Page Cinema Arts Theatre meets wrecking ball

posted by Jack Oberleitner on April 19, 2011 at 10:42 am

DAYTON, OH — Without ceremony, or any public announcement, demolition of the former Page Manor Twin Cinema (Page Cinema Arts Theatre) located in the Riverside section of Dayton, began on Monday the 11th of April. Tearful onlookers shared childhood memories of The Page as bulldozers started razing the theatre that had served the area since the early 1970’s. Opened originally as a single screen by Century Theatres, the property was taken over by Chakeres Theatres of Ohio and Kentucky who operated The Page as a twin cinema for several years. As a first run theatre, The Page was a popular venue for the area near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Museum. Several owners operated the theatre following Chakeres' exit and The Page remained a popular sub-run and eventually bargain venue. The Page Twin closed and remained dark for several years.

In 2009 Nouveau Cinema Group, Inc., NCGI, a Dayton-based, 501 c 3, non-profit Corporation, expressed interest in renovating and reopening the long-shuttered venue as a reperatory, classic film and live venue. The cinema was renamed The Page Cinema Arts Theatres and met with great public and community support. NCGI’s plans were curtailed when it was discovered that one of the groups founders had used the majority of funds raised for his personal use. The case is currently being handled by the Montgomery County Prosecutors office.

In February of 2011, a huge fire demolished a large section of the Page Manor Shopping Center which is owned by Schottensyein Properties of Columbus, Ohio. The theatre was left undamaged. At present there has been no announcement about what will be built on the site of the theatre and shops. NCGI is now sedarching for a new venue to start a film society which may develop into a full scale rep. theatre and live performance venue.

Theaters in this post

• Page Cinema Manor Twin Cinemas