It’s unfortunate that the picture doesn’t show the theater pre-1979 or so. The theater still had the boxoffice before it was converted to a church. Hopefully someone has a picture of it somewhere.
Wow, do you still happen to have that issue of Boxoffice (or a scan)? I’d love to see it.
Unfortunately, there are very few pictures we took while operating the theater. I was able to visit it in 2000 and would you believe that all of the graffiti we wrote on the projection booth walls was still there? Every movie shown, we wrote on the walls.
I have hardcopy pics in storage and will scan them someday.
The Fountain Theater was open in the late 70s (not early 70s as stated) and was run by my father. It was renamed The 1863 Cinema. It held 200 seats and closed in 1979.
The Alpine was opened in 1987, contrary to the Mainstreet Ripley website and information above. I ran the projectors there during the summer and on the weekends until it was closed in late 1987.
I got the opportunity to look at this grand theater in 1987 (my father was considering purchasing it) and was absolutely amazed at how beautiful it was. Despite almost two decades of dust and neglect, it was still absolutely amazing – balcony, stage, crying room for babies. I unfortunately cannot describe how splendid it was. Even the projectors still worked! There is nothing like entering an old theater that still has everything as it was the day it closed – movie posters, film clips on the floor, and even old popcorn bags and paper cups.
The Princess Theater was not open in the 70s from what I recall. In the late 70s, the building was already falling apart and nothing remained to even identify it as a theater.
It’s unfortunate that the picture doesn’t show the theater pre-1979 or so. The theater still had the boxoffice before it was converted to a church. Hopefully someone has a picture of it somewhere.
Thanks, Joe.
Wow, do you still happen to have that issue of Boxoffice (or a scan)? I’d love to see it.
Unfortunately, there are very few pictures we took while operating the theater. I was able to visit it in 2000 and would you believe that all of the graffiti we wrote on the projection booth walls was still there? Every movie shown, we wrote on the walls.
I have hardcopy pics in storage and will scan them someday.
Joe,
Any pictures of the Kayton? I’d love to see some. My barber back home has an original playbill for the Kayton from the 60s/70s!
Kevin
Why was my previous comments deleted?
The Fountain Theater was open in the late 70s (not early 70s as stated) and was run by my father. It was renamed The 1863 Cinema. It held 200 seats and closed in 1979.
First movie: Walking Tall – Final Chapter
Last move: A Little Romance
The Alpine was opened in 1987, contrary to the Mainstreet Ripley website and information above. I ran the projectors there during the summer and on the weekends until it was closed in late 1987.
I got the opportunity to look at this grand theater in 1987 (my father was considering purchasing it) and was absolutely amazed at how beautiful it was. Despite almost two decades of dust and neglect, it was still absolutely amazing – balcony, stage, crying room for babies. I unfortunately cannot describe how splendid it was. Even the projectors still worked! There is nothing like entering an old theater that still has everything as it was the day it closed – movie posters, film clips on the floor, and even old popcorn bags and paper cups.
I’ll never forget my father taking me to The Capitol Theater for the premier of Star Wars over 30 years ago.
The Princess Theater was not open in the 70s from what I recall. In the late 70s, the building was already falling apart and nothing remained to even identify it as a theater.