This is topic Northpark (Dallas) Theatre Question in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 01-31-2003, 10:02 PM:
 
Any film-techers familiar with the Northpark (or is it North Park) Theatre in Dallas, Texas? I'm curious about a couple things.

1) When did this theatre open? What was the first movie to play there?

2) Was it equipped with 70mm projection from the opening or was it installed later on for a particular engagement?

3) Was there ever an expansion? Additional screens built? Auditoriums split?

3) When did it close? Last engagement?

Should I go to any Web sites for this info (cinematreasures, cinematour, etc.)? Thanks!
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-31-2003, 10:37 PM:
 
Well since I used to do projection and sound work there, I suppose I can answer a few of your questions.

#1 I have no idea, and again no idea. If it was still open I would say to look at the advertisement on the booth wall, but I can't.

#2 I do believe it was all 70mm from the get-go, but I was not alive during VIP night to be able to say for sure.

#3 Nothing was ever added or split.

#3 The theater closed October 21, 1998

Cinema I - Simon Birch
Cinema II - A Night at the Roxbury (technically the last show to get out)

But that's not QUITE it. The next morning we had a trade screening of Meet Joe Black, so technically that was the last film ran.

But that's not QUITE it either. That evening after the final day (the evening of the last trade screening), we had our own little private party (only several hundred of our closest friends) where we ran a double feature in Cinema I. So if you want to be REALLY technical about it, that was the last time film was ran in that building. It is now a pile of rubble thanks to the fabulous A-hole known as Mr.Nasher.

I ran all all of the last several shows. Closing the douser at the end of the end of the double feature party was something I won't forget.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-01-2003, 12:50 PM:
 
In 1983, Tomlinson Holman personally designed an upgraded sound system for the Northpark #1 theater. It was one of the original two THX theaters configured for the release of "Return of the Jedi." General Cinemas Avco in Los Angeles was the other.

The Northpark 1-2 was originally designed as a twin theater. The lobby was small, but the #1 auditorium off to the left was BIG. The seat count was over 1,000, but I'm not sure if it was more than 1100. Screen #2, which went off to the right, had around 800 seats. It wasn't a THX certified auditorium, but it had a pretty good sound system in its own right, even before the HPS-branded sound system was installed.

The Northpark #1 was my favorite theater in Texas. And I can say from viewing experiences this theater compared favorably to any theater I visited in New York City. The theater made me an instant fan of DTS ("Jurassic Park" was the first film I watched there). The sub bass of that theater could move the air in your chest.
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-01-2003, 03:00 PM:
 
According to a May 17, 1983 article in the Los Angeles Times, THX was in place at four commercial theatres: the Avco in Westwood (where it was also used to demo the sytem to the industry), two theatres in Dallas, Tx, and a theatre in Orlando, Florida.
 

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Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-01-2003, 04:09 PM:
 
I could have sworn I read somewhere that the Mann's Chinese theatre in L.A. was also retrofited for THX when Jedi opened.
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 02-01-2003, 05:50 PM:
 
Which theater(re) in Orlando was it?

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-01-2003, 10:11 PM:
 

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I could have sworn I read somewhere that the Mann's Chinese theatre in L.A. was also retrofited for THX when Jedi opened.

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In 1983, Tomlinson Holman personally designed an upgraded sound system for the Northpark #1 theater. It was one of the original two THX theaters configured for the release of "Return of the Jedi." General Cinemas Avco in Los Angeles was the other.

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Bobby,
I thought you were tuning me out these days.

Anyway, regarding the number of original THX locations, not only did Paul Linfesty clarify this following your post earlier in the thread but he clarified it a couple weeks ago in the "Longest Booked Film" thread when I made a comment about there possibly being a Florida location. Did you miss that thread, or do you not believe the facts?
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-03-2003, 01:14 AM:
 
I can't believe that Bobby doesn't read every single thread on this site. He should have known better. He should be banned!
 

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Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 02-03-2003, 11:31 AM:
 
I belive that Northpark opened around 1962 or 1963, somewhere in the early 60's.

As for the 2nd THX auditorium in Dallas, I belive the report may have been referring to the former UA Prestonwood 5 (now Studio Movie Grill). Though this auditorium is no longer THX.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-20-2003, 05:58 PM:
 
Tomlinson Holman contacted me today to settle the "controversy" over the number of original THX screens. Here's the word, straight from the source:

quote:

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I did do three not four sites in time for the release of Jedi. Understand we were finishing post, pioneering a new 70 mm striping plant, a new sounding plant (at Fox), and doing the theaters Avco, NorthPark, and one that was long and narrow in Orlando Florida, a GCC site. So it's all a blur. I one time had an appointment at 2 am at Fox that I forgot. Only time that ever happened. We never proclaimed nor certified the Florida site I think because it just wasn't a good room. I don't remember the Prestonwood 5 but the person later in charge of UA
technically is now Dolby VP Bobby Pinkston. So he might know. I didn't do it myself, of that I'm sure.

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Holman mentioned "two original THX theaters" to me years ago via e-mail when I asked him some questions about Northpark #1. I would have posted something from that to back up my "2 screens" argument, but I couldn't track down the notes. I do appreciate Tom clearing up the matter today.

The theater in Florida was not good enough to certify. Holman did not work on the UA Prestonwood 5 theater either --so that throws in substantial doubt that it was THXed in time for "Return of the Jedi." If the Prestonwood was certified in time, that would only bring the original number to three THX screens. And that is a big "if."

For those who question whether I "believe the facts" or not, they should get their own facts straight. This is a friendly, moderated forum anyway. Those who need to flame or insult need to do it on the Usenet and not here.
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-20-2003, 06:31 PM:
 
Wow, Bobby. Chill. My facts are also correct. The Los Angeles Times article I cited did indeed state (word for word) what I posted. While I can in no way swear to the veracity of the Times article, I can state, to the fact that this is what the article stated. I added no editorial comment on whether the LA Times article was factual or not. I let the article stand as is.

Oh, and thanks for permission to flame and insult in Usenet. I just might take you up on the offer!
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-20-2003, 09:53 PM:
 
Paul,

Only one set of facts can be correct. If you want to take the account of a newspaper article over that of the guy who actually designed and installed the original THX systems, then be my guest.
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-20-2003, 10:54 PM:
 
Bobby,

please re-read my post. I specifically said that I was NOT taking a position one way or another. I was just reporting on what the newspaper article said.
 

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Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 02-24-2003, 09:18 PM:
 
Bobby,
No one here is stating as fact that the Orlando or second Dallas theatre were ever officially THX certified. Paul's postings are based on information included in a newspaper article (whether factual or not) which he appears to have looked up in response to a comment I made in a different thread a while back regarding the possibility that an original THX theatre may have existed in Orlando. A comment, by the way, that was told to me about a year ago, ironically, by Mr. Holman.

The "facts" here have something to do with the content of the article remaining unchanged since publication whereas a person's memory (even respected industry professionals) may change over the course of time.

Why doesn't someone simply look up the original newspaper advertisements for the Orlando and Dallas regions when Return Of The Jedi opened to see if and how THX was handled in the ads? (It opened 05/25/83.)

Thomas Procyk: you asked about which Orlando theatre it may have been...are you near Orlando or have access to a library that carries the Orlando paper on microfilm?

Bobby? Brad? Jason? You guys seem to be near Dallas...why not look this up to see if only the Northpark was advertising a THX presentation or if a second theatre was advertising THX as well?
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-24-2003, 10:41 PM:
 
Never trust anything in a newspaper as being right hell they can't even get the showtimes right let alone the format
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-25-2003, 06:12 PM:
 
Errors in newspapers are one reason why I posed my questions about THX to Tomlinson Holman himself. Nothing better than getting the word from the original source.

The first time I talked to him years ago, I didn't know the GCC Northpark #1 was one of the original THX sites. I only told him how great the theater was and he replied about having personally put together the sound system for the initial THX launch.
 

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Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 02-25-2003, 06:43 PM:
 
The Fashion Square Theatre in Orlando, Florida was that other THX
house.

In a double full page ad that THX ran in the Daily Variety on
Nov. 1st of 1984. They listed theatres that had installed THX
and planned theatres.

[LIST] MANN THEATRES
Mann's Century 21 Denver , CO
Mann's Chinese Hollywood, CA
Mann's Christown Phoenix, AZ
Mann's National Westwood, CA
Mann's Bruin Westwood, CA
Mann's Village Westwood, CA
Mann's Cinema 21 San Diego, CA (11/84)

UNITED ARTISTS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UA Coronet Westwood, CA
UA Egyptian Westwood, CA
UA Galaxy San Francisco, CA
UA Buena Park Buena Park, CA
UA Warner Center 6 Woodland Hills, CA (Spring '85)
UA El Segundo, CA (Summer '85)
UA Citrus Heights, CA (Summer '85)
UA Clovis, CA (Summer '85)
UA Cinema 6 Amarillo, TX
UA South 8 Dallas, TX
UA Prestonwood Creek 5 Dallas, TX
UA Skillman 6 Dallas, TX
UA Walnut Hill 6 Dallas, TX
UA Hulen 6 Fort Worth, TX
UA Las Vegas Trail 8 White Settlement, TX
UA Cinema 6 Hurst, TX
UA Phelan 6 Beaumont, TX
UA Towneast 6 Mesquite, TX
UA East Town 8 Knoxville, TN
UA Northstar 8 Garland, TX (12/84)
UA Northpark Plaza Odessa, TX (Winter '84)
UA Springcreek Parkway Plano, TX (5/85)
UA Arlington, TX (Summer '85)

PRESIDIO ENTERPRISES, INC.
Southpark Cinema San Antonio, TX (12/84)

GENERAL CINEMAS CORPORATION
GCC Avco Center Cinema Westwood, CA
GCC Essex Green Cinema West Orange, NJ
GCC Har Mar Cinema Roseville, MN
GCC Northpark Cinema Dallas, TX
GCC Springfield Cinema Springfield, VA
...and coming in '85/'86 - 23 Screens
Dallas, TX
Los Anageles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
Chicago, IL
Rochester, NY
Houston, TX
Sacramento, CA
Detroit, MI
Tampa, FL
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Atlanta, GA
Buffalo, NY
Baltimore, MD

PROFESSIONAL FACILITIES
Warner Hollywood Hollywood, CA
Goldwyn Studios (Stage A)
Glen Glenn Sound Hollywood, CA
Studio 1
Amblin Productions Universal City, CA
Panavision Hollywood, CA
MGM Main Theatre Culver City, CA
CBS/FOX Studio Center Studio City, CA
Glen Glenn Studio S

The above were sites that were named in that ad.
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 02-26-2003, 01:05 AM:
 

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Paul's postings are based on information included in a newspaper article (whether factual or not)

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Never trust anything in a newspaper as being right

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Of course if Tom H. says one thing and the ad says the opposite, then it's still up in the air.

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Especially since Tom H. said one thing to Michael Coate and another thing to Bobby Henderson at different times.

As far as the ads in the LA Times were concerned, very little was made of THX. All that appeared in the display ads for JEDI was a small type "THX Sound" (no logo).
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 02-26-2003, 09:07 PM:
 
Ah, yes. The Fasion Square theater. Very nice. Owned by GCC, Then closed, raped by EFW, now abandoned.

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-26-2003, 10:09 PM:
 

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Nothing better than getting the word from the original source.

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This kinda reminds me of the reminisces made by the patriarch of the Edwards theatre chain back in the 90's. He talked about how DOCTOR ZHIVAGO was the first time an Orange County theatre got a movie first-run day-and-date with the L.A. first run at his new Newport Cinema in Newport Beach. Now, according to the newspaper ads at the time, Doctor Zhivago actually played at another chain's theatre, a chain which, BTW and certainly been playing first-run day and date before Zhivago. As a matter of fact, the Newport Cinema wasn't to open for another few years, according to the ad evidence. Now, am i to take the word of Edwards (it WAS his chain), over the newspaper ad evidence? If so, its no wonder the chain eventually went belly-up, if they placed ads for the wrong theatre (AND wrong theatre chain) and continued to run those ads for months and months without getting a correction made.

But Bobby, in honor of your standard, from this point on I will assume those years of theatre ads run at the time are wrong and Mr. Edwards was right when thinking back 30 some years.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-26-2003, 10:35 PM:
 
Newspaper ad mistakes are very very common. Just recently here in my town, our local rag botched the times for the sneak previews of "Chicago". The Carmike 8 was sneaking the movie with "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." The paper simply deleted that title and only showed "Chicago," making everyone think there was a full, all day slate of showings. Lots of people got mad and they wrongly blamed the theater management for the mistake.

Certainly the memories of some folks can get fogged by time. But it would seem pretty difficult to believe Tomlison Holman would forget which theaters were certified THX in that first slate of screens in 1983. We're talking about perhaps the most notable point of his career here. I don't know what he has told Michael Coate. But his comments to me have been pretty consistent (the big screens of the Avco and Northpark being the original two THX certified theaters).
 

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Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 02-27-2003, 01:05 AM:
 

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Give me a break! That comment is such a generalization.

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*Every* time I've given an interview or provided information to a newspaper reporter, I've afterwards looked at the story & found myself *quoted* as saying something I never did, or the most insane garbled or just fabricated information presented as coming from me.

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How do you go about finding out information about older movie theaters?

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Ron,
Who is this question directed at, and can you be more specific about the type of information you are seeking? Are you curious about what films played where? Or when certain theaters opened (or closed) for business?

If you're inquiring about the type of information I (and a few other members) often post here it's simply a matter of referring to newspapers archived on microfilm that can typically be found at libraries and historical societies. Generally, the larger the city or university, the larger the selection of available microfilm. A library in a small podunk town would likely only carry microfilm for that town's paper, if at all. If you're wondering how a guy like myself, located in California, can seemingly post information clearly not available to me locally, well, I guess I'm just resourceful.
 

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-20-2003, 08:56 AM:
 
Its actually pretty easy to track down information on what theatres existed at what time. City directories exist on a year-to-year basis that use cross-referenced business types and street address locators. Also, the libraries I use (and I understand this is pretty typical) offer inter-library microfilm "borrowing" where, for example, I can request microfilm from another library, usually from all over the United States and then view it at my hometown library. You can also call that library's reference desk and have the librarian do the research for you (at least, they can give you a source to look up).
 

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Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 03-20-2003, 10:08 AM:
 
I'm curious to see what 70mm Films played in Vancouver.

I was too young to remember what played in 70mm 15 years ago, let alone know what 70mm even was.

A few theatres are equipped for 70mm, so i'm guessing they must have shown at least a few.

I'll check the downtown library for newspapers on microfilm.
 

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Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 03-20-2003, 01:05 PM:
 

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I'm curious to see what 70mm Films played in Vancouver.

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