I first saw this film on television at home when I was twelve. I found it to be quite gripping and exciting at the time.
You've seen Guy Standeven in something because the man was in everything.

Saw it December 1972 at a Los Angeles Drive-in. I don't know the name of drive-in. I was 7 years old. My mother took me and my sister to see it. I been hooked on this movie ever since. I remember playing Linda but as a boy and walk along the edge of our swimming pool like I was walking the catwalk, then pretend there was an explosion and I'd fall into the pool. This is like 4 months after the movie when the weather was better. But I was always daydreaming about doing that at the pool. I remember when it was going to be on TV for the first time. They had a two page ad in the TV guide. I was so excited. I ended up falling asleep in the middle though. I was like, why didn't somebody wake me up?

At the National Theater on Broadway NYC, which was not only brand new, but TPA was the first film ever shown there. It debuted there, most of the stars present.
HUGE screen, complete with curtains mentioned by another poster; sold-out performance in a theater we haven't seen the size of in at least 20+ years.
Eventually, it was broken into several movie theaters (to compete with the other multi-plexes), then finally closed for good.
But DAMN, that place was impressive when it was new, and it was a good place to be the first time I saw TPA.

Fall River, Mass., Center Cinema on South Main Street in late 72 or maybe very early 73, age 14. Went back a week later with a different friend and sat through it twice. Went at least a few more times during its later run. Went again to the drive-in when it was re-released in the summer of 75, I think it was. All in all, 10 times during the first couple of years. And another 10 or 15 (not counting TV) since then. Obsessed? Maybe
I'm an artist! I have zest and appetite and I like food!

I think I was about 8 or 9. I was staying with my grandparents in Santa Ana at the time, and their next-door neighbor had a couple of kids about my age. They were going to see the movie one night and invited me to come along.
Thing was, they didn't even know what the actual title of it was. They called it "The Ship That Got Hit By The 90-Foot Tidal Wave." We didn't realize the actual title until we got to the theater and saw it on the marquee.
The line was huge, although it was memorable for me since it was the first time I stayed up past midnight to watch a movie.

I remember going to see it around 1973 in the theater for the first time when it was in general release. I loved it. I knew Belle was going to die because my cousin spoiled it for me because she had seen it first. But I think Linda Rogo's death was the most shocking to me. I remember in the days that followed after I saw the film, I would play act the movie in my backyard taking on Pamela Sue's part. I was about 13 at the time. The movie still packs a wallop today and when I saw the remake a few years ago, I was appalled. All I kept thinks was.whywhy.why did they do it?????

Awesome story Scruffy!
If you are curious about that theater CinemaTreasures.com is a site like this one only it's all peoples comments on old theaters. Almost every theater in the USA is on there with a thread. Some people post photos and ads. I used to live in Saratoga Springs so I kinda know that area.
"In every dimension , there's another YOU!"

I saw it the week it premiered just before Christmas 1972. I was 14 years old and went by myself to the glorious Towne Theater in Latham NY (just outside of Albany, NY) in a snowstorm. The theater is now long gone but it had a huge screen, terrific sound system and had the curtains that opened as the film began. When I got to the theater, it was SRO and since I was by myself, an usher brought me to a front row seat extreme left. I remember having to gaze up at the screen. I was amazed by the film and I have loved it ever since. With this film, I became a huge film of Carol Lynley, John Williams, ocean liners and special effects. One of the very best film going experiences of my life.
"Thus, we began our longest journey together."
Adult Scout, To Kill A Mockingbird

I think your ambitious passion for this movie is really creepy