Well, we got the news. The Big movie event of 1979 is going to play in COLUMBIA 1. “HURRICANE” with Mia Farrow opens and man, this was “HEAVEN’S GATE,before "HEAVEN’S GATE” a complete bomb. I am not too sure if it even played second run here in Augusta.
I know by the end of the run we were playing to empty houses. I was so sure no one was coming i even shampooed the carpets in that theatre.
Thank goodness, NATIONAL HILLS played a lot of family films. NOW SHOWING June 16 1974 is Disney’s “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” and a second feature “STORMY” rated G.
Okay,so it was resubmitted like all the HAMMER horror movies. I never thought much of the ratings when i worked in the theatre business.Because,i guess they are rated in Hollywood which had different standards than Georgia. I saw “BILLY JACK” witha PG rating and i couldn’t believe it was not an R rated film. I guess MIDNIGHT COWBOY could easily get a PG-13. It was rated X and had less nudity than that lousy “BILLY JACK” So it goes.
August 3 1953 NOW SHOWING “YOU AND ME” with PETER LAWFORD and JANE GREER.The second movie was “SINGING IN THE RAIN” This drive-in had a nurse on call to watch the kids,while mom and dad watched the movie.
August 3 1953 NOW SHOWING MARTIN and LEWIS in “SCARED STIFF” second hit is “DENVER AND THE RIO GRANDE” color cartoon. free playground for the kids. {never heard of a Drive-in charging.} “SCARED STIFF” was the first outdoor showing.
DEC. 4 1954 NOW SHOWING on that CINEMASCOPE SCREEN “FORT DEFIANCE” and SPOOK BUSTERS. The next films to play there were “YANKEE PASHA” and “SPOOKS RUN WILD” Show starts at 6:45 nightly.
MOTION PICTURES that played at the HENDERSONVILLE OUTDOOR CINEMA
MEAN DOG BLUES
CUBA
HURRICANE
BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTAVIXENS
VIXENS
THE GREAT SMOKEY ROADBLOCK
THE GETAWAY {McQueen}
BAD GEORGIA ROAD
ODE TO BILLY JOE
WHITE LINE FEVER
BUCKSTONE COUNTY PRISON
WHITE LIGHTNING
CORVETTE SUMMER
CORKY
DIAMONDS
SIDEWINDER 1
DEC. 4 1954 AT the HENDERSONVILLE DRIVE IN THEATRE[same as outdoor cinema}
NOW SHOWING ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO and BLACK HORSE CANYON. with cartoons,short subjects and news.
PLaying First run at THE PARK theatre CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Shows at 7:15 and 9:40 .I find this odd only two shows at a theatre in a city the size of Memphis.Usually cities that size play matinees and evening shows. Not here. two shows!
Louis Malle’s “PRETTY BABY” set in New Orleans opened at the Robert E.Lee Theatre. $1.50 before 1:45pm. Last show was at 9:30pm. Wonder what kind of business it did.
Ken,It gets harder and harder to spot old Drive in sites as you drive down back roads. I guess aerial photos are about the only way. I was enjoyed finding one like the WAYNESBORO DRIVE IN on CT,Watching for snakes in the tall Georgia grass,hoping for a good find like i did at the WOODZO drive in on CT.Yeah, it is getting harder and harder.
Jan 23 1977,WOODSTOCK returns for a one week run having played on countless late shows and Drive-ins in Augusta. I was at COLUMBIA 1 and 2,but heard the print was not in good shape,and once again,sound problems for some moviegoers.More headaches.
Next time you see “The GOOD,THE BAD,&THE UGLY” at a store the R rating is just like the one issued. And the same on alot of HAMMER films.It is nothing to get excited about,but it always drove me crazy,like the story on CT about DANIEL VILLAGE and the projectionist thought a GP rating should be an R rating.I know the Projectionist,and he told he ,he was afraid they might get raided with child nudity on the film WALABOUT. They left it GP according to Gordon,I wasn’t in the business when WALKABOUT played first run even though we played it on late shows here at National Hills.
Jan 23 1977,Another Rip off movie this one is “REVENGE FROM PLANET APE” that has nothing to do with the original APE series. In this one the apes come back from the grave,Rated PG.
IT closed in summer of 1970 with MASH. Gone. IT was a shopping center in 1975. Today, the shopping center is a dump and the DRIVE-IN would have looked better.
Bad place for managers,District Manager, L.Anderson would constantly harass young managers,I heard it way too often.Most would quit.Glad I stayed in Athens and Augusta. Wonder what ever happened to Mr.Anderson?
The Skyview,with Augusta’s Largest outdoor screen is playing on June 5 1964 GIDGET GOES TO ROME,and THE MAN THAT SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE. There was a big record hop there that night.
June 7 1964 now playing PT 109 and SPENCER’S MOUNTAIN. The following movies played next: ROCK A BYE BABY,DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.
June 15 1964 and TOM JONES is playing.
June 6 1965 Now showing PSYCHO and THE MAN THAT COULD CHEAT DEATH.
Following these movies were CIRCUS WORLD and TAKE HER SHE’S MINE.
June 3 1966 BIG AD in the paper First Drive-in Showing TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD.
June 10 1972 A horror movie DEAD ARE ALIVE and a western,MONTE WALSH.
July 2 1972 A MUSICAL PAINT YOUR WAGON and CHEYNNE SOCIAL CLUB. the next movies were a bit lower in taste, BEWARE OF THE BLOB and ASTRO ZOMBIES.
JULY 16 1972 A GREAT TRIPLE FEATURE, GOLDFINGER, DR.NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE,bet you a Vodka Martinti shaken,not stirred they didn’t play them in order.
JULY 23 1972 Soft core R rating YOUNG GRADUATES and CINDY AND DONNA. FOUNTAIN OF LOVE.
COMING NEXT NIGHT OF BLOOD MASS and BLOOD OF MUMMY’S TOMB.
August 13 1972 THE GRADUATE and the little known CHARLES BRONSON film RIDER ON THE RAIN.
Having worked in the theatre business since the early 70’s i was able to see some of BURT REYNOLD’S best work. Yes, we played STROKER ACE and talk about a slow death,and you are in the heart of NASCAR.
STROKER ACE did horrible business and i bet others in the business saw the career of a great actor hit bottom.
Oh,the good old days in the other side of the Savannah River,The Hilltop is showing on June 6 1965 BEACH BLANKET BINGO.
June 3 1966 the DALEKS and RAIDERS are playing Sci-Fi,on the hill.
June 10 1972 now here is a triple feature you even find in Southern California. MIDNIGHT COWBOY,ALICE’S RESTAURANT, and THE CHRISTINE JOURGSEN STORY. Rated X,Rated R and Rated R. some booking for that side of the river.
Hilltop Drive in on July 2 1972 ELVIS in CLAMBAKE and KID GALAHAD.
BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS with the BAREFOOT EXECUTIVE would follow. BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS would have an impressive run at DANIEL VILLAGE for several weeks.
July 16 1972 FROGS and THE CONQUEROR WORM plays Horror at the HIllTOP. Both rated PG.
Following this horror double feature will be HANNIE CAULDER and A GUNFIGHT with Kirk DOUGLAS and JOHNNY CASH rated PG.
July 30 1972 Boy,this is ELVIS country,he is back with LIVE A LITTLE AND LOVE A LITTLE. second feature is GIRL HAPPY and the third movie is THAT’S THE WAY IT IS.
Coming next another strange double feature, WOODSTOCK and THE WILD BUNCH.{what?] both rated R.
Feb.28 1978 the JOY OUTDOOR CINEMA is still open,but not called The JOY DRIVE-IN.
Well, we got the news. The Big movie event of 1979 is going to play in COLUMBIA 1. “HURRICANE” with Mia Farrow opens and man, this was “HEAVEN’S GATE,before "HEAVEN’S GATE” a complete bomb. I am not too sure if it even played second run here in Augusta.
I know by the end of the run we were playing to empty houses. I was so sure no one was coming i even shampooed the carpets in that theatre.
Thank goodness, NATIONAL HILLS played a lot of family films. NOW SHOWING June 16 1974 is Disney’s “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” and a second feature “STORMY” rated G.
Okay,so it was resubmitted like all the HAMMER horror movies. I never thought much of the ratings when i worked in the theatre business.Because,i guess they are rated in Hollywood which had different standards than Georgia. I saw “BILLY JACK” witha PG rating and i couldn’t believe it was not an R rated film. I guess MIDNIGHT COWBOY could easily get a PG-13. It was rated X and had less nudity than that lousy “BILLY JACK” So it goes.
August 3 1953 NOW SHOWING “YOU AND ME” with PETER LAWFORD and JANE GREER.The second movie was “SINGING IN THE RAIN” This drive-in had a nurse on call to watch the kids,while mom and dad watched the movie.
August 3 1953 NOW SHOWING MARTIN and LEWIS in “SCARED STIFF” second hit is “DENVER AND THE RIO GRANDE” color cartoon. free playground for the kids. {never heard of a Drive-in charging.} “SCARED STIFF” was the first outdoor showing.
DEC. 4 1954 NOW SHOWING on that CINEMASCOPE SCREEN “FORT DEFIANCE” and SPOOK BUSTERS. The next films to play there were “YANKEE PASHA” and “SPOOKS RUN WILD” Show starts at 6:45 nightly.
MOTION PICTURES that played at the HENDERSONVILLE OUTDOOR CINEMA
MEAN DOG BLUES
CUBA
HURRICANE
BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTAVIXENS
VIXENS
THE GREAT SMOKEY ROADBLOCK
THE GETAWAY {McQueen}
BAD GEORGIA ROAD
ODE TO BILLY JOE
WHITE LINE FEVER
BUCKSTONE COUNTY PRISON
WHITE LIGHTNING
CORVETTE SUMMER
CORKY
DIAMONDS
SIDEWINDER 1
DEC. 4 1954 AT the HENDERSONVILLE DRIVE IN THEATRE[same as outdoor cinema}
NOW SHOWING ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO and BLACK HORSE CANYON. with cartoons,short subjects and news.
PLaying First run at THE PARK theatre CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Shows at 7:15 and 9:40 .I find this odd only two shows at a theatre in a city the size of Memphis.Usually cities that size play matinees and evening shows. Not here. two shows!
Louis Malle’s “PRETTY BABY” set in New Orleans opened at the Robert E.Lee Theatre. $1.50 before 1:45pm. Last show was at 9:30pm. Wonder what kind of business it did.
Ken,It gets harder and harder to spot old Drive in sites as you drive down back roads. I guess aerial photos are about the only way. I was enjoyed finding one like the WAYNESBORO DRIVE IN on CT,Watching for snakes in the tall Georgia grass,hoping for a good find like i did at the WOODZO drive in on CT.Yeah, it is getting harder and harder.
THE POM POM GIRLS plays here. It is rated PG. Looks more like a Weis Cinema movie.
BLAST opens at the MILLER starring Billy Dee Williams. Rated R.
BROTHERHOOD OF DEATH plays here rated R. Great place to show this film.
Jan 23 1977,WOODSTOCK returns for a one week run having played on countless late shows and Drive-ins in Augusta. I was at COLUMBIA 1 and 2,but heard the print was not in good shape,and once again,sound problems for some moviegoers.More headaches.
Next time you see “The GOOD,THE BAD,&THE UGLY” at a store the R rating is just like the one issued. And the same on alot of HAMMER films.It is nothing to get excited about,but it always drove me crazy,like the story on CT about DANIEL VILLAGE and the projectionist thought a GP rating should be an R rating.I know the Projectionist,and he told he ,he was afraid they might get raided with child nudity on the film WALABOUT. They left it GP according to Gordon,I wasn’t in the business when WALKABOUT played first run even though we played it on late shows here at National Hills.
Jan 23 1977,Another Rip off movie this one is “REVENGE FROM PLANET APE” that has nothing to do with the original APE series. In this one the apes come back from the grave,Rated PG.
Jan. 23 1977 Now Showing “MISTY BEETHOVEN” and “CARMEN,BABY” Both rated X.
This was a monster of a drive in parking 1000 cars. It was owned by AFFILIATED CIRCUIT. Affiliated owned a couple more in Massachusetts.
IT closed in summer of 1970 with MASH. Gone. IT was a shopping center in 1975. Today, the shopping center is a dump and the DRIVE-IN would have looked better.
Bad place for managers,District Manager, L.Anderson would constantly harass young managers,I heard it way too often.Most would quit.Glad I stayed in Athens and Augusta. Wonder what ever happened to Mr.Anderson?
The Skyview,with Augusta’s Largest outdoor screen is playing on June 5 1964 GIDGET GOES TO ROME,and THE MAN THAT SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE. There was a big record hop there that night.
June 7 1964 now playing PT 109 and SPENCER’S MOUNTAIN. The following movies played next: ROCK A BYE BABY,DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.
June 15 1964 and TOM JONES is playing.
June 6 1965 Now showing PSYCHO and THE MAN THAT COULD CHEAT DEATH.
Following these movies were CIRCUS WORLD and TAKE HER SHE’S MINE.
June 3 1966 BIG AD in the paper First Drive-in Showing TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD.
June 10 1972 A horror movie DEAD ARE ALIVE and a western,MONTE WALSH.
July 2 1972 A MUSICAL PAINT YOUR WAGON and CHEYNNE SOCIAL CLUB. the next movies were a bit lower in taste, BEWARE OF THE BLOB and ASTRO ZOMBIES.
JULY 16 1972 A GREAT TRIPLE FEATURE, GOLDFINGER, DR.NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE,bet you a Vodka Martinti shaken,not stirred they didn’t play them in order.
JULY 23 1972 Soft core R rating YOUNG GRADUATES and CINDY AND DONNA. FOUNTAIN OF LOVE.
COMING NEXT NIGHT OF BLOOD MASS and BLOOD OF MUMMY’S TOMB.
August 13 1972 THE GRADUATE and the little known CHARLES BRONSON film RIDER ON THE RAIN.
Having worked in the theatre business since the early 70’s i was able to see some of BURT REYNOLD’S best work. Yes, we played STROKER ACE and talk about a slow death,and you are in the heart of NASCAR.
STROKER ACE did horrible business and i bet others in the business saw the career of a great actor hit bottom.
Oh,the good old days in the other side of the Savannah River,The Hilltop is showing on June 6 1965 BEACH BLANKET BINGO.
June 3 1966 the DALEKS and RAIDERS are playing Sci-Fi,on the hill.
June 10 1972 now here is a triple feature you even find in Southern California. MIDNIGHT COWBOY,ALICE’S RESTAURANT, and THE CHRISTINE JOURGSEN STORY. Rated X,Rated R and Rated R. some booking for that side of the river.
Hilltop Drive in on July 2 1972 ELVIS in CLAMBAKE and KID GALAHAD.
BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS with the BAREFOOT EXECUTIVE would follow. BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS would have an impressive run at DANIEL VILLAGE for several weeks.
July 16 1972 FROGS and THE CONQUEROR WORM plays Horror at the HIllTOP. Both rated PG.
Following this horror double feature will be HANNIE CAULDER and A GUNFIGHT with Kirk DOUGLAS and JOHNNY CASH rated PG.
July 30 1972 Boy,this is ELVIS country,he is back with LIVE A LITTLE AND LOVE A LITTLE. second feature is GIRL HAPPY and the third movie is THAT’S THE WAY IT IS.
Coming next another strange double feature, WOODSTOCK and THE WILD BUNCH.{what?] both rated R.
More big films to play at the HILLTOP.
June 5 1964 Big BINGO cash night win up to $500.00 dollars! That is good money for 2010,much less 1964.
HOOTNENANNY HOOT and FLAMING STAR on the screen.
June 7 1964 now showing PT 109 and Spencer’s Mountain and third feature is DONOVAN’S REEF.
June 15 1964 and the Hilltop is playing WALK A TIGHTROPE.