Most "Luxurious" move Theater in Kansas City

[LenexatoKCMO]

Here is an interesting write up on the original glenwood.  http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1854/

Even though it was built in the sixties - it very much captured that feeling of going to the big old movie theaters of the thirties. 

Hailed as 'Kansas City's Luxury Theater', it maintained that stature for over 33 years.

Outside, a large fountain stood amongst beautifully landscaped grounds. Inside, the Grand Promenade exhibited statues, a fireplace, and most noticeably, a 15 feet wide by 15 feet tall imported Italian crystal chandelier.

Hostesses escorted movie patrons into the 816 seat auditorium, which boasted high back red rocker lounge chairs and a fully carpeted floor.

As a movie would begin, 40 foot tall curtains would slowly retract to reveal a 70 feet wide by 35 feet tall curved screen.

[shinatoo]

The old Triple Crown Cinemas, run by Stan Durwood's brother, were always very nice. Especial the Blue Ridge East and the Truman Corners ones. My favorite is still the Englewood in Independence. Very Regal. Word is that it will be reopening soon with some of the buildings next to it converted to more theaters.

The Englewood Theater opened in the summer of 1949. The first movie was "Colorado Territory", with Joel McCrea, Virginia Mayo, and a very young Dorothy Malone -- in black and white. The new theater featured a new technology for the Englewood -- air conditioning, and also included plush seats, new sound, indirect lighting, a crying room, and more. These were improvements over the Maywood Theater that was the competing theater about two miles away.

[chrizow]

The old Triple Crown Cinemas, run by Stan Durwood's brother, were always very nice. Especial the Blue Ridge East

i saw "Ghostbusters" at Blue Ridge East when i was 3 or 4.  i was so scared that i vomited in the theatre and my dad had to get me the hell out of there. 

we later rented the movie (and a VCR) from Applause Video in raytown and i vomited again. 

cinema gold.

[Angel]

West Glen is an armpit.  The TV in my living room is bigger than most of those screens.

I do miss the Glenwood, though.  Going there as a kid to see Star Wars is something I'll never forget.  The big theater, and the lobby, always made you feel like you were seeing something special.

[shinatoo]

i saw "Ghostbusters" at Blue Ridge East when i was 3 or 4.  i was so scared that i vomited in the theatre and my dad had to get me the hell out of there. 

we later rented the movie (and a VCR) from Applause Video in raytown and i vomited again. 

cinema gold.

Dude you are killing me. Applause video was awesome. First place I rented BetaMax tapes from.

The grand staircase in Blue Ridge east is one of my big memories. Had to climb up there for the restrooms. The lobby looked HUGE from up there.

[LenexatoKCMO]

West Glen is an armpit.  The TV in my living room is bigger than most of those screens.

It was actually a pretty nice theater when it opened.  It had some theaters with stadium seating which was still pretty cutting edge at the time and it had one of the best sound systems in town - at thet time.  That said, they were about ten years ahead of the game on their location.  No one lived out that far west and as other modern theaters opened up around town there was no reason to go out there (unless you don't like AMC).  They clearly didn't do a very good job of maintaining and updating it over the years.  There are a lot more rooftops out there now and I have to think that if it wasn't run down it would be pretty well situated to capitalize.  Doesn't seem like Dickenson is the sort of comapny with the wherewithall to go back in and dump a bunch of capital to refurbish it though. 

[Angel]

It was actually a pretty nice theater when it opened.  It had some theaters with stadium seating which was still pretty cutting edge at the time and it had one of the best sound systems in town - at thet time.  That said, they were about ten years ahead of the game on their location.  No one lived out that far west and as other modern theaters opened up around town there was no reason to go out there (unless you don't like AMC).  They clearly didn't do a very good job of maintaining and updating it over the years.  There are a lot more rooftops out there now and I have to think that if it wasn't run down it would be pretty well situated to capitalize.  Doesn't seem like Dickenson is the sort of comapny with the wherewithall to go back in and dump a bunch of capital to refurbish it though. 

Yeah, I lived right by there when that place was build and we were all excited to have a theater over there.  It was nice.  And the big theaters (3 or 4?) are still decent.  But they made the rest of those theaters so small and the screens so small that they'd have to do some major renovations to update the place. 

[KC-wildcat]

Westglen.  Ahhh the memories.  I grew up over in that area.  I remember it opening up.  That was back in the days when the only other theatres close by were the Oak Park Mall theatre and the AMC 6 across the street from the Mall.  And, at first, with 12 theatres, Westglen was huge.  Then AMC 30 and Towncenter 20 opened up and all of a sudden, Westglen kind of sucked in comparison 

That's when the arcade concept and karate DoJo took hold.  Honestly, where in Kansas City can you go to watch a movie and fight a 12 year old in the same place?  Revolutionary, if you ask me. 

Seriously, though, I had some good memories of Westlgen.  It was a nice, well located theatre that took advantage of pretty cutting edge technology for a few years.  Though it's not that great today, it served its purpose for several years.  Today, it's still hanging on because of location.  Though not the greatest theatres in the world, I think I'd still watch a movie there than the Johnson Drive Cinemark.

[Cyclops]

The old and original Glenwood will always be the best. I loved that place. When Star Wars went into hyperspace for the first time... the whole place went crazy. (Had to be there)

Right now, I like the main theater at the Palazzo in OP. It has very comfy seats and a balcony that my kids love to sit in.

Then there was the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Tivoli in Westport. That "sucker" yuk yuk, went on for at least a decade at that theater.

[derekhinton2003]

Giving my EXTREMELY biased opinion (I work here) i'm gonna have to say Screenland on Armour, those vip booths are awfully nice and comfy heh.

[trailerkid]

Can anyone comment on Cinemark on the Plaza?

It seems like that place is quite a step down from what someone expects when they go to see a movie on the Plaza. The place is called "the Palace" and looks no better than AMC Ward Parkway. Considering the Plaza is known as KC's most complete shopping and dining district, shouldn't the movie theaters be a little bit nicer or memorable? I'm not saying the theaters are dirty or managed poorly, but the experience should be different than what you'd get in Lenexa. Highwoods should evict Cinemark and bring in Warren Theaters out of Wichita.

[cknab1]

I haven’t gone there for about three years.  The last time we went the recliners were broken and there was only one person working, so the service was not what you would call VIP.  Not that I blame that person, but we didn’t get a reduced price on our ticket.  If they are not going to insure the place is staffed, they should do away with it.  Maybe things are better now, but we haven’t been back.

[LenexatoKCMO]

We don't get to the theater often but when we do it is usually the Plaza Cinemark.  I appreciate the no unaccompanied minors policy - makes it easy to overlook any other shortcomings. 

[cknab1]

yes, that is an excellent point.  I have two daughters that are now in their 30's and had a great time being their father, but anymore I just don't like being around kids in public.  Manners are a thing of the past.

[LenexatoKCMO]

yes, that is an excellent point.  I have two daughters that are now in their 30's and had a great time being their father, but anymore I just don't like being around kids in public.  Manners are a thing of the past.

I don't mind being around kids - I just mind being around un-monitered kids given a license to misbehave and act out all of the innapropriateness they can't get away with at home - which is exactly what happens when parents drop them off in front of the movie theater. 

[chrizow]

yeah, the cinemark is certainly not a "VIP" theatre, but i guess it's pretty much in keeping with the rest of the plaza these days - nice, family-friendly, and sort of boring.  somehow i think it is more classy than the typical suburban megaplex, but maybe it isn't.  it reminds me a lot of a theatre i went to in downtown evanston IL - an apt comparison to the plaza area, really.

[brotherdarrell]

The Plaza theater has the best leg room in town

[DaveKCMO]

cinemark on the plaza does it's job and improved on what was in its place. having had the pleasure of seeing films at the old plaza theater (now restoration hardware) and the displeasure of seeing films at the old seville, the cinemark not particularly less luxurious... just newer. i don't think any other chain at that time (late 90s?) would have done a better job, especially considering how disgusting other local theater interiors of that time look. it is showing signs of wear and should be due for an upgrade, perhaps when things go all digital in the next year or two. the VIP screening room needs revamped and it would be helpful if they could ensure that 2nd ticketing kiosk is running... ever.

[dangerboy]

Since I live in the neighborhood the Plaza Cinemark is my local theater, and I have no complaints.  I supposed that as a regular customer I have a different perspective than someone who visits randomly from out of town   But the anti-kid policy is awesome.

This theater was definitely the nicest in town when it opened, and as Dave said was a huge improvement over the Seville Square Cinemas.  I wonder how its volume compares with others.  In addition to all of the tourists, it also serves all of the residents in Midtown, Brookside, and most of the entire East Side.  The wear and tear is obvious, so hopefully a refreshment is planned soon.

[Midtownkid]

My dumb parents love to go to Barry Woods or Legends because the Plaza theater is 'dirty'.  I don't think it is so bad and certainly not worth a 25-30 min car ride as opposed to a 5 minute one.  So dumb!  They will surely go to the new AMC when it opens downtown.  They are obsessed w/ downtown.