The screens were built off of iron rigging that was suspended from the ceiling behind masking and bolted to the rear wall. Speakers sat on staging planks behind the screen. All screens had curves to them, which is a nightmare for proper focus.
This was the same procedure at all SBC theaters, since management came from owning several Cinerama properties.
You have to keep in mind that theater companies often overstated capacity as well. It allowed them to be offered “bigger” films since the distributor wanted to be exposed to the maximum audience.
On the flip side, a lot of independents understated their receipts in order to pay less of the percentage owed to distributors.
It was a delicate dance that played out all over the country in hard tops and drive ins.
Sorry, I don’t. I ran RHPS in four cities in a year (Providence, Rochester, Hartford and Albany), so they all start to blend. I did have our Providence cast come up to kick start the show.
Basically, I cleaned up the operation, hired a manager trainee, got him going and moved on to the next city!
I ran the theatre in the late 70’s and worked there from 1969. When I started, it was Lockwood & Gordon which must have been a successor to Louis and Gordon. It was purchased by SBC Theatres around ‘71 or so and remained in their hands until it was sold and torn down.
Just wondered if you knew Doug Amos or Jack O'Sullivan from your L&G days.
According the the Remembering Cinerama series posted on this site (http://cinematreasures.org/blog/2009/3/27/remembering-cinerama-part-24-albuquerque), Albuquerque was the last three projector installation in 1964.
Even though this article was well past the glory days, here is a box office story of a promo we ran at this theatre: http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1978-8-21&page_no=31#page_start
Quite the pics of the old interior! As someone who worked every position in the then Cinerama, I remember going up over the old back stage fake box seats (just out of view of the proscenium) and viewing the original ceiling. The screen was pulled way forward for Cinerama to get the width, which explains the seat reduction from 1100-756.
Also, the inner foyer doors were removed for the remodel, although the box-office was still in the small space on the right of the lobby. At the end of the inner foyer (l&r) were the rest rooms. Ladies on the left, men to the right.
Although far from a palace, it’s a shame that the old girl is gone.
This page has the theatre as previously operated by Cinerama. This theatre was never operated by the Cinerama company. When it was renamed and reopened in 1961, it was owned by Lockwood and Gordon Enterprises. L& G was sold to SBC Management (a division of Sonderling Broadcasting) in the mid-sixties.
Wasn’t this an SBC (formerly L&G) theatre? When I worked for the chain in RI, we had a Cameo in CT; can’t remember if it was Waterbury or Watertown.
BTW, this theatre has a changeable sign. A marquee is attached to the building. By definition: a covering like roof: a permanent canopy, often of metal and glass, projecting out over the entrance to a large building such as a hotel or theater.
I worked the design and opening phase for Hoyt’s as a regional manager. I doubt there is asbestos in a facility built this late in the 80’s.
If they are getting stadium, steel risers need to be built. What seems especially odd to me is closing in the summer months. For all of my theatre years you did this type of work in the fall or after the holidays…
lizzebeth1
I worked for Doug for years and never knew of this award. Nowhere during that time did I see any indication of technical awards.
I would assume that Jerry Lewis received this award in the 60’s when he was building his chain of twin cinemas that did not play R or X rated films. Assuming that this award ended when L&G did.
Nick
The Dulgarians took the Avon around 1975. I beleive the Castle was sold in the early 80’s. Not sure what year we dropped the Art since it’s X rated format was always problematic with the city of Providence.
Cinerama was closed around 1981 after I had moved on to other SBC properties.
Abrunner
Jacks daughter was Jackie (JackieO on the one post above). I would love to chat with her as well since her dad and i were so close.
lizziebeth1
I can’t vouch for the award as I don’t see the post above mentioning it, but Gordon Enterprises predated Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises as a theatre owner. Doug Amos was a manager who worked his way up and eventutually ran L&G. He then became president of SBC Management which purchased L&G around 1969 while I worked for the chain.
This was originally a CCC (Cinema Centers Corp) theatre out of Boston. It was purchased by Hoyts in the mid 80’s. This was part of my territory as district manager for Hoyts. I wanted to convert this to art but the company dsn’t understand or back the idea.
It’s a small (5 locations) operation. It also looks like the theatre has been refitted with stadium seating, digital and 3D.
Zurich is is Rome, Oswego and Geneva NY as well as Mansfield Center, CT. Pretty sad website; doesn’t appear to be much of a marketing effort behind a company that would spend so much to refit a 15 year old operation.
The screens were built off of iron rigging that was suspended from the ceiling behind masking and bolted to the rear wall. Speakers sat on staging planks behind the screen. All screens had curves to them, which is a nightmare for proper focus.
This was the same procedure at all SBC theaters, since management came from owning several Cinerama properties.
I worked there in various capacities from 1968-79 and don’t recall either.
You have to keep in mind that theater companies often overstated capacity as well. It allowed them to be offered “bigger” films since the distributor wanted to be exposed to the maximum audience.
On the flip side, a lot of independents understated their receipts in order to pay less of the percentage owed to distributors.
It was a delicate dance that played out all over the country in hard tops and drive ins.
Sorry, I don’t. I ran RHPS in four cities in a year (Providence, Rochester, Hartford and Albany), so they all start to blend. I did have our Providence cast come up to kick start the show.
Basically, I cleaned up the operation, hired a manager trainee, got him going and moved on to the next city!
Robert,
I ran the theatre in the late 70’s and worked there from 1969. When I started, it was Lockwood & Gordon which must have been a successor to Louis and Gordon. It was purchased by SBC Theatres around ‘71 or so and remained in their hands until it was sold and torn down.
Just wondered if you knew Doug Amos or Jack O'Sullivan from your L&G days.
According the the Remembering Cinerama series posted on this site (http://cinematreasures.org/blog/2009/3/27/remembering-cinerama-part-24-albuquerque), Albuquerque was the last three projector installation in 1964.
Even though this article was well past the glory days, here is a box office story of a promo we ran at this theatre: http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1978-8-21&page_no=31#page_start
Matthew
I sent you a separate email on this.
Nick
Quite the pics of the old interior! As someone who worked every position in the then Cinerama, I remember going up over the old back stage fake box seats (just out of view of the proscenium) and viewing the original ceiling. The screen was pulled way forward for Cinerama to get the width, which explains the seat reduction from 1100-756.
Also, the inner foyer doors were removed for the remodel, although the box-office was still in the small space on the right of the lobby. At the end of the inner foyer (l&r) were the rest rooms. Ladies on the left, men to the right.
Although far from a palace, it’s a shame that the old girl is gone.
Any idea when Providence will be covered? I worked saw movies there as a kid, worked there as a teen and eventually ran it past its glory days. Nick
This page has the theatre as previously operated by Cinerama. This theatre was never operated by the Cinerama company. When it was renamed and reopened in 1961, it was owned by Lockwood and Gordon Enterprises. L& G was sold to SBC Management (a division of Sonderling Broadcasting) in the mid-sixties.
I worked for L&G in the 60’s in New England and eventually managed the Cinerama in Providence, RI. San Diego looks like it was a beautiful house.
Wasn’t this an SBC (formerly L&G) theatre? When I worked for the chain in RI, we had a Cameo in CT; can’t remember if it was Waterbury or Watertown.
BTW, this theatre has a changeable sign. A marquee is attached to the building. By definition: a covering like roof: a permanent canopy, often of metal and glass, projecting out over the entrance to a large building such as a hotel or theater.
Ed
When were you there? Was it during the Lockwood & Gordon years or later?
Has this theatre reopened?
Seems that this posting points to this theatre not being long for this world…
http://cinematreasures.org/news/24436_0_1_40_M/
I worked the design and opening phase for Hoyt’s as a regional manager. I doubt there is asbestos in a facility built this late in the 80’s.
If they are getting stadium, steel risers need to be built. What seems especially odd to me is closing in the summer months. For all of my theatre years you did this type of work in the fall or after the holidays…
When were you there for Rocky David? I ran this theatre in 1979 and introduced RHPS at this house.
lizzebeth1
I worked for Doug for years and never knew of this award. Nowhere during that time did I see any indication of technical awards.
I would assume that Jerry Lewis received this award in the 60’s when he was building his chain of twin cinemas that did not play R or X rated films. Assuming that this award ended when L&G did.
Nick
The Dulgarians took the Avon around 1975. I beleive the Castle was sold in the early 80’s. Not sure what year we dropped the Art since it’s X rated format was always problematic with the city of Providence.
Cinerama was closed around 1981 after I had moved on to other SBC properties.
Abrunner
Jacks daughter was Jackie (JackieO on the one post above). I would love to chat with her as well since her dad and i were so close.
lizziebeth1
I can’t vouch for the award as I don’t see the post above mentioning it, but Gordon Enterprises predated Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises as a theatre owner. Doug Amos was a manager who worked his way up and eventutually ran L&G. He then became president of SBC Management which purchased L&G around 1969 while I worked for the chain.
Agreed; you can’t have Cinerama with out the ! Take it from someone who had the priveledge to work it!
This was originally a CCC (Cinema Centers Corp) theatre out of Boston. It was purchased by Hoyts in the mid 80’s. This was part of my territory as district manager for Hoyts. I wanted to convert this to art but the company dsn’t understand or back the idea.
I have thousands from when I ran theatres in the 60’s to 80’s. Most are NSS originals. Also have stills, press kits, etc.
Just waiting for that day to sell the lot as I get closer to retirement.
It appears this is now part of the Zurich chain: http://www.zurichcinemas.com/
It’s a small (5 locations) operation. It also looks like the theatre has been refitted with stadium seating, digital and 3D.
Zurich is is Rome, Oswego and Geneva NY as well as Mansfield Center, CT. Pretty sad website; doesn’t appear to be much of a marketing effort behind a company that would spend so much to refit a 15 year old operation.