Allendale Theater
203 Allen Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
203 Allen Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
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Showing 26 - 36 of 36 comments
TOY has done an excellent job of refurbishing the theater! It would be helpful if a marquee or some type of sign were erected to replace the original marquee.
Here is a short biography of Irving and Mary Cohen, the owners of the Allendale in the 1940s and 50s:
http://www.transitdrivein.com/history.htm
As sam_e referred to on 13 Nov 2004, I recall skipping school with a bunch of guys during junior year of high school to see “Deep Throat,” the day before the picture was “ordered” shut down.
It’s doubtful that the organ was still in the theater prior to TOY taking over and refurbishing it. A succession of operators over the years who just didn’t care allowed the place to fall into a serious state of disrepair. When restoration was first proposed it was reported that little of the original detail was still in place. I’m certain that the organ had been sold off years before.
In 1915 (two years after opening) a Beman Symphonie organ was installed to accompany the silent movies. Its current status is unknown, but I’m sure it is not located in the theatre today.
Oops. you’re right. I was dredging the title up from 20 or so years back. Well I tried. Thanks for the correction.
“Taxi zum Klo” is a German made comedy film from the early eighties. You can rent it on video.
“Taxi zum Close”?????
You mean “Taxi zum Klo” or “Taxi to the Toilet”
Something the likes of which we are never likely to see again in either mainstream theatres or art houses.
I remember going to the Allendale in it’s less than glorious years. For a time it showed a wild mix of movies…from the french version of La Cage aux Folles to Taxi zum Close, and everything in between. The original ceiling had been covered up, lowered with panels and painted black (either to cover up damage, since the roof leaked badly, or to help with the heating in winter). Restoration took far longer than originally anticipated. A less than sympathetic city administration, in power for a time, added to the delay. It didn’t help that structural weaknesses caused the old marquee to collapse in the middle of Allen St one night. As I recall the theater was taken over at one point by a party who had no viable plan for it’s restoration and use nor adequate financing in place to carry it out. At one point it came close to being demolished until TOY stepped in and saved the day. It’s encouraging to see that it has finally been restored.
The original seating capacity was 780.
The Allendale opened on Sept.23,1913, as a Photoplay theatre showing “Ivanhoe”. The Architect was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. of Rochester, N.Y.