I just took a deep breath as I finished reading the words in your above post! Such a darn shame! So the owner had big plans? Guess or hope he was run out of town! What plans could be bigger than saving a theatre that was in extremely good condtion and included magnificant art work and antiques? Earlier I visited the Palace link and read of its demise and parking lot plans!
fedoozle: Your memories of old theatre posters was quite interesting! Thanks and I agree with these words that you wrote…..“There is very little today to beckon one inside the theater…..”
Do you have an exterior photo of the Powers taken from across the street which would show the full exterior not just a closeup of the doors? The b/w photo shows the auditorium from a distance in 1964 when Bonnie and Clyde was playing. It shows the entire front facade above the Warner marquee and there seems to be some art deco design work above the top windows. Is that still there? Thanks for your observations!
wolfgirl500: I just viewed the Palace Webshot photos and found the b/w photo exterior photo and lobby photo in color most interesting as I stand corrected in my hearing of the word..changes. The lobby is very similar to the Warner lobby in Erie, but what has been changed is the exterior with the absence of the Warner marquee and corner oval designs which are similiar to the marquee in Erie which hasn’t been changed over the years. I also noticed the addition of more front doors and the name change, but more importantly the absence of the ticket kios which the Warner in Erie still has and will keep though it needs restoration. Check out the Warner link on CT to see photos for comparison value.
So very sad to read that the site remains a parking lot 38 years after the Palace closed its doors! At least the lavish interior was dismantled and sold at auction prior to demolition! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and in its place is a small park now, but the town already had a fairly large park! I hold the Mayor at the time to allow this theatre to go down under HIS WATCH! That Mayor is no longer living so I can’t tell him how I feel about his long ago theatre decision! BTW, I wonder if this theatre had an organ? By chance, do you know?
I tried bringing up the ladynews500 site and couldn’t find the theater photos. Please advise. The Farrell Report site was most interesting and I thank you.
I certainly know the name DeBartelo and its connection with shopping malls! BTW, I’ve been told that the former Warner estate is in Youngstown. Do you know much about this? And I applaud the Powers family for saving the former Warner theatre from the wrecking ball. If the Paramount is the oldest remaining theatre building in Youngstown, it deserves to be saved by someone whether it be local family names or an outsider who has good intentions.
wolfgirl500: “As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.” I totally agree with this opinion. Though I’ve only viewed internet photos I have a feeling that they really show the neglect that this theatre has had to endure over so many years. It’s a shame one of the prior owners didn’t fix the roof which is a major repair to a theatre if it is going to survive the elements, etc.
wolfgirl500: In regards to your last paragraph I may just take you up on that invite to see the Powers. Recently Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner and her assistant did visit the Powers and told me that they had made many changes compared to the Warner Theatre in Erie as they visited both theatres during their visit to OH/PA for the 2nd annual Harry M. Warner Silent Film Festival. I know that the Powers family donated a large sum of money to the restoration of the former Warner which is wonderful and very much appreciated, but wish they somehow could have decided to keep that famous theatre name….Warner.
I hadn’t read what the projected time frame was for the work to be done on the Paramount. All of Youngstown’s theatres that are still standing deserve to be restored like the Powers (former Warner) Auditorium although according to a Warner source many changes were made in the restoration/renovation phase. When I hear or read the word…changes…..I get a mentally bad picture.
Lost Memory: Very interesting stats on this crumbling theatre which many seem to feel has seen better days and that $3.5 won’t begin to bring this theatre back to any form of theatre or nightclub life. How many theatres did Youngstown have as I seem to have read about more than just a few?
If you are interested in old movie ads, you might have interest in old movie posters, too. Some neat things can be done with them when decorating a home theatre, etc.
Hal T: After reading your post I hope that this former Warner finds someone with deep pockets! Even though I’m a purist and love to see the single screen venues kept I also know that it isn’t reality, unfortunately. The fact that this theatre was once a Warner theatre makes saving it even more important and historical! Does the City of Milwaukee have a preservation group or historical society that is concerned?
I looked in the phone book and there is a Wm. Tallman listed so I do have a number to contact him now! Hope it’s the right gentleman as he will be interesting to chat with about his years as a theatre manager! Perhaps he’ll be able to tell me about the former Geitner Theatre in Silver Creek NY. I have researched that theatre, but haven’t followed up on it this year.
Don: I haven’t contacted Mr. Burgett or Mr. Tallman, but hope to this summer. Mr. Burgett is still an attorney in Jamestown, but not sure if Mr. Tallman manages The Hobby Shop in Fredonia or if that store still exists. With your memories of the Regent and other local theatres are you still in western NYS? If you want to contact me, my email is included on my profile page.
I’m in the middle of reading a book by Danielle Steel entitled The House which is set in San Franciso as many of her novels are. I just might send her an email and ask her to consider writing a novel entitled The Theatre and base it upon this one or any by gone theatre in San Franciso of which I’m sure there are many.
“The most ironic thing about the Paramount/Piccadilly’s demolition is that the city is now attempting to construct a performing arts center on the exact same site!” This is very ironic and so sad that the City of Rochester didn’t have the foresight then to have kept what they had so the saying comes to mind…“one doesn’t know what one has until you lose it.”
I just took a deep breath as I finished reading the words in your above post! Such a darn shame! So the owner had big plans? Guess or hope he was run out of town! What plans could be bigger than saving a theatre that was in extremely good condtion and included magnificant art work and antiques? Earlier I visited the Palace link and read of its demise and parking lot plans!
fedoozle: Your memories of old theatre posters was quite interesting! Thanks and I agree with these words that you wrote…..“There is very little today to beckon one inside the theater…..”
Do you have an exterior photo of the Powers taken from across the street which would show the full exterior not just a closeup of the doors? The b/w photo shows the auditorium from a distance in 1964 when Bonnie and Clyde was playing. It shows the entire front facade above the Warner marquee and there seems to be some art deco design work above the top windows. Is that still there? Thanks for your observations!
wolfgirl500: I just viewed the Palace Webshot photos and found the b/w photo exterior photo and lobby photo in color most interesting as I stand corrected in my hearing of the word..changes. The lobby is very similar to the Warner lobby in Erie, but what has been changed is the exterior with the absence of the Warner marquee and corner oval designs which are similiar to the marquee in Erie which hasn’t been changed over the years. I also noticed the addition of more front doors and the name change, but more importantly the absence of the ticket kios which the Warner in Erie still has and will keep though it needs restoration. Check out the Warner link on CT to see photos for comparison value.
So very sad to read that the site remains a parking lot 38 years after the Palace closed its doors! At least the lavish interior was dismantled and sold at auction prior to demolition! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and in its place is a small park now, but the town already had a fairly large park! I hold the Mayor at the time to allow this theatre to go down under HIS WATCH! That Mayor is no longer living so I can’t tell him how I feel about his long ago theatre decision! BTW, I wonder if this theatre had an organ? By chance, do you know?
wolfgirl500: I just typed in ‘ladynews500’ on the Webshot page and found those Palace Theatre photos! WOW! Is it still standing?
I tried bringing up the ladynews500 site and couldn’t find the theater photos. Please advise. The Farrell Report site was most interesting and I thank you.
Are you in the Youngstown area? I will try to find out more though I guess I should ask Cass Warner about this estate via email.
I certainly know the name DeBartelo and its connection with shopping malls! BTW, I’ve been told that the former Warner estate is in Youngstown. Do you know much about this? And I applaud the Powers family for saving the former Warner theatre from the wrecking ball. If the Paramount is the oldest remaining theatre building in Youngstown, it deserves to be saved by someone whether it be local family names or an outsider who has good intentions.
wolfgirl500: “As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.” I totally agree with this opinion. Though I’ve only viewed internet photos I have a feeling that they really show the neglect that this theatre has had to endure over so many years. It’s a shame one of the prior owners didn’t fix the roof which is a major repair to a theatre if it is going to survive the elements, etc.
wolfgirl500: In regards to your last paragraph I may just take you up on that invite to see the Powers. Recently Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner and her assistant did visit the Powers and told me that they had made many changes compared to the Warner Theatre in Erie as they visited both theatres during their visit to OH/PA for the 2nd annual Harry M. Warner Silent Film Festival. I know that the Powers family donated a large sum of money to the restoration of the former Warner which is wonderful and very much appreciated, but wish they somehow could have decided to keep that famous theatre name….Warner.
I hadn’t read what the projected time frame was for the work to be done on the Paramount. All of Youngstown’s theatres that are still standing deserve to be restored like the Powers (former Warner) Auditorium although according to a Warner source many changes were made in the restoration/renovation phase. When I hear or read the word…changes…..I get a mentally bad picture.
Lost Memory: Very interesting stats on this crumbling theatre which many seem to feel has seen better days and that $3.5 won’t begin to bring this theatre back to any form of theatre or nightclub life. How many theatres did Youngstown have as I seem to have read about more than just a few?
halehouse: Is the photo on the webshot link of the exterior the Paramount as it looks today?
If you are interested in old movie ads, you might have interest in old movie posters, too. Some neat things can be done with them when decorating a home theatre, etc.
halehouse: Would love to see some b/w exterior photos, too.
Lost Memory: Thanks for posting this informative article! I knew an article had been written, but wasn’t able to find it….until now!
Jim: Thanks for this important information as I just knew you’d be able to shed some real light onto the subject.
Hal T: After reading your post I hope that this former Warner finds someone with deep pockets! Even though I’m a purist and love to see the single screen venues kept I also know that it isn’t reality, unfortunately. The fact that this theatre was once a Warner theatre makes saving it even more important and historical! Does the City of Milwaukee have a preservation group or historical society that is concerned?
I looked in the phone book and there is a Wm. Tallman listed so I do have a number to contact him now! Hope it’s the right gentleman as he will be interesting to chat with about his years as a theatre manager! Perhaps he’ll be able to tell me about the former Geitner Theatre in Silver Creek NY. I have researched that theatre, but haven’t followed up on it this year.
Don: I haven’t contacted Mr. Burgett or Mr. Tallman, but hope to this summer. Mr. Burgett is still an attorney in Jamestown, but not sure if Mr. Tallman manages The Hobby Shop in Fredonia or if that store still exists. With your memories of the Regent and other local theatres are you still in western NYS? If you want to contact me, my email is included on my profile page.
I’m in the middle of reading a book by Danielle Steel entitled The House which is set in San Franciso as many of her novels are. I just might send her an email and ask her to consider writing a novel entitled The Theatre and base it upon this one or any by gone theatre in San Franciso of which I’m sure there are many.
Interesting quote on the Liberty Theatre vintage postcard..“devoted exclusively to the highest class in motion pictures.”
“The most ironic thing about the Paramount/Piccadilly’s demolition is that the city is now attempting to construct a performing arts center on the exact same site!” This is very ironic and so sad that the City of Rochester didn’t have the foresight then to have kept what they had so the saying comes to mind…“one doesn’t know what one has until you lose it.”
And what other theatres was Temple Buell, architect involved with?