Saw “The Exorcist” here in the 70’s while stationed at Dyess AFB. It was single screen then and packed every weekends with movie goers. It’s sad to see these vintage locations closed now and or converted to churches.
Drive-in arcs were beasts! Often 300-500 amps versus 200 for a conventional theater. Just wondering were you union? I also worked as a relief projectionist while in college in the late 60’s/early 70’s but could never get in the union. Somebody had to die back in those days. Got to work some really interesting venues though including RKO Keith’s, Warner, and the Uptown.
My father, Arlo Adams, leased and managed the theater at the time of it’s closing in 1968, not 1974. I was the projectionist at the time. As stated above it was demolished shortly thereafter in order to make room for the widening/dualization of Route 210. The owners, Southern Maryland Oil, then constructed a new Texaco gas station which opened in early 1969 and was operated by Mitch Mills for many years until it too was demolished and yet another new building was constructed converting the property into its present configuration as a Dash-In convenience store. Southern Maryland Oil, which is now The Wills Group, still owns and operates the location as a franchise operation of its subsidiary, Dash In Food Stores. I admittedly have a unique perspective on these events as I worked for both the theater itself at the time of its closing and later Southern Maryland Oil (The Wills Group) from which I retired in 2010.
The Glymont closed in September 1968. It was demolished about a month later by the new owners, Southern Maryland Oil, in order to make way for a new Texaco station. The last movie to play there was Jerry Lewis' “Don’t Raise the Bridge Lower the River.” Attendance was poor as it wasn’t a very good movie.
Renovations are complete and this is now the best AMC I have ever visited. Every seat is a full recliner similar to (if not better than) my large leather recliner at home. All projection and sound has been upgraded to fully digital as is now being mandated by the industry. They have also gone to 100% reserved seating that may be purchased online. No more having to get to the theatre early just to insure you get a decent seat. My only complaint is they could have done a little better job of sound proofing between auditoriums. Who wants to hear a shoot out coming from the next auditorium during a particularly quiet or poignant scene in your movie? This is not an issue at this theatre only though. Congratulations AMC — nice job!
I recall that Earnest Borgnine attended an invitational premiere of “Ice Station Zebra” in 1969 at the Uptown. It benefited the Navy Relief Fund I believe — a charity of which Mr. Borgnine was fond. Senator Edward Kennedy attended along with many other dignitaries.
Saw “The Exorcist” here in the 70’s while stationed at Dyess AFB. It was single screen then and packed every weekends with movie goers. It’s sad to see these vintage locations closed now and or converted to churches.
Hi HDEngineer,
Drive-in arcs were beasts! Often 300-500 amps versus 200 for a conventional theater. Just wondering were you union? I also worked as a relief projectionist while in college in the late 60’s/early 70’s but could never get in the union. Somebody had to die back in those days. Got to work some really interesting venues though including RKO Keith’s, Warner, and the Uptown.
My father, Arlo Adams, leased and managed the theater at the time of it’s closing in 1968, not 1974. I was the projectionist at the time. As stated above it was demolished shortly thereafter in order to make room for the widening/dualization of Route 210. The owners, Southern Maryland Oil, then constructed a new Texaco gas station which opened in early 1969 and was operated by Mitch Mills for many years until it too was demolished and yet another new building was constructed converting the property into its present configuration as a Dash-In convenience store. Southern Maryland Oil, which is now The Wills Group, still owns and operates the location as a franchise operation of its subsidiary, Dash In Food Stores. I admittedly have a unique perspective on these events as I worked for both the theater itself at the time of its closing and later Southern Maryland Oil (The Wills Group) from which I retired in 2010.
Saw the “Godfather” and “Towering Inferno” there in the early 70’s.
The Glymont closed in September 1968. It was demolished about a month later by the new owners, Southern Maryland Oil, in order to make way for a new Texaco station. The last movie to play there was Jerry Lewis' “Don’t Raise the Bridge Lower the River.” Attendance was poor as it wasn’t a very good movie.
Renovations are complete and this is now the best AMC I have ever visited. Every seat is a full recliner similar to (if not better than) my large leather recliner at home. All projection and sound has been upgraded to fully digital as is now being mandated by the industry. They have also gone to 100% reserved seating that may be purchased online. No more having to get to the theatre early just to insure you get a decent seat. My only complaint is they could have done a little better job of sound proofing between auditoriums. Who wants to hear a shoot out coming from the next auditorium during a particularly quiet or poignant scene in your movie? This is not an issue at this theatre only though. Congratulations AMC — nice job!
I recall that Earnest Borgnine attended an invitational premiere of “Ice Station Zebra” in 1969 at the Uptown. It benefited the Navy Relief Fund I believe — a charity of which Mr. Borgnine was fond. Senator Edward Kennedy attended along with many other dignitaries.
Closed in the fall of 1968 in order to allow for the widening of state highway route 210. Demolished shortly thereafter.