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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-22-2002, 09:45 PM:
As if there were a need for one more sign that the AMC merger will soon be official, a box of AMC "Mr. Clip" trailers arrived today at the GCC house where I was filling in tonight. Apparently AMC has decided not to keep the "General Cinema" name and advertising materials and is instead planning to re-brand all of the theatres as AMC houses. The trailers won't actually go on screen for another week or two, or so I'm told. Communication from AMC has not been particularly good, at least at the lower levels, or so it seems.Anyway, the next few weeks and months will be interesting. I am actually kind of surprised that AMC decided to rename the theatres, since they have no theatres and essentially zero name recognition in the New England area.
Posted by Brian Hogan (Member # 940) on 03-23-2002, 01:52 AM:
why wouldnt AMC use their name? its their theatre now... so its their name too. im sure that the people in the area will recognise the change and check it out cause its something new. then before long they will have hold of the market and drive everyone out like is the case here in columbus. the corporate machine rolls on!
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-23-2002, 03:03 AM:
Brian said...."the corporate machine rolls on!"
It may be but most think its the worst corporate machine there is in this industry. I wonder what'll happen at the Seattle Cinerama. AMC run a Cineama Theatre???? I don't think so....
Perhaps they will replace the Cinerama name with AMC and remove the never used Cinerama Strip screen! It would be known as just the Seattle AMC.
Mark @ GTS
www.getgts.com
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 03-23-2002, 10:13 AM:
The US bankruptcy court approved AMC's takeover of General Cinema earlier this week.Scott: AMC once had a 4-plex near UMass Amherst. I drove past the theater when I was in that area two years ago. The theater had long closed and the marquee was all but gone.
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 03-23-2002, 10:47 AM:
AMC running a single screen theater like the Cinerama? They'd probably close it just because it's a single.
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 03-23-2002, 04:59 PM:
Nah. They'll chop it up into a 6-plex; next year it'll be a dollar house and the year after that it will close. They have to destroy it first, so no one else can reopen it without spending a fortune. 
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-23-2002, 06:00 PM:
I thought the owner of the Cinerama theatre was basically paying GCC to operate it, so I can't see anything happening to it. AMC DID take over a Cinerama theatre in San Jose (Town and Country) and ran it through most of the 90's before closing it, albeit removing the strip screen. They also ran the single screen Cechi Gori Fine Arts in Beverly Hills, also on a pay to manage scheme. It was recently taken over by Landmark.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-23-2002, 06:37 PM:
As far as I can tell, AMC only has one theatre with fewer than six screens (a twin in Florida). It will be interesting to see what happens to some of the smaller GCC houses which AMC will be acquiring.It is quite odd to watch what was once a well-established company slowly go away. I've seen it with startup-type companies, but one expects a high degree of risk with such a venture. Now, the GCC home office building is vacant. Although I didn't know it at the time, I ran the last show at the corporate screening room last fall (in a building occupied by Harcourt General which, coincidentally, is also vacant now). According to the press releases, they plan to keep most of the theatres open for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they dumped the unprofitable ones as soon as they could.
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 03-24-2002, 05:05 AM:
I just hope some of the typical GCC theatres stay open. I love the symmetrical GCC 10-plex: 5 on one side - 5 on the other. Are there many of the OLDER GCC locations still open? The ones like the Northpark? Or the ones that were just labelled CINEMA I-II-III?
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 03-24-2002, 01:22 PM:
Love that synchronicity! 
The General Cinema (soon AMC) Clifton Commons megaplex has 8 in the west wing and 8 in the east wing. The AMC Hamilton megaplex has 10 in the south wing, 10 in the north wing, and the 4 giant halls in the middle.
Scott D: None of the older General Cinema theaters in New Jersey are still open. They closed due to the Chapter 11 or were torn down well before.
Posted by Arthur Allen (Member # 969) on 03-24-2002, 02:37 PM:
There's still an old I/II/III in Seattle. It is the Aurora Cinema turned Aurora Cinema Grill, and since transfered to non GC ownership. I've only been in one of the split screens, so I don't know if the old recessed screen is still up in the large auditorium, the kind that always ran 1.85:1 with the screen open with no side masking. Terraced tables have replaced the normal theater seats, but it's still a plain black wall on one side, soundproofing corregated iron with holes on the other side. I may have a photo of the auditorum somewhere, but I'll have to search for it without Photopoint around.Cinematour Aurora Cinema entry
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 03-24-2002, 11:29 PM:
Actually, the Aurora Cinema Grill gave up the ghost this month. 
Posted by Sean M. Grimes (Member # 445) on 03-25-2002, 12:12 AM:
This is actually very upsetting... on the first of August I am moving to Boston. Which, unfortunately will remove one of the chains that I was going to apply to. Well I know that AMC has run at least quite a few great theaters, does anyone know if AMC is now taking resumes for the other GCC locations? Any help would be very helpful... thank you. 
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 03-28-2002, 03:52 AM:
It would be my guess that AMC will want to take the high road and TRY to keep the GCC Management on... but inevitably the GCC Managers might have trouble speaking the AMC language and ultimately depart company.I'd say it's worth the effort to join AMC's training program in hopes of getting a GCC location once they absorb them.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 03-31-2002, 12:11 PM:
AMC officially took over GCC on Good Friday.When you visit the AMC website you'll see the former GCC locations included as well. If you visit the GCC website you'll get redirected for now to a page promoting the AMC MovieWatcher club.
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 04-01-2002, 10:28 AM:
Dammit --Now I gotta go take new pictures of all the GCC theatres once they get their AMC signage so Adam will have good pictures on his site...
I will really miss GCC as a movie goer... I have only been a few times, but I think as far as their marketing went and the way they presented themselves to the public, it wasn't obnoxious. It wasn't annoying and in your face like Regal or AMC.
Oh well -- progress. At least now when I'm 50 I can tell some weird 24 year old like myself about General Cinemas and Edwards Theatre Circuit and all the others that 'used to be'. Hooo-hum.
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-01-2002, 12:33 PM:
He he he ... er, now I need to change all of those names. Doh!
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 04-02-2002, 05:40 PM:
GCC is now gone from Moviefone and Hollywood.com, replaced by AMC.Fox was the first studio to replace GCC with AMC in the stack ads (today). All the other studios should follow suit by Friday.
Posted by Scott Madsen (Member # 167) on 04-02-2002, 07:09 PM:
To continue Charles update, here in Minneapolis, it appears posters have all been changed to reflect AMC. MovieTickets.Com, AMC gift certificates for sale, AMC R rating policy, etc.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 04-05-2002, 05:33 PM:
Guess the studios are too lazy to acknowledge the death of GCC. The stack ads today in the Newark Star-Ledger tell the story:Warner Bros. still ID's the GCC-to-AMC theaters as GCC.
Sony, Paramount and Disney ID the GCC-to-AMC theaters as AMC -- with MovieFone codes that are no longer valid. Universal and New Line ID the AMC (ex-GCC) Clifton Commons with a MovieFone code that is no longer valid.
Only Fox and Artisan get it right all the way through. Coincidentally, those 2 studios have 2 of the 3 movies opening nationwide this week.
Posted by Betsie Beadling (Member # 591) on 04-13-2002, 08:02 PM:
Looks Like AMC Forgot to
Change the GCC Signage At Mazza Gallerie
in Washington DC 
I was over there in the Friendship Heights Area
Today
Posted by Betsie Beadling (Member # 591) on 04-13-2002, 08:36 PM:
AMC Probly Forgot to Change the GCC Sign
at Springfield Mall Virginia Also
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 04-13-2002, 08:39 PM:
Sometimes is takes weeks or even months to get new signage done. It's expensive, and the sign maker might have a lot of backlog orders that delay the delivery (or AMC doesn't want to pay extra to "expedite" their new signs). It will happen eventually.
Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 04-14-2002, 10:00 AM:
The Cobb I worked at when Regal took over back in 97 took more than 7 months to change the sign in front of the theater.
If you think about it, there is really no reason to hurry. AMC owns the GCC name also!
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 09-15-2002, 06:10 PM:
Visited the AMC (nee General Cinema) Clifton Commons yesterday for One Hour Photo.All General Cinema signs are gone, replaced by AMC signs. Outside the building you can see the outlines where the white General Cinema words and blue GCC circle once resided.
General Cinema had Dolby Digital signs at the box office window and Dolby Digital units in every hall. AMC kept the signs up and the Dolby Digital installed -- important for Fox, MGM and Paramount product.
At the Swift Ticket kiosks you can buy tickets but you can't use your Moviewatcher card. The manager told me at the Guest Services desk that this had something to do with the software.
The preshow ran NCN snipe, rolling stock ads, trailers, feature presentation ("There Is a Difference!") snipe. No "Previews" snipe before the trailers; no "Silence is Golden" snipe after the last trailer. Maybe AMC didn't bother to send any "Previews" or "Silence is Golden" snipes to the General Cinema locations. After all, General Cinema had a "Coming Attractions" snipe starring the Candy Band.
General Cinema cared about presentation in Clifton every time I was there (all in 2000). Shows started in frame and the sound was in digital all the way through. AMC cares about presentation in Clifton as well: The preshow started with the image on the ceiling, so the booth staff stopped the projector to rethread.
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 09-15-2002, 10:36 PM:
I visited the former GCC Burlington today. The staff was rude and they were all standing around gossiping. I also wonder why they have a guest services desk if there is no manager there? The presentation was great though.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-16-2002, 05:54 AM:
As far as I know, none of the GCC houses in the Boston area received any AMC trailers other than "Mr. Clip III" (their feature presentation tag).Sean -- I hope that Burlington isn't going downhill. I have filled in there occasionally and been impressed with the quality of the management there. Haven't been there since the AMC takeover, however.
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 09-16-2002, 10:04 PM:
I noticed there were not any late shows on the marquee? Do they not run 9 o clock shows there. Also when I was exiting at 9:15 the stand was shut down and no one was around. Is this some wierd town rule because it was sunday or something?
Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-17-2002, 02:26 PM:
Hey Arthur!Would you happen to know what has become of the Lynn Twin in Lynnwood? Back in the 90s I drove past there and it was closed with a chain link fence around it. It was a beautiful theatre in its day. I met my wife there. She was a cashier, I was one of the projectionists. It was a unique layout as it was two theatres with two different booths connected by a common lobby. Properly operated I think the place still has potential.
Bob
The Old Showman
Posted by Arthur Allen (Member # 969) on 09-17-2002, 02:58 PM:
Every time I drive through the neighborhood I wish I knew the address of the theater so I could see what happened to the site. I thought it was the Lynn 4 myself; maybe they twinned each auditorium to make four. It was run by SRO, the local chain bought out by Cineplex Odeon and later Lowes.I went there once, for a double feature of Snow White and Tron. I was just becoming aware of aspect ratios then because The Seattle Times' John Hartl ran an article about how modern multiplexes were cropping Snow White, and this presentation was cropped. Also, they used top masking for showing the Scope Tron, so it wasn't the best movie going experience. I belive they did have a crying baby room in the back of the auditorium though.
Time to check the newspaper microfilms I guess.
In other theater news, both the UA 70/150 and the Southcenter seem to be going under the wrecking ball in the next few weeks.
Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-17-2002, 03:40 PM:
I don't remember the street either Arthur. It's West of Aurora on the south side of the street and sits way back on the property with trees (I think) in front of it. It's across from a Lutheran church. I believe there's a freeway off ramp for the street it's on and you travel west past some shopping centers. The property also used to be accessable from Aurora.Bob
The Old Showman
Posted by Peter Kerchinsky (Member # 1098) on 09-18-2002, 04:47 AM:
Old Showman
The Lynn 4 was gone shortly before I arrived here in Seattle, but a former projectionist told me it was being used as a warehouse. I haven't been by there recently and I'm not sure the building is there any longer. It went down when SRO built the Grand Cinemas in Alderwood Mall.
We've also heard rumors that Southcenter and Northgate Mall theatres were going down soon, but as far as I know they are both still standing. Southcenter property was apparently bought by a restaurant chain and was to be demolished. No word on what they're going to do with the Northgate yet.
Last week AMC closed the Sea-Tac 6 in the Federal Way area. The other section of that complex closed about a year ago.
Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-18-2002, 01:26 PM:
Peter:Thanks for the info. Makes me kinda sad to see the older houses go. My friend Marv Morgan (he was also best man at my wedding) used to manage the Northgate when Sterling had it. It was another beautiful (and large) theatre.
Bob
The Old Showman
Posted by Arthur Allen (Member # 969) on 09-18-2002, 11:19 PM:
It turns out I had the Lynn 4 address in my files the whole time, along with my collection of drive-in advertisements. It was at 19802 Highway 99, or approximately here:Terraserver photo
I thought it was on the west side of the highway, but an even number address implies it was on the east side. In the photo is a large building on the east side and some older-looking residential forrested area on the west.
By my 1984 advertisement it was already a bargain house ($3.00 a double feature). I was still in business by my 1986 advertisement, when the prices had actually gone down! (Sunday through Thursday $1.50, Friday, Saturday and holidays $2.50, still showing double features.)
Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-19-2002, 02:33 PM:
Hi Arthur!It may have had an Aurora Ave. address but it could be entered from both 99 and the east/west street just north of its 99 driveway. That address may be confusing but I stick by my statement that it is west of 99 and across the street from the Lutheran church where my wife and I were married. I tried to make it out in the photo as it looks like there is a church across from the wooded area on the east/west street but I cant see it. The building you mentioned is too big and the wrong shape for the Lynn.
Bob
The Old Showman
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 11-17-2002, 11:55 AM:
In Northern New Jersey on a rainy Saturday, I stopped by the AMC Essex Green (West Orange) to see The Ring. This all-stadium 9-plex has visible traces of its GCC origins:(1) A sign at the concession stand has the GCC and credit card logos ("General Cinema Accepts Visa/MasterCard").
(2) The blue circles outside are still up, only with the white GCC letters painted over.
Better yet, the last snipe before the feature was a Dolby Digital snipe! When have you seen that in an AMC?
As at Clifton Commons the "AMC Previews" and "Silence is Golden" snipes are missing from the preshow.
Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 11-17-2002, 03:08 PM:
I worked the Lynn Twin as a relief operator during the mid-'70s. SRO was a good company to work for, and they had me running between the old Magnolia theatre & the Lynn, with a short "vacation relief" stint at their flagship, the John Danz. Maybe Robert remembers... Was the hallway at the Lynn that connected the booths built over the roof? Seems I recall it was.They were automated changeover booths with RCA tube amps (RCA took care of all of SRO's sound), & Eprad automations. A modified doorbell in each booth let you know that the other was in changeover or emergency.
I'm glad I didn't see the place after they twinned it. Those auditoriums were nice as they were. Electric curtains, masking, the works.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-18-2002, 08:53 AM:
Interestingly, AMC has slides that advertise SDDS. I find this amusing, as they are showing them on all of the screens at Chestnut Hill, yet only one house (out of five) is equipped for SDDS.
Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 11-18-2002, 09:12 AM:
In the new DVD of "Lord of the Rings", you get a Movie Money check
good for a free ticket up to $10.50. If you you on the back of the
check you see the theatres you can use it at. No AMC, but General
Cinema is still there.
Posted by Steven Privett (Member # 718) on 11-18-2002, 12:40 PM:
I guess, so as not offend anybody, they'll remove the clips from the features and TV shows that had GCC theatres featured in them. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 11-18-2002, 02:02 PM:
One of the kids in "Mighty Ducks 2" worked at a General Cinema theatre- in fact, I think it showed his friends skating by outside and talking him into leaving work early?!
Posted by Scott Madsen (Member # 167) on 11-19-2002, 12:26 PM:
You are correct. It was the Mall of America theatre. It had a huge General Cinema sign used in the film and is visible in many areas of the Mall.
Had is the key word. A few months ago, AMC completed the sign change and now the Red AMC sign is visible in the mall. Kind of hard to get used to.
Posted by Arthur Allen (Member # 969) on 11-29-2002, 11:15 PM:
When I went to see SWII at the former GCC Renton Villiage, I saw Coke slides on the screen and noticed "Pepsi" on the armrests. Went back a few weeks ago and noticed that all the Pepsi logos have been sanded off all the arm rests; kind of irritating when you're not wearing thick sleeves or no sleeves.