Here is a link to a site that has a great photo that shows details of the wonderful terracotta facade of the Pantages aka Rainbow. It will probably require copy and paste. http://www.trailergypsies.com/Montana/Great%20Falls.htm
It is my understanding that the ornate terracotta area is the entrance to the former Rainbow. It has a graceful arch that reminded me of a theater arcade or outer lobby from the first time I saw it. However, I have only known it as leading to a cavern with cars entering and leaving. The arch is just visible over the plywood shielding. There was good news in the Great Falls Tribune earlier this week. They published a nicer picture of the building and stated that Set Free Ministries had raised $30,000 and had just received an anonymous gift of $100,000 to continue on the reconstruction.—-Again, the Google pin is miles off probably because the correct address should be 601 or 611 Central Ave. For some reason I could not back off any farther but one only needs hold left mouse button and explore without changing the street view now that it is set.
A remarkable facade. The masonry, in the pictures, appears nearly perfect without mortar separation or settling cracks. This is a very handsome Deco building. I like the two tone brickwork and the abundance of glass block—the backlighting is a nice feature to protect the bulbs or neon tubes from damage.
Research on the city reveals some growth from sprawl but the downtown is on the historic registry. It does not appear to have been the victim of white flight and ghetto-ization. The storm cloud on the horizon is a four lane by-pass.
Let us hope that an independent entrepreneur with the means to go digital will take up the operation of this small town theater. Where is that big lottery jackpot when I need it?
Snagged a street view picture from Google Earth—I hope it is ok to have posted it. The aerial view of this building shows that it is incredibly long compared to its width and height.
While I was snooping around on the street view for the Bluebird I discovered what just had to be a small simple art deco theater. That was before reading this page. Ken’s post confirms what I discovered but I got the usages of the building backwards. They did one fine job on the remodel since it looks like it was purpose built on the spot—the recessed entryway, the double doors on either side of a presumed box office window, the nice curved corners, and the stepped parapet (probably original). This building is two doors down from the Pizza Hut toward Chestnut. Fuller Drug Company is still very clear on the building. So hopefully mystery solved.
Google is calling this 1002 9th St. South. It was in a small strip mall set back from 9th St. S. about a half block off of 10th Ave South (main south side thoroughfare). Once again the pin is a couple miles off and on the wrong side of the river. I guess the 10th St. address is probably correct since that street probably runs through the parking lot.
Judging the size of the building and the number of seats listed by KenRoe this could quite well be the Highland. The name may have been chiseled away if it was in relief since the name of the drug company appears to be painted. A marquee could have been attached where the horizontal scar line appears. Whatever, it appears to now be Anaconda Realty or for sale by them.
Well guys, I don’t have a single shred of evidence—just my opinion. The small pink building (Fuller Drug Co.)just two away from the Pizza Hut has Art Deco simple neighborhood theater stamped on it. The unusual structure in the center of the archway looks as if it were the boxoffice or the lighting above the counter high center window with the doors on either side of the boxoffice. just a hunch since I have never been to Anaconda.
I wish that I had known about this grand theater when briefly living in Chicago in 67-68. Saw movies at several of the loop theaters—the Chicago (In Cold Blood), the Oriental, and Woods State (Cool Hand Luke, and Bonnie and Clyde). Seems like the United Artist was possibly playing Barefoot in the Park and Funny Girl the whole time, not guy movies. I guess I was so overwhelmed by the Oriental that I don’t remember the film. The Chicago had a nice little light show with their Balaban Katz promo clip. That is a lot of money to raise with the economy such as it is, but I sure hope they manage to save this movie palace.
The quote legal and uncut film, was censored by making a second print of the original showing maybe a fourth of each frame that had sexual contact. Saw the original in Norfolk, Va and then with another lady friend at the Gateway Twin in Eliz. City, NC. Rather funny that the optically censored version, if I remember correctly, was shown after the uncensored print had already been shown at the Gateway Twin—we walked out shortly after finding out that we had been taken.
Sailor729’s comment about the material hanging from the ceiling gives a perfect opening opportunity to ask a question that I have been wondering how to ask and in what context. Many of the pictures of ruined theaters such as found on the Urban Ruins sites show ceiling material hanging down several feet and looking quite pliable—much like the headliners of old autos in the days of cloth headliners. Is it possible that these theaters had so much of this fancy ceiling work done on canvas and plaster or some sort of sizing material and cloth? If so no wonder old time theaters were fire traps! In general antique plaster work was done on laths buts these stalactites do not appear to contain laths. Do any of you theater experts happen to know and care to take the time to explain this phenomenon to the rest of us who might want to know also? If so, thanks.
Just spent a couple hours driving my Google-mobile around trying to find the drive-in. Finally found it after comparing satellite,map, and street views. The marquee is there and the flying Nash is also there— but sadly, there is no screen visible.
One of the few drive-ins that has a correct Google pin and icon. According to their website the second screen was enlarged in 2004 and the lot was expanded to approx 500 car capacity. There appears to be no street address as such but it is mapped on German Gulch Road and is described as being exit 119 off Interstate 15. Phone 406-782-8095 but closed for the 2011 season—looking forward to the 2012 opening. Info from their website.
There is also another twin drive-in located in Laurel, MT.
Well, it looks as if the mega money has moved in and gentrified Old Town Wells St. I remember in ‘67 and '68 it seemed to be full of small independent business of various types. Was a great place to visit even though there was supposed to be an element of danger there. I can’t remember so much street traffic—it was the sidewalks that were packed with pedestrians. It was like a carnival with the smell of food, incense, etc. and the sounds of the various music stores,clubs, and Irish pubs. I thought Piper’s Alley was super cool with its brick street winding through. But, about the Aardvark, I am very surprised that the name stayed with me for so long. Some friends convinced me that I should go there to see the Andy Warhol movie called “Bike Boy.” The place was unimpressive to say the least—seemed to be a 16mm setup. Needless to say I don’t remember a single thing about the film, sorry Andy.
I was intrigued about the placement of six screens— so on the chance there might be something of a ghost image I put the address into Google Earth..The size of this place is incredible—scaled to the highway and the cars passing by. They must have spent a king’s ransom on paving—must have been a real solar collector gathering daytime heat and radiating it during the night’s shows. I wonder what size crew it took to run the place. The Google history shots run from ‘93 to 2011. Interesting how the technology progressed.
Since joining this site I have come to despise pole to pole utility lines. So many pictures of aesthetically pleasing theaters are ruined by those wretched wires cutting through the foreground.
David Passman, pres.& c.e.o. of Carmike announced in a press release to the Billings Gazette (July 8, 2011) that the Shiloh 14 had been selected to be among a small group of theaters to introduce “BigD format” A 30,000 lumen Christie Brilliant 3D flash projector will project a better than HD picture on a wall to wall screen that is 78ft wide and more than 3 storeys high. The movies can be either 2D or 3D with the latest in 7.1 surround sound. “To further enhance the experience, the theater is also adding a digital audio system with surround sound technology supported by quad-amplified, 4-way speakers and six 21-inch subwoofers. The new theater will also have leather high-back rocking seats in a stadium seating configuration.”
Still a handsome building. I recall seeing a western movie there when very young. Don’t remember the movie title, etc. It seems that the seating arrangement left more impression than anything else. It must have been almost sixty years ago and I haven’t seen the theater building in nearly thirty years. The memory has it that the main seating was either slightly split level or some other odd effect such as the front area of seats being cross wise. Crazy I know—please can someone who has experienced this theater clear this up with the actual facts?
The awning is a contemporary alteration, and maybe, the large display windows are, too. Don’t remember an impressive marquee. I think the name State was on a vertical fin.
The Goggle pin is off by a mile (literally) at least and on the wrong side of the Missouri River. Just updated the picture. D. A. Davidson convinced the city of Great Falls to close one block of the street between their building and the Liberty Theater— a plaza/park was installed and the two building were connected via a pedestrian conduit.
Could the fact that there is just so little expendable money in the pockets of the American family have anything to do with the sorry state of affairs at the present. Since many of you are reminiscing about the good old days here goes my part: when I was under 12 y.o.a. my movie ticket was 14 cents which left a penny for a handful of candy from one of the three vending machines. Grownups worked for a dollar an hr. on average. Usury laws prevented “robber banks” from charging excessive interest. There were no big box stores to siphon profits out of the community. Almost everyone worked at something—yes, even the aged, the disabled, and CHILDREN (believe it or not). There was less of a social financial burden because more people were assisting in carrying the load and the governments had not created such a large dependent class. It was often hard to earn money but the dollars received were hard dollars rather than script currency based on illusion and speculation. The hometown/neighborhood theater was often owned by a citizen of the community—he had a stake in the community and the audience had a stake in the success of his business.
Switching gears, it appears that the new technology should open movie-making to a much wider field of producers, actors, technicians, etc. if the current power structure does not succeed in freezing out these new independents. This technology will eventually reduce the cost of making the product and will expose much new talent instead of the megabucks Hollywood stars. Still, the obstacles that are currently keeping people from the cinema will have to be overcome. The experts are declaring that today’s youth have become social isolates and are losing the ability to communicate through traditional means.
The rather odd name and location of this theater has driven me nuts. The name seems unique—while looking at it today, I saw a prominent Eliz. City & SE Virginia family name-KRAMER. The theater name could have been an amalgam of the name Al Kramer or A. L. Kramer. Google does not come up with anything Arabic that might have been the namesake. The impressive building on the corner of E. Main and N. McMorrine is the Kramer Building. It appears that the white stuccoed building to the rear of the Kramer building is the theater. Of course, this could be coincidental and my imagination running wild-since I have no documentation.
Traveling farther down N. McMorinne to E. Colonial Ave. brings one to the Center Theater. The entrance and original marquee were at the notched corner. I think I saw a source that said it was converted to apartments circa early ‘70s. The name Center Square appears on what would be a marquee. The Center Theater had its name in neon on a vertical fin and the movie titles were displayed on a horizontal marquee.
Was just playing with the Google feature. If one turns left on this picture of the Eden Theater and goes to the west just past the parking lot on the same side of the street and swings back to the right facing north you see the profile of the Eden and the two toned brick structure without any windows is the screen and stage part of the Taylor. The scale certainly confirms the ability to “fly” scenery above the stage for theatrical productions. The Taylor has three roof levels—the facade with the two flanking commercial spaces on each side of the long walk-up (arcade?) to the box office, the lobby and auditorium, and the third level of the stage area. The Eden was strictly a cinema.
Just got back to the site and stumbled my way through the changes. Quite a difference. Interesting hooking up with the Google feature. Did a virtual tour of Edenton last week and saw that the comment on this building was that it was built in 1948 and was now an accountant’s office. Well, boo on them this building is the defunct Eden Theater on W. Eden St. not the address listed for the Taylor Twin. There never was a real marquee, just a small unsupported roof attached to the building. Quinn Funiture used the theater for storage for some period of time. The building has been “colonialized” with an antiqued brick facade to match Edenton’s historic character.
I saw movies there as a kid of 6 through 9 yrs old. Great movies like “Angel Face”, “Track of the Cat”, “Superman and the Mole Men” several Jungle Jim and Tarzan features, and a few sci-fi films. I have good vivid memories of this theater and I am thoroughly amazed that I have remembered the movies that screened there 60 years ago.
To get to the Taylor Twin turn right on this picture go to Broad St., turn left, go halfway up the block and turn left to the west for the facade of the Taylor—minus its marquee. The roof mounted Taylor sign spells out the name one letter at the time and does a flash of the complete name. I noticed that every other bulb had been removed indicating that the management really was using extraordinary means to reduce cost of operation.
Here is a link to a site that has a great photo that shows details of the wonderful terracotta facade of the Pantages aka Rainbow. It will probably require copy and paste. http://www.trailergypsies.com/Montana/Great%20Falls.htm
It is my understanding that the ornate terracotta area is the entrance to the former Rainbow. It has a graceful arch that reminded me of a theater arcade or outer lobby from the first time I saw it. However, I have only known it as leading to a cavern with cars entering and leaving. The arch is just visible over the plywood shielding. There was good news in the Great Falls Tribune earlier this week. They published a nicer picture of the building and stated that Set Free Ministries had raised $30,000 and had just received an anonymous gift of $100,000 to continue on the reconstruction.—-Again, the Google pin is miles off probably because the correct address should be 601 or 611 Central Ave. For some reason I could not back off any farther but one only needs hold left mouse button and explore without changing the street view now that it is set.
A remarkable facade. The masonry, in the pictures, appears nearly perfect without mortar separation or settling cracks. This is a very handsome Deco building. I like the two tone brickwork and the abundance of glass block—the backlighting is a nice feature to protect the bulbs or neon tubes from damage.
Research on the city reveals some growth from sprawl but the downtown is on the historic registry. It does not appear to have been the victim of white flight and ghetto-ization. The storm cloud on the horizon is a four lane by-pass.
Let us hope that an independent entrepreneur with the means to go digital will take up the operation of this small town theater. Where is that big lottery jackpot when I need it?
Snagged a street view picture from Google Earth—I hope it is ok to have posted it. The aerial view of this building shows that it is incredibly long compared to its width and height.
While I was snooping around on the street view for the Bluebird I discovered what just had to be a small simple art deco theater. That was before reading this page. Ken’s post confirms what I discovered but I got the usages of the building backwards. They did one fine job on the remodel since it looks like it was purpose built on the spot—the recessed entryway, the double doors on either side of a presumed box office window, the nice curved corners, and the stepped parapet (probably original). This building is two doors down from the Pizza Hut toward Chestnut. Fuller Drug Company is still very clear on the building. So hopefully mystery solved.
Cine 4 is in the group of building at the rear of the parking lot in this picture. I believe that it is the one with the large black rectangle.
Google is calling this 1002 9th St. South. It was in a small strip mall set back from 9th St. S. about a half block off of 10th Ave South (main south side thoroughfare). Once again the pin is a couple miles off and on the wrong side of the river. I guess the 10th St. address is probably correct since that street probably runs through the parking lot.
Judging the size of the building and the number of seats listed by KenRoe this could quite well be the Highland. The name may have been chiseled away if it was in relief since the name of the drug company appears to be painted. A marquee could have been attached where the horizontal scar line appears. Whatever, it appears to now be Anaconda Realty or for sale by them.
Well guys, I don’t have a single shred of evidence—just my opinion. The small pink building (Fuller Drug Co.)just two away from the Pizza Hut has Art Deco simple neighborhood theater stamped on it. The unusual structure in the center of the archway looks as if it were the boxoffice or the lighting above the counter high center window with the doors on either side of the boxoffice. just a hunch since I have never been to Anaconda.
I wish that I had known about this grand theater when briefly living in Chicago in 67-68. Saw movies at several of the loop theaters—the Chicago (In Cold Blood), the Oriental, and Woods State (Cool Hand Luke, and Bonnie and Clyde). Seems like the United Artist was possibly playing Barefoot in the Park and Funny Girl the whole time, not guy movies. I guess I was so overwhelmed by the Oriental that I don’t remember the film. The Chicago had a nice little light show with their Balaban Katz promo clip. That is a lot of money to raise with the economy such as it is, but I sure hope they manage to save this movie palace.
The quote legal and uncut film, was censored by making a second print of the original showing maybe a fourth of each frame that had sexual contact. Saw the original in Norfolk, Va and then with another lady friend at the Gateway Twin in Eliz. City, NC. Rather funny that the optically censored version, if I remember correctly, was shown after the uncensored print had already been shown at the Gateway Twin—we walked out shortly after finding out that we had been taken.
Sailor729’s comment about the material hanging from the ceiling gives a perfect opening opportunity to ask a question that I have been wondering how to ask and in what context. Many of the pictures of ruined theaters such as found on the Urban Ruins sites show ceiling material hanging down several feet and looking quite pliable—much like the headliners of old autos in the days of cloth headliners. Is it possible that these theaters had so much of this fancy ceiling work done on canvas and plaster or some sort of sizing material and cloth? If so no wonder old time theaters were fire traps! In general antique plaster work was done on laths buts these stalactites do not appear to contain laths. Do any of you theater experts happen to know and care to take the time to explain this phenomenon to the rest of us who might want to know also? If so, thanks.
Just spent a couple hours driving my Google-mobile around trying to find the drive-in. Finally found it after comparing satellite,map, and street views. The marquee is there and the flying Nash is also there— but sadly, there is no screen visible.
One of the few drive-ins that has a correct Google pin and icon. According to their website the second screen was enlarged in 2004 and the lot was expanded to approx 500 car capacity. There appears to be no street address as such but it is mapped on German Gulch Road and is described as being exit 119 off Interstate 15. Phone 406-782-8095 but closed for the 2011 season—looking forward to the 2012 opening. Info from their website.
There is also another twin drive-in located in Laurel, MT.
Well, it looks as if the mega money has moved in and gentrified Old Town Wells St. I remember in ‘67 and '68 it seemed to be full of small independent business of various types. Was a great place to visit even though there was supposed to be an element of danger there. I can’t remember so much street traffic—it was the sidewalks that were packed with pedestrians. It was like a carnival with the smell of food, incense, etc. and the sounds of the various music stores,clubs, and Irish pubs. I thought Piper’s Alley was super cool with its brick street winding through. But, about the Aardvark, I am very surprised that the name stayed with me for so long. Some friends convinced me that I should go there to see the Andy Warhol movie called “Bike Boy.” The place was unimpressive to say the least—seemed to be a 16mm setup. Needless to say I don’t remember a single thing about the film, sorry Andy.
I was intrigued about the placement of six screens— so on the chance there might be something of a ghost image I put the address into Google Earth..The size of this place is incredible—scaled to the highway and the cars passing by. They must have spent a king’s ransom on paving—must have been a real solar collector gathering daytime heat and radiating it during the night’s shows. I wonder what size crew it took to run the place. The Google history shots run from ‘93 to 2011. Interesting how the technology progressed.
Google pin should be south of Elizabeth City toward Woodville & Hertford just as US 17 begins to widen into a divided highway.
Since joining this site I have come to despise pole to pole utility lines. So many pictures of aesthetically pleasing theaters are ruined by those wretched wires cutting through the foreground.
David Passman, pres.& c.e.o. of Carmike announced in a press release to the Billings Gazette (July 8, 2011) that the Shiloh 14 had been selected to be among a small group of theaters to introduce “BigD format” A 30,000 lumen Christie Brilliant 3D flash projector will project a better than HD picture on a wall to wall screen that is 78ft wide and more than 3 storeys high. The movies can be either 2D or 3D with the latest in 7.1 surround sound. “To further enhance the experience, the theater is also adding a digital audio system with surround sound technology supported by quad-amplified, 4-way speakers and six 21-inch subwoofers. The new theater will also have leather high-back rocking seats in a stadium seating configuration.”
Still a handsome building. I recall seeing a western movie there when very young. Don’t remember the movie title, etc. It seems that the seating arrangement left more impression than anything else. It must have been almost sixty years ago and I haven’t seen the theater building in nearly thirty years. The memory has it that the main seating was either slightly split level or some other odd effect such as the front area of seats being cross wise. Crazy I know—please can someone who has experienced this theater clear this up with the actual facts? The awning is a contemporary alteration, and maybe, the large display windows are, too. Don’t remember an impressive marquee. I think the name State was on a vertical fin.
The Goggle pin is off by a mile (literally) at least and on the wrong side of the Missouri River. Just updated the picture. D. A. Davidson convinced the city of Great Falls to close one block of the street between their building and the Liberty Theater— a plaza/park was installed and the two building were connected via a pedestrian conduit.
Could the fact that there is just so little expendable money in the pockets of the American family have anything to do with the sorry state of affairs at the present. Since many of you are reminiscing about the good old days here goes my part: when I was under 12 y.o.a. my movie ticket was 14 cents which left a penny for a handful of candy from one of the three vending machines. Grownups worked for a dollar an hr. on average. Usury laws prevented “robber banks” from charging excessive interest. There were no big box stores to siphon profits out of the community. Almost everyone worked at something—yes, even the aged, the disabled, and CHILDREN (believe it or not). There was less of a social financial burden because more people were assisting in carrying the load and the governments had not created such a large dependent class. It was often hard to earn money but the dollars received were hard dollars rather than script currency based on illusion and speculation. The hometown/neighborhood theater was often owned by a citizen of the community—he had a stake in the community and the audience had a stake in the success of his business.
Switching gears, it appears that the new technology should open movie-making to a much wider field of producers, actors, technicians, etc. if the current power structure does not succeed in freezing out these new independents. This technology will eventually reduce the cost of making the product and will expose much new talent instead of the megabucks Hollywood stars. Still, the obstacles that are currently keeping people from the cinema will have to be overcome. The experts are declaring that today’s youth have become social isolates and are losing the ability to communicate through traditional means.
The rather odd name and location of this theater has driven me nuts. The name seems unique—while looking at it today, I saw a prominent Eliz. City & SE Virginia family name-KRAMER. The theater name could have been an amalgam of the name Al Kramer or A. L. Kramer. Google does not come up with anything Arabic that might have been the namesake. The impressive building on the corner of E. Main and N. McMorrine is the Kramer Building. It appears that the white stuccoed building to the rear of the Kramer building is the theater. Of course, this could be coincidental and my imagination running wild-since I have no documentation.
Traveling farther down N. McMorinne to E. Colonial Ave. brings one to the Center Theater. The entrance and original marquee were at the notched corner. I think I saw a source that said it was converted to apartments circa early ‘70s. The name Center Square appears on what would be a marquee. The Center Theater had its name in neon on a vertical fin and the movie titles were displayed on a horizontal marquee.
Was just playing with the Google feature. If one turns left on this picture of the Eden Theater and goes to the west just past the parking lot on the same side of the street and swings back to the right facing north you see the profile of the Eden and the two toned brick structure without any windows is the screen and stage part of the Taylor. The scale certainly confirms the ability to “fly” scenery above the stage for theatrical productions. The Taylor has three roof levels—the facade with the two flanking commercial spaces on each side of the long walk-up (arcade?) to the box office, the lobby and auditorium, and the third level of the stage area. The Eden was strictly a cinema.
Just got back to the site and stumbled my way through the changes. Quite a difference. Interesting hooking up with the Google feature. Did a virtual tour of Edenton last week and saw that the comment on this building was that it was built in 1948 and was now an accountant’s office. Well, boo on them this building is the defunct Eden Theater on W. Eden St. not the address listed for the Taylor Twin. There never was a real marquee, just a small unsupported roof attached to the building. Quinn Funiture used the theater for storage for some period of time. The building has been “colonialized” with an antiqued brick facade to match Edenton’s historic character.
I saw movies there as a kid of 6 through 9 yrs old. Great movies like “Angel Face”, “Track of the Cat”, “Superman and the Mole Men” several Jungle Jim and Tarzan features, and a few sci-fi films. I have good vivid memories of this theater and I am thoroughly amazed that I have remembered the movies that screened there 60 years ago.
To get to the Taylor Twin turn right on this picture go to Broad St., turn left, go halfway up the block and turn left to the west for the facade of the Taylor—minus its marquee. The roof mounted Taylor sign spells out the name one letter at the time and does a flash of the complete name. I noticed that every other bulb had been removed indicating that the management really was using extraordinary means to reduce cost of operation.