4 New Theatres Open Tonight

Provo's newest theatre complex opens tonight at the Central Square mini-mall on 200 West between 100 North and 200 North amid a gala grand opening featuring a visit by well-known acress Rhonda Fleming.

The new four-plex theatre is ownedby Mann Theatres of California and will join other theatres in Provo-Orem such as Fox, Academy, and Carillon Square under the same company flag.

The Central Square house joins the movie industry's trend to small multiple auditoriums so popular and successful with the public.  With multiple choice programs and long runs more people than ever before in history are going to the movies.

The Central Square Four-plex will be managed by Bob Zacha who also supevises the other Mann theatres.

Provo's new theatres are being built by American Real Estate Co., under the direction of O.D. Hall.  Nationally known theatre consultant Mel Glatz of Denver is the designer.

The theatre decor makes extensive use of red, white, and blue.  Carpets are blue with red accents, walls are boldly graphic in vivid colors, and auditoriums are completely draped in red and blue.

Restrooms are completely tiled and special facilities are provided for the handicapped throughout the theatre.  Each auditorium is sound insulated from the others.

The projection rooms with their light airy tiled open space are a far cry from the old steel boxes of days gone by.  Projectors now resemble computers with their simple controls and indicator lights.  Arc lamps are replaced with Xenon bulbs and the film is no longer on reels.  Now it coils away automatically on large horzontal "platters" some four feet or so across, feeding endlessly into the projectors and rewinding within itself.

Projection and sound equipoment in the new theatres is by Carbons, Inc., seating by Irwin Seating Company, screens by Technicote, draperies by Halgo Specialties, and carpets are Bigelow.  The concession areas have been equiped with the latest in food handling equipment.

A visit by well-known state, screen, and television acress Rhonda Fleming will highlight the opening.

She has starred in numerous films in ther lengthly Hollywood career and has appeared on every major talk show.

With the openning of the new four-plex, several first run feature movies are scheduled to begin tonight including, "Running," "Yanks," "Nutcracker Fantasy," and "Apocalypse Now."