DeniedX: Thanks for the photos. If this theatre wasn’t a wonderful example of art deco at its finest I don’t know what it would have been. It is a shame that this theatre was left to deteriorate as the photos show. Every detail of this theatre screamed ART DECO!
Interesting to read about this atmospheric theatre being built by architects/brothers, Robert and Carl Boller. I wonder how their atmospheric design compares to Eberson’s atmospheric ‘touch’. Also, is anyone aware of the famous Eberson fist that he included in his theatres? I recently toured the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio and our tour guid, Rob Sees, showed me that theatre’s famous fist high above the auditorium! I wish I could include a photo with this post as it was a sight to behold.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/theaters If you go to this Theatres of Buffalo photo gallery site, you will see many of Karl Josker’s theatre photos. I didn’t see a photo of The Gold Theatre on this site nor have I heard anyone speak of this theatre, but it will show you many of Buffalo’s former theatres. Karl’s email is .com
SNWEB: Thanks for the above photos especially the interior ones. It’s a shame that this “most unique” theatre was demolished in the late 90’s for a social security office! Does anyone know why it met the wrecking ball? Being that it was the only Detroit area theatre built by Eberson really makes it even harder to realize that it is now gone forever!
Ben: I just read your July 2001 post about being the current owner so would like to know how the cafe venue at the Castle is working out. I will say that I’m a purist, at heart, and enjoy seeing the theatres brought back to originality if at all possible.
TC: These restoration photos are very interesting. We have Bloomington Illinois friends so will have to ask them their Castle memories! Would love to see some current interior photos. Was the theatre returned to originality or a cafe/theatre venue?
SNWEB: The Library of Congress link on your Jan 8, 2005 post doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see it along with some interior photos since I am an Eberson fan!
ChicagoDan: Great review of a great theatre with lots of history and, of course, the Ringling name! And the fact that it is associated with the names Rapp and Rapp doesn’t hurt either!
Just down the street from the Palace is a great little Italian restaurant called Little Chicago. They have several b/w celebrity photos along the walls i.e. Rat Pack, etc. Even the menus have different b/w celebrity photos on each one. The atmosphere is cozy and the entrees delicious. If you find yourself in Canton, check it out and be sure to check out the enlarged James Dean speeding ticket that is framed in the back of the restaurant. It is entitled Last Autograph as Mr. Dean’s signature is at the bottom of the speeding ticket which he rec’d on the day he died 2 hours later on a CA highway. Across the ticket someone has written….VOID DECEASED!
Chuck: A very nice evening photo! I can wait to see it, in person, in 2 weeks enroute to CT for a wedding. I plan to contact someone prior to my arrival at the Palace to show us the theatre if we don’t get to see a classic movie or live performance.
Also screams ART MODERNE! It really seems strange to me that a decision would be made to save the facade yet destroy the rest!?!
DeniedX: Thanks for the photos. If this theatre wasn’t a wonderful example of art deco at its finest I don’t know what it would have been. It is a shame that this theatre was left to deteriorate as the photos show. Every detail of this theatre screamed ART DECO!
Photos anyone?
Interesting to read about this atmospheric theatre being built by architects/brothers, Robert and Carl Boller. I wonder how their atmospheric design compares to Eberson’s atmospheric ‘touch’. Also, is anyone aware of the famous Eberson fist that he included in his theatres? I recently toured the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio and our tour guid, Rob Sees, showed me that theatre’s famous fist high above the auditorium! I wish I could include a photo with this post as it was a sight to behold.
Any photos anyone?
Does anyone know the current status/photos of this theatre and surrounding area as I’ll be in the Hartford area next weekend? Thanks.
There are 2 Gold Theatres listed on CT, but they were in Chicago, Illinois and in Brooklyn, NY…both closed and demolished.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/theaters If you go to this Theatres of Buffalo photo gallery site, you will see many of Karl Josker’s theatre photos. I didn’t see a photo of The Gold Theatre on this site nor have I heard anyone speak of this theatre, but it will show you many of Buffalo’s former theatres. Karl’s email is .com
SNWEB: Thanks for the above photos especially the interior ones. It’s a shame that this “most unique” theatre was demolished in the late 90’s for a social security office! Does anyone know why it met the wrecking ball? Being that it was the only Detroit area theatre built by Eberson really makes it even harder to realize that it is now gone forever!
Would love to see photos of this theatre! If it was atmospheric, might the architect be John Eberson?
Is the Proctor Theatre listed on CT?
It’s the first time I’ve seen a flat marquee!
Mansfield Ohio and Butler PA have something in common…they both demolished an Eberson art deco theatre!
lostmemory: Nice slide show of a VERY nice theatre that was SAVED!
Ben: I just read your July 2001 post about being the current owner so would like to know how the cafe venue at the Castle is working out. I will say that I’m a purist, at heart, and enjoy seeing the theatres brought back to originality if at all possible.
TC: These restoration photos are very interesting. We have Bloomington Illinois friends so will have to ask them their Castle memories! Would love to see some current interior photos. Was the theatre returned to originality or a cafe/theatre venue?
SNWEB: The Library of Congress link on your Jan 8, 2005 post doesn’t seem to work and I’d love to see it along with some interior photos since I am an Eberson fan!
Another demolished Eberson/atmospheric….shame shame!
Chuck: I just tried viewing the above photobucket photo again and this time it didn’t come up…been having difficulty with that site for some time now.
Looks fine to me, but then again suppose the color photo was taken pre-Katrina!
Just revisited the official website for this theatre and was WOW-ed again!
ChicagoDan: Great review of a great theatre with lots of history and, of course, the Ringling name! And the fact that it is associated with the names Rapp and Rapp doesn’t hurt either!
Just down the street from the Palace is a great little Italian restaurant called Little Chicago. They have several b/w celebrity photos along the walls i.e. Rat Pack, etc. Even the menus have different b/w celebrity photos on each one. The atmosphere is cozy and the entrees delicious. If you find yourself in Canton, check it out and be sure to check out the enlarged James Dean speeding ticket that is framed in the back of the restaurant. It is entitled Last Autograph as Mr. Dean’s signature is at the bottom of the speeding ticket which he rec’d on the day he died 2 hours later on a CA highway. Across the ticket someone has written….VOID DECEASED!
They sure made a nice change to the marquee compared to the CT photo. Returning it to the original design was the way to go!
Chuck: A very nice evening photo! I can wait to see it, in person, in 2 weeks enroute to CT for a wedding. I plan to contact someone prior to my arrival at the Palace to show us the theatre if we don’t get to see a classic movie or live performance.