My May 25, 2011 post is incorrect. The movie theatre was in town. In the photo given is the flat roof building the former projection/concession building? If so, was it moved to the present day location?
Is this the same Rialto Theatre that The Hit Men will be performing on October 27, 2012? They are original members of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
“Council member Patsy Kinsey believes the developer with the best renovation plan will get the council’s support. This includes taking the pieces of the old facade and putting them back in place.” Music to my ears!
ncmark: Thank you for posting this recent Observer article! I have now sent a thank you email to the journalist, Mark Price for writing the story about this theatre gem in the heart of Charlotte NC!
And after clicking on the large b/w photo posted I saw more photos of this absolutely beautiful theatre! Why wasn’t it saved and dare I ask….what is on that former theatre site now?
“was constructed to with-stand earthquakes and the demolition took longer than anticipated.” Glad the ole gal made the demolition of her as hard as she could!
Learned of this theatre when seeing that the Fireball Run (missing children) visited Waterbury CT today and toured the theatre. They posted a photo of the awesome lobby on their FB link.
Just learned of this theatre after greeting the Fireball Run folks and their cars enroute from Western NYS to Wellsboro PA. Too bad it was remodeled to 4 screens in 1997.
The Palace was the last African American theater to open in Wilmington. It was located at 913 Castle Street, in the Dry Pond neighborhood of Wilmington, not far from the location of the Queen, Wilmington’s first black theater. (Wilmington Post, January 3, 1948, Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library).
The Palace was one of the few, if not the only, black theater in Wilmington’s history to advertise in white newspapers. Ads from the 1940s show the theater frequently ran westerns.
In 1955 the Palace was closed and, according to city directories from the period, was replaced by a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall.
First learned of this theatre while reading about a theatre in Etowah TN….the Gem. The article about the Isis was in the Knoxville Sentinel. Love the art deco interior!
Just learned about this former theatre in Etowah. It’s a shame it still doesn’t exit. The b/w 1948 photo of its marquee and crowd of movie goers is a wonderful tribute photo to this theatre. Thanks Joe!
Was the Lake in town? Interesting to learn of the Majestic and the Alcazar, too. Brocton is famous for their Main Street arch at the main intersection and traffic light in town. A campaign was started to restore this arch that is the only arch of its kind East of the Mississippi River.
How fun!
Chuck: I’ve spoken to the family who owns this drive-in and the father once gave me an old movie reel which I still own.
It’s a shame that Nashville doesn’t still have this theatre!
Great news for this art deco theatre in Ocala!
My May 25, 2011 post is incorrect. The movie theatre was in town. In the photo given is the flat roof building the former projection/concession building? If so, was it moved to the present day location?
A fellow CT friend sent me the article featured in the recent “CSWalczak” post. Nice story that shows with concerned citizens it can be done!
Is this the same Rialto Theatre that The Hit Men will be performing on October 27, 2012? They are original members of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
“Council member Patsy Kinsey believes the developer with the best renovation plan will get the council’s support. This includes taking the pieces of the old facade and putting them back in place.” Music to my ears!
ncmark: Thank you for posting this recent Observer article! I have now sent a thank you email to the journalist, Mark Price for writing the story about this theatre gem in the heart of Charlotte NC!
KenRoe: Thanks for this information!
Jeb: Thanks for your theatre passion regarding this theatre at such a young age. If only it could have been saved…it should have been!
And what happened to the organ that is mentioned in its history??
And after clicking on the large b/w photo posted I saw more photos of this absolutely beautiful theatre! Why wasn’t it saved and dare I ask….what is on that former theatre site now?
“was constructed to with-stand earthquakes and the demolition took longer than anticipated.” Glad the ole gal made the demolition of her as hard as she could!
Do wish though that this theatre still had its original marquee.
Learned of this theatre when seeing that the Fireball Run (missing children) visited Waterbury CT today and toured the theatre. They posted a photo of the awesome lobby on their FB link.
Just learned of this theatre after greeting the Fireball Run folks and their cars enroute from Western NYS to Wellsboro PA. Too bad it was remodeled to 4 screens in 1997.
Didn’t realize the twin to this one is the Fox in Detroit!
The Palace was the last African American theater to open in Wilmington. It was located at 913 Castle Street, in the Dry Pond neighborhood of Wilmington, not far from the location of the Queen, Wilmington’s first black theater. (Wilmington Post, January 3, 1948, Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library).
The Palace was one of the few, if not the only, black theater in Wilmington’s history to advertise in white newspapers. Ads from the 1940s show the theater frequently ran westerns.
In 1955 the Palace was closed and, according to city directories from the period, was replaced by a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall.
First learned of this theatre while reading about a theatre in Etowah TN….the Gem. The article about the Isis was in the Knoxville Sentinel. Love the art deco interior!
Lived there for about a year and don’t recall hearing about this theatre.
Just learned about this former theatre in Etowah. It’s a shame it still doesn’t exit. The b/w 1948 photo of its marquee and crowd of movie goers is a wonderful tribute photo to this theatre. Thanks Joe!
I recently learned of this theatre from a TN resident and hope to visit it this winter.
Was the Lake in town? Interesting to learn of the Majestic and the Alcazar, too. Brocton is famous for their Main Street arch at the main intersection and traffic light in town. A campaign was started to restore this arch that is the only arch of its kind East of the Mississippi River.
This restored theatre is a must-see when in Knoxville! Hope to revisit this winter!