AMC Academy 6

JodarMovieFan on December 1, 2025 at 11:17 pm

Oh wow. This venue’s page is up again. :) This multiplex is what could be described as the worst kind of theatrical exhibition due to the shoebox design of each auditorium. All pretty much the same size, longitudinal, but sloping floors, no curtains, somewhat greasy seats and sticky floors. Exit door by the screen in case of a fire. I’m certain most if not all had stereo sound.

As posted on the Academy 8 page, my first visit here was some time in the summer of ‘77. Oldest brother, who liked to think of himself as the family boss after Dad, decided we’d see the best picture around at that time, which was 'Rocky.’ While waiting to get into see ‘Rocky’, I could hear the audience cheers, clapping and sound coming from ‘Star Wars’ and wanted so badly to see it instead.

Over the years, they had $1 movie Wednesdays and midnight Fri and Sat shows, of which was the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and movies on their second runs. Being the sci-fi genre fan I am, I did see ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture in its second run and well into the summer of '80 and beyond ('81?) for $1 Wednesdays. I remember one summer Wed they over sold the showing to where people were just sitting on the floor close to the screen.

Most likely Jan ‘80, my cousin (who lived nearby off of Rhode Island Ave), brother and I saw 'The Black Hole’ here. My cousin kept telling me how bad it was calling it ‘the butt hole’ but he liked the visual effects so much so he said he wouldn’t mind seeing it again. My recollection of that ‘experience’ was the backwards 50’s wooo wooo woo score that was more distracting then a proper companion to the movie, especially coming after ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ and Jerry Goldsmith’s memorable score. And then there was that gruesome, even if off camera, death of Anthony Perkin’s character by the robot Max’s whirling blades. No gratuitous blood flow as this was Disney’s first PG rated movie at the time.

On a midnight Sat (1980) I got my older brother, because he could legally drive, to see a movie here. However, I split and snuck in to see ‘Alien’ probably the second R rated movie I had ever seen at that time (first was ‘Altered States at the Avalon). I have no recollection of the actual experience other than the cool strobe light effect with Ripley running to the shuttle and I definitely was in shock, along with the audience, during the chest burster scene and final alien encounter in the shuttle.

Also, in the summer of ‘80, I saw 'Empire Strikes Back’ (after seeing it in 70mm at the Cinema) and I can vividly recall sitting behind this huge lady (to a young boy, I suppose most women would be BIG..but she was FAT BIG) in a uniform as if she came here from work. When Darth Vader is dueling with Luke, who slightly injured him with his light saber and reacts, she let out this loud whoop and clapped so loud it broke that connection I had with the rest of that scene. :P

In ‘82 summer I saw my first theatrically released 3D movie.. 'Friday the 13th Part something’ only..and I stress only because it was in 3D. My only recollection of that experience was seeing (insert murder weapon type here) in 3D projecting out via the 3D glasses. :)

Also, I took cousins, who had just come to the US to see Grease 2 in the same time frame. I had just taken them to see Star Trek II in 70mm at DC’s MacArthur just ending its first run and closing for remodeling. They begged me to take them to see this movie the same day and I did and on purpose, at this venue, knowing how inferior the projection and experience would be here. I had no interest in seeing this movie as it is a chick flick. Max Caufield was the new/it guy at that time and, yes, the cousins made girlie sounds when either he or Adrian Zmed’s character would be on screen. :P.

My memory is coming back. I saw more movies here in the summer as I recall sneaking in to see movies, following the crowds and or hiding in the restroom, almost ALL day starting with the $1 movie, usually Star Trek at 10 am. :) One time, I had a friend come with me and we saw ‘An Officer and a Gentleman.’ Probably my 3rd R rated movie. I remember being chewed out by his Dad after he was informed and that my parents would be called for, in his words, ‘corrupting’ his son. ‘Little Whorehouse in Texas’ stands out because of Dolly Parton and either the fantasy or expectation of seeing her topless showing her amble bosom but it didn’t happen. I can remember Rober Ebert, in his movie review show, lamenting about something similar or at least more sex being that the movie takes place in a ‘whore house.’ Charles Durning’s shoe step dance stands out also as I write this. :)

‘83 I’m recalling seeing The Keep. All I remember is how visually good it looked. Just checking IMDB, I see Michael Mann directed and now understand why. :) Towards the end of summer, I took Mom and another cousin to see 'Flashdance’. Mom and I loved Jennifer Beals and how she lit up the screen but she hated the F bombs. Also, Paramount had just released the movie on video tape at what was, at that time, a ‘sell through’ campaign pricing this movie at $39.95. This was sold at the video store at the entrance to the mall. One could see the movie in the theater and own it on tape after.

This venue was remodeled and received digital sound sometime in the 90s. My educated guess has to have been around or after ‘93/'94 as my recollection is our market’s National Amusements had installed digital sound for the Bruce Lee bio pic and 'Whats Got Love to Do It’ in Northern VA. I could be wrong though. :) I may have seen ‘Demolition Man’ starring Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock maybe at the time of this venue’s remodel opening.