Exterior of the new Hillsboro I Rocking Chair Theatre building nearing completion in this November 1969 photo. Note top rear of the Hillsboro Drive-in’s new steel screen visible above roof of building on opposite side. The drive-in was renamed Hillsboro II for a time. View link
Thanks tlsloews for directing me to this site. The photos of the demolition are indeed sad. It’s a terrible shame so many classic theatres in nearly every city are now history. The Tampa Theatre luckily escaped the wrecking ball by one single vote in favor of saving the building. Otherwise it would be a parking lot today.
THE EXORCIST ad from the Washington Post dated February 6, 1974. This is around the same date I saw the film for the first time. Memories of standing in long lines in the cold weather and being frightened out of my wits! View link
Mike, Around 12 years ago on our way back from Charlotte we had just passed through Gastonia. We were on a rural country road when I spotted an old drive-in that looked like it had been closed for decades. The booth was still standing and the old rusted-out projectors were still there but the screen was gone. After we left I noticed a small sign off the road that said Clover. I wonder if this was the same drive-in. Are Newberry and Clover near each other?
Hey Mike, Don’t be surprised if someone does provide more details on this drive-in. CT people sometimes have a way of finding info on the smallest most obscure theatres.
Very nice intro Mike. I’m hoping you do hear back from the society. Hopefully they keep back issues of any newspaper or flyer where this drive-in would most likely have been advertised. Otherwise you’ll have to rely on someone who is still connected with the society that remembers the Hi-De-Ho. If not then maybe they’ll refer your inquiry to someone familiar with this drive-in. Good luck on this one!
tlsloews I always try for the largest size on every photo but the computer has a mind of it’s own. Some photos will enlarge three times their normal size and others just slightly larger. It’s very fustrating. I’m following the same scanning/enlargement procedure for each one so they should
all enlarge equally. The photo above is at its max enlargement.
Bill sent me this ad years ago. I love it. Certainly one of the best cleverly designed ads I’ve ever seen. What great publicity for both Bill as well as the Imperial.
In case you haven’t yet seen the Palace Theatre in Tampa, I posted a few photos I took the day the building was demolished in 1979.
Here’s the photo I was searching for. A crowd awaits entrance to “HOTEL BERLIN” in 1945.
Note the banner now signifying the name change to Cinema. View link
Mike, No worries…it doesn’t cost a penney to do this. I’m also keeping an eye out for materials on the Imperial, National Hills, Columbia Square I & 2 and any other Augusta theatres and drive-ins. You’ve sent many clippings and photos which I still have (I never throw away any theatre materials) so I’ll be posting these as I come across them.
Glad you enjoyed them Mike. I’m sure glad I saved them. I had about 50 programs of 50s & 60s films I had saved from the RITZ THEATRE that I ended up giving to my little cousin about 45 years ago (really bad mistake) since I’m sure she trashed them within a few weeks. And now I don’t have a single one from the RITZ. I’m kicking myself every time I think about it. What I wouldn’t give to have those little film programs today…!!
I posted a message on the Imperial page alerting tlsloews and Robin and other interested parties about the 20th Century programs. Make sure you check Tampa’s theatres daily since I’m planning (hopefully) to post something everyday on at least one theatre.
We’ll keep you happy Mike! I’ve got several boxes and folders of materials to go through so stand by. Thanks to the advice from Robin and Chuck on linking, otherwise I’d still be fumbling in the dark.
I posted a couple items on the 20th Century Drive-In page so take a look when you have a moment.
tlsloews, At least you remembered the film “Sleeper” and your $1.50 per hour when you began in the business. I can’t recall which films were playing my first night on the job at the Dale Mabry Drive-In. But I can’t forget my $5.00 per night pay that amounted to about .83 cents an hour!
Mike, I saw “Paper Moon” on my first visit. Afterwards I peeked in the shoebox cinema I to see how “The Sound of Music” was doing and it was crowded. I was standing at the back for a few minutes when suddenly the reel ended and the picture went off the screen making loud bleeping & popping noises as it ran completely through the projector and soundhead leaving a brightly lit screen for a few seconds. POOR SHOWMANSHIP! Where was the projectionist..?!
I have to be one of maybe two people in the world who nearly fell asleep during “Star Wars.” On my first viewing in 1977 I sorta kinda liked it. It was just o.k. but nothing fantastic. I failed to see the terrific excitement so many millions saw in the film. A few months later I gave it a second chance and this time my companion had to nudge me twice to keep me awake.
When “The Empire Strikes Back” opened I was hesistant to go but decided this one just might be better. And surprise! I LOVED IT! I saw the film two or three times. Part of the reason for my enjoyment had to do with the Dolby Stereo soundtrack that practically blew me out of my seat. Even though I saw it in 35mm that wall-shaking soundtrack was phenomenal.
Thanks Chuck. Yes, that’s how I’d love the photos and ads to appear. But in reviewing Flicker’s guidelines it appears they prefer that you use option 1 (the photostream link) when linking a photo you post on Flicker to another website. But I prefer to use option 2 as long as that’s not a problem with Flicker. I’d hate for them to disable the link at a later date. If that happens then I’ll just have to go with option 1. Thanks much for your advice! I have a ton of stuff to post for both Augusta and Tampa theatres. I just posted a 1973 re-opening ad for the Britton Cinema in Tampa…looks very nice.
Mike, The ads do look nice but I still need to figure how to post them so only one will be visible if there’s a way to do it.
Robin, Thanks for the tip. I’m almost certain I copied and pasted the url for the specific ad I wanted displayed. I tested it again using the preview window on CT but my photostream is sill showing in the background. So obviously I’m doing something wrong but I’ll figure it out…eventually!
Thanks tlsloews & Robin! But just when I thought I had it down pat I realize there’s more about Flickr I need to learn. I just added an ad to the National Hills page and it’s also showing in the link above. Now how’d that happen..!?
Exterior of the new Hillsboro I Rocking Chair Theatre building nearing completion in this November 1969 photo. Note top rear of the Hillsboro Drive-in’s new steel screen visible above roof of building on opposite side. The drive-in was renamed Hillsboro II for a time.
View link
Thanks tlsloews for directing me to this site. The photos of the demolition are indeed sad. It’s a terrible shame so many classic theatres in nearly every city are now history. The Tampa Theatre luckily escaped the wrecking ball by one single vote in favor of saving the building. Otherwise it would be a parking lot today.
THE EXORCIST ad from the Washington Post dated February 6, 1974. This is around the same date I saw the film for the first time. Memories of standing in long lines in the cold weather and being frightened out of my wits!
View link
Mike standing in front of National Hills screen now in shreds.
View link
Mike, Around 12 years ago on our way back from Charlotte we had just passed through Gastonia. We were on a rural country road when I spotted an old drive-in that looked like it had been closed for decades. The booth was still standing and the old rusted-out projectors were still there but the screen was gone. After we left I noticed a small sign off the road that said Clover. I wonder if this was the same drive-in. Are Newberry and Clover near each other?
Hey Mike, Don’t be surprised if someone does provide more details on this drive-in. CT people sometimes have a way of finding info on the smallest most obscure theatres.
Very nice intro Mike. I’m hoping you do hear back from the society. Hopefully they keep back issues of any newspaper or flyer where this drive-in would most likely have been advertised. Otherwise you’ll have to rely on someone who is still connected with the society that remembers the Hi-De-Ho. If not then maybe they’ll refer your inquiry to someone familiar with this drive-in. Good luck on this one!
tlsloews I always try for the largest size on every photo but the computer has a mind of it’s own. Some photos will enlarge three times their normal size and others just slightly larger. It’s very fustrating. I’m following the same scanning/enlargement procedure for each one so they should
all enlarge equally. The photo above is at its max enlargement.
Bill sent me this ad years ago. I love it. Certainly one of the best cleverly designed ads I’ve ever seen. What great publicity for both Bill as well as the Imperial.
In case you haven’t yet seen the Palace Theatre in Tampa, I posted a few photos I took the day the building was demolished in 1979.
Here’s the photo I was searching for. A crowd awaits entrance to “HOTEL BERLIN” in 1945.
Note the banner now signifying the name change to Cinema.
View link
A USF class in session in one of the larger theatres. Could be one of the original III or IV cinemas now completely redone.
View link
Mr. Barkley, Imperial Projectionist sees JAWS 257 times!
View link
Programs from 1967-1969:
View link
View link
View link
Photo of auditorium about 1948 following remodeling and name change from Victory to Palace:
View link
The Palace comes down in December 1979:
View link
Two close-up photos of wreckage at rear of building. Note last photo: balcony with seats above and Cinerama projection booth below:
View link
Mike, No worries…it doesn’t cost a penney to do this. I’m also keeping an eye out for materials on the Imperial, National Hills, Columbia Square I & 2 and any other Augusta theatres and drive-ins. You’ve sent many clippings and photos which I still have (I never throw away any theatre materials) so I’ll be posting these as I come across them.
Glad you enjoyed them Mike. I’m sure glad I saved them. I had about 50 programs of 50s & 60s films I had saved from the RITZ THEATRE that I ended up giving to my little cousin about 45 years ago (really bad mistake) since I’m sure she trashed them within a few weeks. And now I don’t have a single one from the RITZ. I’m kicking myself every time I think about it. What I wouldn’t give to have those little film programs today…!!
I posted a message on the Imperial page alerting tlsloews and Robin and other interested parties about the 20th Century programs. Make sure you check Tampa’s theatres daily since I’m planning (hopefully) to post something everyday on at least one theatre.
We’ll keep you happy Mike! I’ve got several boxes and folders of materials to go through so stand by. Thanks to the advice from Robin and Chuck on linking, otherwise I’d still be fumbling in the dark.
I posted a couple items on the 20th Century Drive-In page so take a look when you have a moment.
tlsloews, At least you remembered the film “Sleeper” and your $1.50 per hour when you began in the business. I can’t recall which films were playing my first night on the job at the Dale Mabry Drive-In. But I can’t forget my $5.00 per night pay that amounted to about .83 cents an hour!
Mike, I saw “Paper Moon” on my first visit. Afterwards I peeked in the shoebox cinema I to see how “The Sound of Music” was doing and it was crowded. I was standing at the back for a few minutes when suddenly the reel ended and the picture went off the screen making loud bleeping & popping noises as it ran completely through the projector and soundhead leaving a brightly lit screen for a few seconds. POOR SHOWMANSHIP! Where was the projectionist..?!
Photo of booth dated 1964 when new equipment was installed. Thanks to Mike Rogers of Augusta who spotted the photo in Boxoffice:
View link
Programs from 1960s-1970s:
1. View link
2. View link
3. View link
Thanks Mike for another great one!
I have to be one of maybe two people in the world who nearly fell asleep during “Star Wars.” On my first viewing in 1977 I sorta kinda liked it. It was just o.k. but nothing fantastic. I failed to see the terrific excitement so many millions saw in the film. A few months later I gave it a second chance and this time my companion had to nudge me twice to keep me awake.
When “The Empire Strikes Back” opened I was hesistant to go but decided this one just might be better. And surprise! I LOVED IT! I saw the film two or three times. Part of the reason for my enjoyment had to do with the Dolby Stereo soundtrack that practically blew me out of my seat. Even though I saw it in 35mm that wall-shaking soundtrack was phenomenal.
Thanks Chuck. Yes, that’s how I’d love the photos and ads to appear. But in reviewing Flicker’s guidelines it appears they prefer that you use option 1 (the photostream link) when linking a photo you post on Flicker to another website. But I prefer to use option 2 as long as that’s not a problem with Flicker. I’d hate for them to disable the link at a later date. If that happens then I’ll just have to go with option 1. Thanks much for your advice! I have a ton of stuff to post for both Augusta and Tampa theatres. I just posted a 1973 re-opening ad for the Britton Cinema in Tampa…looks very nice.
Grand re-opening ad from 1973:
View link
Mike, The ads do look nice but I still need to figure how to post them so only one will be visible if there’s a way to do it.
Robin, Thanks for the tip. I’m almost certain I copied and pasted the url for the specific ad I wanted displayed. I tested it again using the preview window on CT but my photostream is sill showing in the background. So obviously I’m doing something wrong but I’ll figure it out…eventually!
Thanks tlsloews & Robin! But just when I thought I had it down pat I realize there’s more about Flickr I need to learn. I just added an ad to the National Hills page and it’s also showing in the link above. Now how’d that happen..!?
National Hills opening attraction (1966):
View link