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I didn't realize the Cooper theaters were a nationwide chain. We had one of those. It was round and orange and said "Cooper" on the outside in script. That's something to miss, single screen theaters. I think there are two left in Minneapolis (not counting ones that started their lives as single screen theaters and are not now).

We had our share of those cafeterias too, and we did have a King's. We went once and I don't think my parents were terribly impressed, but it was cool for kids. "Jolly Troll" is another one that comes to mind, as well as the venerable "Forum" in downtown Minneapolis. It had a beautiful art deco interior and a balcony. The cafeteria line part was under the balcony, and my grandma would always humor me by us eating "upstairs". They removed the interior before the building was torn down and replicated it as a restaurant space in the building that replaced it. When you ate there you got a balloon that said "I ate at the Forum Cafeteria".

Most today are of the chain "Old Country Buffet". I rarely go to cafeterias now, but loved them as a child because you could get whatever you wanted and it was instant gratification, LOL.
 
Scott..some Cooper info you will like

Sounds like Minn and Denver have some similarities.

"Three Strip Cinerama" came to towns across the country in the 50s. This amazing technical feat, especially for the time, was comprised of three interlocked projectors that each shot one third of the total frame of the movie. The film was shot in huge, bulky Cinerama cameras. Each camera had a front lens and two on either side on an angle. Each lens had its one film mechanism. The shutters were all synchronized.

What you basically had was three strips of film that made up the picture. The fourth "film" was magnetic stock the same width of 35mm film, ran through a huge synched sound system in the theaters, so you had insane sound, before Dolby, before widespread use of stereo, before FM, before anything.

In the early 60s, they built three of the "hatbox" Cooper Cinerama theaters. These made up the "Golden Triangle", which was Minneapolis (lucky you!), Denver (lucky me!) and Omaha (I know you guys know who you are!)

These theaters were absolutely amazing. They were built for the 3 strip process from the ground up, versus the earlier theaters that showed Cinerama, which were modified to accomodate.

These had curved screens which were NOT screens, but special strips of highly reflecting material. They were so good that you could not tell. The screens were curved. Everything from the snackbar to the carpeting was super upscale. Aside from the classic movie palaces, these were the best theaters ever built.

Although I was too young to have seen films of the 3 strip process (the last being, I believe, "How the West Was Won" the theater was perfect for later 70mm and Super Panavision releases because of the acoustics and screen. I saw 2001:A Space Odyssey there on opening day. You can't imagine how cool that was for me as a 7 year old boy--well maybe you can. I was just flabbergasted how good it really was.

Sadly, all three theaters were destroyed. The Denver one for a freaking Barnes and Noble. Minn was torn down, not sure what went there. Some very determined people in Omaha did everything possible to try to save the last one. Even getting Leonard Maltin and Charlton Heston to plead for saving it. A hospital bought the property, tore down the theater, and claimed they desperately needed the parking. By last count, only about 10% of the parking area is used. So much for wonderful history.

On the bright side, a few amazing things happened. The co-creator of Microsoft stepped in and saved and remodeled a Cinerama theater in Seattle. This was not a "hatbox" style, but it was a great save nonetheless.

The best is from my personal experience. The original "This is Cinerama" film plated in Hollywood at a theater for over a year! Eventually, the Dome (also known as the Cinerama Dome) was built, and played mostly later one strip Cinerama features, although it could accomodate 3 strip. The theater sat in disrepair for years, until a theater company got it and were very, very smart. They added on a series of very nice theaters in back, an amazing cafe and gift shop, and the KEPT THE DOME! They play all sorts of movies in it.

When I went there, I was looking at a display of one of the 3 Strip cameras in a little window there, and a guy came up and started to talk to me. He was a projectionist, and told me that they found and restored the ORIGINAL projectors, and that they would be playing 3 Strip for a special engagement.

Sure enough, 3 months later I went there with the family and saw "This is Cinerama" in 3 strip. Amazing, it was still good.

I have much more information on all this if anyone is interested.
 
Thanks for the pictures Kevin! That's pretty much exactly what ours looked like. I remember ours as a single screen theater, but I think it was 2 or 3 before it closed.
 
I watched "How The West Was Won" in a Cinerama theater in the Wash Dc area in around 1964.Before the show began-an announcer WALKED Thru the screen and explained the Cinerama process.-And also said something like--"You are going to Experience Cinerama"-A NEW Theater Experience!"
Century made the projectors for the Cinerama system.Since three of them were needed to play the Cinerama prints-when Cinerama died out the Centurys were "broken" up from their Cinerama "Trios" and used like regular 35MM projectors.They were modified to run the standard 35 MM prints.also the cinerama prints were wound on 6000 ft reels-(1 hr running time) instead of the standard 20min reels.The Cinerama prints reels are still knocking around.Sadly the Cinerama movies are not!! The reels salvaged to use instead of those movies!!-sad. Also lacking in todays theaters---Screen Curtains!!!Not only are they cool and give a BETTER presentation-they can protect the screen when it isn't in use.
 
Tolivac...if ever in LA (Hollywood).....

I think if they have not done so already, they are going to run 3 strip "How the West Was Won" at the dome. They are always doing something cool there.
 
Kevin, what's the dome? When I was there in June, I went to a movie in one of the old theaters with my friends, who belong to the LA Conservancy. It was wonderful, and one of the people in the movie was actually there to talk with us! (The movie was 60 years old, so she must be close to or in her 80s, but she looked about 60 and was very nice). Later, I think in July, they did the same thing at the "Wiltern" theater, on Wilshire and Western. I'd have to look at home to see what theater we were in.
 
Yes,There are only a few surviving Cinerama prints--and I hope they survive well into the future.I have more respect for the film formats than the newfangled "digital" ones that some want to try to go to.I am glad the theater is preserved for you and the others to enjoy in the Hollywood area-makes sense to have it there-the movie capitol of the US.Don't know what happened to the Cinerama theater(s) in the DC area.I would hardly imagine theaters today would want to try Cinerama-even though the movies would be spectacular in it.And the Cinerama soundtracks even sounded better than the modern Dolby Digital used today for the most part.Even would give DTS a run for its money.
 
Thanks Kevin, I'll have to check that out sometime. I may have ridden past it without realizing it, but I don't think I've been that far over on Sunset very many times.
 
Okay, here's something I miss

Fashion models that look like actual humans!

This whole Fashion Week thing has me all irritated again. What on earth happened?

You can't turn on the TV without coming across some clip from one of the big fashion shows. That's not the problem. Those "models"! There they are, clomping down the runway like a bunch of draft horses. No, no, draft horses are actually a little more graceful than that. Every single one has her shirt unbuttoned to the navel, which could be exciting, but not a one of them has anything to reveal. That whole sinewy/bony chest look isn't flattering on anyone. Frankly, they look like a bunch of teenage boys in drag.

Teenage boys who are hooked on heroin.

Come on--would it kill you to smile?

Did you leave your hips at home this morning, dear?

And don't get me started on the hair!

Being the traditionalist that I am, I like real models. You know--the ones with the "I'm-better-than-you-and-by-the-way-it-don't-stink-either" attitude.

Here's a picture of the lovely and elegant Lisa Fonssagrives, just so the youngsters can see what I'm talking about.

Okay, rant over!

veg
 

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