Park Mall movie theaters (Time Machine newsletter copy)
It wouldn't be a mall without a movie theater.
The Mann Theatres at Park Mall Shopping Center, which became Park Place Mall in 1999 following major renovations, brought out crowds of moviegoers on July 1, 1978. That summer was a busy one for Tucson theaters, with "Grease," "Jaws 2," "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan," and "Saturday Night Fever" being some of the blockbusters showing at the same time.
The four-theater complex at Park Mall had its grand opening June 20, 1975, with actress Rhonda Fleming cutting the ribbon at the ceremony. Some of Fleming's movies include "Spellbound," "Pony Express," and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral." The latter of the three was filmed partially at Old Tucson Studios.
The nearly 1 million-square-foot Park Mall Shopping Center opened May 3, 1975, with 55 stores and businesses, including Sears, Furr's Cafeteria, Diamond's, and The Broadway. Photo credit: Tucson Citizen 1978.
