TheatreLinks

New listings compiled by Michael Moran

Spring-Summer, 2008

GREETINGS!

We've added a new section for photo albums and scrapbooks. Put aside a few hours and take a look at the hundreds of photos taken by Randy Carlisle and Bob Bayles. Some of the sites are works-in-progress for projects struggling to get a foothold. Whether or not they prove to be successful remains to be seen, but they serve as a reminder that preservation work is never a slam dunk.

Continue to send me any new links you may know of.

Michael Moran
michaelm6@ca.rr.com

MY TOP PICK!

Los Angeles Theatre (Los Angeles CA)
http://www.losangelestheatre.com
Designed by S. Charles Lee with a French Baroque-inspired décor, its majestic six-story main lobby and 2,000 seat auditorium of carved plaster ornamentation, mirrors, and cove-lit murals recall the glamorous days of 1930s Hollywood. Although in need of some serious restoration, the Los Angeles Theater still dazzles! I recently had the opportunity to see "Meet Me in St. Louis" at the Los Angeles. While the film was great, seeing the reactions of people who had never been inside this jewel box of a theater was worth the price of admission. The website has a generous gallery with stunning photos, some 3D views and a nice history. Check it out.

NEW U.S. THEATRE LINKS

Rialto Community Arts Center (Morrilton AZ)
http://www.rialtoartscenter.com/index.html
Located in the small town of Morrilton, Arkansas, the Rialto Theatre has a rich history stretching over nearly 100 years. After years of decay, the Rialto Community Arts Center was formed in 1997 as a subsidiary of The Arts Council of Conway County. The Board of Directors agreed to begin renovation to return the Rialto to its former glory. Includes a picture tour of the gallery but not much of the theater.

The Music Box @ Fonda (Hollywood CA)
http://www.henryfondatheater.com
Opened as the Carter DeHaven Music Box Theatre on October 20, 1926, it went through several owners and corresponding name changes. It is now being restored to its original appearance.

El Rey Theatre (Los Angeles CA)
http://www.theelrey.com
The El Rey Theatre is an original art deco theater in the heart of the Miracle Mile, one of Los Angeles' preserved art deco districts. Built in 1936 and designed by Clifford Balch, it was converted into a live music venue in 1994.

Needles Theatre (Needles CA)
http://www.friendsoftheneedlestheatre.com
Built in 1929 as a Masonic Temple and converted to a theater, the Needles is located on Route 66. The planned rebirth of this landmark venue will revitalize the downtown area by providing entertainment, economic activity and a greater sense of community.

Warner Theatre (Washington DC)
http://www.warnertheatre.com
Built for vaudeville and silent movies, the theatre opened as the Earle Theatre in 1924. The "new" Warner opened in 1992 with a gala featuring Frank Sinatra (in his final D.C. appearance) and Shirley MacLaine. It became a destination, not only for revitalized downtown Washington, but also for national and international recording artists and the finest in theatrical, dance, and television presentations. A few small photos.

Gusman Center (Miami FL)
http://www.gusmancenter.org
Built in 1926 as a silent movie palace, the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center has become a beacon for the South Florida arts community. This spectacular John Eberson designed atmospheric jewel was lovingly restored in 2002.

Rialto Center For The Arts (Atlanta GA)
http://www.rialtocenter.org
The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University is an intimate, cultural centerpiece of downtown Atlanta. The old Rialto Theater has been successfully transformed into a first-class performance venue and, true to its definition, the Rialto is once again a place where ideas and experiences in the arts are being exchanged. A few photos and a virtual tour.

Strand Theatre (Marietta GA)
http://www.friendsofthestrand.com/
The Strand Theatre, a noted landmark on the historic Marietta Square in Cobb County, got its start as a major motion picture house in 1935. The Strand provided movie entertainment to thousands of people of all ages until it closed its doors as a movie house in 1976. Efforts to restore The Strand have been going on since 2002. Many believe that bringing it back as a movie theatre is in tune with the Square’s historical heritage and will offer more entertainment choices to downtown Marietta.

Rialto Square Theatre (Joliet IL)
http://www.rialtosquare.com
The Rialto Square closed as a movie theatre in the mid-1970s and was rescued from impending demolition by a grass-roots campaign. It was restored to its former glory in 1980 and reopened the next year as a performing arts center. The site includes a nice photo gallery, comprehensive technical information, a history of the theatre and photos of past performers.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Silver Springs MD)
http://www.afi.com/silver
Saved from the wrecker's ball by community effort and landmark designation, the historic Silver Theatre is a unique public-private partnership. The American Film Institute/ AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is the anchor of an unprecedented redevelopment effort.

Mohawk Theater (North Adams MA)
http://www.mohawktheater.com/
Opened in 1938 as part of the E.M. Loew chain, an effort is underway to restore the Mohawk as a performing arts center. The site, currently under construction, contains as small photo gallery with some nice marquee shots.

Hanover Theatre (Worcester MA)
http://www.thehanovertheatre.org
At the time it was built in 1926, the Poli Palace Theatre was considered the most beautiful theater in New England. The Worcester Center for Performing Arts has taken it over and it will be known as The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Vassar Theatre (Vassar MI)
http://www.vassartheatre.com
This 1937 theater by the firm of Bennett & Straight underwent an extensive renovation/restoration by its owner Tim O'Brien.

Historic Wayne Theatre (Wayne MI)
http://www.historicwaynetheatre.com
They are still working to raise enough money to keep the theatre going. After a meeting with the dangerous building hearing officer, supporters were told that the building would need to be torn down or turned into a white box. Without funds, the hearing officer ordered the building to be torn down. The saga continues. Includes links to galleries of area theaters.

Laurel Little Theatre (Laurel MS)
http://www.laurellittletheatre.com/index.html
The Arabian was a grand movie house built in 1927 by the Saenger Brothers. It was the smallest of their houses but still seated a respectable 900 moviegoers. The lobby and auditorium are now just as they were in 1927, but the proscenium arch and stage are circa 1977. Includes one 1930s era postcard view.

Beach Theatre (Cape May NJ)
http://www.beachtheatre.org
The Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve and restore the historically authenticated Beach Theatre in Cape May, New Jersey and utilize the complex as a state-of-the-art showcase for cinema and the arts. Gallery of historical and contemporary views.

Goodwill Theatre (Johnson City NY)
http://www.goodwilltheatre.net
Originally built in 1920 for the workers of the Endicott Johnson Corporation by George F. Johnson, it was closed for the last time in the 1960s. Today the members of the Goodwill Theatre, Inc. are working to renovate it and focus the hub of an Arts Village around it. Considered a work in progress, the site includes a few exterior photos.

Albemarle Opera House (Albemarle NC)
http://www.albemarleoperahouse.com/
The Opera House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1907 by the contractor Locke Anderson Moody, the building is currently owned by the descendants of the original owners, F.E. Starnes, D.F. Parker and J.C. Parker. It held performances from 1908 to 1913 and converted to a movie theater for the 1914-1915 season. After several seasons of disuse it became an annex to the undertaker's shop. The site, described as a work in progress, contains some interesting recent photos.

Whiteside Theatre (Corvallis OR)
http://whitesidefriends.org
“When built in 1922, the Whiteside Theatre was the second grandest movie palace in Oregon. The building is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance architecture. It is probably Corvallis' best historic commercial building in terms of original design and integrity. The upper story of the exterior of the building retains its original ornamented effect, executed in brick, glass, cast "stone" and plaster. The original layout of the theatre is intact and numerous interior decorative features remain from the 192O's period.”

Hanover Theater (Hanover PA)
http://www.hanovertheater.info
Originally opened as the State Theater in 1928 it closed in 1986 and became an antique store. Now a private group has purchased it and plans to restore and re-open it in 2008.

Montgomery Theater (Souderton PA)
http://montgomerytheater.org
“The structure that houses Montgomery Theater in Southeastern Pennsylvania was once the old Souderton firehouse. This "turn of the century" building was bought by the Souderton Borough in order to secure that Montgomery Theater stays in the center of town.”

Struthers Library Theatre (Warren PA)
http://www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com/
“Built in 1883, the Struthers Library Theatre is the 18th oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in the United States, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. One of the most stunning historic theatres in Northwest Pennsylvania, the Struthers Library Theatre graces the corner of Liberty Street and Third Avenue West in the heart of Warren’s Historic District.”

Warner Theatre (Morgantown WV)
http://www.thewarnertheatre.com
Built in 1931 by the Warner Brothers, Harry M., Major Albert, and Jack L., at a cost of $400,000, the theatre was constructed with the interests of the guest in mind. Round Table Corporation purchased the theatre in 2004 with the intention of restoring it to its original condition. A few small photos scattered around the site but no gallery.

NEW INTERNATIONAL THEATRE LINKS

Cinema and Theatre Historical Society (AUSTRALIA)
http://www.caths.org.au/
“The aims of CATHS are to record the history of cinemas and theatres, and to promote interest in theatre heritage and architecture, and other related areas.”

Lunenburg Opera House (Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, CANADA)
http://www.lunenburgoperahouse.com/
Modeled after European music halls, the opera house was built from local timbers in 1907/1908 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It was renamed The Capitol in the 40’s and converted to a movie house. It is now being restored.

Centre Cinema Imperial (Montreal, Quebec, CANADA)
http://www.ffm-montreal.org/en_impe_index.html
Opened to the general public on April 26, 1913, the Imperial was designed by architect Albert E. Westover of Philadelphia and built for the Keith-Albee Vaudeville Organization. Contains a nice photo archive.

NEW DRIVE IN THEATRE LINKS

Drive Ins.com
http://www.drive-ins.com
Everything drive in related. The online store features DVDs, books and even reproductions of the old style speakers.

NEW THEATRE-RELATED SITE LINKS

Designers Historical Stencils
http://www.designershistoricalstencils.com/
Offers high-quality custom and limited edition stencil patterns. Decorative painting in European and Asian style for wall borders, damask patterns, ceiling medallions, hardwood floors, kitchen and bathroom cabinet designs, furniture, etched glass, mirrors, frames, and hand painted floor cloths. Everything you need for restoring that movie palace you’ve had your eye on.

Big Time For A Dime
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nccconov/canova.htm
“The movie history of the Catawba Valley began in 1889 with the building of the Elliott Opera House in Hickory. Eventually, Don's research uncovered pioneer theater owners of Colonial Theaters, and Kenneth Benfield Theaters, Inc. and others. This undertaking has involved several years of researching and interviews with those who proudly promoted and presented film entertainment to Western North Carolina movie-goers.”

The Projectionist
http://www.theprojectionist.net
“The Projectionist” is a film and exhibition that explores one man’s fascination, or obsession, with the age of the movie palace.” Dazzling and disquieting.

Cinema Sightlines
http://cinemasightlines.com
A promising work in progress, Cinema Sightlines strives to be “an online resource for serious movie goers.” Check out the section on the Kallet Genesee.

Buffalo Movie Theaters
http://ah.bfn.org/h/movie/tc.html
This work in progress includes an oral and visual history of the theaters of Buffalo as well as a number of photo links.

Neon Dreams
http://www.cafepress.com/neondreams
With almost 50 beautifully photographed marquees to choose from, this site offers a nice selection of tee shirts, mugs, magnets, pillows and mini posters.

American Wide Screen Museum
http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/index.htm
Described as the internet’s largest film technology resource, this site contains a wealth of information on everything from wide screen processes to color history and sound development. Best of all, you don’t have to be a film geek to enjoy it.

Niles Essanay Film Museum
http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org
The museum offers a way to rediscover America’s film pioneers and see their work in an authentic setting.

Richmond Hill Historical Society
http://www.richmondhillhistory.org/RKOkeith.html#Theaters
Interesting pages on the RKO Keith’s movie house. No longer used as a theater, it is now a bingo hall and flea market. Although the seats have been removed from the main floor, the theater is otherwise completely intact from the days it functioned as a movie house.

NEW THEATRE PHOTO ALBUMS/SCRAPBOOKS

Preserving America’s History through Photography
(Walk-in theatres):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/sets/72157600166519104/
(Drive-in theatres):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/sets/72157600166575513/ Two photo albums from Randy Carlisle. This talented photographer has captured hundreds of walk in and drive in theaters for posterity.

Movie Theatre Photos by Bob Bayles
http://www.cinemaphotogallery.com
Mostly photos of California and Illinois movie theaters. Click on “The Gallery” or “Theater Index” to view the theater photos. Photos can also be purchased from this website.

CHANGES/UPDATES

The following sites have changed web addresses. If you have personal bookmarks, you may need to change them.

Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre
http://loewsjersey.org
Friends of the Loew's believes that the landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre must serve its community as a not-for-profit arts and entertainment center that increases the visibility and role of the performing arts in the lives of the diverse peoples who live in Hudson County and our whole region. Great re-design of the theater website contains an extensive history of the venerable landmark, an interactive virtual tour, a 360 degree view and links to performances on the Loew’s Wonder Morton organ.

Additions and corrections to the listings are most welcome! Please send information to the TheatreLinks editor, Michael Moran, at michaelm6@ca.rr.com. Any technical problems or questions concerning this site or the links should be addressed to the Webmaster.

We invite any interested websites -- particularly those of individual theatres -- to link to this site. If you do so, please let us know.

Please note that the descriptive comments are written at the time each site is first reviewed and that subsequent changes to a site's content are often made. The comments are the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Theatre Historical Society of America.

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