Forum Theatre

236 Washington Street,
Binghamton, NY 13901

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Showing 1 - 25 of 30 comments

spectrum
spectrum on March 26, 2021 at 10:56 am

New official link at:

https://broomearenaforum.com/

From here you can also link to their facebook page and a virtual tour.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 21, 2019 at 7:48 pm

May 1965 photo as Capri Theatre added credit Richard J. Allen Sr.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 18, 2017 at 12:59 pm

This reopened as Capri on June 9th, 1960. Full page ad in the photo and below

Found on Newspapers.com powered by Newspapers.com

rivest266
rivest266 on February 18, 2017 at 11:26 am

April 22nd, 1920 and October 27th, 1946 grand opening ads in the photo section. It closed down 1932-1946.

MichaelCelock
MichaelCelock on October 15, 2015 at 8:00 pm

I remember going to the Capri to see Ben Hur, but the best memory was when the Capri was having their grand opening in the 60’s. Back then diagonally across the street was the old YMCA, my dad and I came out to see the grand opening. They had a number of large keg lights and it was as close Binghamton to come to replicating a Hollywood movie premier.

MrMisanthropy
MrMisanthropy on August 14, 2015 at 2:03 am

I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of the original ticket booth for this theater or any others designed by this architect. Our historical society does not, and I haven’t been able to find very many examples of this architect’s work on line. Cheers-Mr.M

InesitadaSilva
InesitadaSilva on January 5, 2015 at 11:27 am

From this date and for three days (Jan 6-8th), 1930, The Six Rockets, an all-girl RKO acrobat troupe began a three day run at the Binghamton as one of 5 ‘Big Time [vaudeville] Acts’ alongside the Paramount feature, ‘Charming Sinners.’ More info on The Six Rockets at http://www.inesitadasilva.com/?page=Keith%27s-Theatre. A press clipping from the January 8 issue of The Binghamton Press is also available from me in case interested.

spectrum
spectrum on January 2, 2015 at 8:16 pm

The Forum was built in 1919.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 13, 2013 at 7:19 pm

The Susquehanna Heritage Area Management Plan of 2009 lists Herbert R. Brewster as the architect of the Binghamton Theatre. Brewster also designed the Empire Theatre in Brooklyn and the Jamaica Theatre in Jamaica, as well as two theater projects in Stapleton, Staten Island, and one in New London, Connecticut, none of which I’ve been able to identify. He also designed the Casino Theatre on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, but it appears to have operated only as a burlesque house.

adamghost
adamghost on September 10, 2013 at 1:29 am

The Binghamton was apparently also dark through much of the ‘50s, occasionally reopening for special events, and in 1957 a plan was floated to level the floor and turn it into office space. Luckily, it didn’t happen.

adamghost
adamghost on September 9, 2013 at 6:17 am

A Feb. 1945 item about the closing of the Lyric by the Comerford chain stated that at the time of that writing, this theatre was also owned by them, and also dark.

Admiral37
Admiral37 on October 18, 2012 at 4:41 pm

CSWalczak, you are correct. I found this from the Binghamton Press from March 10, 1960:

http://is.gd/12a789

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 18, 2012 at 4:05 pm

If this theater was ever equipped for Cinerama (doubtful), there is no record of it ever having showed any film “in Cinerama.” It may have had 70mm equipment at one time.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on April 15, 2011 at 10:36 am

Very nice marquee on The Forum.

Admiral37
Admiral37 on April 14, 2011 at 10:24 pm

As I recall, the Capri was also the only theater in the Binghamton area that was outfitted for Cinerama. It was a wonderful theater.

I had the opportunity to work on stage crew for the Tri-Cities Opera. Prior to the Capri being remodeled and turned into a performing arts center, the Technical Director of the Opera took several of us on a tour of the old Capri, including the old dressing rooms and a rehearsal room that was below the stage from vaudeville and live performance days. I wish I had pictures to share, it was pretty amazing stuff to see.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 23, 2010 at 4:47 am

The Binghamton Theatre was renamed the Capri Theatre in 1960. Boxoffice of June 20 reported that Comerford Theatres had held an invitational premier on June 8, and the remodeled house had opened to the public the following night. The renovation had included reseating the auditorium, reducing its capacity from about 1,800 to about 1,200.

Patsy
Patsy on November 28, 2008 at 11:26 am

Warren: Nice photos…thanks!

deleted user
[Deleted] on July 29, 2008 at 10:51 pm

Patsy, it’s good you are relaying to the Forum people that you are interested in the Forum’s history. Also, regarding the Strand and Riviera: the front part of the Strand (formerly the lobby which was torn out to be converted into restaurant space) is currently for sale. The front part of the Riviera is also for sale. Both of these theaters auditoriums have not been in use for close to 30 years and are really in need of a restoration.

fletcher123
fletcher123 on July 21, 2008 at 9:16 am

Bingham theatre was one of the biggest theatres in New York, the seating capacity of this theatre was 1,804 as per the film daily year book and later it was named as Capri. In 1975 it was considered to be the home for Broome county performing center. Robert-Morton theatre pipe organ was also being installed in the theatre.


Fletcher123
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Patsy
Patsy on June 20, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Joe Masher: Interesting to read your 2005 post concerning the Strand and the Riviera….“both have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. Is this still the case?

Patsy
Patsy on June 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm

MikeR: I just wrote the Forum to obtain an entertainment schedule as the town has a philharmonic orchestra which performs at the Forum. I also listed all of the Cinema Treasures theatres (closed and demolished) so it should be interesting to read their theatre response!

deleted user
[Deleted] on January 2, 2006 at 7:15 am

I believe that the Forum was once a part of the Comerford chain, like many of the other old theaters in the Triple Cities. The Morton organ is now being maintained by the Binghamton Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society.

Patsy
Patsy on October 30, 2005 at 8:19 am

Correction….CT has 5 theatres listed.