Marley Station Movies

Theater #5 was definitely the big one and it always had a peculiar smell, like moldy bread. Never did find out why. Maybe it still does. I had completely forgotten about the Rocky Horror screenings.

I visited this theatre a few days ago. Looks pretty much the same as it did in the UA days. The original box office is closed; one now buys tix at the concession stand. The stand itself is half as large as before, with the other half now occupied in part by a popcorn-butter dispenser.

The auditoriums have been re-numbered: 6 through 8 are now 1 to 3; #4 is the old, large #5; and the old 4-3-2-1 are now 5-6-7-8. New #8 (old #1), the smallest house, has been remodeled, with the UA “shoebox” seating arrangement replaced with continental seating (eliminating the center aisle). 8/1 is larger than I remember, and now has Dolby Digital front channels only (no surrounds). (UA’s 1-2-3 and 8 were mono in the 35mm era.) #1 (old 6) also has new continental seating and full Dolby Digital with surrounds. The decor of the auditoriums has been changed as well, and there are reclining seats.

The place was very quiet for a Friday evening: the two showings of “Rocky Horror” I attended drew a grand total of 24 people, very unusual for a Halloween weekend, and far fewer than Marley typically had during the movie’s 1987-92 run there. The picture playing across the hall also seemed to have a tiny crowd. A shame, as prices under Horizon are much lower than at the Cinemark Egyptian: $9 top adult price, $6 matinees, plus a $3 upcharge for 3-D. Most Wednesdays, adult prices are $6 (and the upcharge). Concessions, which stick to the basics, are reasonably priced.

Marley Station itself is considered to be a dying mall. Restrictions on “mallrats,” and a 9 pm closing time, have reduced warm bodies considerably. The movies are overshadowed by Cinemark’s Arundel Mills monsterplex and its modern frills. Horizon Marley still is a nice place to see movies.

I just went back to visit MD and I went to a movie at Marley Station for old time’s sake. I’m happy to report that it is mostly the same as I remember: the long hallway to the theaters, the tile in the concession area and even the bathroom are frozen in time. I got a peak in the big theater (now #4) at the end of the hall and it looks identical, although rather empty even for a 7PM show of Captain America: Civil War since the mall seems to be dying and not attracting customers. I think theater 3, the only one that takes a turn before seating, is still the same, but I can’t be sure.

All the other theaters on the side have been redone by Horizon (unless UA did it before). For some reason they’ve opted with a layout with all the seats in the center. I recall those side theaters each having an aisle down the center and rows of seats on either side. Again, I could be wrong because it had been 20 years, but those are my recollections.

There is a wall up in the lobby to cover up some of the cleaning areas behind the concession stand. It used to be an L shaped counter but there’s probably no need for four cashiers at the theater anymore. I took a bunch of pictures I’ll try to post soon.

This opened on June 5th, 1987. Its grand opening ad can be found in the photo section. and below.

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Visited this week and an employee told me they could be only two months away from renovating with recliners. New pics including the new monitors in the hallway and better shots of lobby and box office.