Phipps Plaza 1 & 2 and Penthouse Theatre
3500 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30326
3500 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta,
GA
30326
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: ABC Southeastern Theatres, Cineplex Odeon, Plitt Theatres, Wilby-Kincey
Architects: William Bringhurst McGehee
Firms: Brookbank, Murphy & Shields, Six Associates
Previous Names: Phipps Plaza Theatre, Phipps Plaza Theatre & Penthouse
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News About This Theater
- Jun 18, 2010 — "Jaws"... Happy 35th!
- May 21, 2010 — Happy 30th, "Empire"
- May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th
The Phipps Plaza Theatre was opened December 19, 1969 with Natalie Wood in “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice”. On December 26 1973 a second screen the Penthouse opened which was designed by architectural firm Brookbank, Murphy & Shields. It became a triple screen when the Phipps Plaza 1 & 2 March 28, 1975. The three screen set-up, lost when they remodeled the Phipps Plaza shopping centre. At one time the Penthouse was THE place to see a film in Atlanta. Typical Cineplex Odeon run into the ground death and it closed in 1991. While Plitt ran it, it was a first class operation. Some of the seats ended up at the now closed Franklin Plaza in Marietta.
A 14-screen AMC now operates from the Phipps Plaza Shopping Centre (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures).
Contributed by
Raymond Stewart
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Recent comments (view all 99 comments)
Grand opening ad:
Phipps Plaza Theatre opening · Sun, Dec 7, 1969 – 139 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Newspapers.com
The 2nd screen, the Phipps Penthouse opened on December 26th, 1973. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
I think I remember the penthouse having a lower ceiling
3 screens on March 28th, 1975.
Phipps Plaza Twins opening · Fri, Mar 28, 1975 – 36 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Newspapers.com
Closed 1991
The twinning of the original PP was bad news to anyone who valued quality presentation. With its big curved screen, almost square auditorium, continental seating, and Ultravision projection system, it provided a moviegoing experience far better than anything else available.
This lame lineup for the grand reopening was a fitting booking for the introduction of the twins. “Prisoner” was a pale effort by Neil Simon to follow up on his two previous NYC hits, Odd Couple and Out Of Towners. It did poor business in this neighborhood that would always turn out for a movie aimed at the older audiences. As for the other one, silly story, over produced, and nice Cole Porter music ruined by two stars who could not sing.
And for this they ended the Christmas Attraction run of Young Frankenstein while it was still doing sell out business.
As for the Penthouse the photo section has some pictures taken from the booths that show how high the ceilings were.
New article out on Atlanta’s large format and roadshow history. This and several other Atlanta cinemas receive plenty of coverage in the piece.
Boxoffice of December 17, 1973 said that the 516-seat addition to ABC’s Phipps Plaza Theatre, slated to open December 26, had been designed by the Columbus, Georgia firm Brookbank, Murphy & Shields.
Fifty years ago today THE EXORCIST opened here (on the Penthouse screen) and was among only two dozen in only twenty-one North American markets to play the film at release launch.
I wonder what happened to Mickey and Suzanne. I think Mickey managed Phipps after Promenade.