The first film I saw there was Transformers: The Movie in August of that year. The last was the 2001 reissue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in October ‘01.
For a kid who grew up in the 1980s in the 19th Ward of Rochester, that theatre was it. Kind of sad that it opened when I was 7, and closed for good a few months after I graduated college.
The theater was always referred to as Panorama Plaza, right up until it closed. I can’t comment on the actual location compared to the strip mall (which is still in use) because I live on the other side of Rochester and am unfamiliar with the Penfield area.
Even up til the release of Far and Away, most still considered the 70mm-capable screen here the best in the city.
The projectors are in storage at the Eastman House, if I’m not mistaken. They’d like to eventually use them, but they need money to build a better screen (I think). It’s one of the things they continually mention with fundraisers.
That is kind of sad, but I’m sure it provides a nice contrast to the Regal/Cinemark dominated local market. Not that I hate Cinemark, Tinseltown is my favorite local theatre by far!
Sadly, I was too young to enjoy the 70mm runs that were there (last one: Far and Away). The last film I saw there was Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy with my brother in the spring of 1996.
I’ve researched most of the 60s runs (my info goes up until 1970, which is as far as I’ve gotten with the Democrat & Chronicle’s microfilm), and a handful of the ‘80s blow-up runs (picking favorite titles from childhood). But some of the other titles that haven’t been mentioned (either here, or on the other 70mm sites) are:
Grand Prix
Khartoum
Ice Station Zebra
Far From The Madding Crowd
Krakatoa, East of Java
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Annie
Gandhi
Pink Floyd The Wall
Aliens
Dune
Why do this? Well, I saw Coate/Kallay’s work and was interested in doing the same for Rochester. (It always fascinated me that a theatre I knew as a porno house – the Monroe – was once a place for first-run roadshows.)
Plus I'e been a loyal reader here, and figured it was the best way to contribute.
The building opened in the summer of 1986.
The first film I saw there was Transformers: The Movie in August of that year. The last was the 2001 reissue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in October ‘01.
For a kid who grew up in the 1980s in the 19th Ward of Rochester, that theatre was it. Kind of sad that it opened when I was 7, and closed for good a few months after I graduated college.
Great work, Mike and Vince!
The theater was always referred to as Panorama Plaza, right up until it closed. I can’t comment on the actual location compared to the strip mall (which is still in use) because I live on the other side of Rochester and am unfamiliar with the Penfield area.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks, RJ.
Even up til the release of Far and Away, most still considered the 70mm-capable screen here the best in the city.
The projectors are in storage at the Eastman House, if I’m not mistaken. They’d like to eventually use them, but they need money to build a better screen (I think). It’s one of the things they continually mention with fundraisers.
That is kind of sad, but I’m sure it provides a nice contrast to the Regal/Cinemark dominated local market. Not that I hate Cinemark, Tinseltown is my favorite local theatre by far!
I remember that supermarket! Mom used to work at the KMart nearby, so we ended up going there once in a while.
Haven’t been in the theatre since Phantom Menace in 1999 (which was on their THX-certified screen).
When the theatre opened on June 3, 1988, they advertised 70mm capability in the local paper. Don’t believe they ever had any 70mm runs, however.
Pretty much. What’s 63mm?
Sadly, I was too young to enjoy the 70mm runs that were there (last one: Far and Away). The last film I saw there was Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy with my brother in the spring of 1996.
Great job, Mike. Thanks for the hat-tip!
West Side Story played as a 70mm roadshow from April 1962 to October 1962 at the Riviera.
Most of the major roadshows would play either the Monroe or the Riviera.
I’ve researched most of the 60s runs (my info goes up until 1970, which is as far as I’ve gotten with the Democrat & Chronicle’s microfilm), and a handful of the ‘80s blow-up runs (picking favorite titles from childhood). But some of the other titles that haven’t been mentioned (either here, or on the other 70mm sites) are:
Grand Prix
Khartoum
Ice Station Zebra
Far From The Madding Crowd
Krakatoa, East of Java
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Annie
Gandhi
Pink Floyd The Wall
Aliens
Dune
Why do this? Well, I saw Coate/Kallay’s work and was interested in doing the same for Rochester. (It always fascinated me that a theatre I knew as a porno house – the Monroe – was once a place for first-run roadshows.)
Plus I'e been a loyal reader here, and figured it was the best way to contribute.