An article in the 2/11/1971 Fitchburg Sentinel touting the gala opening of Sack Cinemas 3 and 4 states “The two new movie houses were packed to capacity. Parking lots in front and in the rear of the new building as well as the one adjacent to Cinema 1 and 2 were also filled.”
Is it possible the original 1-2 and 3-4 were in separate buildings? In 1971 it wasn’t uncommon for theatres to be build near each other but not share lobbies etc.
That grand opening add is such a lie. There is nothing magnificent about this theatre. While it has its charm, it may be one of the worst places to see a movie in northern California. That being said, I love it for what it is.
This theatre though similar to the Century SSF in layout is more similar to the Century Ventura as it had the corrugated metal roofing/octagonal domes whereas SSF had the more rounded shingle domes. Otherwise, all three theatres were nearly identical and all three started out as 8-plexes that were added onto. (Pinole & SSF to 10 buy adding a 2-screen box to the end of the building, and Ventura to 16 by adding an 8-screen stadium addition).
This theatre was not operated by National Amusements. Bob Lippert’s Transcontinental Theatres built and operated this at opening and they named a number of their theatres Showcase.
According to the LA Times display ads, Krikorian Theatres reopened this location on 1/31/1992 appeared to operate this until 9/4/1997. This and the La Mirada 7 were not sold to Regal when Regal bought the other Krikorian Theatres.
Interesting. Photos on Google image search confirm that after the remodel the directional signs in the lobby say Theatres 1-9 that way, 10-15 that way. No mention of screen 16. You’d think Cinemark would stop calling it “Movies 16” and just call it Cinemark Grand Prairie now.
Google street views from 2016 indicate this theatre was demolished.
An article in the 2/11/1971 Fitchburg Sentinel touting the gala opening of Sack Cinemas 3 and 4 states “The two new movie houses were packed to capacity. Parking lots in front and in the rear of the new building as well as the one adjacent to Cinema 1 and 2 were also filled.”
Is it possible the original 1-2 and 3-4 were in separate buildings? In 1971 it wasn’t uncommon for theatres to be build near each other but not share lobbies etc.
The address for this is 2 Florence Ave, Anniston, AL.
That grand opening add is such a lie. There is nothing magnificent about this theatre. While it has its charm, it may be one of the worst places to see a movie in northern California. That being said, I love it for what it is.
Can we reset the map to not be centered on the Century Hilltop 16 which is on the entire opposite side of the freeway from where this theatre was?
This theatre though similar to the Century SSF in layout is more similar to the Century Ventura as it had the corrugated metal roofing/octagonal domes whereas SSF had the more rounded shingle domes. Otherwise, all three theatres were nearly identical and all three started out as 8-plexes that were added onto. (Pinole & SSF to 10 buy adding a 2-screen box to the end of the building, and Ventura to 16 by adding an 8-screen stadium addition).
It’s on the border of Sonoma and Marin counties. A lot of stuff in Petaluma was Sonomarin because of this.
Surprisingly, AMC operated this theatre after Weis and likely did so until it closed in the mid/late 80’s.
Cineplex Odeon opened this theare on 4/10/1987 and operated it until Carmike acquired their theatres in 1995.
This was later expanded into the Sarno 6 Cinema, opening on 8/6/1993
Actually opened in 1968.
Do you mean Redwood Highway? That was the “locals” name for Hwy 101.
No. But it was right off Highway 101.
This theatre was not operated by National Amusements. Bob Lippert’s Transcontinental Theatres built and operated this at opening and they named a number of their theatres Showcase.
Festival Enterprises opened this six-screen theatre on 6/1/1984. It was expanded to ten screens on 5/23/1986.
According an article in the 9/11/1976 edition of the Santa Maria Times, the theatre opened the previous day at 1pm.
A document I saw when I worked for Regal says this opened on 5/20/1998.
This was part of the Mike Campbell’s Premiere Cinemas, the precursor to Regal, which was sold to Cinemark in 1989.
According to the LA Times display ads, Krikorian Theatres reopened this location on 1/31/1992 appeared to operate this until 9/4/1997. This and the La Mirada 7 were not sold to Regal when Regal bought the other Krikorian Theatres.
United Artists began advertising this as one of their theatres on 2/26/1987.
UA began advertising this theatre as one of theirs on 2/26/1987.
The address was 2131 York Rd
In 2017 AMC remodeled this from top to bottom, installing recliners, and reduced the screen count from 16 to 12.
Interesting. Photos on Google image search confirm that after the remodel the directional signs in the lobby say Theatres 1-9 that way, 10-15 that way. No mention of screen 16. You’d think Cinemark would stop calling it “Movies 16” and just call it Cinemark Grand Prairie now.
How long until Cinemark retires Tinseltown as a brand altogether. It seems most are being renovated out of existence.