If you look at Historic Aerials, the section of the shopping center that houses the current theatre did not exist in photos prior to 1995. However, at the other end of the shopping center there was what looks like a twin theatre with a third screen attached to it. I propose that the Towne Center 6 and the original Ocala Twin/3 is an entirely different theatre.
Scott Neff
commented about
AMCon
May 18, 2026 at 4:35 pm
If you look at historic aerials, the original theater was built at an angle diagonal to the current structure. I do not think the original theatre is part of this building.
You sure it wasn’t the content that turned you off? (Kidding)
If I recall, San Jose wanted Century to build it much earlier than 1996. Century didn’t want to since they had a lock on most of the South Bay with the Winchester domes and Mountain View 16. The city finally convinced UA to operate the theatre but even then Century maintained a clearance for most of its life which ultimately led to the theatre playing mostly bombs with very little attendance.
My original thinking was that this was a prototype for the type of buildings Cinemark built up until they bought Century, but this originally being a Starplex project makes sense. It feels like a lot of the “Cinemark Legacy” design flourishes were tacked on after the fact, which in this case they probably were. It also doesn’t help that Cinemark and Starplex were related and used the same architects and floorplans.
Also, I wonder if Cinemark realized the theatre was not named “Stadium” because it had stadium seating but because it is near near Angels Stadium and on the site of the former Stadium Drive-In. I suppose, either way, the name is no longer entirely relevant.
Do we have any proof that these were two different buildings? When I was there in 2013 larger theatres were built in such a way that I would bet a large sum of money that they were the original slope-floor theatres of the Century South. Also, if you look at historic aerials, the original building is in the exact same spot with a small addition to the front.
If you look at the floorplan I uploaded I would suggest the addition is what is now theatre 5,6,7. Theatres 3-4 were the 2-screen addition, 1-2 is orginanl, and 8-10 and 11-13 were two original screens that were that have since been reconfigured.
Are we for certain that the Valley River Twin was a separate building? If you look at historicaerials.com, the right-most portion the 8-plex was there in 1982 and looks to be the size/shape of the twin.
If you are certain, why put the grand opening ad the tin on the Cinema World 8 page and not create a new one for Valley River Twin?
I am skeptical that this closed as a Loews Cineplex location. Photos I took of the theatre closed in 2010 showed that it was serving Pepsi and I don’t recall Loews ever having made the switch from Coke to Pepsi.
Additional photos on this instagram below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSI1TZrkqxs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
A June 5, 1983 article in the San Francisco Examiner reported that the Westlane was still in operation showing X-rated films. AT the time was operating by Texas National Theatres.
The theatre absolutely was called the Showcase Cinemas. It operated as the Showcase into the 90s. When it closed we purchased much of the equipment and moved it to the Washington Square Cinemas in Petaluma.
The theatre appeared in co-op ads in the San Francisco Chronicle until 1995.
According to posts on their Facebook page, the theatre opened for business on February 26, 2020. They had their Grand Opening ceremonies planned for March 14 & 15, 2020 but was sidelined by Covid.
I don’t think this was a project started by Festival Enterprises, even though it was named Festival. I think the mall justh happened to have that name. Though I’ve searched newspapers high and low to identify as many Festival Enterprise locations, I’d be happy to be wrong about this.
While I can’t say for sure, I don’t think Syufy ever operated this theatre. I’ve worked for the company now for 25 years and after collecting numerous internal documents, I’ve never once seen a reference to us operating the Alvarado Drive-In or any property in the San Diego area. We did operate the Union City 6 Drive-In which was located on Alvarado-Niles Blvd, in Union City, CA… maybe that’s where the confusion is?
If you look at Historic Aerials, the section of the shopping center that houses the current theatre did not exist in photos prior to 1995. However, at the other end of the shopping center there was what looks like a twin theatre with a third screen attached to it. I propose that the Towne Center 6 and the original Ocala Twin/3 is an entirely different theatre.
If you look at historic aerials, the original theater was built at an angle diagonal to the current structure. I do not think the original theatre is part of this building.
Also – why did I think this was a 9-plex at some point under UA? Am I crazy?
You sure it wasn’t the content that turned you off? (Kidding)
If I recall, San Jose wanted Century to build it much earlier than 1996. Century didn’t want to since they had a lock on most of the South Bay with the Winchester domes and Mountain View 16. The city finally convinced UA to operate the theatre but even then Century maintained a clearance for most of its life which ultimately led to the theatre playing mostly bombs with very little attendance.
My original thinking was that this was a prototype for the type of buildings Cinemark built up until they bought Century, but this originally being a Starplex project makes sense. It feels like a lot of the “Cinemark Legacy” design flourishes were tacked on after the fact, which in this case they probably were. It also doesn’t help that Cinemark and Starplex were related and used the same architects and floorplans.
The Jerry Lewis chain didn’t start until the 70s so probably safe to update the intro to say “Built in the early 70s”
All AMCs bars are called MacGuffins.
Demolished in March 2026.
Also, I wonder if Cinemark realized the theatre was not named “Stadium” because it had stadium seating but because it is near near Angels Stadium and on the site of the former Stadium Drive-In. I suppose, either way, the name is no longer entirely relevant.
Edwards did not. Ever.
This photo is not the Washington Square Cinema in Tigard.
Do we have any proof that these were two different buildings? When I was there in 2013 larger theatres were built in such a way that I would bet a large sum of money that they were the original slope-floor theatres of the Century South. Also, if you look at historic aerials, the original building is in the exact same spot with a small addition to the front.
If you look at the floorplan I uploaded I would suggest the addition is what is now theatre 5,6,7. Theatres 3-4 were the 2-screen addition, 1-2 is orginanl, and 8-10 and 11-13 were two original screens that were that have since been reconfigured.
Are we for certain that the Valley River Twin was a separate building? If you look at historicaerials.com, the right-most portion the 8-plex was there in 1982 and looks to be the size/shape of the twin.
If you are certain, why put the grand opening ad the tin on the Cinema World 8 page and not create a new one for Valley River Twin?
Comment above is for incorrect theatre.
As somebody who works for the company who owns the property, it is definitely demolished.
Also, if you put google street view on Highway 101 you can see an empty lot very clearly.
I am skeptical that this closed as a Loews Cineplex location. Photos I took of the theatre closed in 2010 showed that it was serving Pepsi and I don’t recall Loews ever having made the switch from Coke to Pepsi.
Additional photos on this instagram below: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSI1TZrkqxs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
A June 5, 1983 article in the San Francisco Examiner reported that the Westlane was still in operation showing X-rated films. AT the time was operating by Texas National Theatres.
The theatre absolutely was called the Showcase Cinemas. It operated as the Showcase into the 90s. When it closed we purchased much of the equipment and moved it to the Washington Square Cinemas in Petaluma.
The theatre appeared in co-op ads in the San Francisco Chronicle until 1995.
According to posts on their Facebook page, the theatre opened for business on February 26, 2020. They had their Grand Opening ceremonies planned for March 14 & 15, 2020 but was sidelined by Covid.
Also I’m fairly confident that this opened as an Edwards.
I don’t think this was a project started by Festival Enterprises, even though it was named Festival. I think the mall justh happened to have that name. Though I’ve searched newspapers high and low to identify as many Festival Enterprise locations, I’d be happy to be wrong about this.
This lobby configuration gives me “Great Escape Theatres” vibes. Same architect?
Originally built and operated by Festival Enterprises.
We are also forgetting Festival Enterprises, the company that built and originally operated it.
While I can’t say for sure, I don’t think Syufy ever operated this theatre. I’ve worked for the company now for 25 years and after collecting numerous internal documents, I’ve never once seen a reference to us operating the Alvarado Drive-In or any property in the San Diego area. We did operate the Union City 6 Drive-In which was located on Alvarado-Niles Blvd, in Union City, CA… maybe that’s where the confusion is?