University Cinema 4

dallasmovietheaters on March 24, 2021 at 3:54 pm

The three-year old, El Paso-based American Star Cinemas Circuit was founded by Chris Cummings, E.G. Emmett and Robert Simpson. In addition to its flagship American Star Cinema, the trio added the westside University Cinema 4 on May 9, 1980 and the eastside Vista Hills also in 1980. Commonwealth Amusement Circuit bought out the theaters in December of 1981. United Artists took over the units in a late 1988 buyout operating them officially beginning in 1989.

United Artists began to pare down twin and quads moving to 6- and 8-screen multiplexes. It shed the former American Star locations. Movie One Theaters, Inc. took on the venue as a sub-run, discount location adding it to the discount Montwood operation. Silver Cinemas took on the venue continuing it as discount location in November of 1996. Silver even went to all $1 concessions in May of 1999 here and at Montwood to generate foot traffic. Silver closed the University Cinema venue as a sub-run discount house on March 23, 2000 at the end of a 20-year leasing agreement. The last film to finish that night was “Sleepy Hollow.”