The “East” was most likely used to avoid any confusion with the Penthouse in Times Square which changed its name in 1975 to the Cinerama-2 and had no affiliation to Guccione.
Ed, according to Variety, at the time these theatres wanted clearance from both the east and west side runs. The distributors preferred the two runs instead of one since they attracted very different crowds and two runs gave them an audience profile for their films before the national roll-out.
Indeed, in this era before marketing research, Zefferilli’s “Romeo and Juliet” easily went mainstream but the more mainstream appearing “Bonnie and Clyde” did better at specialty houses.
It barely lasted 14 years, but at the time a state-of the-art quad in Times Square sounded pretty good. I remember Richard Branson trying to get it away from Loews in order to launch his Virgin Cinemas in the states.
Miami Shores and El Portal were separate cities, at least back when I lived there.
What you call Morningside I used to know as the Puerto Rican section of Overtown. I always though the Mercury effort was part of that Design Destrict “chic” party crowd.
I am not sure Maria but it would make sense with all the competition in the area.
I think the Hernandez who owns this may be the same guy behind National Cinemas who ran a number theatres in Miami in the eighties and nineties including the Ambassador, Atlas, America, Garden, Movies of Kendall and Regency.
Currently operated by Ocean Cinemas, (Le Jeune Cinemas 6), this was a Regal Theatre from 1995-1999.
When it originally opened it was a Muvico novelty building featuring a recently crashed rocketship sticking out of the lobby roof, complete with smoke coming from it. It was impossible to drive by and not stare.
I wondered about dates myself since I went to Ada Merritt Junior High in the late sixties. I suspect the KKK left when the neighborhood became Little Havana, but they were suspects in the JFK assassination in 1963 and may have left soon after.
I do remember the battle for “Fitzcarraldo” and the hanging screen which made it possible for the Rocky Horror cast to perform below it. I think the Grove Movie was smaller than this one as that may have had the projector inside the auditorium, if I recall correctly. This was located next to a post office so I am not sure if they shared the space.
This is as close as I got, amyd.
http://www.pbase.com/image/80670007
There was a Columbus Theatre at 981 West 8th Avenue and still showing films in 1938. Does anyone know if it was this same location?
Penthouse East should be an aka name here.
The “East” was most likely used to avoid any confusion with the Penthouse in Times Square which changed its name in 1975 to the Cinerama-2 and had no affiliation to Guccione.
Ed, according to Variety, at the time these theatres wanted clearance from both the east and west side runs. The distributors preferred the two runs instead of one since they attracted very different crowds and two runs gave them an audience profile for their films before the national roll-out.
Indeed, in this era before marketing research, Zefferilli’s “Romeo and Juliet” easily went mainstream but the more mainstream appearing “Bonnie and Clyde” did better at specialty houses.
Thanks, LM! I was not aware it was still showing films that far into the forties.
LM, which Harlem Theatre is that in the May 8 photo?
The map link above goes to Brooklyn.
Here are operating dates I have found.
Dec. 1951- Oct. 1964 as the Normandie
Oct. 1964- 1971 as the Cinema Rendezvous
1971- 1978 as the Playboy.
1979-1998 as the 57th Street Playhouse.
It barely lasted 14 years, but at the time a state-of the-art quad in Times Square sounded pretty good. I remember Richard Branson trying to get it away from Loews in order to launch his Virgin Cinemas in the states.
This opened in 1996.
The two Paramounts, MSG and Columbus ,overlapped in 1991-1992 until Loews changed theirs to Columbus Circle.
The Lighthouse had 75 seats.
Miami Shores and El Portal were separate cities, at least back when I lived there.
What you call Morningside I used to know as the Puerto Rican section of Overtown. I always though the Mercury effort was part of that Design Destrict “chic” party crowd.
I am not sure Maria but it would make sense with all the competition in the area.
I think the Hernandez who owns this may be the same guy behind National Cinemas who ran a number theatres in Miami in the eighties and nineties including the Ambassador, Atlas, America, Garden, Movies of Kendall and Regency.
I just submitted the Le Jeune tonight, LM.
By the way, the city is North Miami and the zip code is 33179.
Currently operated by Ocean Cinemas, (Le Jeune Cinemas 6), this was a Regal Theatre from 1995-1999.
When it originally opened it was a Muvico novelty building featuring a recently crashed rocketship sticking out of the lobby roof, complete with smoke coming from it. It was impossible to drive by and not stare.
This was owned by Holiday Theatres in the seventies.
This opened in 1998.
The South Beach opened in 1999.
I wondered about dates myself since I went to Ada Merritt Junior High in the late sixties. I suspect the KKK left when the neighborhood became Little Havana, but they were suspects in the JFK assassination in 1963 and may have left soon after.
Fred, it is listed as Gusman; /theaters/77/
If a site still has some use as a theatre of any kind it is listed under its current name.
Thank you again, Fred, for your contribution.
Miami needs guys like you to fill in the pieces. This city moves too fast. Please keep the memories coming.
Thanks for those great memories, Fred.
Two questions that you may recall or know the answer to:
1) Did the Miami downtown ever have a separate “negro” box office and entrance?
2) Was the Sunset Theatre off U.S 1 in South Miami ever knwonwas the South Miami Theatre?
Great post, S Porridge!
I do remember the battle for “Fitzcarraldo” and the hanging screen which made it possible for the Rocky Horror cast to perform below it. I think the Grove Movie was smaller than this one as that may have had the projector inside the auditorium, if I recall correctly. This was located next to a post office so I am not sure if they shared the space.