Loews Cineplex Spectrum Cinemas

Sadly, it seems I never went to this theater. Oh well.

Grand opening ad posted.

I’d also like to see some pics of this theatre from October, November and December 1998 please.

Please update, toal seats 3280 as per Houston Chronicle artice on the Cineplex River Oaks grand opening and rename Cineplex Odeon Spectrum Cinemas

The Spectrum was Cineplex Odeon’s three-story destination theatre experience. Unlike its more benign cookie cutter multiplexes, the Spectrum had marble floors, skylit ceiling, commissioned art including John Noestheden’s relief sculpture, “ “Glenelg Concerto,” and vista overview points at its second and third levels. Three 70mm auditoriums and Houston’s first two THX certified auditoriums aided in the presentation. Arriving at the Spectrum provided equal expressions of opulence and garishness. Perfect for the late 1980s and an era of excess upon its June 24, 1988 launch.

Ten years later in 1998, Cineplex Odeon merged with Loews creating Loews Cineplex. It was at the height of megaplex development in the cinema exhibition industry. The odd duck Cineplex Odeon Spectrum and the sister River Oaks 12 were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Loews Cineplex declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 15, 2001. It would vanquish 56 theaters nationwide to get rid of aging properties and bad longterm leasing deals.

Before the ink was dry on the bankruptcy deal, they called the Spectrum and told them to lock up that night following its final showtimes of February 15, 2001 despite bookings for that weekend. Three other area venues also shuttered in the reorganization but they got two more weeks of showtimes. Included in that was the River Oaks 12. The Spectrum was soon demolished in favor of an apartment complex.