UA East Hampton 5

Built on the site of the Edwards Theatre, which had been destroyed by fire the previous year, Prudential’s East Hampton Theatre debuted on Tuesday, August 3, 1965 to a full house of 900. Proceeds from opening night were donated to the East Hampton Ladies' Village Improvement Society. The new theatre was fully air conditioned, had a large CinemaScope screen and seated approximately one third of it’s patrons in a loge.

The building of the theatre was delayed initially by Prudential’s consideration of building outside the village. Then, when the decision was made to use the Edwards site, bids for construction were deemed too high. Plans had to be revised to keep costs down and also to conform to the Village request for more of a setback from the sidewalk. It was also necessary to get a ruling from the Village Board on whether a marquee could overhang the sidewalk.

On May 26, 1976 it was triplexed. On May 18, 1979 it became a quad and a 5th screen was added on May 22, 1981. Under subsequent United Artist’s management in the late-1990’s a 6th screen was added. Regal is the current management corporation and it now operates with 5-screens.

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

robboehm on December 25, 2011 at 12:31 pm

Since I just established it maybe the Google link isn’t updated in real time…. .

robboehm on January 29, 2012 at 4:39 pm

Columbia Pictures donated the opening night film, “The Finest Hours”, based on the life of Winston Churchill. It was the first time it was shown on Long Island.

LebowskiT1000 on August 14, 2013 at 10:03 am

Hugh Jackman went to see The Wolverine there and tweeted a pic of himself there. Pretty sweet!

https://twitter.com/RealHughJackman/status/360930558827700224/photo/1

drkimble on July 24, 2017 at 9:41 am

Went from a single screen to a triplex on May 26, 1976. Last single screen showing was “The Missouri Breaks”

ridethectrain on May 18, 2021 at 10:36 pm

Please update, it was triplex on May 26, 1976, became a quad in May 18, 1979, 5th screen added May 22,1981 and eventually a six in the lates 1990s, within the last few years back to 5 screens.

Also, total seats 1080 and rename UA East Hampton 5

Also, added in the photos section first day display ads when each screen open

ridethectrain on June 3, 2021 at 10:50 am

grand opening ads posted as 3 4 and 5 screens

RobertR on June 7, 2021 at 6:43 am

Curious what was the story of being 6 screens and then back to 5?