I would like to add the origianl Century Domes in San Jose, Century 21 and 22. Century 21 is about 900 seats and resembles the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. They were built around the same time. Century 22 is actually 3 individual domes of about 700 seats each. All have great screens and were recently upgraded.
I have a copy of a theatre ad booklet put out by Paramaount Theatres in 1937. One ad is for the Roxy at 34 S.E. First St. showing “Saratoga”. I lived in Miami in the mid forties and went downtown frequently, but do not reacall this theatre. It is listed in the 1946 Film Daily Year Book as 725 seats and closed.
Ken, this is actually a photo of the grandest Esquire of all – the one in Chicago. Pictures and an article on it is in Marquee, Vol. 21 #4, pages 12-13.
I first came to Los Angeles in 1951 and was really awed when I drove by the Carthy Circle theatre. However, by the 50’s it was closed much of the time, it really was too out-of-the-way. It was used for legitimate stage presentions for a few years in the mid-fities, then came back in a big way when Michael Todd took it over and premiered “Around The World In 80 Days” there (the only time I was in the theatre). It really was a beauty, and a great loss to Los Angeles.
The beginnings of the Fox chain can be found in the book “Upton Sinclair Presents William Fox” available in most libraries. The West Coast chain was bought in the late 20’s by William Fox, along with Fox Midwest, Fox Wisconsin, Fox Evergreen, etc. The entire Fox chain was split up during the depression, and the result was “National Theatres”, a division of 20th Century-Fox during the mid-30’s. After the 1948 US Consent Decision when the motion picture studios had to give up their theatre, the chain became “National General”. In the 80’s, Ted Mann purchased the chain and renamed it Mann Theatres. By this time it was mostly centered in Southern California. It exists as such today.
I have no address for the Mission. I find it listed in the 1929 Film Daily Year Book with 875 seats. I believe the Rivoli was a completely new construction in 1936 (see Joe Vogel comment above). It was quite modern and plain, with a balcony.
This was the only real “movie palace” on the west side, also the largest. It was right on the border between Cleveland and Lakewood. I attended it numerous times in the 40’s when it was a first run (after downtown) Loew’s house and ran day and date with the east side Loew’s Park. It was one of Cleveland’s only atmospheric designed theatres. Film Daily Yearbook for 1949 gives the seating capacity as 2,144.
This was one of only two atmospheric theatres (to my knowledge) in the Cleveland area. The other was the much larger Loew’s Granada, on Detroit Ave. and W. ll7th St.
The Park was very similar to the downtown Loew’s State. It was in Thomas Lamb’s typical Adam style. I was in it once and it really seemed more ornate than the State to me. The west side Granada was an atmospheric theatre, about 2300 seats. I think the only other atmospheric theatre in Cleveland was the Hilliard Square. In the 40’s and 50’s the Park and Granada played 2nd run films together, right after their first run at the downtown Loew’s houses.
During the 50’s and 60’s the Rivoli was operated by Cabart Theatres as a prime first run house along with the State in downtown Long Beach. It often played films day and date with the Towne in North Long Beach.
The book to seek out is “Show Houses Twin Cities Style” by Kirk J. Besse (Victoria Publications – 1997). It covers all the downtown theatres and many nabes. Well issustrated.
In the 40’s there was a large chinese restaurant (with great food) in the basement. As Chris said, the entrance was down a large stairway located just behind the marquee on the Euclid Avenue side. I checked a picture I took in 1948 and the name of the restaurant was the “Nanking”.
Gary-There were two brothers and one made his office in Southern California. He designed several houses in the Southwest states. Stadium on Pico in LA and Kimo in Albuquerque most famous.
I too was always fascinated by this theatre. In the Console Magazine of October 1983 (Pasadena, now defunct) there is a photo of the exterior (same of shown here) and a beautiful shot from the balcony showing the full stage and sides and ceiling. Easily the most ornate ever in Long Beach. Article states: “One of the few western states theatres that were designed by the midwest theatre architectural firm of Boller Brothers was this handsome house…Opened in January 1925 as the Ritz Theatre…Later in 1925 the name was changed to the Capitol. The name survived until 1934 it was again changed-this time to The Tracy. The theatre originally seated 1,158, according to early records. In 1941 this figure was increased to l,200.”
I knew Brother Andy since 1971. He was not only a founder of THS, but also it’s soul. As the original editor of Marquee, he brought thousands of lovers of theatres buildings together.
I would like to add the origianl Century Domes in San Jose, Century 21 and 22. Century 21 is about 900 seats and resembles the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. They were built around the same time. Century 22 is actually 3 individual domes of about 700 seats each. All have great screens and were recently upgraded.
I have a copy of a theatre ad booklet put out by Paramaount Theatres in 1937. One ad is for the Roxy at 34 S.E. First St. showing “Saratoga”. I lived in Miami in the mid forties and went downtown frequently, but do not reacall this theatre. It is listed in the 1946 Film Daily Year Book as 725 seats and closed.
Ken, this is actually a photo of the grandest Esquire of all – the one in Chicago. Pictures and an article on it is in Marquee, Vol. 21 #4, pages 12-13.
I first came to Los Angeles in 1951 and was really awed when I drove by the Carthy Circle theatre. However, by the 50’s it was closed much of the time, it really was too out-of-the-way. It was used for legitimate stage presentions for a few years in the mid-fities, then came back in a big way when Michael Todd took it over and premiered “Around The World In 80 Days” there (the only time I was in the theatre). It really was a beauty, and a great loss to Los Angeles.
The beginnings of the Fox chain can be found in the book “Upton Sinclair Presents William Fox” available in most libraries. The West Coast chain was bought in the late 20’s by William Fox, along with Fox Midwest, Fox Wisconsin, Fox Evergreen, etc. The entire Fox chain was split up during the depression, and the result was “National Theatres”, a division of 20th Century-Fox during the mid-30’s. After the 1948 US Consent Decision when the motion picture studios had to give up their theatre, the chain became “National General”. In the 80’s, Ted Mann purchased the chain and renamed it Mann Theatres. By this time it was mostly centered in Southern California. It exists as such today.
I have no address for the Mission. I find it listed in the 1929 Film Daily Year Book with 875 seats. I believe the Rivoli was a completely new construction in 1936 (see Joe Vogel comment above). It was quite modern and plain, with a balcony.
This was the only real “movie palace” on the west side, also the largest. It was right on the border between Cleveland and Lakewood. I attended it numerous times in the 40’s when it was a first run (after downtown) Loew’s house and ran day and date with the east side Loew’s Park. It was one of Cleveland’s only atmospheric designed theatres. Film Daily Yearbook for 1949 gives the seating capacity as 2,144.
This was one of only two atmospheric theatres (to my knowledge) in the Cleveland area. The other was the much larger Loew’s Granada, on Detroit Ave. and W. ll7th St.
The Park was very similar to the downtown Loew’s State. It was in Thomas Lamb’s typical Adam style. I was in it once and it really seemed more ornate than the State to me. The west side Granada was an atmospheric theatre, about 2300 seats. I think the only other atmospheric theatre in Cleveland was the Hilliard Square. In the 40’s and 50’s the Park and Granada played 2nd run films together, right after their first run at the downtown Loew’s houses.
During the 50’s and 60’s the Rivoli was operated by Cabart Theatres as a prime first run house along with the State in downtown Long Beach. It often played films day and date with the Towne in North Long Beach.
The book to seek out is “Show Houses Twin Cities Style” by Kirk J. Besse (Victoria Publications – 1997). It covers all the downtown theatres and many nabes. Well issustrated.
In the 40’s there was a large chinese restaurant (with great food) in the basement. As Chris said, the entrance was down a large stairway located just behind the marquee on the Euclid Avenue side. I checked a picture I took in 1948 and the name of the restaurant was the “Nanking”.
Fred Beall
Gary-There were two brothers and one made his office in Southern California. He designed several houses in the Southwest states. Stadium on Pico in LA and Kimo in Albuquerque most famous.
I too was always fascinated by this theatre. In the Console Magazine of October 1983 (Pasadena, now defunct) there is a photo of the exterior (same of shown here) and a beautiful shot from the balcony showing the full stage and sides and ceiling. Easily the most ornate ever in Long Beach. Article states: “One of the few western states theatres that were designed by the midwest theatre architectural firm of Boller Brothers was this handsome house…Opened in January 1925 as the Ritz Theatre…Later in 1925 the name was changed to the Capitol. The name survived until 1934 it was again changed-this time to The Tracy. The theatre originally seated 1,158, according to early records. In 1941 this figure was increased to l,200.”
Orpheum Los Angeles stood in for the New York Town Hall in “A Mighty Wind”.
I knew Brother Andy since 1971. He was not only a founder of THS, but also it’s soul. As the original editor of Marquee, he brought thousands of lovers of theatres buildings together.
Actually, theatre structure still stands. In was gutted and turned into and oriental shopping and office complex. I went through it in 2000.
Theatre was in the beaux arts style. Architect Thomas Lamb. Opened January 25, 1925 and demolished in November 1978. Prime Brooklyn RKO house.
In 2001, the entire Town and Country Village Shopping Center, which included this theatre, was demolished for a new development.