Here is a nightmare no theatre manager would want.. Opening day of PATTON. Bill Barkley explains PATTON did not come in until showday because we ran off the reels. No show to build. Well that movie was in three cans and when i opened the twothat was dropped the first three reels were missing. My manager Mr.Tinney was scared to go out and tell the long line about the problem so he sent out Charles Espizota to tell those in line.
Well, we did not have the first can so Tinney decided to start reel four a one hour wait. The first can was flown in and we had the complete feature by the second showing.
According to Bill Barkley Aiken County resident THE FOX DRIVE in was the exact duplicate of THE HILLTOP DRIVE IN in North Augusta, S.C. He said it was owned by CONSOLIDATED out of Charlotte.
Now playing FOX DRIVE IN
FIRST RUN IN AIKEN…..A SWINGIN'SUMMER also hit number 2 YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE with James Franciscus Suzanne Pleshette and Genevieve Page a Warner Bros, Film.
NowPlaying at THE FOX DRIVE in
YOUR CHEATIN'HEART and second feature LOOKING FOR LOVE.
According to Bill Barkley THE PATRICIA THEATRE was the first movie house in Aiken S.C. IT was owned by Bert Ram. He named the theatre after his oldest daughter.
Where i am having trouble, is Barkley insists the ROSEMARY THEATRE became the CINEMA. But i swear i remember seeing an old ad i have somewhere that had PATRICIA
ROSEMARY
CINEMA
on a newspaper ad meaning there were 3 theatres! until i can disprove it i will add what Bill gave me
According to Bill Barkley THE ROSEMARY was built sometime later and again named for a child.It had a stage and dressing rooms.It was quite modern and run first run films. Augusta could not bother them because of a ten mile rule. The LOCAL PROJECTIONISTS 518 could not touch them because they fell under COLUMBIA S.C. juriisdiction. They charged less than downtown Augusta and i know alot folks that headed to Aiken for a movie.
They also sent out a monthly schedule of coming attractions for their patrons on a mailing list.
Okay, here is where we could differ, but by Bill’s facts CARMIKE bought the ROSEMARY, named CHANGED and later they added two screens for a triple. that is a fact, 3 screens. The projection booth was on the same level as the original one. the projectors were Century and lamps by Strong. At the entrance a concessionstand served all 3 theatres.
THe entrance to theatre number 2 was straight from the lobby while the other theatres had an entrance with doors to the left.
I talked with the Manager,Bill Barkley said and Bill said the manager didn’t know why they were closing becuse they were doing good business.But Bill, like me. figured the new REGAL at the mall was the place.{ I have seen the 8 plex at Aiken Mall and it is a joke} Mike Rogers.
I also heard the seats came from a cinema hit by HURRICANE HUGO.Makes sense with these companies today. MIKE ROGERS.
THANKS TO BILL BARKLEY. After being corrected on COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS MY OWN THEATRE !!!!!!!!! If anyone has any proof about the three theatres in Aiken let me know. I will hunt for the Ad and if i am right I will let you know. BUT I SURE remember looking at an old newspaper ad and it had…PATRICIA ROSEMARY & CINEMA. Maybe I am wrong. JUST want the facts 100%.
According to Aiken County resident and theatre historian,Bill Barkley, The MARK 1 was Twinned sometime in the Middle to late 70’s.
I don’t have proof to prove Bill wrong. I have a MARK 1 newspaper ad Showing THE HONKERS playing there 1972, And earlier SUMMER of 42. So the MARK 1 does have some history behind it. In 1982 Bill said of the Christmas holidays His son, Britt to see SHARKEY’S MACHINE. Both theatre people Curt Harris and Joe Goode {owner of the ART THEATRE in Augusta} went to see the MARK 1.
Bill, said once REGAL went in in the mall it became a dollar house.It was torn down for the new AIKEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
Like i said earlier it was a metal prefab building on Newberry St.
Thanks to Bill for this!
ANYWAYS WHEN I WAS IN THE BUSINESS this was MASTERS 4 cinemas and we kept them in line being the larger and more impressive ABC THEATRES. They did very little if any promotions now that i think about it.
I remember when i was under 17 and theatres enforced the code.I could not see THE GODFATHER had to go over to the IMPERIAL and see TALES FROM THE CRYPT. A PG rated horror movie,It wasn’t bad.
DEAN MARTIN Returns to screen in MR.RICCO. It really looks like Dean Martin could do better.This one is quickly shipped to the Drive-in and then out of town.
rated pg.
One morning i walk in Zack’s office and he asks me what i think of local Magician DIXIE DOOLEY who had a saturday morning show on TV 26.
Well, at age 25 i ain’t watching alot of saturday morning TV. His kids had seen DOOLEY on TV. Guess what we are calling DOOLEY on the phone and asks if he wants to perform at our midnight shows. We could pay in a free pizza and free movie passes. He jumped on the deal. And he put a good show. Today, he is in LAS VEGAS and put on a private show for MICHAEL JACKSON and his KIDS. ZACKER COULD SPOT TALENT GUESS THAT IS WHY HE SPOTTED SMEAK, MORRISON & ROGERS.
YES, THE GREEN SLIME played here along with another third rate sci-fi , JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN. I saw JOURNEY at the IMPERIAL ,but missed THE GREEN SLIME.
Ray, did you know Mrs.Hank Willams attened a promotion there.I wonder if she did this after Hank died,I did not have a date on the movie ad. It also stated the Drive in had a nursery for kids with a trained nurse on hand, I hadn’t heard of that in Augusta Drive in history.Parents could drop the kids off and enjoy the movie.
NIck, What great story! We had alot of dusk to dawnfilms here,but i was too young to ever stay out that long. Here is my List for my DUSK TO DAWN SHOW at the HILLSBORO DRIVE IN
1 Now showing CHRISTOPHER LEE in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE,
{i have the one sheet}
2 CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED
3 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE
4 THE GREEN SLIME [because it is so BAD.}
5 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
There will be RED JELLY FILLED DOUGHTNUTS and Cherry soda for free if you cab take such fear.
I hope others, using just the movies you listed will do what i just did it was fun.GREAT WORK.
I was informed by a very good source that WHERE EAGLES DARE was part of a CLINT EASTWOOD double bill, PLAY MISTY FOR ME was the second hit on the late show i wrote about earlier. Sorry,I am trying to remember without any help from my friends.
Guess what? REGENCY MALL CINEMAS will show for the first time since the county told us they would take our business license,ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. March 28 1986. The other midnight features{ and you can tell i am out of the bussiness} a very unmidnight lame EUROPEAN VACATION. Third screen NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. I know they did not let ROCKY HORROR get out of hand like we did in the early 80’s.
You know now that i think about it in our days if one of us doormen had to jump behind the concession we would be teed off, even if they just went on a restroom break. NO 1970’s guy would go behind a snack bar unless so ordered. I know on slow nights i would give the Box office girl a smoke break and the concessiongirl,ONCE THE MOVIE STARTED!
I hope I can get more Stories out of Bill since he is the only one i worked with that will take the time for CT.
Here is a nightmare no theatre manager would want.. Opening day of PATTON. Bill Barkley explains PATTON did not come in until showday because we ran off the reels. No show to build. Well that movie was in three cans and when i opened the twothat was dropped the first three reels were missing. My manager Mr.Tinney was scared to go out and tell the long line about the problem so he sent out Charles Espizota to tell those in line.
Well, we did not have the first can so Tinney decided to start reel four a one hour wait. The first can was flown in and we had the complete feature by the second showing.
According to Bill Barkley Aiken County resident THE FOX DRIVE in was the exact duplicate of THE HILLTOP DRIVE IN in North Augusta, S.C. He said it was owned by CONSOLIDATED out of Charlotte.
Now playing FOX DRIVE IN
FIRST RUN IN AIKEN…..A SWINGIN'SUMMER also hit number 2 YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE with James Franciscus Suzanne Pleshette and Genevieve Page a Warner Bros, Film.
NowPlaying at THE FOX DRIVE in
YOUR CHEATIN'HEART and second feature LOOKING FOR LOVE.
NOW PLAYING AT THE CINEMA
Walt Disney’s THE MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS.
April 27 1965
Now Playing at the CINEMA
TRUE GRIT rated G JOHN WAYNE.
According to Bill Barkley THE PATRICIA THEATRE was the first movie house in Aiken S.C. IT was owned by Bert Ram. He named the theatre after his oldest daughter.
Where i am having trouble, is Barkley insists the ROSEMARY THEATRE became the CINEMA. But i swear i remember seeing an old ad i have somewhere that had PATRICIA
ROSEMARY
CINEMA
on a newspaper ad meaning there were 3 theatres! until i can disprove it i will add what Bill gave me
According to Bill Barkley THE ROSEMARY was built sometime later and again named for a child.It had a stage and dressing rooms.It was quite modern and run first run films. Augusta could not bother them because of a ten mile rule. The LOCAL PROJECTIONISTS 518 could not touch them because they fell under COLUMBIA S.C. juriisdiction. They charged less than downtown Augusta and i know alot folks that headed to Aiken for a movie.
They also sent out a monthly schedule of coming attractions for their patrons on a mailing list.
Okay, here is where we could differ, but by Bill’s facts CARMIKE bought the ROSEMARY, named CHANGED and later they added two screens for a triple. that is a fact, 3 screens. The projection booth was on the same level as the original one. the projectors were Century and lamps by Strong. At the entrance a concessionstand served all 3 theatres.
THe entrance to theatre number 2 was straight from the lobby while the other theatres had an entrance with doors to the left.
I talked with the Manager,Bill Barkley said and Bill said the manager didn’t know why they were closing becuse they were doing good business.But Bill, like me. figured the new REGAL at the mall was the place.{ I have seen the 8 plex at Aiken Mall and it is a joke} Mike Rogers.
I also heard the seats came from a cinema hit by HURRICANE HUGO.Makes sense with these companies today. MIKE ROGERS.
THANKS TO BILL BARKLEY. After being corrected on COLUMBIA SQUARE CINEMAS MY OWN THEATRE !!!!!!!!! If anyone has any proof about the three theatres in Aiken let me know. I will hunt for the Ad and if i am right I will let you know. BUT I SURE remember looking at an old newspaper ad and it had…PATRICIA ROSEMARY & CINEMA. Maybe I am wrong. JUST want the facts 100%.
According to Aiken County resident and theatre historian,Bill Barkley, The MARK 1 was Twinned sometime in the Middle to late 70’s.
I don’t have proof to prove Bill wrong. I have a MARK 1 newspaper ad Showing THE HONKERS playing there 1972, And earlier SUMMER of 42. So the MARK 1 does have some history behind it. In 1982 Bill said of the Christmas holidays His son, Britt to see SHARKEY’S MACHINE. Both theatre people Curt Harris and Joe Goode {owner of the ART THEATRE in Augusta} went to see the MARK 1.
Bill, said once REGAL went in in the mall it became a dollar house.It was torn down for the new AIKEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
Like i said earlier it was a metal prefab building on Newberry St.
Thanks to Bill for this!
Nick, If someone from CINEMA TRES. does not remember these shows i will start to eat a one sheet.
I got some info on the Aiken Theatres,Nick from you know who; I am working them up for you now.
But, you know Nick both the Skyview Drive in and Weis Drive in both have churches on them.And that is in Augusta.
THANKS for changing the name.I will be more careful with my facts.
ANYWAYS WHEN I WAS IN THE BUSINESS this was MASTERS 4 cinemas and we kept them in line being the larger and more impressive ABC THEATRES. They did very little if any promotions now that i think about it.
I remember when i was under 17 and theatres enforced the code.I could not see THE GODFATHER had to go over to the IMPERIAL and see TALES FROM THE CRYPT. A PG rated horror movie,It wasn’t bad.
This need to be changed to MASTERS 7.Somehow i really messed up.ONLY SEVEN SCREENS. STill all movies $2.00 a seat.
DEAN MARTIN Returns to screen in MR.RICCO. It really looks like Dean Martin could do better.This one is quickly shipped to the Drive-in and then out of town.
rated pg.
One morning i walk in Zack’s office and he asks me what i think of local Magician DIXIE DOOLEY who had a saturday morning show on TV 26.
Well, at age 25 i ain’t watching alot of saturday morning TV. His kids had seen DOOLEY on TV. Guess what we are calling DOOLEY on the phone and asks if he wants to perform at our midnight shows. We could pay in a free pizza and free movie passes. He jumped on the deal. And he put a good show. Today, he is in LAS VEGAS and put on a private show for MICHAEL JACKSON and his KIDS. ZACKER COULD SPOT TALENT GUESS THAT IS WHY HE SPOTTED SMEAK, MORRISON & ROGERS.
MY one sheet,however, has the two lovers kissing.
I TOO HAVE A MINT COPY OF THE ONE SHEET,plus DR.PHIBES RISES AGAIN. Vincent Price was PRICELESS.
YES, THE GREEN SLIME played here along with another third rate sci-fi , JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN. I saw JOURNEY at the IMPERIAL ,but missed THE GREEN SLIME.
Ray, did you know Mrs.Hank Willams attened a promotion there.I wonder if she did this after Hank died,I did not have a date on the movie ad. It also stated the Drive in had a nursery for kids with a trained nurse on hand, I hadn’t heard of that in Augusta Drive in history.Parents could drop the kids off and enjoy the movie.
I KNOW FOLKS IT IS"CAN" NOT “CAB”
NIck, What great story! We had alot of dusk to dawnfilms here,but i was too young to ever stay out that long. Here is my List for my DUSK TO DAWN SHOW at the HILLSBORO DRIVE IN
1 Now showing CHRISTOPHER LEE in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE,
{i have the one sheet}
2 CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED
3 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE
4 THE GREEN SLIME [because it is so BAD.}
5 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
There will be RED JELLY FILLED DOUGHTNUTS and Cherry soda for free if you cab take such fear.
I hope others, using just the movies you listed will do what i just did it was fun.GREAT WORK.
I was informed by a very good source that WHERE EAGLES DARE was part of a CLINT EASTWOOD double bill, PLAY MISTY FOR ME was the second hit on the late show i wrote about earlier. Sorry,I am trying to remember without any help from my friends.
Guess what? REGENCY MALL CINEMAS will show for the first time since the county told us they would take our business license,ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. March 28 1986. The other midnight features{ and you can tell i am out of the bussiness} a very unmidnight lame EUROPEAN VACATION. Third screen NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. I know they did not let ROCKY HORROR get out of hand like we did in the early 80’s.
You know now that i think about it in our days if one of us doormen had to jump behind the concession we would be teed off, even if they just went on a restroom break. NO 1970’s guy would go behind a snack bar unless so ordered. I know on slow nights i would give the Box office girl a smoke break and the concessiongirl,ONCE THE MOVIE STARTED!
Like so many passion pits this location today is home to a large church.