TO LORD

APRIL 18, 1977
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1 THBATRBJ
con t n t
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EExtensive remodeling of a former
Sears, Roebuck store in Kansas City
to convert it into a multi-tenant shopping
center with a four-auditorium theatre as a
major tenant; a quadplex in Wichita. Kas.,
\\ here patron comfort is considered so important
that shock absorbers and spring supports
are installed under air-conditioning
heating and cooling units to prevent any
sound leakage from seeping into the auditoriums;
and a combination airer/twin
hardtop slated to be constructed in Midland,
Tex. These are some of the aspects
of articles featured in this month's issue
of The Modern Theatre, which considers
Multiple-Unit Theatres and Automation.
The lead story beginning on page 4 examines
Seville Square on Kansas City's posh
Country Club Plaza. The former Sears,
Roebuck & Co. building constructed in the
late '40s has been innovatively converted
by Plaza developer J.C. Nichols Co. into
a retail shopping complex featuring boutiques,
restaurants and a four-auditorium
theatre. Operated by Mid-America Cinema
Corp., Seville Cinema Four offers the most
up-to-date theatre equipment in plush, comfortable
surroundings. Seating capacity is
750.
•
Then on page 6 there is an account of
American Entertainment's Cinemas West in
Wichita, Kas. This impressively designed,
freestanding quad offers the utmost in patron
comfort. Plotted in a generally triangular
configuration with the auditoriums
fanning out about the combination boxoffice/
concession center, the 1,300-seat
Cinemas West boasts shock absorber and
spring supports under air-conditioning
units. In this way noise from the units.
which were placed above the concessions
area rather than above the auditoriums, is
less likely to leak into the auditoriums and
disturb the audience.
Another striking feature of the design is
the facade, a massive curved front of white
stucco on a cinder block and structural steel
frame. Across the canopy are 1,280 flashing
lights spelling out a 4x48-ft. CINEMAS
WEST.
•
An artist's
rendering of the proposed Cinema
Park complex in Midland. Tex., is
found on page 8. The imaginative design
calls for a combination twin hardtop and
drive-in theatre facility on one site. Auditoriums
will seat 350 each and the ozoner
will accommodate 500 cars. Cinema Park
is a joint venture involving Midland Theatres,
Midland, Tex., and Video Independent
Theatres. Oklahoma City.
Seville Square in KC: Major Tenant in Department Store-Turned
Retail Complex Is Mid-America Cinema Quad 4
Stylishly Designed Cinemas West a Boon
To Comfort- Seeking Wichita Moviegoers 6
Walk-In or Drive-In 8
Still No Date Set for Boston Quad 9
Adjustment Procedures for Bauer
U-3, U-4 Similar in Several Areas Wesley Trout 10
Team Concept in
Employee Relations
Vital for Sound Theatre Management Allen M. Widem 20
Alert, Adaptable Person Is Good Manager Stock 23
Eprad Seminar 24
But Were the Good 01' Days That Great? Glenn Berggren 27
NAC Brass to Meet May 22 in Chicago 33
SMPTE Confab Set for Oct. 16-21 33
DEPARTMENTS:
ik
Projection and Sound 10 New Equipment, Developments 30
Refreshment Service 20 About People and Product 36
ON THE COVER
Seville Square, the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building on the
Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, built some 30 years ago in the
architectural style of the day, has undergone a stunning interior transformation,
with a couple of exterior surprises as well. Two of the most
dynamic aspects of the renovation by the J. C. Nichols Co., developer
of the Plaza, are the atriums, one of which is seen at the far end of
the building. One of the largest tenants in the new shopping complex
is Mid-America Cinema Corp., which opened a 750-seat multiple-unit
theatre.
GARY D. KABRICK, Managing Editor
The MODERN THEATRE is a bound-in section published each month in BOXOFFICE.
Editorial or general business correspondence should be addressed to Associated Publications
Inc , 825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas City, Mo. 64124. Wesley Trout, Technical Editor;!
Eastern Representative: James Young, 1270 Sixth Ave., Rockefeller Center, New York,!
N Y 10020; Western Representative: Ralph Kominsky, 6425 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood,; d
Calif. 90028
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