This theater was really handy to have around, especially since they partly screened more arthouse-oriented movies. Too bad it was closed along with two other City Cinemas properties in an unexplained flurry of closures in 2019. I had no idea it had such a long history (but then, why wouldn’t it, given its location?)
I remember this becoming the most popular theater in the area when it opened, which I’m surprised to learn wasn’t until 1984, the mall having been open for some time at that point. I remember it having the name Cines 8 for some time. It played a valued role as a bargain theater for decades after the Galleria theater (almost visible from the parking lot) stole the limelight.
I loved going to this theater. The design with chrome-bedecked escalators bringing you to two separate basement lobbies with two separate (but adjacent) concession stands was incredible to me. Somehow, having gone there at least a dozen times during my time in the city, I only saw one movie in the righthand, smaller theater. The decor reminded me somehow of a chic department store in the 80’s. So sad when it closed.
I remember going here frequently growing up, often paired with a pre-movie stop at McDonald’s across the parking lot (with my dad and brother). I remember impressive, long, velvet curtains, I think draping over some of the plate glass windows, or possibly around the lobby. I had forgotten about the long walk to enter the theater.
I also remember frequently driving by their rather prominent Now Playing sign along Route 9, and taking note of the current shows. One I specifically remember for some reason was A View to a Kill. I remember movies sometimes playing there for long stretches, like maybe 8 weeeks, which seemed to happen more often then. I don’t recall the 2nd run phase for this myself (or maybe I didn’t know we were going to 2nd run movies at the time). Also nearby was the Majestic Diner.
Vaulted ceilings isn’t exactly right, but very high, like two stories.
I had forgotten about the upstairs bathrooms at Movies 4.
Our other most frequented theaters were the Imperial Twin in Wappingers, and Cines 8 at the South Hills mall whhen it opened. Occasionally, the Juliet, or the theater in Beacon (which I tried at one point to figure out where it had been located; it wasn’t in the Beacon theater that’s now home to a cinema).
I have fond memories of this theater and the Dutchess Mall. When we first moved to the area at the end of the 70’s (when I was 5 or 6) it was still the mall. Not long after the South Hills mall opened and took that position. I later went to Dream Machine at the Dutchess Mall with friends. I find it interesting that the original anchor store at the north end (originally May’s if I recall correctly) had vaulted ceilings and a ski chalet-style entrance, which you can still see there. Inside, there were murals.
Cool memories Aurora, thanks for sharing.
Correct website: https://www.showtimecinemas.net/
Cool info and memory about Eleanor, Janis E.
Was this the theater operating in the 80’s in Beacon (the Main Street Theater)? We used to go to that one.
This theater was really handy to have around, especially since they partly screened more arthouse-oriented movies. Too bad it was closed along with two other City Cinemas properties in an unexplained flurry of closures in 2019. I had no idea it had such a long history (but then, why wouldn’t it, given its location?)
I remember this becoming the most popular theater in the area when it opened, which I’m surprised to learn wasn’t until 1984, the mall having been open for some time at that point. I remember it having the name Cines 8 for some time. It played a valued role as a bargain theater for decades after the Galleria theater (almost visible from the parking lot) stole the limelight.
I loved going to this theater. The design with chrome-bedecked escalators bringing you to two separate basement lobbies with two separate (but adjacent) concession stands was incredible to me. Somehow, having gone there at least a dozen times during my time in the city, I only saw one movie in the righthand, smaller theater. The decor reminded me somehow of a chic department store in the 80’s. So sad when it closed.
I remember going here frequently growing up, often paired with a pre-movie stop at McDonald’s across the parking lot (with my dad and brother). I remember impressive, long, velvet curtains, I think draping over some of the plate glass windows, or possibly around the lobby. I had forgotten about the long walk to enter the theater.
I also remember frequently driving by their rather prominent Now Playing sign along Route 9, and taking note of the current shows. One I specifically remember for some reason was A View to a Kill. I remember movies sometimes playing there for long stretches, like maybe 8 weeeks, which seemed to happen more often then. I don’t recall the 2nd run phase for this myself (or maybe I didn’t know we were going to 2nd run movies at the time). Also nearby was the Majestic Diner.
Vaulted ceilings isn’t exactly right, but very high, like two stories. I had forgotten about the upstairs bathrooms at Movies 4.
Our other most frequented theaters were the Imperial Twin in Wappingers, and Cines 8 at the South Hills mall whhen it opened. Occasionally, the Juliet, or the theater in Beacon (which I tried at one point to figure out where it had been located; it wasn’t in the Beacon theater that’s now home to a cinema).
I have fond memories of this theater and the Dutchess Mall. When we first moved to the area at the end of the 70’s (when I was 5 or 6) it was still the mall. Not long after the South Hills mall opened and took that position. I later went to Dream Machine at the Dutchess Mall with friends. I find it interesting that the original anchor store at the north end (originally May’s if I recall correctly) had vaulted ceilings and a ski chalet-style entrance, which you can still see there. Inside, there were murals.