Another Golden Era theater renovated

dhermann1 · Feb 3, 2010

This was in today's Buffalo News. The theater is in Niagara Falls, NY. That city has not benefited from its proxomity to the Falls, the way the Canadian side has for many reasons. It has decayed into a sad example of Rust Belt America. Nice to see something positive like this coming from there.
I'm wondering, maybe we should have an ongoing thread for restored and renovated theaters?

http://www.buffalonews.com/429/story/882574.html

Lou · Feb 3, 2010

I think a thread for renovated Golden Era venues is a great idea.

The Captain · Feb 3, 2010

I think that's a great idea. What is more of a link to our collective memories, or for some younger Fedora Loungers, a glimpse of the "way things were", than the cinema palaces of the Golden Age? I have posted a link to one such theatre in a previous thread. Now, 75 years of showing films, it is the only screen for many miles.

BinkieBaumont · Feb 3, 2010

"The Wonderful Piccadilly Cinema restored in the 1980's has been operating since the mid 1930's"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Art_Deco_buildings_in_Perth

Shangas · Feb 3, 2010

This is my local:

Melbourne's famous "Rivoli" cinema in Camberwell. Been operating since 1940. I go there whenever I want to watch a film. The old movie-posters, the staircases, the flashy carpets...it's so 1940s Decoish

http://www.caths.org.au/rivoli.htm

Stairs in the lobby.

One of the theatres inside the cinema complex.

LizzieMaine · Feb 4, 2010

Here's where I'm house manager, projectionist, and anything else they can find for me to do. Built in 1923, operated continuously by one family until 2001,sold and closed in 2002, renovated in 2004, reopened in 2005. We do first-run independent films, special HD big-screen events, and an assortment of concerts and performances. 350 seats with a main floor and balcony, one screen. We're not a palace by any means, just a typical small-town neighborhood theatre that has managed to survive intact into the 21st Century.

View from the balcony during a showing of "Citizen Kane" --

And here we are in 1941 --

dhermann1 · Feb 4, 2010

That's exactly the movie theater I want in my model railroad layout!

Wally_Hood · Feb 4, 2010

LizzieMaine said:
Here's where I'm house manager, projectionist, and anything else they can find for me to do. Built in 1923, operated continuously by one family until 2001,sold and closed in 2002, renovated in 2004, reopened in 2005. We do first-run independent films, special HD big-screen events, and an assortment of concerts and performances. 350 seats with a main floor and balcony, one screen. We're not a palace by any means, just a typical small-town neighborhood theatre that has managed to survive intact into the 21st Century.

View from the balcony during a showing of "Citizen Kane" --

And here we are in 1941 --

Thanks for posting the pictures- it's encouraging to know a link to the past is still up and running.

I used to frequent the Balboa Theatre in Balboa (Newport Beach) for an eclectic mix of classic films, foreign fare, and out of the ordinary "art house" shows. The theatre was definitely from the 40's. Many of my college age friends were introduced old movies there, and a fun date was to take in Singin' in the Rain or Wizard of Oz on the big screen; I had seen them tons of times, but it was cool to see my date's reaction to the real deal on the big screen (they liked it).

Bustercat · Feb 5, 2010

This is ours. Saw Crystal Skull here the day we moved to the island, even this beautiful theater couldn't make that movie good! lol
Incidentally, the last flick shown here before it closed for years was Raiders of the Lost Ark during its original run.

They show 3d and also show classic epics, like Spartacus. Often there's a greeter in tails and tophat outside.

Shangas · Feb 5, 2010

*Jaw-drop*

NOW THAT'S A CINEMA!!!

That place looks so glamorous, it should have a dress-code...

...does it?

dhermann1 · Feb 5, 2010

WOW!

Love it! I just saw Radio City Music Hall for the first time. That's very comparable. Must be from close to the same period. Is it early 30's?

Guttersnipe · Feb 5, 2010

Great Idea for a thread!!!

Here's the Cerrito, located in sleepy El Cerrito, California (a town which I have a soft spot in my heart for). It's a good example of a tasteful restoration/renovation. It was divided into an upstairs-downstairs two screen theater with couch seating, however, the art deco details were brought back to all there original glory:

And here's a picture of the interior:

BinkieBaumont · Feb 5, 2010

"This very "Sympathetic" extension of the building works realy well, but I think the carpet in the lobby is "Too Much" it really takes over the whole ensemble

"It would be so much more attractive and "Low key" if it was in shades of Cream, beige, russet, and fawn with a few burnt orange accents"

Mr. Godfrey · Feb 5, 2010

The Rex and Electic in the UK

The Rex in Berkhamsted has been renovated but with a touch of glamour rather than a multiplx job and souless. It's a wonderful life was sold out last December. The Rex is to the lefthand side.

http://www.therexberkhamsted.com/

The Electric in Birmingham, used to show cartoons all day when I was young and my mother would take us after visiting the dentist

, sadly, it never looked like (it was called the jacey, then) this or even in my 20's. So much of the world has changed in the last 20 years.

http://www.theelectric.co.uk/

I wish they would show old B&W films one day a week I am sure they would make money, I went to see the Dam Busters, it was on one night and the screen was full. It greatly improved the film too and felt more poignant, I have seen it so many times, have it on DVD but you cannot beat the big screen.

Bilko · Feb 14, 2010

Stunning buildings, so many have been lost to so called progress.....

Shangas · Feb 19, 2010

Guttersnipe,

I adore the neon lights on that first photograph of your example of a classic movie-theatre. They're so colourful and bright and cheerful!

And yes Binkie, the carpets at the Rivoli are a bit much at times. But it's a swell place to go watch a flick.

BinkieBaumont · Feb 20, 2010

"The Chaps and Chapettes of Sydney's Sunny Monied lower North Shore suburbs, can quench their cinematic cravings at the "Orpheum"

http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/NOR/NOR05.htm

"
Those streamlined armchairs are very "Kem Webber!

"Why not listen to Neil at the mighty Wurlitzer whilst munching on Choc tops, and discussing a day at the office prior to the lights going down for the main feature"

"Yes but what year?" Its on the website so must be 2010, wish they would include it, for posterity sake"

dhermann1 · Jun 7, 2010

Milledgeville, Georgia

Millidgeville, Ga., the home town of Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy fame) has recently renovated its 1935 movie theater.
C:\Documents and Settings\89d018\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\PUPGAX3B\campus_theater_opening.mht

Hannigan Reilly · Jun 7, 2010

dhermann1 said:
Millidgeville, Ga., the home town of Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy fame) has recently renovated its 1935 movie theater.
---------

I'm in Atlanta, I'm going to check it out.
found this on it
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4818/

Bustercat · Jun 16, 2010

Shangas said:
*Jaw-drop*

NOW THAT'S A CINEMA!!!

That place looks so glamorous, it should have a dress-code...

...does it?

heheh, no dress code (but the staff wears cravats and vests).
I really ought to go more often to support it. Heck, even just to visit.

dhermann1 said:
Love it! I just saw Radio City Music Hall for the first time. That's very comparable. Must be from close to the same period. Is it early 30's?

Good guess! She opened in 1932.
So nice to see this town revitalized.

Another Golden Era theater renovated

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