I am reading “Off the Cliff” which is about the making of “Thelma & Louise.” They mention a test screening held at a CO Theatre in Arlington Heights, IL on Oct. 29, 1990. This could have been at T&C or at Ridge. (T&C would have been CO by this point.) My guess would be Ridge but I do not know.
It said they had an audience of 330.
At this point during a production, it is very likely they would be running the edited work print with splices between each shot and the sound would be a temporary mix running off a separate 35mm magnetic track. A conventional print with an optical soundtrack is remotely possible but less likely. Playing a magnetic track - unmarried it’s often called - means bringing in extra equipment that would play the track in sync with the projector.
I am reading “Off the Cliff” which is about the making of “Thelma & Louise.” They mention a test screening held at a CO Theatre in Arlington Heights, IL on Oct. 29, 1990. This could have been at T&C or at Ridge. (T&C would have been CO by this point.) My guess would be Ridge but I do not know.
It said they had an audience of 330.
At this point during a production, it is very likely they would be running the edited work print with splices between each shot and the sound would be a temporary mix running off a separate 35mm magnetic track. A conventional print with an optical soundtrack is remotely possible but less likely. Playing a magnetic track - unmarried it’s often called - means bringing in extra equipment that would play the track in sync with the projector.
Jnbindallastx1: A fellow who calls himself Dr. Lizardo (as in the Buckaroo Banzai character) or just Doc for short has a blog you will be interested in as it covers adult theatres and related places which allow “play.” Also, from the home page there is a link to a database he maintain. If the link fails just Google Lizardo adult and follow links to blogspot.
Hi Linda! Glad you reposted. I saved the pictures (❤️) since I figured they’d be removed but didn’t think I’d need to save the text so glad it’s back. I love reading first hand accounts.
Oh? Please enlighten. Perhaps back in 2014 you might have been able to get an occasional 35mm print but I think the ship has sailed as prints are very, very rare by now and if you are thinking repertory screening of old titles many of the prints available are junk. My friends in that field work very hard to get prints. But consider who the available audience would be; not the sort of turn out to see old movies just because they are on a big screen on film. They may flock to venues in the city to see obscure titles but they won’t out here.
Even with digital projection installed it’s unlikely to work because you would be unable to compete with Marcus for first run titles and sub-run—showing slightly older films for dollar—really does not exist anymore because movies go from first run to home media so quickly now. I wish that were not the case but that’s the reality which is why most subruns have closed or switched to first run if they could.
I don’t think I ever went there when it was a single only as a twin but it does not surprise me that it was originally just a one screen. My question is whether it was a large single and then divided (probably) or did they add on to create #3.
After the renumbering it carried 13-14 (the highest number) as opposed to those numbers being assigned to the old 5-6 on the far side of RO-West. Presumably the property lease was coming up and they knew it was going to close. I don’t recall what appliance store was in there—someone mentioned Silo. Could also have been a Fretter. But that did not last long and the building was razed to make way for new development.
They definitely had 70mm on one side as I saw with my own eyes how on the first week of Raiders they shared the 70mm print with #1 and the ushers were ferrying the reels (doubled up for 35-40 minutes) back and forth across the street, something that is possible with reel to reel projection not platters. #1 was still carbon arc at that time. Too bad #4 didn’t have 70mm projection as it would have made it a lot easier.
It has been taking a while to bring it down as it’s only a small crew working but as of Friday evening 6/22/18 it’s all gone except for the extreme east and west of the lobby. The famous curved back wall that matched the screen within is gone as is the screen and the whole theatre except as noted. I helped myself to a brick from that area.
Doubly sad because it’s not coming down to make way for something else. Simon malls sold RO to a new owner and Cal City managed to push them into demolishing it citing its deterioration. Yup, I’m sure the roof was leaking but I doubt it was in any danger of collapsing.
Not that I ever expected it to reopen but just imagine if a larger player like AMC or Marcus had come in and built an attached multiplex and refurbished this property. IF they can figure out how to show digital on the deeply curved screen.
If anyone knows what happened to the Super Curvulon lenses please write me at lssr AT filmteknik.com I once worked out a deal to buy them from Simon but they were gone and I was unable to find out who LCE sent in to remove everything except basic projection & sound. It was after they closed but just before LCE went into AMC.
Opened as a twin. I think it was a Jerry Lewis. But definitely two screens with the typical JL setup which was a pair of Ballantynes running big reels with automated changeover. Later cut into 4 screens. They already had 4 projectors so just added platters.
It opened if not the late 60’s then at least the early 70’s. I saw Jaws there.
As someone else said it was originally the Western-Lincoln. Later Western Heights.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe two screens were mono to the end. No excuse for that a quarter century after Dolby Stereo allowed for inexpensive stereo on every movie, every print.
That’s why, despite living just minutes away for the duration of this place’s existence, I only attended movies here two or possibly three times. And one of those was only because it was a freebie.
Why are they saying 1600 seats? Unless they are including the addition next door that is way off. The Motion Picture Herald article shown says 1200. I think that is probably rounded up a bit but no way to 1600.
If anyone has any knowledge of whatever crew Loews Cineplex sent in to clear stuff out when this theatre closed (just before AMC took over) I would like you to contact me. I’m trying to find out where some items went. Please drop me an email at
screen(AT)filmteknik(DOT)com Thanks!
I’d be surprised if 2 and 3 were both 500 seats since 2 was equipped for 70mm so I’m guessing it was larger but I’ll leave that be until I can be sure.
I think PopcornFan’s memory about theatre numbers is a bit off even though he worked there. Here’s how I recall it.
There was the original theatre with the big, deeply curved D150 screen built by ABC Great States before Plitt was formed.
A two screener across Torrance was called 2 & 3 so the original became #1. Then they built a new addition to the original building which was called #4. So far so good.
5&6 was a two screener on the far west side of the River Oaks West plaza. 7&8 was on the south side of the main River Oaks east of Fields, northeast of the ¼ building. I do not recall that this was ever called 5&6 because 5 & 6 was there long before 7 & 8.
THEN a block of store space near Sears became a 6-screener. Since the mall was enclosed this now has an entry way within the mall. These new screens were numbered 1-6. 7&8 remained 7&8.
1 & 4 became 9 & 10.
5 & 6 (far west side) became 11 & 12.
2 & 3 just across Torrance became 13 & 14. That seemed odd at first since it wasn’t in order but it became clear when that 2-plex closed while the old 5 &6, now 11 & 12 remained open.
The 2/3 (13/14) building was indeed gutted but I don’t remember Circuit City there. I think it was a Fretter appliance store. Contrary to the article, the building is no longer standing. It was razed and a new building was put up.
I have never been there and would love to see some of the things people have been writing about. Could someone please point me to some photos showing the nautical details and the auditorium and lobby in general? My web searches are striking out. Thank you in advance.
I am reading “Off the Cliff” which is about the making of “Thelma & Louise.” They mention a test screening held at a CO Theatre in Arlington Heights, IL on Oct. 29, 1990. This could have been at T&C or at Ridge. (T&C would have been CO by this point.) My guess would be Ridge but I do not know.
It said they had an audience of 330.
At this point during a production, it is very likely they would be running the edited work print with splices between each shot and the sound would be a temporary mix running off a separate 35mm magnetic track. A conventional print with an optical soundtrack is remotely possible but less likely. Playing a magnetic track - unmarried it’s often called - means bringing in extra equipment that would play the track in sync with the projector.
Any former employees recall?
I am reading “Off the Cliff” which is about the making of “Thelma & Louise.” They mention a test screening held at a CO Theatre in Arlington Heights, IL on Oct. 29, 1990. This could have been at T&C or at Ridge. (T&C would have been CO by this point.) My guess would be Ridge but I do not know.
It said they had an audience of 330.
At this point during a production, it is very likely they would be running the edited work print with splices between each shot and the sound would be a temporary mix running off a separate 35mm magnetic track. A conventional print with an optical soundtrack is remotely possible but less likely. Playing a magnetic track - unmarried it’s often called - means bringing in extra equipment that would play the track in sync with the projector.
Any former employees recall?
Jnbindallastx1: A fellow who calls himself Dr. Lizardo (as in the Buckaroo Banzai character) or just Doc for short has a blog you will be interested in as it covers adult theatres and related places which allow “play.” Also, from the home page there is a link to a database he maintain. If the link fails just Google Lizardo adult and follow links to blogspot.
https://dremiliolizardo.blogspot.com/
Hi Linda! Glad you reposted. I saved the pictures (❤️) since I figured they’d be removed but didn’t think I’d need to save the text so glad it’s back. I love reading first hand accounts.
Not surprised the photos posted by the former Oak stripper were removed but wished her (text) reminiscences could have remained.
Oh? Please enlighten. Perhaps back in 2014 you might have been able to get an occasional 35mm print but I think the ship has sailed as prints are very, very rare by now and if you are thinking repertory screening of old titles many of the prints available are junk. My friends in that field work very hard to get prints. But consider who the available audience would be; not the sort of turn out to see old movies just because they are on a big screen on film. They may flock to venues in the city to see obscure titles but they won’t out here.
Even with digital projection installed it’s unlikely to work because you would be unable to compete with Marcus for first run titles and sub-run—showing slightly older films for dollar—really does not exist anymore because movies go from first run to home media so quickly now. I wish that were not the case but that’s the reality which is why most subruns have closed or switched to first run if they could.
I don’t think I ever went there when it was a single only as a twin but it does not surprise me that it was originally just a one screen. My question is whether it was a large single and then divided (probably) or did they add on to create #3.
After the renumbering it carried 13-14 (the highest number) as opposed to those numbers being assigned to the old 5-6 on the far side of RO-West. Presumably the property lease was coming up and they knew it was going to close. I don’t recall what appliance store was in there—someone mentioned Silo. Could also have been a Fretter. But that did not last long and the building was razed to make way for new development.
They definitely had 70mm on one side as I saw with my own eyes how on the first week of Raiders they shared the 70mm print with #1 and the ushers were ferrying the reels (doubled up for 35-40 minutes) back and forth across the street, something that is possible with reel to reel projection not platters. #1 was still carbon arc at that time. Too bad #4 didn’t have 70mm projection as it would have made it a lot easier.
It has been taking a while to bring it down as it’s only a small crew working but as of Friday evening 6/22/18 it’s all gone except for the extreme east and west of the lobby. The famous curved back wall that matched the screen within is gone as is the screen and the whole theatre except as noted. I helped myself to a brick from that area.
Doubly sad because it’s not coming down to make way for something else. Simon malls sold RO to a new owner and Cal City managed to push them into demolishing it citing its deterioration. Yup, I’m sure the roof was leaking but I doubt it was in any danger of collapsing.
Not that I ever expected it to reopen but just imagine if a larger player like AMC or Marcus had come in and built an attached multiplex and refurbished this property. IF they can figure out how to show digital on the deeply curved screen.
If anyone knows what happened to the Super Curvulon lenses please write me at lssr AT filmteknik.com I once worked out a deal to buy them from Simon but they were gone and I was unable to find out who LCE sent in to remove everything except basic projection & sound. It was after they closed but just before LCE went into AMC.
Opened as a twin. I think it was a Jerry Lewis. But definitely two screens with the typical JL setup which was a pair of Ballantynes running big reels with automated changeover. Later cut into 4 screens. They already had 4 projectors so just added platters.
It opened if not the late 60’s then at least the early 70’s. I saw Jaws there.
As someone else said it was originally the Western-Lincoln. Later Western Heights.
Gene Buzzelli, are you out there?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe two screens were mono to the end. No excuse for that a quarter century after Dolby Stereo allowed for inexpensive stereo on every movie, every print.
That’s why, despite living just minutes away for the duration of this place’s existence, I only attended movies here two or possibly three times. And one of those was only because it was a freebie.
As of Monday 7/9/12, this theatre is closed. (I don’t know if Saturday or Sunday was the last day.)
Why are they saying 1600 seats? Unless they are including the addition next door that is way off. The Motion Picture Herald article shown says 1200. I think that is probably rounded up a bit but no way to 1600.
If anyone has any knowledge of whatever crew Loews Cineplex sent in to clear stuff out when this theatre closed (just before AMC took over) I would like you to contact me. I’m trying to find out where some items went. Please drop me an email at screen(AT)filmteknik(DOT)com Thanks!
I’d be surprised if 2 and 3 were both 500 seats since 2 was equipped for 70mm so I’m guessing it was larger but I’ll leave that be until I can be sure.
I think PopcornFan’s memory about theatre numbers is a bit off even though he worked there. Here’s how I recall it.
There was the original theatre with the big, deeply curved D150 screen built by ABC Great States before Plitt was formed.
A two screener across Torrance was called 2 & 3 so the original became #1. Then they built a new addition to the original building which was called #4. So far so good.
5&6 was a two screener on the far west side of the River Oaks West plaza. 7&8 was on the south side of the main River Oaks east of Fields, northeast of the ¼ building. I do not recall that this was ever called 5&6 because 5 & 6 was there long before 7 & 8.
THEN a block of store space near Sears became a 6-screener. Since the mall was enclosed this now has an entry way within the mall. These new screens were numbered 1-6. 7&8 remained 7&8.
1 & 4 became 9 & 10.
5 & 6 (far west side) became 11 & 12.
2 & 3 just across Torrance became 13 & 14. That seemed odd at first since it wasn’t in order but it became clear when that 2-plex closed while the old 5 &6, now 11 & 12 remained open.
The 2/3 (13/14) building was indeed gutted but I don’t remember Circuit City there. I think it was a Fretter appliance store. Contrary to the article, the building is no longer standing. It was razed and a new building was put up.
I have never been there and would love to see some of the things people have been writing about. Could someone please point me to some photos showing the nautical details and the auditorium and lobby in general? My web searches are striking out. Thank you in advance.
Steve in Chicago