BTW, I don’t know how much communication was taking place on this cinema site before my name was added, but ever since I found it I think it seems to have explored! One thing for sure is that I’ve contributed many remarks about many theatres that I hope others have benefitted from as I have. There isn’t a day that I don’t check the site and look around so my hat is off to the founders! :–)
Dave: Yes, Cleveland does get a bum-rap as does Buffalo at times. Glad to read that Cleveland has restored a cluster of five and Buffalo has saved their downtown Shea’s! There were others, but they are gone today. And there is a book entitled CLASSIC BUFFALO that really shows off the wonderful architecture throughout Buffalo that has been SAVED!
Charles: Thanks for the additional Fox information. Charlotte is having First Night downtown tonight with a huge lighted dance floor at the intersection of Tryon and Trade Streets along with fireworks!
I just took a virtual tour of the Fox/St. Louis and it is breathtaking. I’ve been to St. Louis, but at the time didn’t know a thing about this theatre so only saw the arch and the ballpark. :–(
Charles: Decided to check out this other ‘fabulous Fox’ that is in St. Louis and remembered you say you are in that city and Hawaii…then read that you are a commercial pilot based out of St. Louis so now beginning to ‘connect the dots’! I figured I’d see some posts from you after I made the St. Louis/Fox connection to you so have been reading what you have to say about this other Fab Fox!Interesting that this other Fox was saved, too. So the Fox in Atlanta and the Fox in St. Louis are surely ‘soulmates’!
Anyone who posted here or plans to post here should also include their memories of the Fox on the Fox website as they are asking for everyone to share their stories and eventually they will post them all for everyone to read. Glad to know that GPB will make available in VHS or DVD the Fox documentaries. I attended the Fox 75th anniversary open house and posted my thoughts on the Fox site. I sent Larry Embury, organist in residence an email and he then posted his remarks below mine!
Glad to meet you Dawn! What is your father’s name so when I call him I can address him by his first name other than the official Mr. Steiner? If you haven’t gone back to Westfield, perhaps you should and see for yourself the lovely park that now stands in place of the lovely theatre that was torn down in the name of progress! If I sound a bit upset, frustrated and saddened….I am!
Also, when you have time please look up the Columbia Theatre, Brookville PA and see if you can find any further information! Thanks as it’s my husband’s hometown. Mine is the former Grand Theatre in Westfield NY, but I’ve been able to track down some good sources to help with my hometown cinema. There may be others so will advise as I think of them.
Charles: What a lucky break for us cinema treasure buffs having you as a contributor! Must be nice dividing your time between the mainland and HAWAII! ;–)
“The Folly Theater, my dad and his movie collectors, actually ran a movie there last year. Only the screen remains inside.” This quote taken from the Grand Theatre/Westfield NY site.
Roger: I’m sure Jlove is appreciative of your knowledge as I was reading it though was saddened to read about the drunks and bums who lived and slept in one of the former theatres, the Carter and that it “smelled worse than the city dump”! Sounds like Cleveland had many wonderful theatres, but not anymore. :–(
Sounds like we’re all in the Concord area so perhaps we all should think about meeting for coffee sometime and do some ‘cinema’ chattin! Then maybe tour Concord’s Union Street together! My contact email is provided on My Profile.
Thanks Steiner for the emails and phone number as I will be calling your father in the near future! I’d love to meet him, too. I am just thrilled to finally meet someone on this cinema site that can talk to me about ‘my’ Grand Theatre. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I plan to contact the last manager, Tom Tetrault who still lives in Westfield on Crandall when we return to Chautauqua County in May and also a man who was on the demolition committee to raise money to demolish the theatre so the Lincoln/Bedell Park could be erected. Have you visited Westfield to see this site? It’s very nice, but would rather see the statues in Moore Park and see the theatre STILL STANDING IN 2005! Gee, most towns raise money to save something and not to destroy something! It will be most interesting to sit down and talk to one of the men who was on THAT infamous committee! It should be an easy task as I’ve known Carl for many years through our families. Also, I’m sure you’ve noticed the book that is featured on this site, Cinema Treasures. I ordered it and it is wonderful so if you haven’t gotten this book for yourself or for your wonderful sounding father you might think about doing so as it is truly a ‘treasure’! Question: How did you find the cinema treasures site? I found it through a local organ society member. I don’t play organ, but have been in contact with a few members who are involved in saving the local Carolina Theatre in downtown Charlotte. The Carolina dates back to the 1920’s…the auditorium stills stands, but the lobby was demolished….long story!
Well, I have returned from the 75th anniversary open house at the Fox Theatre. For those of you who were there you know how much fun it was though the theatre was packed and for those who couldn’t make it you truly missed a “Fabulous Fox” event. I wore my cinematreasures.org nametag and since nobody came up to me I did mention it to Larry Douglas Embury, organist in residence. I rec’d his business card and have sent him a thank you. When we finally entered the lobby I knew I had finally arrived! The sights and sounds were all there to take in. We quickly proceeded to the auditorim and it was only then that a small tear appeared at the corner of my eye as I stood and ‘drank in’ what was before my very eyes. The thought that the Fox came so very close years ago to becoming only a memory was more than I could comprehend as I stood and looked around then up at the star filled ceiling! We attended the 4:30 show sitting in the FRONT ROW right behind the organ as it slowly rose from the orchestra pit with Larry sitting at the keyboard! The restorer of the organ as told on the Fox documentary video is now the “Phantom of the Fox” as he was given the theatre apartment in return for his work restoring the organ! He lived up to his name as he was never seen by me that day nor by anyone I asked! Before the “1929” show we all sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart. We then toured the 2 ballrooms where an orchestra was playing, anniversary cakes were cut and served, dance lessons were underway to anyone who wanted to learn in the Egyptian ballroom and in the other ballroom were displays of the theatre’s vast and rich history. Mayor Fergeson was the Mayor at the time the Fox was to be saved and he was directly responsible for one of the demolition permits to be halted! Unfortunately, Mayor Fergeson didn’t live to attend the 75th anniversary open house event yet I feel that he was smiling down on that special day in Atlanta GA. And in the concession area which was a large room off the lobby they were selling cokes at 1929 prices along with chili dogs from The Varsity!
Go to www.erieplayhouse.org and I think you’ll enjoy seeing what is playing there now….“The Taffetas” which is a nostaglic musical with songs sung by 4 gals in taffeta dresses and pouf hairstyles such as Where the Boys Are, Mr. Sandman, and many other familiar tunes! Let us know how the show was if you can still get tickets!
Steiner: I suppose you have located and read all of the theatres that are listed for Erie PA and know about the Folly Theatre which was located on W. 26th Street. (Exact address is on the Folly site) Go to the site and read about the Folly then under Pennsylvania read about all the many others that were once in Erie. Thank goodness the Warner and the former Strand (Erie Playhouse) still proudly stand today! I know the Warner was to be demolished, (I have been in contact with the general manager), but former Mayor Tuillo helped save that one when he was in office! Thank you Mayor Louis Tuillo! He died of a rare blood disorder called amyloidosis which also took the life of a dear friend.
Steiner: I also have the Corry Drive-In listed on my favorites page and would like to see a movie there this summer. I know when they have some car cruise-ins at the Wal-Mart in Jamestown NY some of the cars caravan over to Corry to see a flick! Isn’t this cinema site just wonderful! I’ve learned so much about other theaters and met so many nice folks who have the same incurable ‘cinema’ bug which is just so great!
Steiner: Gosh, what a very ‘grand’ surprise to read your email! When I read “my father owned the theatre” I could be seen jumping up and down in the computer chair! :–) I have recently sent letters to the last manager of the Grand, Thomas Tetrault and to a man who was on the demolition committee, but no response from either as yet! So I would dearly love to chat with your father either by phone and/or in person as we spend our summers in the Chautauqua Lake area and frequently travel into Erie. If you notice, a member by the name of Richard G posted about another owner by the name of Dietner who also owned the theater. Does your father know this name as I plan to contact that person, as well this summer. I didn’t realize that the theater was owned by so many different people over the years. I was going to send you a personal email, but I see that you have chosen not to provide that information on your profile page but my email is there so I’ll be anxiously awaiting a ‘grand’ reply! :–)
Thanks Dawn and so I’ll give your father a phone call in the near future.
BTW, I don’t know how much communication was taking place on this cinema site before my name was added, but ever since I found it I think it seems to have explored! One thing for sure is that I’ve contributed many remarks about many theatres that I hope others have benefitted from as I have. There isn’t a day that I don’t check the site and look around so my hat is off to the founders! :–)
Dave: Yes, Cleveland does get a bum-rap as does Buffalo at times. Glad to read that Cleveland has restored a cluster of five and Buffalo has saved their downtown Shea’s! There were others, but they are gone today. And there is a book entitled CLASSIC BUFFALO that really shows off the wonderful architecture throughout Buffalo that has been SAVED!
Roger: I still have that exit sign!
Charles: Thanks for the additional Fox information. Charlotte is having First Night downtown tonight with a huge lighted dance floor at the intersection of Tryon and Trade Streets along with fireworks!
I just took a virtual tour of the Fox/St. Louis and it is breathtaking. I’ve been to St. Louis, but at the time didn’t know a thing about this theatre so only saw the arch and the ballpark. :–(
Charles: Decided to check out this other ‘fabulous Fox’ that is in St. Louis and remembered you say you are in that city and Hawaii…then read that you are a commercial pilot based out of St. Louis so now beginning to ‘connect the dots’! I figured I’d see some posts from you after I made the St. Louis/Fox connection to you so have been reading what you have to say about this other Fab Fox!Interesting that this other Fox was saved, too. So the Fox in Atlanta and the Fox in St. Louis are surely ‘soulmates’!
Tried bringing up the foxflash.html site and the page could not be found. I have seen the 90 minute documentary, but not the 30 minute one!
Anyone who posted here or plans to post here should also include their memories of the Fox on the Fox website as they are asking for everyone to share their stories and eventually they will post them all for everyone to read. Glad to know that GPB will make available in VHS or DVD the Fox documentaries. I attended the Fox 75th anniversary open house and posted my thoughts on the Fox site. I sent Larry Embury, organist in residence an email and he then posted his remarks below mine!
Glad to meet you Dawn! What is your father’s name so when I call him I can address him by his first name other than the official Mr. Steiner? If you haven’t gone back to Westfield, perhaps you should and see for yourself the lovely park that now stands in place of the lovely theatre that was torn down in the name of progress! If I sound a bit upset, frustrated and saddened….I am!
Also, when you have time please look up the Columbia Theatre, Brookville PA and see if you can find any further information! Thanks as it’s my husband’s hometown. Mine is the former Grand Theatre in Westfield NY, but I’ve been able to track down some good sources to help with my hometown cinema. There may be others so will advise as I think of them.
Charles: What a lucky break for us cinema treasure buffs having you as a contributor! Must be nice dividing your time between the mainland and HAWAII! ;–)
“The Folly Theater, my dad and his movie collectors, actually ran a movie there last year. Only the screen remains inside.” This quote taken from the Grand Theatre/Westfield NY site.
Roger: I’m sure Jlove is appreciative of your knowledge as I was reading it though was saddened to read about the drunks and bums who lived and slept in one of the former theatres, the Carter and that it “smelled worse than the city dump”! Sounds like Cleveland had many wonderful theatres, but not anymore. :–(
Sounds like we’re all in the Concord area so perhaps we all should think about meeting for coffee sometime and do some ‘cinema’ chattin! Then maybe tour Concord’s Union Street together! My contact email is provided on My Profile.
Wow, that is my birthday also! Coincidence?
Thanks Steiner for the emails and phone number as I will be calling your father in the near future! I’d love to meet him, too. I am just thrilled to finally meet someone on this cinema site that can talk to me about ‘my’ Grand Theatre. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I plan to contact the last manager, Tom Tetrault who still lives in Westfield on Crandall when we return to Chautauqua County in May and also a man who was on the demolition committee to raise money to demolish the theatre so the Lincoln/Bedell Park could be erected. Have you visited Westfield to see this site? It’s very nice, but would rather see the statues in Moore Park and see the theatre STILL STANDING IN 2005! Gee, most towns raise money to save something and not to destroy something! It will be most interesting to sit down and talk to one of the men who was on THAT infamous committee! It should be an easy task as I’ve known Carl for many years through our families. Also, I’m sure you’ve noticed the book that is featured on this site, Cinema Treasures. I ordered it and it is wonderful so if you haven’t gotten this book for yourself or for your wonderful sounding father you might think about doing so as it is truly a ‘treasure’! Question: How did you find the cinema treasures site? I found it through a local organ society member. I don’t play organ, but have been in contact with a few members who are involved in saving the local Carolina Theatre in downtown Charlotte. The Carolina dates back to the 1920’s…the auditorium stills stands, but the lobby was demolished….long story!
Thanks Tom. It was on a corner so that address is correct, in my opinion!
Well, I have returned from the 75th anniversary open house at the Fox Theatre. For those of you who were there you know how much fun it was though the theatre was packed and for those who couldn’t make it you truly missed a “Fabulous Fox” event. I wore my cinematreasures.org nametag and since nobody came up to me I did mention it to Larry Douglas Embury, organist in residence. I rec’d his business card and have sent him a thank you. When we finally entered the lobby I knew I had finally arrived! The sights and sounds were all there to take in. We quickly proceeded to the auditorim and it was only then that a small tear appeared at the corner of my eye as I stood and ‘drank in’ what was before my very eyes. The thought that the Fox came so very close years ago to becoming only a memory was more than I could comprehend as I stood and looked around then up at the star filled ceiling! We attended the 4:30 show sitting in the FRONT ROW right behind the organ as it slowly rose from the orchestra pit with Larry sitting at the keyboard! The restorer of the organ as told on the Fox documentary video is now the “Phantom of the Fox” as he was given the theatre apartment in return for his work restoring the organ! He lived up to his name as he was never seen by me that day nor by anyone I asked! Before the “1929” show we all sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart. We then toured the 2 ballrooms where an orchestra was playing, anniversary cakes were cut and served, dance lessons were underway to anyone who wanted to learn in the Egyptian ballroom and in the other ballroom were displays of the theatre’s vast and rich history. Mayor Fergeson was the Mayor at the time the Fox was to be saved and he was directly responsible for one of the demolition permits to be halted! Unfortunately, Mayor Fergeson didn’t live to attend the 75th anniversary open house event yet I feel that he was smiling down on that special day in Atlanta GA. And in the concession area which was a large room off the lobby they were selling cokes at 1929 prices along with chili dogs from The Varsity!
Correction: Please to to www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/180227 to find the Warner schedule!
Lois: Also go to www.ticketmaster.ca/venue/180277/ and it will take you to the Warner Theatre/Erie website. It has a list of upcoming productions.
Go to www.erieplayhouse.org and I think you’ll enjoy seeing what is playing there now….“The Taffetas” which is a nostaglic musical with songs sung by 4 gals in taffeta dresses and pouf hairstyles such as Where the Boys Are, Mr. Sandman, and many other familiar tunes! Let us know how the show was if you can still get tickets!
Steiner: I suppose you have located and read all of the theatres that are listed for Erie PA and know about the Folly Theatre which was located on W. 26th Street. (Exact address is on the Folly site) Go to the site and read about the Folly then under Pennsylvania read about all the many others that were once in Erie. Thank goodness the Warner and the former Strand (Erie Playhouse) still proudly stand today! I know the Warner was to be demolished, (I have been in contact with the general manager), but former Mayor Tuillo helped save that one when he was in office! Thank you Mayor Louis Tuillo! He died of a rare blood disorder called amyloidosis which also took the life of a dear friend.
Steiner: I also have the Corry Drive-In listed on my favorites page and would like to see a movie there this summer. I know when they have some car cruise-ins at the Wal-Mart in Jamestown NY some of the cars caravan over to Corry to see a flick! Isn’t this cinema site just wonderful! I’ve learned so much about other theaters and met so many nice folks who have the same incurable ‘cinema’ bug which is just so great!
Steiner: Gosh, what a very ‘grand’ surprise to read your email! When I read “my father owned the theatre” I could be seen jumping up and down in the computer chair! :–) I have recently sent letters to the last manager of the Grand, Thomas Tetrault and to a man who was on the demolition committee, but no response from either as yet! So I would dearly love to chat with your father either by phone and/or in person as we spend our summers in the Chautauqua Lake area and frequently travel into Erie. If you notice, a member by the name of Richard G posted about another owner by the name of Dietner who also owned the theater. Does your father know this name as I plan to contact that person, as well this summer. I didn’t realize that the theater was owned by so many different people over the years. I was going to send you a personal email, but I see that you have chosen not to provide that information on your profile page but my email is there so I’ll be anxiously awaiting a ‘grand’ reply! :–)