Comments from ghamilton

Showing 351 - 366 of 366 comments

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about State Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:49 pm

I liked this one better than the Florida after the fire.The “new"Florida was painfully plain.I remember going to the State in 60 or 61 and watching Gone With The Wind.It used to be re-released every few years.It had a great balcony.Living in Tal.for 3 years in my formative early 60’s time frame was a fun experience.It was user friendly for a kid with a bike.There was a large Black theater on w.Tenn.St.that reallt did a land-offices business till the late 60’s.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about San Marco Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:37 pm

The area across the Main St.Bridge was once a vibrant seperate city-South Jacksonville.There were a lot of streets and hundreds of bldgs that are just GONE.Into the 60’s the area was commonly called S.Jax.Now,the San Marco.It will always have the softest of spots in my heart.It was the site of my first “date”,walked with little Janie Jenkins from her parents nearby mansion to the movies.I believe we saw the Strategic Air Command w/Jimmy Stewart.I am so thrilled with the overall condition of the San Marco area.It is almost as nice as it was in 1959.Nearby is the wonderful legit theater with a long history also.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Sun-Ray Cinema on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:28 pm

The latest news about the 5 points is so sad.It was such a beautiful centerpeice of a formerly wonderful shopping district.With the revival of the area out from there,I had hoped for better.My cousins and i often went ther in the late 50’s.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Florida Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:24 pm

As a wee child in the Jacksonville of the 50’s,my family often went to the Florida and the nearby,magnificent Palace.That there is only one of the many that were in downtown at that time is a perfect example of the results of folks deserting downtown.The sad plight of jax has been somewhat reversed,but what has been lost,can never be replaced.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Byrd Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:17 pm

By the way,does anyone know what will become of the lovely old theater in Tappahanock?I think I spelled it wrong.It is a handsome bldg.Too nice to waste.It was sad when that lovely theater on Forest Hill closed.Lucky thing about Richmond is the availibilty of the really fine volume on the theater history of the area.Barnes and Noble has it.The Venus still stands on Hull St.Is that the saddest street you’ve ever seen?The great theater still standing empty and in fine shape on Broad begs to be saved.One old theater West of the BLVD & Broad intersection is being used as a camera store.WHY no mention in the listings for the Mosque(Richmond’s Landmark Theater)????It must have been the largest theater ever in Richmond.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Byrd Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 5:13 pm

By the way,does anyone know what will become of the lovely old theater in Tappahanock?I think I spelled it wrong.It is a handsome bldg.Too nice to waste.It was sad when that lovely theater on Forest Hill closed.Lucky thing about Richmond is the availibilty of the really fine volume on the theater history of the area.Barnes and Noble has it.The Venus still stands on Hull St.Is that the saddest street you’ve ever seen?The great theater still standing empty and in fine shape on Broad begs to be saved.One old theater West of the BLVD & Broad intersection is being used as a camera store.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Grandin Theatre on Mar 10, 2005 at 4:58 pm

The Roanoke movie scene used to be a lot different.Near the corner of Jefferson & Campbell was the magnificent American Theater.Great lobby,great decor.Upstairs concession stand also.Great balcony.Torn down in the late 70’s,I think for a new bank bdg.Up the street two blocks on Jefferson was the Jefferson Theater,not as big or grand.I remember seeing 1776 there.The American,I particularly remember for The Graduate and Little Big Man.About ten blocks North from Orange Ave.on Williamson Rd.is the bdg that once was the Lee Theater.I remember seeing Elvira Madigan there.In beatiful downtown Salem,across from the old courthouse sits the handsome bdg that was the Salem Theater.It closed in the early 70’s,I think,after a short porno house run.I saw something there in the mid-60’s,can’t remember what,except John Wayne was in it.You have no section for Lynchburg,but after sitting for decades,the Music Academy is really getting a major re-upping.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Gem Theatre on Mar 8, 2005 at 3:58 am

Thanks for that.In my senility,I was sure I had been there in 64-65,I guess I was.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Promised Valley Playhouse on Mar 7, 2005 at 5:11 pm

The books were cooked to justify destroying this place.It was soooo gorgeous.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Gem Theatre on Mar 7, 2005 at 5:05 pm

When did this place close?

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Academy Theatre on Mar 7, 2005 at 4:58 pm

The Paramount and the other one in the same block(Uinta?)had a lot more personality than the Academy,now all three are gone.How sad.the mini-wharehouses keep winning.I also went to the Art City in Springville and the old Grove in Pleasant Grove.There was or is a nice old place in American Fork too.During my way-too many years at BYU,I loved going up to SLC,with movie palaces lining State and Main Sts.Almost all gone.When the LDS church destroyed the “Promised Valley"place,it was a sad day.That was a beautiful facilty that SHOULD HAVE BEEN,AND COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED(pure greed by Zion Securities).The only remaining question is the fate of the UTAH THEATER.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about 5 Star Cinemas on Mar 7, 2005 at 4:48 pm

I really liked the guy who ran the Reel.He tried to have a real family-friendly place with great prices on the concessions.How sad that bad things happen to good people.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Byrd Theatre on Mar 7, 2005 at 4:41 pm

People cry over the demise of REAL: theaters,weeping and howling,but it’s a rare house that closed with crowds being turned away.Support the Byrd or lose it.Richmond has lost so many great theaters.By the way,I never heard a word when the oldest theater in VA,in downtown Frdericksburg was destroyed a few years ago.It’s across the street and down from a much larger theater that is being used as a church.I remember meeting the owner of the Old theater(he also owned car dealerships)at the theater.He told me he would never allow anything to happen to his historical treasure.What happened?Did he pass away?

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Gaiety Theatre on Mar 7, 2005 at 4:28 pm

What’s the story on the theater acroos the river and up a block that contained a florist shop for many years?

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about 7th Street Theatre on Mar 7, 2005 at 4:13 pm

I was forced to stay overnight at a ratty motel there in 1981.No cable in the flee-bitten hole,so I went to the theater.What a treat!This place was/is a real gem,especially considering the size of the town.I think it was Bear Island I saw.

ghamilton
ghamilton commented about Pantages Theater on Mar 7, 2005 at 6:57 am

I remember viewing TWO FOR THE ROAD at the Roxy,other films at the Rialto across the street.To the S on the same street had been two other fine facilities in ancient time that would bear research.What has happened to the huge Temple Theater two blocks to the North?