Dollar Cinema - Briargrove 3
6100 Westheimer Road,
Houston,
TX
77057
6100 Westheimer Road,
Houston,
TX
77057
4 people
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1978 and 1980 grand opening ad posted.
Architect Arthur Steinberg’s sketch of the Briargrove Plaza that housed the venue is in photos. He was the architect of the theater for Transcontinental who stayed with the venue from opening as Briargrove 3 Cinemas as a first-run house on June 10, 1977 all the way to March 16, 1978 with the triplex closing. Just an 8-month run for Trans-C.
Plitt Southern picked up the venue relaunching it on September 8, 1978 (ad in photos) with “Saturday Night Fever,” “The End” and “Gumball Rally.” This was likely on a new, 20-year leasing agreement. However, Plitt left the venue just two years later on September 10, 1980.
Cinemark took it on changing it from first-run to a sub-run, discount dollar house on September 12, 1980 and a new name as the Briargrove 3 Theatre.
On October 17, 1980, it became home to Dollar Cinemas as the Dollar Cinemas - Briargrove 3 and soon Dollar Cinema - Briargrove 3 where it found its audience chugging all the way to May 17, 1998. Premiere Cinema Corporation took on most of the Dollar Cinema locations late that month but either not taking on or not continuing the Briargrove 3. Silver Cinemas also came into the marketplace looking for aging triples and multiplexes in the megalplex age and they also decided against operating the Briargrove 3.
In that era, it would be fairly difficult to operate without advertising at all so it likely closed permanently on May 17, 1998. The 1998 closing also times out with a 20-year leasing arrangement from the Plitt era so would highly recommend that as the end date here. The space was converted for retail purposes thereafter.
@Davidcoppock: Most likely.
Opened on 10th June 1977 with on.screen 1 with “Rocky”, screen 2 with “King Kong(1970’s version?)” and screen 3 with “Network”.
I think it became a dollar cinema in the early 80s. I remember my Dad took me to see Blake Edwards' S.O.B. here when I was a kid (because they put “PG” on the marquee instead of “R”).
This was opened by Transcontinental Theatres. Grand opening ad posted.
I saw numerous films here as a kid we would walk with my mom and spend time across the street at Kids R Us and Toys R Us.. super fond times… from what I can remember I saw Hocus Pocus, Beauty and The Beast, The Bodyguard, Bad Boys, Home Alone, Jurassic Park over 20xs when it played for over a year … My Girl, Robin Hood, Selena, Thelma and Louise, The Rocketeer, Bethoveen, Sister Act 2… they even knew me by name .. I loved it it was a simple three screen no frills but fun.
Not sure. I’d be surprised if it actually was a first run theater at some point.
Did this theatre open as a Dollar Cinema or was it ever first run?
And I also believe I saw the Little Rascals movie at this theater.
Now we need some pictures of this theater, or what used to be.
I’m the one who submitted this theater info to this site, btw.
I saw The Flintstones Movie, Toy Story and Mr. Magoo at this theater.