Took a peek in the closed building. Refreshment stand is gone. There are now clusters of tables. With all the things they are advertising that will be part of the future it remains to be seen whether movies will ever be shown.
Cinema is undergoing repainting and refurbishing. The new seating configuration will reduce capacity from 1,050 to 669. Owner Phil Solomon expects to reopen by the end of the month. This is the first major renovation since 1994 when a second level and five auditoriums were added.
The Lyons was built in 1947 seating 320 in the auditorium. It also had two, windowed, “cry rooms” in the balcony. After the theatre closed in 1985 it remained vacant for two years before being bought by an adjacent business. The floor was leveled the the 14 foot ceiling lowered. Over the years it housed a number of different retail businesses.
Before the theatre was gutted to accommodate a retail environment Bill Hedges, a former projectionist, purchased a number of items including the neon sign, projection equipment and some seats. He had these stored in his garage for many years.
When he decided to go into film making himself he formed Cosmic Films Studio which has been housed in the former theatre since 2014. The neon sign was returned to its rightful place and the faux ceiling removed.
The State Theatre was built in 1921 in the Greentown neighborhood of Rivesville by Frank Raspa. The first movie shown was “Wet Gold” in 1922. Westerns and adventure films were the most popular. The theatre closed in 1960 and was vacant at the time it was destroyed by fire on August 13, 2004.
This popup drive-in began in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It’s goal was to provide a culturally rich arthouse-style cinema while employing persons with disabilities. The screen was shattered by the weather at the end of 2022. Although a permit had been granted for 2023 movies have yet to be shown. The website indicates there will be a Fall 2023 season but nothing is definite and the phone has been disconnected. Part of the problem is that the Imperial Avenue parking lot is used by organizations other than the non-profit Remarkable and scheduling issues have arisen.
When operational, films are projected from the back of a truck. See uploaded photo.
Built by J.H. Reaper across the street from his Gem Theatre. Opened in 1914. Had a balcony which was removed when converted to retail. Photo circa 1914 uploaded.
Passed the Drive In the other day. Since the photo I uploaded in 2017 the undergrowth has almost obliterated the pylon. Quite a contrast to the pylon for the Skyway Drive In in Greenport which is used extensively by the adjacent Lutheran Church to advertise its activities.
Billionaire Aby Rosen was behind the 8 million dollar purchase of the theatre in November 2022 by Hill Street Cinema LLC. Scaffolding is now up around the theatre. See photo I’ve uploaded. Interior renovations are also planned. Movies will again be shown but, probably, not exclusively.
Uploaded a photo from the 1920s. There were two films called The Hottentot with similar subject matter. I can’t read the signage well enough to determine whether the one in the photo is from the 1922 or 1929 film.
Marquee now advertises a new arcade open and a new eatery. Previously it featured axe throwing. The recorded phone message is circa July announcing Sunday classic films. Will be out that way in October and actually park and take a look see.
They actually have scheduled single showings of Mission Impossible and Barbie.
Took a peek in the closed building. Refreshment stand is gone. There are now clusters of tables. With all the things they are advertising that will be part of the future it remains to be seen whether movies will ever be shown.
Cinema is undergoing repainting and refurbishing. The new seating configuration will reduce capacity from 1,050 to 669. Owner Phil Solomon expects to reopen by the end of the month. This is the first major renovation since 1994 when a second level and five auditoriums were added.
I found a reference that indicated it had a sliding roof.
The Lyons was built in 1947 seating 320 in the auditorium. It also had two, windowed, “cry rooms” in the balcony. After the theatre closed in 1985 it remained vacant for two years before being bought by an adjacent business. The floor was leveled the the 14 foot ceiling lowered. Over the years it housed a number of different retail businesses.
Before the theatre was gutted to accommodate a retail environment Bill Hedges, a former projectionist, purchased a number of items including the neon sign, projection equipment and some seats. He had these stored in his garage for many years.
When he decided to go into film making himself he formed Cosmic Films Studio which has been housed in the former theatre since 2014. The neon sign was returned to its rightful place and the faux ceiling removed.
A Rex Theatre also operated in Rivesville for a period of time.
The State Theatre was built in 1921 in the Greentown neighborhood of Rivesville by Frank Raspa. The first movie shown was “Wet Gold” in 1922. Westerns and adventure films were the most popular. The theatre closed in 1960 and was vacant at the time it was destroyed by fire on August 13, 2004.
Theatre has been demolished.
This popup drive-in began in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It’s goal was to provide a culturally rich arthouse-style cinema while employing persons with disabilities. The screen was shattered by the weather at the end of 2022. Although a permit had been granted for 2023 movies have yet to be shown. The website indicates there will be a Fall 2023 season but nothing is definite and the phone has been disconnected. Part of the problem is that the Imperial Avenue parking lot is used by organizations other than the non-profit Remarkable and scheduling issues have arisen.
When operational, films are projected from the back of a truck. See uploaded photo.
Believe the original Family Theatre was built by the Bissonette family and seated 225.
Built by J.H. Reaper across the street from his Gem Theatre. Opened in 1914. Had a balcony which was removed when converted to retail. Photo circa 1914 uploaded.
Church is still actively using the pylon. A far cry from the one at Rocky Point which is now almost obliterated by growth.
Passed the Drive In the other day. Since the photo I uploaded in 2017 the undergrowth has almost obliterated the pylon. Quite a contrast to the pylon for the Skyway Drive In in Greenport which is used extensively by the adjacent Lutheran Church to advertise its activities.
Billionaire Aby Rosen was behind the 8 million dollar purchase of the theatre in November 2022 by Hill Street Cinema LLC. Scaffolding is now up around the theatre. See photo I’ve uploaded. Interior renovations are also planned. Movies will again be shown but, probably, not exclusively.
Hopefully they will take up the void left by the virtual closing of the Mattituck Cinemas to film.
Uploaded a photo from the 1920s. There were two films called The Hottentot with similar subject matter. I can’t read the signage well enough to determine whether the one in the photo is from the 1922 or 1929 film.
Uploaded a photo of the marquee before they removed “Star”.
A reality is that the PJ Cinemas are just down the road in neighboring Port Jefferson Station. Before the reno I didn’t think much of this place.
Marquee now advertises a new arcade open and a new eatery. Previously it featured axe throwing. The recorded phone message is circa July announcing Sunday classic films. Will be out that way in October and actually park and take a look see.
Garth you should also indicate that on the Fair site.
A news bite announcing a forthcoming special program at the Plaza appeared in the September 22, 1915 The Manchester Democrat.
Uploaded a photo of construction at the Grand. Presumably around 1922.
A 200 seat Dreamland Theatre is reported in Waverly in the 1912 Iowa State Gazetteer and Business Directory.
Originally owned and operated by Richard Sterling, a cotton buyer for Erwin Mills.
Uploaded photos of a roll of tickets from the theatre and an ad which appeared in the January 12, 1953 The Daily Record from Dunn, NC>
Uploaded a photo of the Studio which was posted on Facebook by Christopher Robert. He indicated the theatre operated from 1971-1989.
The theatre had velvet covered Loveseats (two persons) at the rear. When the Studio closed they were reported to have been transferred to the Strand.
The Studio was demolished an a church built on the site.