As an afterthought, when the complex originally opened it had six screens. At some point one of the larger auditoriums was divided, thus creating a seventh screen.
Very good questions! I could certainly be wrong about the World Premiere aspect of Flash Gordon. I was wrong about when the screening actually took place: It was December 4, 1980. It was the only film that played that night at Showcase Cinemas Eastgate. The next day, December 5th, was the official opening of the complex for the general public. The IMDb shows the general release date of Flash Gordon as December 5, 1980. I have added a scan of the Invitation to the event which describes is as a preview. Ornella Muti arrived (late) in a stretch limousine accompanied by her entourage and several people from the Boston office of Redstone Management. Film footage of the event was shown on a nationally syndicated TV program, which I saw the following evening. I was the Managing Director of the complex and greeted her upon arrival. I was also on hand as the complex was being built. The person standing in the open door of the office trailer is me. Thanks for your input Coate. Cinema Treasures is a great site.
I worked there as a Manager in the 80’s when it was operated by Holiday Amusements. They played second run films. Very cool building with a Cry Room for parents with children who wanted to watch the movie without disturbing other patrons. I used it as an office when I worked there. I’d love to see it reopen but the cost of converting to digital equipment is staggering.
I uploaded a couple of photos of the Alpha when the marquee was still in place and intact. The photo showing Charlotte on the marquee was for the Cincinnati premiere of the film and not the run before we closed and Parallax had their brief shot with the theatre.
Thanks to everyone for your memories of the Alpha/Park Theatre! Also thanks for the pictures of the exterior of the building. I have none from that era. It was indeed first called the Park Theatre, followed by, I believe, the Alpha Six Cinema, the Alpha Cinema (during the Adult film days, including Deep Throat) and finally, The Alpha Fine Arts Theatre. The Theatre’s Fans just called it The Alpha. As I understand, the Park did small stage shows and showed Silent Movies when it first opened in 1913. The remnants of pipe organ bellows were still under the small stage. We (Carrlyn and myself along with Rob Duggan) took over the lease when the California based company that showed Deep Throat told us to lock the doors and walk away, having lost the obsenity case filed against them by the City Fathers. We were only employees prior to that time and decided to try and make a go of it under the name Alpha Fine Arts Theatre. And yes, the staff dressed as Doctors and Nurses during the run of Deep Throat. For several years we put our hearts and souls into showing what we felt to be quality film entertainment. It was a blast and a time of my life I will never forget! Eventually, we were forced to close the doors and give up our dream. We could no longer compete with chain theatres that sought to show some of the same films, as we never had the money that the Big Boys had at their disposal; Just alot of guts and determination. I ocassionally drive through Northside and experience a supreme sense of sadness to see the Alpha in it’s current incarnation. I guess we should be grateful the building has not been raised as so many others have been. I still have dreams about the Alpha and of all those who worked so hard with us to make the Alpha what it was. I dedicate this to my friend Andre' LeClaire (former Projectionist at the Alpha), who recently passed away. I will always remember us dressed in Gorilla costumes to promote the film SCHLOCK, and riding around downtown Cincinnati in a Fiat convertible, handing out fliers and autographed bananas on Fountain Square. Never mind that is was April 4,1974, a day after the Sayler Park F5 tornado hit, and people were not amused by our antics. So long Andre'.
My pleasure.
As an afterthought, when the complex originally opened it had six screens. At some point one of the larger auditoriums was divided, thus creating a seventh screen.
Very good questions! I could certainly be wrong about the World Premiere aspect of Flash Gordon. I was wrong about when the screening actually took place: It was December 4, 1980. It was the only film that played that night at Showcase Cinemas Eastgate. The next day, December 5th, was the official opening of the complex for the general public. The IMDb shows the general release date of Flash Gordon as December 5, 1980. I have added a scan of the Invitation to the event which describes is as a preview. Ornella Muti arrived (late) in a stretch limousine accompanied by her entourage and several people from the Boston office of Redstone Management. Film footage of the event was shown on a nationally syndicated TV program, which I saw the following evening. I was the Managing Director of the complex and greeted her upon arrival. I was also on hand as the complex was being built. The person standing in the open door of the office trailer is me. Thanks for your input Coate. Cinema Treasures is a great site.
It was a fun place to work and Mr. Robert Horton(far left standing on the ground)was a wonderful boss and great guy.
I worked there as a Manager in the 80’s when it was operated by Holiday Amusements. They played second run films. Very cool building with a Cry Room for parents with children who wanted to watch the movie without disturbing other patrons. I used it as an office when I worked there. I’d love to see it reopen but the cost of converting to digital equipment is staggering.
I uploaded a couple of photos of the Alpha when the marquee was still in place and intact. The photo showing Charlotte on the marquee was for the Cincinnati premiere of the film and not the run before we closed and Parallax had their brief shot with the theatre.
Thanks to everyone for your memories of the Alpha/Park Theatre! Also thanks for the pictures of the exterior of the building. I have none from that era. It was indeed first called the Park Theatre, followed by, I believe, the Alpha Six Cinema, the Alpha Cinema (during the Adult film days, including Deep Throat) and finally, The Alpha Fine Arts Theatre. The Theatre’s Fans just called it The Alpha. As I understand, the Park did small stage shows and showed Silent Movies when it first opened in 1913. The remnants of pipe organ bellows were still under the small stage. We (Carrlyn and myself along with Rob Duggan) took over the lease when the California based company that showed Deep Throat told us to lock the doors and walk away, having lost the obsenity case filed against them by the City Fathers. We were only employees prior to that time and decided to try and make a go of it under the name Alpha Fine Arts Theatre. And yes, the staff dressed as Doctors and Nurses during the run of Deep Throat. For several years we put our hearts and souls into showing what we felt to be quality film entertainment. It was a blast and a time of my life I will never forget! Eventually, we were forced to close the doors and give up our dream. We could no longer compete with chain theatres that sought to show some of the same films, as we never had the money that the Big Boys had at their disposal; Just alot of guts and determination. I ocassionally drive through Northside and experience a supreme sense of sadness to see the Alpha in it’s current incarnation. I guess we should be grateful the building has not been raised as so many others have been. I still have dreams about the Alpha and of all those who worked so hard with us to make the Alpha what it was. I dedicate this to my friend Andre' LeClaire (former Projectionist at the Alpha), who recently passed away. I will always remember us dressed in Gorilla costumes to promote the film SCHLOCK, and riding around downtown Cincinnati in a Fiat convertible, handing out fliers and autographed bananas on Fountain Square. Never mind that is was April 4,1974, a day after the Sayler Park F5 tornado hit, and people were not amused by our antics. So long Andre'.