Gemini Twin Theater
2958 S. 84th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68124
2958 S. 84th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68124
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Torsten Adair’s contribution of one sentence reads, “The Gemini Twin Theater was located on S. 84th Street at Frederick Street.” My research indicates a bit more detail if interested:
Groundbreaking for this venue at 2958 South 84th Street occurred in 1971 as part of four planned and franchised Jerry Lewis twin screen operations. Network Cinemas had promised that one-button automation movie theaters could be run by anyone and sold franchises to aspiring movie theater operators all over the country. But by the time the first and only Omaha Jerry Lewis location had opened at 90th Street in 1972, the Lewis / Network Cinema was in free fall collapse.
The Southtown Shopping Center (often referred to as the Woolco Shopping Center as it was anchored by Woolworth’s “big box” Woolco store) opened in June of 1972; but the theater space had stalled with Lewis leaving the circuit and Network Cinemas in bankruptcy and disconnecting its phones. This Lewis franchise was sold by a New Jersey interest to the Dubinsky Brothers in 1974. Revising the look and seating of the original, Dubinsky’s Gemini Twin seated 550 patrons at launch. The June 21, 1974 opening ad with “Huck Finn” on both screens is posted in photos.
The venue was downgraded to a second-run discount house with all seats 99 cents in 1977. In July of 1984, Shopko would take over the anchor spot after Woolworth’s shuttered all of its Woolco stores in 1983. The shopping complex was then known as Frederick Square with Excellence Theatres Circuit operating the twin. Excellence closed the venue on January 15, 1991 with “Ghost” an “Mr. Destiny” - still priced at just 99 cents a seat for any showtime. Technically, Carmike Theatres inherited the Gemini Twin when they took on the Excellence Circuit in March of 1991. Carmike considered but ultimately passed on reopening the venue which was later repurposed for other uses.
A 9-24-71 Peter Citron column in the Omaha World Herald asked about the delay in opening promised Jerry Lewis theatres. The franchise holder was Mid-America Theatres Inc., and the article said a partner in that company was David Tews, a lawyer from Lincoln, and was interviewed for this article to explain the status of the theatres. All were in the construction phase or dirt hadn’t been turned over yet. Besides one to be built in Bellevue, there were three – 84th and Frederick; 90th and Maple (which did open in Nov 72) and 119th and Pacific. So this ‘Gemini" theatre apparently was a Jerry Lewis theatre originally.
Saw many movies here as a teenager in the 70s. 99cent admission. Saw Animal House, Love at First Bite, Meatballs, all multiple times as it was only a buck to get in :)
Theater Houses ‘Round Town Omaha World-Herald (NE) – Sunday, June 16, 1985
“Gemini Twin
2958 S. 84th St., Frederick Square shopping center, 391 – 6585. Two screens. Tickets are 99 cents. Matinees on weekends and major holidays, and during summer and winter school vacations."
Hey… I just added it, from New York!
Feel free to add more information! Can someone in Omaha check the city directories at the downtown branch and see what years it is listed?
And while you’re there, see if you can scan or copy ads from the Omaha-World Herald microfilm!
Nothing on this Theatre?come on guys.