I was in the Hodge building in the first week of October,
2016. A nice man from the Lions club working there
invited me in.
I can’t remember if this a one screen or two screen
Theater. There are projection portals for two screens but one of them
looks like it was added at a later date. They rent the building out
for dances and bingo. The floor has been made flat and it’s really quite ugly
Inside as all curtains and color is missing from the auditorium. They have also added big drop lights like one might see in a gymnasium. I’m sure it was
attractive back in the 60’s, but they have stripped all grandeur from it.
Just read in the newspaper, the Kirklands don’t own the land the theater was built on, just the structures themselfs. The land owner does not want to renew the lease for the land so it looks like death for this theater. Probably build another Walmart there.
The Fuji Japanese Steak House was located behind the theater. This was a Jerry Lewis Cinema. After it closed, it was turned into a dance club. It is currently closed.
Saw Flight of the Phoenix, Earthquake and Dr. Zhivago at the Majestic. Best I remember, it was not a very nice or clean theater. It was located next to Mack Eplens downtown cafeteria and when they showed the movie Earthquake, the cafeteria shook like the theater.
I have been told by a Lamesa native, that there was another drive in theater north of town. It was torn down when they built the Alco store. Anyone know about this?
First of all, the snack bar was all that burned. While this was tragic, the screen, the projection booth, the digital projectors, all were untouched by the fire. Now rather the Kirklands rebuild it, time will tell. I think Sam wants to, but he is getting close to retirement age and has a big decision to make. I personally hope he reopens. I grew up going to the Skyview and so did my kids. It was a really fun place with great food.
I posted an update of the Lorex Theater in Loraine Texas in the photo section. All photos taken on 12/1/14. The walls of the building are pulling away from each other and the roof is gone. It can’t possible stand much longer.
The Westwood theater should now be listed as closed and for sale. The movie house opened in 1966, meaning it’s 50th anniversary would just be ahead. At the time it opened, moviegoers could choose from the 4 downtown theaters, (The Metro, The Majestic, The Paramount and The Queen). The Interstate chain closed The Queen down on the day before The Westwood opened. Sonny and Cher came to The Westwood in April 1967 as part of a Texas tour for their movie, “Good Times”. It was twinned in the summer of 1977. In the last several years it became a bargain cinema. You could get in for less than $2.00 and get a large bucket of popcorn for $5.00 with a free refill. True the seats were falling apart and the sound and projector broke down a lot, but it made for a cheap date. Later in 1969, National General Cinema built a theater in the Westgate shopping mall. Shortly after that, The Radford Hills 3 was built and a Jerry Lewis Cinema, causing a glut of theaters for a town the size of Abilene. The Westwood officially closed November 15, 2014. I attended the Westwood most of its theater life and am saddened to see the old girl go. Hopefully someone will invest in it and give it a new life.
In later years this theater was known as the RX-70. I believe it had something to do with being remodeled in the 70’s. The current owner said everything inside had been removed.
I was recently behind the 3M Palace in Colorado City. There is a natural gas compressor piped into the building. It no longer looks useable, but I believe at one time, some theaters were cooled with dry air this way. I had read about it, but never saw one till now.
Yes, same theater. It has no sign giving its name.
I was in the Hodge building in the first week of October, 2016. A nice man from the Lions club working there invited me in. I can’t remember if this a one screen or two screen Theater. There are projection portals for two screens but one of them looks like it was added at a later date. They rent the building out for dances and bingo. The floor has been made flat and it’s really quite ugly Inside as all curtains and color is missing from the auditorium. They have also added big drop lights like one might see in a gymnasium. I’m sure it was attractive back in the 60’s, but they have stripped all grandeur from it.
Just read in the newspaper, the Kirklands don’t own the land the theater was built on, just the structures themselfs. The land owner does not want to renew the lease for the land so it looks like death for this theater. Probably build another Walmart there.
The Alco was North of town.
The Brazos theater has not been demolished. I saw it today. A church was using it but it is now for sale. I will post a picture as soon as I can.
Pictures taken on 5/14/16.
Robhanhouston—-The Palace and The Texas both burned—-not sure of the dates.
Drove by the Radford 3 the other day (2/8/16) and the door was open. Looked in and it was full of bails of hay.
Had my 12th birthday at the Metro. Saw Fantastic Voyage.
The Fuji Japanese Steak House was located behind the theater. This was a Jerry Lewis Cinema. After it closed, it was turned into a dance club. It is currently closed.
Saw Flight of the Phoenix, Earthquake and Dr. Zhivago at the Majestic. Best I remember, it was not a very nice or clean theater. It was located next to Mack Eplens downtown cafeteria and when they showed the movie Earthquake, the cafeteria shook like the theater.
I recently went out to where the Crescent was located. Digging around I found some orange speaker poles buried up.
I have been told by a Lamesa native, that there was another drive in theater north of town. It was torn down when they built the Alco store. Anyone know about this?
First of all, the snack bar was all that burned. While this was tragic, the screen, the projection booth, the digital projectors, all were untouched by the fire. Now rather the Kirklands rebuild it, time will tell. I think Sam wants to, but he is getting close to retirement age and has a big decision to make. I personally hope he reopens. I grew up going to the Skyview and so did my kids. It was a really fun place with great food.
The tower recently blew down. This is the second time for this to happen in the drive-ins history.
The Lance Theater is getting a new roof and will be opening for drama productions soon.
How many balconies does this theater have?
We (the Ritz Theater Board) are currently having the electrical system on our sign redone. The last upgrade was in 1992.
Ryan never got around to building a 3rd screen, so it is known as Cinema 1 & 2. Please change the name.
I posted an update of the Lorex Theater in Loraine Texas in the photo section. All photos taken on 12/1/14. The walls of the building are pulling away from each other and the roof is gone. It can’t possible stand much longer.
The Westwood theater should now be listed as closed and for sale. The movie house opened in 1966, meaning it’s 50th anniversary would just be ahead. At the time it opened, moviegoers could choose from the 4 downtown theaters, (The Metro, The Majestic, The Paramount and The Queen). The Interstate chain closed The Queen down on the day before The Westwood opened. Sonny and Cher came to The Westwood in April 1967 as part of a Texas tour for their movie, “Good Times”. It was twinned in the summer of 1977. In the last several years it became a bargain cinema. You could get in for less than $2.00 and get a large bucket of popcorn for $5.00 with a free refill. True the seats were falling apart and the sound and projector broke down a lot, but it made for a cheap date. Later in 1969, National General Cinema built a theater in the Westgate shopping mall. Shortly after that, The Radford Hills 3 was built and a Jerry Lewis Cinema, causing a glut of theaters for a town the size of Abilene. The Westwood officially closed November 15, 2014. I attended the Westwood most of its theater life and am saddened to see the old girl go. Hopefully someone will invest in it and give it a new life.
The ticket kios is sitting inside the lobby. Doors are unlocked and sometime standing open from the wind. Inside is gutted.
In later years this theater was known as the RX-70. I believe it had something to do with being remodeled in the 70’s. The current owner said everything inside had been removed.
I was recently behind the 3M Palace in Colorado City. There is a natural gas compressor piped into the building. It no longer looks useable, but I believe at one time, some theaters were cooled with dry air this way. I had read about it, but never saw one till now.
Mr. Vogel, your URL does not work. Has it changed.