wonderland mall (Houston, Terrell, Mart: sales, 2013, buy)

[Willsatx]

Now what i don't understand is target is mainly located where Wards had their car services, I think it would help a lot with an opening. I think the mall would get a new life with access to target.

[outafocus]

Yes, "twinned it" meant they split the nice large auditorium in two. The Wonder had a HUGE screen with 70mm film capability, and the finest projection equipment. It also sported the only "waterfall curtain" in town. The curtain went up for the show and came down at the end with a ripple effect.

A lot of theatres were twinned in the 70s, but the job done on the Wonder was the poorest. They didn't even reposition the seats, and there were some at the front that actually were canted away from the screen!

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by GWhopper

I saw Star Wars there for the first time. And I remember The Spy Who Loved me was playing in theater 2.

Yeppers...My ex and I went there for SW opening night and one of the TV stations was there. We were on the news that night (taped while standing in line)...my fifteen minutes I guess.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by outafocus

Yes, "twinned it" meant they split the nice large auditorium in two. The Wonder had a HUGE screen with 70mm film capability, and the finest projection equipment. It also sported the only "waterfall curtain" in town. The curtain went up for the show and came down at the end with a ripple effect.

A lot of theatres were twinned in the 70s, but the job done on the Wonder was the poorest. They didn't even reposition the seats, and there were some at the front that actually were canted away from the screen!

Yeah right, what ever happened to the curtains that would open a screen before a show? i guess that went out with the marquis that used to advertise in big letters what was showing on their screens.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by Willsatx

Now what i don't understand is target is mainly located where Wards had their car services, I think it would help a lot with an opening. I think the mall would get a new life with access to target.

Yes, it would do wonders for the mall.

[OzzyRules]

Have you guys ever seen the summer jazz festivals at Crossroads? They are held at the outdoor ampitheater area, just outside of the Bijou theater. Literally hundreds, maybe thousands of people show up for each concert every week.

Even *that* doesn't help the business of Crossroads.

It's really a shame, too. Crossroads is located at a prime spot. I think several bus lines use Fredericksburg.

[OzzyRules]

The lower level of Wards has been remodeled, and I think it's mostly a convention area. But the upper level is still just closed off as far as I know. I think it's size would be perfect for a Kohl's. Having a Kohl's there would be just the thing that could bring the mall back to it's heyday.

[outafocus]

Originally Posted by wehotex

Yeah right, what ever happened to the curtains that would open a screen before a show? i guess that went out with the marquis that used to advertise in big letters what was showing on their screens.

New theatres cannot run commercials on a closed curtain! Commercials, high ticket and concession prices, and unruly patrons have ruined the theatre experience for many, including me!

The curtain was a great touch in a theatre. Most theatres had "traveler" curtains, which opened out from the middle, and I must admit when the Wonder was twinned they outfitted the new tiny screens with travelers, but the waterfall curtain that graced the big screen at the Wonder was almost worth the ticket price to behold!

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

My 2 fav places left there. Montgomery Wards and Jackson & Lujan optical. So now I have no reason to visit.

[gy2020]

Here are some pics of Wonder Twin: