Shamrock 6 Cinemas Theater At 7017 South Main St.

[devonhart]

Anyone remember the "Shamrock 6" a six screen theater on South Main across from the Shamrock Hotel. First movie I saw there was "The Andromeda Strain" in 1971. I seem to recall them advertising themselves as Houston's first multiplex.

Early on, it was quite easy to see two or three movies with one ticket--go to the bathroom and return to another screen. Eventually, they started checking tickets to crack down on the practice. Googled around, one site claimed they closed down in 85, not sure that's accurate. Compared to today's stadium seating, it was kind of cheezy, and so were some of the movies. "The Stewardesses" in 3D. Which I can't remember if I saw or not. Just remember the ads.

[devonhart]

I think you are giving the theater 2 more screens than they actually had.

I do remember it as 6, it's listed as Shamrock 6 on this Houston theatre list

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:8KlYY...t=clnk&cd=1

so you got me wondering am I remembering wrong or did they add a couple more by dividing a couple of the auditoriums. I recall the auditoriums being quite small.

Edited January 22, 2007 by devonhart

[texas911]

I spent many a summers at the Shamrock 6.

[Firebird65]

Houston theatre list

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:8KlYY...t=clnk&cd=1

Not sure how far I'd trust that list. Very first thing on it is wrong. The Airline theatre opened in either 1949 or 1950 (most likely 1950), not 1955. I've seen ads for it going back that far. So if it's wrong on the first item, who knows what else may be in error.

Well, actually, I do. The Greens Crossing theatre opened in 1985, not 1990. And Deauville on the North Freeway opened in 1975, not 1990.

Oh well... it's a nice starting place for research.

Edited January 22, 2007 by Firebird65

[PapillionWyngs]

I spent many a summers at the Shamrock 6.

Funny, I don't remember it, not at all!

Gulfgate, Meyerland, even the theaters at the Galleria - but not the Shamrock.

[northbeaumont]

Funny, I don't remember it, not at all!

Gulfgate, Meyerland, even the theaters at the Galleria - but not the Shamrock.

Under another topic someone posted a photo of the Shamrock Hotel. Was that theatre near there?

[devonhart]

Under another topic someone posted a photo of the Shamrock Hotel. Was that theatre near there?

Yes, it was across South Main from the hotel. If you read the ad above, it says "South Main at Holcomb . across from Shamrock Hilton."

[devonhart]

Not sure how far I'd trust that list.

Man, this was really start to bug me, so I googled the newsgroups and found a 1999 entry in houston.eats where someone refers to the Shamrock 6. So at least one other human being remembers it the way I do.

Quoting the post, "and lets not forget the old department store at beechnut/610 called Sage and they used to put that colored tape on your merchandise. and theres Globe where the fiesta at bellaire/hillcroft is now. and last but certaily not least these trio of theatres Shamrock 6, The old south main drive in and the mclendon triple."

It's post #50

http://groups.google.com/group/houston.eat...0eab0bf4056c0cd

[PapillionWyngs]

Man, this was really start to bug me, so I googled the newsgroups and found a 1999 entry in houston.eats where someone refers to the Shamrock 6. So at least one other human being remembers it the way I do.

Quoting the post, "and lets not forget the old department store at beechnut/610 called Sage and they used to put that colored tape on your merchandise. and theres Globe where the fiesta at bellaire/hillcroft is now. and last but certaily not least these trio of theatres Shamrock 6, The old south main drive in and the mclendon triple."

It's post #50

http://groups.google.com/group/houston.eat...0eab0bf4056c0cd

It would be strange it if was 6.....and that long ago. Maybe 4....but not 6.

[devonhart]

It would be strange it if was 6.....and that long ago. Maybe 4....but not 6.

Well, as the above ad pointed out, it started as 4. I think it was open at least a decade, and that's why I think they might have subdivided a couple of the auditoriums. I remember two auditoriums had as little as 50 seats.

When they opened, they ran first run, major films, but later on they ran drive-in quality films like "White Line Fever", Charles Bronson shoot-em-ups, and even soft porn. I recall it as the Shamrock 6, and this other guy 8 years ago did too. I guess the only way to settle it once and for all, would be to take a look at the newspapers ads from the late 70s or early 80s.

I'm satisfied that someone else remembers it the way I do, a historian would still need the newspaper ads or some other document.

Edited January 22, 2007 by devonhart

[icepickphil]

...and the Al Ray didn't close in '64 as I saw films there as late as '69. Interesting thread about it on this board here.

Not sure how far I'd trust that list. Very first thing on it is wrong. The Airline theatre opened in either 1949 or 1950 (most likely 1950), not 1955. I've seen ads for it going back that far. So if it's wrong on the first item, who knows what else may be in error.

Well, actually, I do. The Greens Crossing theatre opened in 1985, not 1990. And Deauville on the North Freeway opened in 1975, not 1990.

Oh well... it's a nice starting place for research.

[northbeaumont]

Well, as your ad pointed out, it started as 4. I think it was open at least a decade, and that's why I think they might have subdivided a couple of the auditoriums. I remember two auditoriums had as little as 50 seats.

When they opened, they ran first run, major films, but later on they ran drive-in quality films like "White Line Fever", Charles Bronson shoot-em-ups, and even soft porn. I recall it as the Shamrock 6, and this other guy 8 years ago did too. I guess the only way to settle it once and for all, would be to take a look at the newspapers ads from the late 70s or early 80s.

I'm satisfied that someone else remembers it the way I do, a historian would still need the newspaper ads or some other document.

I looked in the Houston Chronicle and saw some theatres that had 24 and even 30 screens!

[marmer]

When I was at Rice it was by far the most convenient first-run theatre. I saw Excalibur there in 1982 or so. Yes, it was gone by the mid-80s.

Marty

[isuredid]

I looked at Harris County Appraisal District Records. The Hilton Corporation owned that land until 1985, which is the same year they sold the Shamrock Hotel to the Texas Medical Center. I wonder if that land was part of the original Glenn McCarthy purchase. The Texas Medical Center probably decided they would rather have a parking lot than a theater. I never was a fan of the Shamrock Theater anyway, although I did see many films there. I was more bummed out about the hotel.

Just by chance I happened to be at Glenwood Cemetery during the Glenn McCarthy funeral so I walked on over for the short graveside ceremony.

The original Jett Rink

Edited January 23, 2007 by isuredid

[Subdude]

isuredid, your collection of Houston memorabilia never ceases to amaze.

*applause*

[FilioScotia]

Anyone remember the "Shamrock 6" a six screen theater on South Main across from the Shamrock Hotel. First movie I saw there was "The Andromeda Strain" in 1971. I seem to recall them advertising themselves as Houston's first multiplex.

If you're talking about more than two screens that could be true. I have clear memories of going to the Gulfgate multi-cinema in the late 60s, when two screens were still a novelty.

Edited January 23, 2007 by FilioScotia

[northbeaumont]

If you're talking about more than two screens that could be true. I have clear memories of going to the Gulfgate multi-cinema in the late 60s, when two screens were still a novelty.

That sounds like the theatre my cousin told me about. He said that there was a Cinema I & II on the south side of Interstate 610 and that a pedestrian bridge from the parking lot of that theatre went over the freeway to Gulfgate. He said that it stopped in front of Newberry's. Yes, I remember over here back in the late 1960s the first two-screen indoor theatre when it opened. It was the talk of the whole area.

[57Tbird]

I saw Jaws there (Shamrock) when it first came out, whenever that was.

I don't know if the two theater complex in Meyerland Plaza was the first in Houston, but I saw Dr. No and From Russia with Love when they both played there at the same time in the mid-60's.

Edited January 23, 2007 by 57Tbird

[isuredid]

I saw Jaws there (Shamrock) when it first came out, whenever that was.

I don't know if the two theater complex in Meyerland Plaza was the first in Houston, but I saw Dr. No and From Russia with Love when they both played there at the same time in the mid-60's.

Jaws - 1975 - I remember disco was coming on...Van McCoy---"The Hustle" on the radio...10 CC..."I'm Not In Love"... Captain and Tenille - "Love Will Keep Us Together" - I took a road trip during that summer so I listened to a lot of radio on the drive.

[devonhart]

I don't know if the two theater complex in Meyerland Plaza was the first in Houston, but I saw Dr. No and From Russia with Love when they both played there at the same time in the mid-60's.

Meyerland Plaza was great for me, it was within bicycle distance and they had the $1.00 matinee so I could afford the James Bond double features. The coming attraction music (cool brush drumming with some kind of keyboard notes) is still my all time favorite.

Okay, the internet is now officially amazing, I just found the music I was talking about.

http://tulsatvmemories.com/wav/gccfull1.wav

Edited January 24, 2007 by devonhart

[native5th]

I grew up in the Southgate area. I remember the Shamrock Theater very well. I saw the Halloween movies there, Amityville Horror, and I think the last movie I saw there was Urban Cowboy in 1980(?) I also remember going swimming at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, and they had a bar there next to the hotel called Trader Vics. Does anyone remember that? How about the Ruby Reds hamburger joint that was close to the corner of Main and Greenbriar? They had great hamburgers. I remember thinking how cool it was when I was a kid, because you could throw peanut shells on the floor. And now the Stables is gone, so that whole main area is completely changed. There used to be a restuarant..was it called the Red Lion? (Next to the Stables, and then the Shamrock was further north, a little closer to Holcombe, I think. )

[SunKing]

The coming attraction music (cool brush drumming with some kind of keyboard notes) is still my all time favorite. Okay, the internet is now officially amazing, I just found the music I was talking about.

http://tulsatvmemories.com/wav/gccfull1.wav

Wow - that brings back memories. Classic!!!

[mkultra25]

Meyerland Plaza was great for me, it was within bicycle distance and they had the $1.00 matinee so I could afford the James Bond double features. The coming attraction music (cool brush drumming with some kind of keyboard notes) is still my all time favorite.

Okay, the internet is now officially amazing, I just found the music I was talking about.

http://tulsatvmemories.com/wav/gccfull1.wav

The old General Cinema theme! If ever there were a piece of music permanently imprinted on my brain, that's it. I spent many happy hours in the Northline General Cinema (recently razed after having been closed for many years) when I was a kid, starting from the very first movie I ever saw there at the ripe old age of 4, ICE STATION ZEBRA.

General Cinema had several theaters in Houston over the years - off the top of my head, the Meyerland, Gulfgate, and Northline ones, then later the Galleria ones inside the mall. I'm sure there were others, but I don't have a list at hand right now. Long after the original Meyerland GC closed, the new one was built. It was the last GC theater in Houston, and changed ownership several more times before finally closing to make room for the center's further expansion a few years ago. It wasn't as popular as some other multiplexes because it didn't have stadium seating, but it had a tremendous sound system and the projection was always perfect. When it closed, I drove over there to take some pictures of the marquee and the building, only to be spotted by a roving security guard and asked to leave the property.

[isuredid]

I grew up in the Southgate area. I remember the Shamrock Theater very well. I saw the Halloween movies there, Amityville Horror, and I think the last movie I saw there was Urban Cowboy in 1980(?) I also remember going swimming at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, and they had a bar there next to the hotel called Trader Vics. Does anyone remember that? How about the Ruby Reds hamburger joint that was close to the corner of Main and Greenbriar? They had great hamburgers. I remember thinking how cool it was when I was a kid, because you could throw peanut shells on the floor. And now the Stables is gone, so that whole main area is completely changed. There used to be a restuarant..was it called the Red Lion? (Next to the Stables, and then the Shamrock was further north, a little closer to Holcombe, I think. )

Red Lion is correct and don't forget Valian's Italian Restaurant. It feels as though some day the only thing left of old Houston will be maps and deed records of where things used to be.

[cowboybud]

The old General Cinema theme! If ever there were a piece of music permanently imprinted on my brain, that's it. I spent many happy hours in the Northline General Cinema (recently razed after having been closed for many years) when I was a kid, starting from the very first movie I ever saw there at the ripe old age of 4, ICE STATION ZEBRA.

General Cinema had several theaters in Houston over the years - off the top of my head, the Meyerland, Gulfgate, and Northline ones, then later the Galleria ones inside the mall. I'm sure there were others, but I don't have a list at hand right now. Long after the original Meyerland GC closed, the new one was built. It was the last GC theater in Houston, and changed ownership several more times before finally closing to make room for the center's further expansion a few years ago. It wasn't as popular as some other multiplexes because it didn't have stadium seating, but it had a tremendous sound system and the projection was always perfect. When it closed, I drove over there to take some pictures of the marquee and the building, only to be spotted by a roving security guard and asked to leave the property.

All the General Cinemas that I'd been to (Greenspoint, Willowbrook, Northline, original Meyerland) all had the same red and blue color scheme and the same red and white seats. At some point in the 90s, they did come up a new version of their "coming atrractions" that was more orchestral and less 70s/cheesy.

[Absinthe_1900]

I remember seeing Rainbow Bridge at the Shamrock when I was thirteen, during it's first run back in '71.

Awful film, but all I wanted to see was the Jimi Hendrix footage.

Edited January 24, 2007 by Absinthe_1900

[devonhart]

Okay, the internet is now officially amazing, I just found the music I was talking about.

http://tulsatvmemories.com/wav/gccfull1.wav

It's even more amazing than I thought, I also found a video of the projector logo that went with it.

http://forums.cinematour.com/ubbpics/GCC.mov

[Vertigo58]

Anyone remember the "Shamrock 6" a six screen theater on South Main across from the Shamrock Hotel. First movie I saw there was "The Andromeda Strain" in 1971. I seem to recall them advertising themselves as Houston's first multiplex.

Early on, it was quite easy to see two or three movies with one ticket--go to the bathroom and return to another screen. Eventually, they started checking tickets to crack down on the practice. Googled around, one site claimed they closed down in 85, not sure that's accurate. Compared to today's stadium seating, it was kind of cheezy, and so were some of the movies. "The Stewardesses" in 3D. Which I can't remember if I saw or not. Just remember the ads.

My mom must have been a super mom because she would drop off us kids to go there. Quite far from our area. One thing that really stood out was they had advertised an actual "Movie Opening" complete with the stars of the film present. Only the name Lindsay Bloom comes to mind and she apparently didnt go far in film after that so the film must have been a bomb! but what the heck we got to see them exit the limo onto a red carpet with media just like the Oscars. Exciting for a teeniebopper.

Here are some films I know I saw there over the years:

Ode To Billy Joe, Born Loser's, Billy Jack, The Summer of 42, The Exorcist, Jaws, Saturday Night fever and finally St. Elmo's Fire.

and your right sneaking in to see several movies was part of the alure until you got caught and kicked out! Ouch still hurts!

[Vertigo58]

If you're talking about more than two screens that could be true. I have clear memories of going to the Gulfgate multi-cinema in the late 60s, when two screens were still a novelty.

Also true!

The screens were painted a white color & it was shaped oval so that Cinema-scope and Cinerama movies could be shown. There is another thread about Gulfgate where we discussed the cool movies we saw there. My best memory was seeing original "Poseidon Adventure" there it played for a long, long time because of the huge crowds. That theater was doomed after the midnight movies attracted a really bad crowd. I know when we were watching Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps a person was shot just as the film started.

[EspersonBuildings]

It orginally had four screens. Years later two more screens were added. I don't think any of the other screens were split up because I remember the building actually expanding.