Austinist: Americana on Hancock St.

ttrentham

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 09:27:51 -0600

A remembrance of theaters past... The Americana building architecture reminds me of two other single/double screen houses that have been repurposed around town. The theater on Pleasant Valley just north of Riverside, but south of the river that now houses some sort of flea market. I can't remember what it was called. It was a dollar theater when I was going to UT in the early 90's. I remember seeing Alien 3 there. It also reminds me of the theater that's now Strait Music at S. Lamar and Ben White. I want to say it was called Lake-something. From what I can recall, I saw Big Lebowski, Sneakers and Bug's Life there. While I'm at it, I miss the Riverside theaters where Joy East is now. I saw tons of movies there. And what about the old Westgate mall theaters? Man those got seedy in the mid-90's. And I almost forgot the Varsity. The most egregious of conversions since it failed and now stand empty. Thanks, Tower Records. That theater was the greatest thing ever. $1 and in walking distance from my dorm freshman year. Finally, I remember when Dobie had it's entrance on 21st and not the food court. I can't count the number of indie films I saw there in the early 90's: Reservoir Dogs, El Mariachi, Slacker, Dead Alive, Vampire's Kiss, and on and on. At least the Village had a decent second life as Alamo Village.

Julie

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 17:02:31 -0600

REI & Anthropologie are going into the old WF building, but they've talked about a movie theater elsewhere on the site (don't know if that's still a possibility though). Also, that sign is right next to parking lot with the best tailgate parties in town, where Dale Watson will call you out if you're drinking "high-class beer."

deb

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:32:23 -0600

alamo village would be considered central...............in my world

modam

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:31:21 -0600

we hear that is slated to be an REI or something like that

Charles

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:16:25 -0600

ETA: I have heard rumors about a theatre going into the space where the downtown Whole Foods used to be, but I doubt that will happen.

Charles

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:14:56 -0600

True, I grew up near the Highland Mall theaters-they went from brand spanking new to ghetto to somewhat decent again. There used to be a smaller theater just in the middle of the lot around there...and of course the Lincoln 6 cinema, which was right on the highway and was where I saw stuff like Kids, Trainspotting, and Pulp Fiction. There was also a bookstore right across the lot. Ahh, good times...there used to be a TON of movie theaters in the middle of town-there was one on the Drag as well as the Texas Union Cinemas.

Jessica

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:33:13 -0600

What's wrong with Alamo Downtown, even? Or the Paramount? Someone could convert the old porn theatre on S. Coungress back into a theatre- maybe with less porn, though. Cheers to winning the lottery!

odam

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:26:40 -0600

what is wrong with alamo south lamar?

Alison

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:05:17 -0600

I hear ya, Charles. When I win the lotto I'm building a downtown movie theater with stadium seating. Or I'm moving to New Zealand. I'll let you know. Ya know, the Galaxy theaters near Highland Mall ain't half bad and are somewhat central(ish).

Charles

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:30:55 -0600

I had an idea of what that sign used to be, I google mapped the location in the picture and I was right! Native Austinite here (ahem). That sign was for the Americana theater which was this MASSIVE single screen theater-I saw all the Star Trek movies with my family there and my older brother saw Star Wars there, I think. It was a great theater and I really miss it. I miss having great theaters actually in the middle of town instead of out near the Arboretum and out near (ugh) Stassney.

odam

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:43:11 -0600

or a dry cleaners...or hamburger stand...or bowling alley

odam

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:35:57 -0600

trippy, that looks like a funeral home sign, but i guess cine most of the homeless people in my library look dead it is somewhat fitting. ok.