BIG DEAL – Perhaps it’s hard to believe that — in the days before mass media marketing — the arrival of radio’s THE LONE RANGER on movie screen’s across the country, was such an important event. Those of us who saw serials at our local bijous remember the excitement of actually seeing Superman, Batman or Captain America on the screen, but we may have been unaware of how important these brief fifteen minutes of film were to the smaller, neighborhood theatres.
Here’s a promotional handout for Saturday, March 19, 1938 at the University Theatre in Cambridge. Massachusetts. Look at the prominence given to the announcement that chapter one of THE LONE RANGER serial will be shown on that date. The title of the feature film, SERGEANT MURPHY starring Ronald Reagan plus cartoons are listed almost as an afterthought.
3 photos added credit Judy Hulsey.
2 are of the original Ford Theatre in 1949.
The 3rd is of the rebuilt Ford Theatre after the early `50s fire.
The building that today houses Masonic Lodge No. 241.
Per Diane Haley Toney about the Franklin Theatre:
“This is the theatre that Covey Covington ran when I was a little girl.
In my book, IT WAS WHAT IT WAS, I tell a story of running away from home to go to see a movie there.
Covey called my parents to come get me.”
The Franklin Theatre was located at 157 West Main Street.
Per Judy Hulsey:
Later years it would become a Bowling Alley, Zack Daniel’s department store, and today it houses an Antique/Home Design Store. (Lavonia Antiques 2)
The Masonic Lodge is in the former Ford Theatre, located on Vickery Street.
I am creating a CT page for it now, and will add 3 photos once it is up.
2 post card images added via Bob Culpepper. Coliseum on the left in both, late
50s and mid60s.1934 photo as the Stanley Theatre added.
“Thunder Road” premiere 1958, image added via Steve Wilson.
1941 Captain Marvel serial handout, front and back added. Via Larry Zdeb.
Christmas Eve 1971 print ad added for Grand Playhouse, via ProQuest. Advertising: “Two 16mm FILMS”–“On Our Full Screen & Color!”
3/19/38 promotional handout & copy added courtesy of Captain Bijou Facebook Page.
BIG DEAL – Perhaps it’s hard to believe that — in the days before mass media marketing — the arrival of radio’s THE LONE RANGER on movie screen’s across the country, was such an important event. Those of us who saw serials at our local bijous remember the excitement of actually seeing Superman, Batman or Captain America on the screen, but we may have been unaware of how important these brief fifteen minutes of film were to the smaller, neighborhood theatres.
Here’s a promotional handout for Saturday, March 19, 1938 at the University Theatre in Cambridge. Massachusetts. Look at the prominence given to the announcement that chapter one of THE LONE RANGER serial will be shown on that date. The title of the feature film, SERGEANT MURPHY starring Ronald Reagan plus cartoons are listed almost as an afterthought.
Short piece about the re-opening with one photo.
https://deadline.com/2018/06/quentin-tarantino-new-beverly-cinema-reopen-december-2018-1202416992/
Sold and to be restored.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/St-Petersburg-s-State-Theatre-saved-in-2-1-million-deal-_169492067
Here is the CT page for the Ford Theatre, which today houses the Masonic Lodge.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/58034
3 photos added credit Judy Hulsey. 2 are of the original Ford Theatre in 1949. The 3rd is of the rebuilt Ford Theatre after the early `50s fire. The building that today houses Masonic Lodge No. 241.
5 images added.
2 photos added.
Per Diane Haley Toney about the Franklin Theatre: “This is the theatre that Covey Covington ran when I was a little girl. In my book, IT WAS WHAT IT WAS, I tell a story of running away from home to go to see a movie there. Covey called my parents to come get me.”
The Franklin Theatre was located at 157 West Main Street. Per Judy Hulsey: Later years it would become a Bowling Alley, Zack Daniel’s department store, and today it houses an Antique/Home Design Store. (Lavonia Antiques 2)
The Masonic Lodge is in the former Ford Theatre, located on Vickery Street. I am creating a CT page for it now, and will add 3 photos once it is up.
Update: Screen grab from the 1964 film “Goldstein”.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144947/?ref_=ttls_li_tt
1950 marquee photo added via Jerrytt Mon.
1928 photo.
10/21/53 photo added via Jerrytt Mon.
1955 postcard added via Jan Burrow Qualls.
Circa 1930 photo added via Raymond Storey.
Construction photo added courtesy of Dave Votau. It was apparently a strip club in it’s final years.
DePaul Blackstone Theatre ghost sign added, 2018 photo credit Irmela Levin.
2018 photo as Big Brothers Meat Market added credit Mark Honey.
Circa 1954 photo added credit Frances Palmer, pictured.
1954 photo added credit Frances Palmer, pictured.