What's fascinating at this stage of the demolition for those nostalgic for UA, is that the outer walls are gone at the rear of the building, and the interiors of some of the theater's auditoriums are now visible from the outside. While there's no sign yet of the theater seats, one can see the cutouts in the walls for the projector, the projection room above the rear of the auditorium, empty spaces where speakers were once attached, and - most poignantly - the regal red curtains in each of the exposed auditoriums.
While stadium, reclining, and reserved seating have revolutionized the theater industry, there's still a nostalgia for having side wings of seating, where only at the most popular movies would you have some idiot kicking your seat or spreading the flu he should have had the decency to stay home with.
 |
| The regal red curtains in what I believe was the 2nd largest auditorium at the rear of the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex |
Yes, the "closets" on the right side of the main corridor were cramped, and occasionally took on the odor of a nearby restroom. Yes, projector operators would sometimes turn the volume knob to 11 at the start of the movie in one of those tiny auditoriums, and proceed to fall asleep. Yes, I can tell you which technical malfunction marred the picture on the big screen at particular movies. Yes, the ushers vanished altogether by the turn of the century. And the old fire-alarm-goes-off-at-the-most-gripping-moment-in-the-film trick - 'nuff said.
 |
| The box about halfway up the right side of this photo is the projection room |
22 comments:
"now that thousands are missing from the downtown streets on Friday and Saturday nights"
Please post verifiable data, that late-night foot traffic in downtown Bethesda is less now than it was say 10 years ago, because even to the most casual observer that claim is absurd.
Nice of you to post these pictures, about 24 hours after Bethesda Beat noted the demolition progress at Apex (with a daytime photo) in its story about the new park coming to Bethesda Row, which you haven't written about.
"now that thousands are missing from the downtown streets on Friday and Saturday nights"
They were all illegals who have since been deported.
#MAGA
8:30: Please. These photos were taken two nights ago, and aren't just a casual snapshot by Bethesda Beef. That "park" isn't a park; it's going to be a construction site for the Purple Line station leased to MTA. Later, it will be used to extend the Purple Line tracks to Westbard. GTFO, hobo.
Just curious why as a breaking news site, you took the photos two nights ago and didn't break the news then? They are awesome pictures, just confused why you would post them today and not two nights ago.
Triggered. Every time.
Bethesda residents hope we get a multiplex cinema in our downtown again.
It is taking business away from our downtown restaurants. Those dollars are going over the line in Friendship Heights, Rockville, Westfield, etc.
12:11 PM I'm sorry- but you can't cover a massive demolition like this with one photo.
You just can't.
Also nice to read coverage about UA Bethesda/Regal Bethesda coming down from someone who actually saw a movie there :) The theater has been an important part of our downtown for a long time so extra context is welcome!
Dyer says he’s proud to be white. What’s that’s make him?
Saith #UnsignedDyer: "Also nice to read coverage about UA Bethesda/Regal Bethesda coming down from someone who actually saw a movie there :) The theater has been an important part of our downtown for a long time so extra context is welcome!"
Translation: No Bethesdian has ever been to the the Regal, therefore Robert Dyer, who is the only person who has lived in Bethesda more than 2 years, must condescend to explain the history of this theater to them.
Why no updates on the demolition of the Fitness First building? The structure is about 40% gone now.
6:19 PM I haven't seen any reporting on the Regal from anyone who regularly attended movies there other than Robert Dyer. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
If you just got here from Frederick, you'd have no idea what UA was in it's day. You just won't. Dyer is covering this rapidly changing city.
So, what exactly was the UA in its day? I lived in this area when it opened (and well before that) and it seemed just like any other multiplex that was built in the 1980s. The only change in its three decades of existence was its name.
9:46: UA was the major gathering place in Bethesda for young people before Bethesda Row became the new hang-out in the 2000s. The plaza/atrium there was packed on weekend nights. Movies like Independence Day had long lines never seen again after the 90s, despite continued high attendance at UA through its closing. People continuing the party over at Elm Street Park became a problem for police. Mike Tyson was once spotted at UNOs before a movie back in the 90s.
There was one major renovation during its lifetime. They did upgrade the seats at that time, but not to stadium configuration, just more upscale seats.
5:59AM Self-accepting of quite fair skin. :)
Obviously it was a popular place in the 90's when Dyer was growing up, and it's a bittersweet, melancholy feeling for him and for those of the time.
Others of us may have come of age in different times and felt the same way when our hangouts came crumbling down. I barely remember those theaters existed aside from walking past them during the workday. For me, movies meant the Uptown, Inner Circles, Outer Circles, etc.
I'm sure plenty of people waxed poetic when Hot Shoppes was demolished too.
It's a big deal to Dyer because of his age and association with it.
Why disparage those who didn't share that same experience?
Robbie misses the days when he had an actual job popping popcorn at the UA.
10:43 AM glad you're happy with your commute.
MoCo residents stuck sitting on 270 through the Legion Bridge deserve a better quality of life also. A second bridge crossing is the only solution. We need solutions, not insults.
Ugh. Robert’s biddies are singing white loud and proud. Reason 2632 that Robert will always lose every election he even thinks about.
F*cker BUSTED
@Skippy: It's not a solution, considering it would make traffic worse.
(In case anyone is wondering, Skippy was replying to this now-deleted comment which was apparently in violation of the imaginary "comment policy"):
Metro? Good Lord.
Good Lord indeed! I'm a daily Red line commuter and can't remember the last time I had any major trouble. It certainly beats sitting in traffic!* So thank the Lord for providing -- and President Reimer for funding -- our world-class Metrorail system!
*Speaking of traffic -- did anyone else see the study that body-slammed the idea of Dyer's pipe-dream Potomac bridge crossing through the proverbial coffee table? Not only would it not help traffic -- it would actually make matters WORSE!
10:05AM - Is this how you marginalize women who speak up? Interesting. Using insult and falsehood?
I'd have to respect your opinion to be offended by it.
Post a Comment