Post by mikef6 on May 22, 2019 20:33:35 GMT
If you started going to the movies before Multiplexes, then you experienced the Neighborhood Theater. If you lived in a large city, they contrasted with the 1920s and 1930s movie palaces downtown. These smaller theaters could also be found in smaller towns, sometimes as the only movie house. They had a large street level auditorium (and maybe even a balcony) but just one screen. Some may still exist in small towns, e.g. the Wapa in Neil Armstrong’s home town, Wapakoneta, Ohio. I saw many a movie there in the late 1980s when we lived there for a job. Armstrong probably saw some great movies there, too. (The Wapa, built in 1904 for vaudeville, began showing movies in the 1930s, closed for a time early in the new century but has made a comeback and is open again.)
Growing up, my family lived within range of three neighborhood theaters in San Antonio, Texas where I got my first film education. First, the Woodlawn, opened in 1945, where I attended many a Saturday matinee double feature with six (at least) cartoons and a serial chapter followed by a double feature of (mix & match) a kids western, atomic monster thriller, comedy e.g. Abbot and Costello. For reasons unknown, John Wayne choose the Woodlawn, instead of a movie palace, to premiere “The Alamo” (1960). The Woodlawn is still in business as a live theater venue and meeting space.
The Laurel, opened in 1945, and the Olmos, opened in 1949, were just about identical in format, both in architecture and programming. They both mostly offered second run double features. The Laurel closed in 1982 and was torn down in ’86. The Olmos hung on just a little bit longer by switching first to Spanish language films and finally Triple X porn. It closed late 1980s.
Let’s see a bit of your past. What movie spaces hold nostalgic value for you? What do you remember about them?[/span]
Growing up, my family lived within range of three neighborhood theaters in San Antonio, Texas where I got my first film education. First, the Woodlawn, opened in 1945, where I attended many a Saturday matinee double feature with six (at least) cartoons and a serial chapter followed by a double feature of (mix & match) a kids western, atomic monster thriller, comedy e.g. Abbot and Costello. For reasons unknown, John Wayne choose the Woodlawn, instead of a movie palace, to premiere “The Alamo” (1960). The Woodlawn is still in business as a live theater venue and meeting space.
The Laurel, opened in 1945, and the Olmos, opened in 1949, were just about identical in format, both in architecture and programming. They both mostly offered second run double features. The Laurel closed in 1982 and was torn down in ’86. The Olmos hung on just a little bit longer by switching first to Spanish language films and finally Triple X porn. It closed late 1980s.
Let’s see a bit of your past. What movie spaces hold nostalgic value for you? What do you remember about them?[/span]