The New Multiplex
Home entertainment was underway. The VCR plummeted in price to
less than $300. By the mid ‘80’s, two-thirds of America’s households
owned a VCR. With video stores, thousands of movie titles were for
sale or rent.
Cable TV, the laser disc and hi-fi stereo sound at home were all threats
to the theatre industry.
But Hollywood was still rolling out the blockbusters. Hits like “Empire
Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “E.T.”
The ‘80’s saw a building of larger multiplex’s – 6 to 10 screens – by
theatre chains. As these were built, independent theatres that were in
the same area or zone slowly closed or changed to a discounted
admission.
Other highlights…
By 1983, all drive-ins in the New Orleans area were closed, and the
properties redeveloped.
In 1981, The Orpheum was saved by the city lights group and became
the home of the New Orleans Symphony and then re-opened in
September 1983. Later the marquee is removed.
The Loew's State was sold to a developer in hopes of razing it for
condos. The city’s preservation group saved it from the wrecking ball.
Loew's stopped showing movies in September 1989. It was restored to
a single auditorium and became a concert hall.
New Ratings codes were put into effect. “PG-13” was added and the ‘X”
was replaced by “NC-17.”
In 1993, digital stereo makes its debut with “Jurassic Park.”
Some of the new theatres that were opened from 1979 – 1991:
AMC Galleria
General Cinema Esplanade
The following is a comprehensive list of theatre openings and closings
from 1979 – 1991:
OPENINGS CLOSINGS
1979 Saenger Performing Arts center Carrollton
Toulouse
1980 Bell Promenade
Uptown Square
Oakridge Cinema
1981 Orpheum
1982 Joy’s Aereon
1983 Orpheum
1984 Eastlake 8 Westside 2
1986 Zeitgeist Theatre Experiments Gentilly Woods
1987 AMC Galleria 8
1988 Canal Place 4
1989 United Artists Esplanade Cinema 8 Sena Mall
General Cinema Esplanade Cinema 9 Loew’s State
1990 State Palace (Concert Hall) Oakwood Cinema
Robert E. Lee
1991 Movie Pictures Kenilworth
In the 1980’s, Hollywood produced over 40 films that grossed 100 – 200
million dollars or more. The early to mid ‘90’s saw even larger grossing
films, many over 300 million dollars. By the end of the ‘90’s, film
companies now were releasing their films nationally with over 2400
theatres on a wide break.
