MIAMI-Miami is expected soon to have its first theater equipped to provide odors with motion pictures. Tests were made at Wometco’s Town Theater on Flagler Street by engineers, and a spokesman for Wometco said negotiations were under way with Walter Reade, producer of Aromarama.
Preliminary tests have been sucessful at the Town, with equipment being installed in the projection booth and other points, which operates through the air-conditioning system. The odors are emitted to correspond with pictures on the screen, and are exhausted through air vents. The first production by Aromarama will be “Behind the Great Wall”.
The building is now occupied by a liquor store. Here is an item from Boxoffice magazine in April 1960:
PITTSBURGH-The lease on the Shiloh Theater, Mount Washington, has been transferred from Roy Fiedler to Eddie and Frank Erkel. Fiedler continues in exhibition at the Parkway Theater in the McKees Rocks area, where he recently renewed his lease for five years.
NEW YORK-The 68th Street Playhouse, one of Manhattan’s oldest film theaters dating back to the nickelodeon days, became a first-run art theater March 30 with the opening of “When Comedy was King”, 20th Century Fox omnibus feature starring famous silent days comedians.
The theater, which has been operated as a neighborhood subsequent run house since Brecher Theaters took it over in 1937, was refurbished before the opening, according to Walter Brecher. The theater was at one time operated by the late Charles O'Reilly, former vice-president of ABC Vending Corp.
ALBANY-The new 1,060-seat Hellman Theater on Upper Washington Avenue which Neil Hellman is building at a cost estimated at $500,000, will open April 27 with the first upstate New York showing of “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”.
The Hellman, constructed as a memorial to Neil’s father, the late Harry Hellman, a pioneer Albany exhibitor, will have a 52-foot wall-to-wall screen, eight stage and 12 wall speakers and the most modern design and deluxe equipment. Designed by Sidney Schenker, Paterson NJ architect, the house will “represent the new concept of a motion picture theater’s functions”, according to general manager Alan Iselin. Mannie Friedman, whose exhibition experience covers 23 years, will be the house manager.
A contributor has suggested that this 1994 photo, identified only as being on Western Avenue, is the Sunset. Any feedback would be welcome. http://tinyurl.com/25jhk7
If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
This is from Boxoffice magazine, April 1960:
MIAMI-Miami is expected soon to have its first theater equipped to provide odors with motion pictures. Tests were made at Wometco’s Town Theater on Flagler Street by engineers, and a spokesman for Wometco said negotiations were under way with Walter Reade, producer of Aromarama.
Preliminary tests have been sucessful at the Town, with equipment being installed in the projection booth and other points, which operates through the air-conditioning system. The odors are emitted to correspond with pictures on the screen, and are exhausted through air vents. The first production by Aromarama will be “Behind the Great Wall”.
It appears to be a church now:
http://tinyurl.com/beprml
The building is now occupied by a liquor store. Here is an item from Boxoffice magazine in April 1960:
PITTSBURGH-The lease on the Shiloh Theater, Mount Washington, has been transferred from Roy Fiedler to Eddie and Frank Erkel. Fiedler continues in exhibition at the Parkway Theater in the McKees Rocks area, where he recently renewed his lease for five years.
This is from Boxoffice magazine, April 1960:
NEW YORK-The 68th Street Playhouse, one of Manhattan’s oldest film theaters dating back to the nickelodeon days, became a first-run art theater March 30 with the opening of “When Comedy was King”, 20th Century Fox omnibus feature starring famous silent days comedians.
The theater, which has been operated as a neighborhood subsequent run house since Brecher Theaters took it over in 1937, was refurbished before the opening, according to Walter Brecher. The theater was at one time operated by the late Charles O'Reilly, former vice-president of ABC Vending Corp.
Here is some more information about the theater and its eventual demolition:
http://theprimarycareinstitute.com/History.htm
This is from Boxoffice magazine in April 1960:
ALBANY-The new 1,060-seat Hellman Theater on Upper Washington Avenue which Neil Hellman is building at a cost estimated at $500,000, will open April 27 with the first upstate New York showing of “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”.
The Hellman, constructed as a memorial to Neil’s father, the late Harry Hellman, a pioneer Albany exhibitor, will have a 52-foot wall-to-wall screen, eight stage and 12 wall speakers and the most modern design and deluxe equipment. Designed by Sidney Schenker, Paterson NJ architect, the house will “represent the new concept of a motion picture theater’s functions”, according to general manager Alan Iselin. Mannie Friedman, whose exhibition experience covers 23 years, will be the house manager.
Here is another late-70s view from the LAPL:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics50/00059968.jpg
A contributor has suggested that this 1994 photo, identified only as being on Western Avenue, is the Sunset. Any feedback would be welcome.
http://tinyurl.com/25jhk7
Thanks. I will post the photo over on that page.
Is this like Sensurround?
The current retail business is a day spa and salon:
http://tinyurl.com/cqwnrw
The Capitol is now a bridal shop:
http://tinyurl.com/bgd4a2
An exterior photo can be seen on this site:
http://tinyurl.com/dfvdqm
Here is a May 2008 article that discusses the renovation:
http://tinyurl.com/cdaohc
The Mecca has been converted to condos. Here is their website:
http://www.meccacondos.com/index.html
Here is a December 2008 article about landmark designation:
http://tinyurl.com/a2dc2p
If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
Here is a Wiki photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cojcz3
Story here:
http://tinyurl.com/atzywu
Here is a report of the fire from a local news station
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1193020
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the research, Joe.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
I read this in Boxoffice magazine, Jan. 1960. I never heard of an usher at a drive-in, though. What does he do, show you to your parking spot?
LOS ANGELES-Ed Cassas, former head usher at the Vermont Drive-In, was upped to manager trainee in the southwest area.