Atco Multiplex Cinemas
178 White Horse Pike,
Atco,
NJ
08004
178 White Horse Pike,
Atco,
NJ
08004
5 people
favorited this theater
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Saw JFK here, UNLAWFUL ENTRY, 1992’s GLADIATOR.
Speaking of gummy worms, most of the revenue generated at the Multiplex was from the concession area. Soda, popcorn, they had bulk containers that sold items like sno caps, milk duds, and gummy candy. They made very little from selling tickets. I can recall seeing large lawn bags full of popcorn lining the hallway on the 2nd floor office area. Often wondered why they were there, but many ended up in the dumpster behind the theater. What I wouldn’t give to be able to go back just for a day, maybe in the spring, to do my maintenance routine on the hvac equipment on the roof. Had a great view of the Patco speedline and the old Owens-Corning water tower from that vantage point. Oh well, they say you can never go back.
In response to a question about why Atco closed, I do know there was a mold problem in the theater. Probably the result of the building sitting lower than the parking lot. I remember over a period of a couple of years, the parking lot was dug up to install drainage pits. Must have taken a lot of gummy worms to pay for that upgrade.
Spent many years working on the hvac systems on the roof. Very friendly employees at the Multiplex. One particularly harsh winter I had to borrow a snow shovel from management to dig out the exhaust units for the projectors on the roof. Good times.
Please update, theatre closed September 2,2009
This opened on December 13th, 1991. Grand opening ad and aerial photo in photo section.
Atco Drive In Theatre is an early memory in my 64yr life. I watched it being built in 1956. My late Dad owned a tavern called Sadler’s Tavern two doors down on the White Horse Pike in 1955- 1957. I vividly remember walking back to the observe the screen being constructed and My dad and mom bringing me and my two brothers to see Creature From The Black Lagoon. I played on the swings and monkey bars while waiting for the darkness to start the movie. In 1972 while stationed at Fort Dix I brought a date to the still functioning drive-in with two bottles of bones farm strawberry hill. I did not watch the movie.
I used to go to that theater a lot saw lots of movies there i was crushed when it was closed. all the memories. now i go to AMC Marlton 8 in my town for seeing movies. Hope someday it will bring it back
When I drive by the site in July the multiplex has been completely demolished :–( When it opened I remember that having 14 screens at one theatre was just beyond belief.
Had the Atco survive into this decade, it would’ve gotten digital projection and 3d.
The foot print of the Atco drive-in is still behind the Multi-Plex. Saw it on google earth.
..Hey, I used to work @ Atco Raceway as a part time announcer. ..NITRO BURNING FUNNY CARS!
Adios:
http://tinyurl.com/ah23dn
Does anyone know why this was closed?
Another in a long list of Redstones old drive-in properties that will sit empty. In the past few years Atco, along with the Amboys and All-Jersey (former Newark Drive-in) have now closed, and as of this post, the latter 2 still sit vacant and boarded up.
I guess the ghost in #12 won’t have anyone to bother now:
http://www.ghosttraveller.com/NewJersey.htm
drove past today and its closed so guess it wasnt gossip
the guy who dropps my film prints to my theater said the same about atco closing, that would be a major blow. its the only mainstream cinema i frequent cause its quiet clean and the staff is very curdious as a theater manager myself i respect that more then anything
i saw many films back in the drive in days at atco from the late 80’s into the multiplex days starting with the addams family in 91
right now its all internet gossip but alot of memories there
I have just read, over at this link: [url]http://cinematreasures.org/news/19561_0_1_0_C/[/url], that the Atco Multiplex Cinemas will close next week, along with sister theatres Showcase Lawrence 1-6 Cinemas and Circle Cinemas.
I remember being in the back seat of my parents car and seeing the drive-in. When you got to the bridge when 73 goes over 30 you were able to see the drive-in screen. Friday and Saturday nights you could have watch a movie for free less sound.
And, oh yeah, Newsies! Promo newspapers were handed out. That’s all I remember about this movie.
Remember seeing Eddie Murphy’s “Boomerang” here, and not being impressed. Also the Gladiator with James Marshall, and Home Alone 2. How’s that for ecleticism?
This is another ho-hum mulitplex built on the fomer Atco Drive Ine site. I remember seeing Star Trek 5 at the old drive in, then, it was soon closed. This theather is one of the hardest to get into, and there is really only one way to get into the parking lot. Then, the parking is in the rear of the building, so, you have a long walk to get in. Poorly designed, but, the only game in town.
Here is a photo of a former theater in Atco, identity unknown:
http://tinyurl.com/3bpb4j
“Atco Racing! Atco Atco Atco! Sunday Sunday Sunday! Be there be there be there!” Anyone remember this hyperactive radio ad from the seventies?
This is on the site of the former Atco Drive-In.