Remember These Lake Charles Movie Theatres From the 1980s?
Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - There was a time when going to the movies in Lake Charles meant choosing between a handful of familiar places, grabbing some popcorn, and settling into a theater that probably holds a few memories you haven’t thought about in years.
If you grew up around Lake Charles during the 1980s and 1990s, see if any of these names ring a bell.
One of the biggest theaters in town was Oak Park Cinema Six, located near the corner of Oak Park Boulevard and 5th Avenue. As the name suggests, the theater featured six screens, making it one of the largest movie destinations in Lake Charles at the time. The building is still standing today, although it has a very different purpose and is now home to a church.
Then there was the old General Cinema at the Prien Lake Mall, but not the theater many people know today. The older location was a stand-alone building in the mall parking area, just west of where Dillard’s is located now. It featured three screens.
For anyone who remembers those theaters, the seats might be the first thing that comes to mind. They weren't exactly known for being comfortable. You were seemingly stuck choosing between sitting straight up or leaning way back, with very little middle ground.
Read More: Only 80s Kids from Lake Charles Will Remember These Spots
Another longtime favorite was Charles Cinema, located on Sale Road across from the former Kmart building. Like the Prien Lake theater, it had three screens and was reportedly one of the most popular movie spots in the area before Oak Park Cinema Six arrived.
And who could forget going to the movies without actually sitting inside a theater?
Lake Charles also had the New Moon Drive-In, located along Highway 14. Moviegoers could enjoy films from the comfort of their vehicles, making it a completely different experience from today's theaters. After the drive-in closed, the property became the New Moon Driving Range. That eventually closed as well.
The Top Five Movies Of The 1980s
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Batman
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Back to the Future
Today, most of these places have disappeared or been transformed, but the memories remain. So, Lake Charles, which one was your favorite? Was it Oak Park, General Cinema at Prien Lake, Charles Cinema, or the New Moon Drive-In? Share your memories in the comments!
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