 7, 1995 screenings for a major expansion. It transitioned the house to an 11-screen multiplex reopening on December 22, 1995 using the Cobblestone Theaters floor plan. That expansion came with new sound systems and a $40,000 marble floor along with two THX-certified auditoriums.
Carmike declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of 2000 and shedded a number of low-performing venues nationwide to escape bad leases realted to aged triples, quads and cookie cutter late multiplex-era houses as they were over-extended in the build out of megaplexes of the late 1990s. In Des Moines, alone, Carmike fresh under bankruptcy protection moved on from the Fleur 4 and Valley 3 on August 24, 2000; the River Hills-Riviera on September 7, 2000; the Westwood 6 and the Sierra 3 after September 14, 2000 and here at the Carmike 11 on September 21, 2000.
After a two-year hiatus and rather unexpectedly, low-cost Nova Cinemas came in and operated the the 11-turned-10 screen venue as the Nova 10 Cinemas beginning on September 1, 2002. Ten years later - likely at the end of lease but also unable to convert to digital and having suffered a major break-in in late June of 2012, moved onward on June 30, 2012. The space was converted to retail space. Most of the venue’s post-theatrical life has been as a thrift store.
The City Council granted Gruesner and Luscher’s G&L Theatres the right to convert the existing Walker Building at 708 Front Street to the Palace Theatre in Nov. of 1930. After a sneak preview, it held its grand opening on April 15, 1931 with “Big Money.” It closed on Nov. 11, 1939 with “Wild Brain Kent.”
Opened with “The Gallant Blade” on May 19, 1949
December 21, 1929 opening ad by Publix as the Paramount with “Half Way to Heaven” in photos.
Opened March 10, 1914 with “The Last Days of Pompeii.”
The Grand Theatre opened September 19, 1912 equipped with two Powers 6-A projectors and showing films. The Grand closed January 30, 1956 at the end of its leasing agreement with “Untamed Mistress” and “The Sleeping Tiger.” In 1958, a retailer had taken over the space.