Patsy: Michael J. DeAngelis also designed the “Apollo Theatre”, 1346 Jefferson Ave. Buffalo, N.Y. Opened April 12,1941. Still standing but no longer used as a theatre.
KenRoe: W.M. was the name printed in the Evening Sun of Norwich. It stated …of New York, so most probably it was a typo and they are one in the same. Sorry for the confusion.
The Strand Theatre opened on Monday, March 8,1920. The architect was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. and the Interior Design was attributed to Gustav Brandt of Chicago. In 1985 it was renovated into a Flower Shop and a Restaurant.
william lambert: The Big E that you refer to WAS the “Castle”. It was The Erie County Savings Bank, designed by G. Post in 1893. It looked like a Castle, with turret like designs ( 7 or 8 ) at the top and Portcullis-like windows. It was razed in 1967 in order to build the south end of the Main Place Mall. It was located on a triangle bordered by Niagara, Church and Pearl Streets.
Just saw “Prairie”. The BEST part were the shots of “The Fitzgerald” According to David Naylor’s “Great American Movie Theatres”…… The Architects were Marshall and Fox.
The “Colonia”, on South Broad Street and American Avenue, opened on the evening of December 23,1914. It was designed by W.M.McElfatrick and the Decorations were by Edward J. Murnane and Brother. It was still a theatre when I was there in 1998. You can check the Norwich Sun of the above date for the Grand Opening.
There was also another “Abbott” Theatre, located at 1298 Abbott near Ridge Rd. It opened Oct.19,1950 and was designed by Louis Greenstein. It was later changed to the “Towne” Theatre. Now Demolished.
The Cinema, which opened May 29,1946, was originally named The Midtown and designed by Albert A. Rumschik. It was located at 645 Main Street and it burned down May 20,1984. The Market Arcade, located at 639 Main St., was built on the site of two small restaurants at 639 and 641 Main St. which burned out in the early 60’s.
The “Hippodrome”, designed by Leon H. Lempert,Jr., opened on Aug.31, 1914 with 2,800 seating capacity. The lobby was designed by Green & Wicks. On Aug.31, 1949 it became the “Center” Theatre. The Interior Designer was G.Brandt. In Dec.1968, it was turned into a Triplex theatre and was finally razed March 27, 1983.
Richard G.:The theatre south of the Seneca might very well be the “Maxine” at 2228-32 Seneca. Last time that I was there it was a Rite Aid. It opened June 29, 1914 with 800 seats and was designed by Henry L. Spann. It later was remodeled and re-opened as the “New Maxine” on Apr.15, 1928. ………..Sorry I’m 7 months late, but I haven’t visited C.T. in quite awhile.
sam_e:The Toronto Hippodrome,opening Apr. 27, 1914, was demolished in March of 1957. Lempert, Jr. also designed in Toronto: the Shea’s Theatre,later the Victoria, at the corner of Victoria and Richmond. It opened: Aug.1, 1910.
Qualification: Architect:Leon H. Lempert,Jr. Firm: Leon H. Lempert & Son, of Rochester,N.Y. It was the firm of the architect’s father, Leon H. Lempert,Sr., who turned the firm over to his son in 1906 and who passed in May of 1909. Jr. died Jan.14,1934.
Please, The Architect’s name was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. The firm was Leon H. Lempert & Son, Theatrical Architects of Rochester,N.Y. The Interior Designer was Willard Lusk. It opened with a seating capacity of 1,400. I could be wrong, but I have the date of Aug.1,1939 as the change over to Basil-Dipson. (Leon Sr. passed in 1909 and Leon Jr., who departed Jan.14,1934, had no children). I also have the Chandelier as being from the Genesee Theater,1600 Genesee St. Buffalo, in 1974.
According to David Naylor in his book “Great American Movie Theatres”…..I quote “The classically styled auditorium features opposing rows of murals, those on the right by Barry Faulkner and on the left by Ezra Winter. One balcony stair landing is graced with a painting by Maxfield Parrish”. He credits R.E. Hall and McKim, Mead and White as the 1921 architects.
The Paramount opened May 30,1927 as the Fox Great Lakes. The Architect was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. Interior Designer was Gustave Brandt. It’s original seating capacity was 3,300. It became the Paramount on July 22,1949. It closed Feb.16,1965. Gutted soon after.The facade and walls remained till the 80’s. It was described as a nine story, four bay, Art Moderne building with Spanish Revival style detailing. The main Spanish foyer on the Mezzanine had a ceiling of Indian figures, typifying the past history of this region. The pillars were twisted marble. On either side of the auditorium, in recesses, were large murals showing the evolution and development of Music and Drama. Over the proscenium was a large painting entitled “The Awakening of Day”. Today the site is occupied by the City Center Condominiums. I’ll try and send B&W shots from the Courier Express, at a later date. Bruce, I hoped this helped.
The North Park Theatre opened Nov.21,1920 with a seating capacity of 1,420. The Architect was Henry L. Spann and the Interior Designer was Raphael Beck.
The “Varsity” was designed by G. Lewis & R. Hill and opened in 1923 or 1924 with 1,000 seats.
The “Bailey” had a fire on Sept.18,1986 and subsequently razed shortly thereafter. It was designed by Henry & William Spann and opened Sept.29,1928.
Patsy: Michael J. DeAngelis also designed the “Apollo Theatre”, 1346 Jefferson Ave. Buffalo, N.Y. Opened April 12,1941. Still standing but no longer used as a theatre.
KenRoe: W.M. was the name printed in the Evening Sun of Norwich. It stated …of New York, so most probably it was a typo and they are one in the same. Sorry for the confusion.
The architect for the Rivoli Theatre was Joseph J. Geigand of Buffalo.
The Strand Theatre opened on Monday, March 8,1920. The architect was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. and the Interior Design was attributed to Gustav Brandt of Chicago. In 1985 it was renovated into a Flower Shop and a Restaurant.
william lambert: The Big E that you refer to WAS the “Castle”. It was The Erie County Savings Bank, designed by G. Post in 1893. It looked like a Castle, with turret like designs ( 7 or 8 ) at the top and Portcullis-like windows. It was razed in 1967 in order to build the south end of the Main Place Mall. It was located on a triangle bordered by Niagara, Church and Pearl Streets.
Just saw “Prairie”. The BEST part were the shots of “The Fitzgerald” According to David Naylor’s “Great American Movie Theatres”…… The Architects were Marshall and Fox.
The “Colonia”, on South Broad Street and American Avenue, opened on the evening of December 23,1914. It was designed by W.M.McElfatrick and the Decorations were by Edward J. Murnane and Brother. It was still a theatre when I was there in 1998. You can check the Norwich Sun of the above date for the Grand Opening.
There was also another “Abbott” Theatre, located at 1298 Abbott near Ridge Rd. It opened Oct.19,1950 and was designed by Louis Greenstein. It was later changed to the “Towne” Theatre. Now Demolished.
The Cinema, which opened May 29,1946, was originally named The Midtown and designed by Albert A. Rumschik. It was located at 645 Main Street and it burned down May 20,1984. The Market Arcade, located at 639 Main St., was built on the site of two small restaurants at 639 and 641 Main St. which burned out in the early 60’s.
The Circle Theatre opened Nov. 25, 1914 and was designed by G. Morton Wolfe.
The “Hippodrome”, designed by Leon H. Lempert,Jr., opened on Aug.31, 1914 with 2,800 seating capacity. The lobby was designed by Green & Wicks. On Aug.31, 1949 it became the “Center” Theatre. The Interior Designer was G.Brandt. In Dec.1968, it was turned into a Triplex theatre and was finally razed March 27, 1983.
Richard G.:The theatre south of the Seneca might very well be the “Maxine” at 2228-32 Seneca. Last time that I was there it was a Rite Aid. It opened June 29, 1914 with 800 seats and was designed by Henry L. Spann. It later was remodeled and re-opened as the “New Maxine” on Apr.15, 1928. ………..Sorry I’m 7 months late, but I haven’t visited C.T. in quite awhile.
sam_e:The Toronto Hippodrome,opening Apr. 27, 1914, was demolished in March of 1957. Lempert, Jr. also designed in Toronto: the Shea’s Theatre,later the Victoria, at the corner of Victoria and Richmond. It opened: Aug.1, 1910.
Lostmemory: Shea’s took possession of the Great Lakes on Sept.4,1931.
The NW corner of Main & Chippewa was occupied by Harvey & Carey Drug Store, Mac Doel’s Restaurant and Nemmer Furniture Store.
The original 1903 Theatre was designed by Leon H. Lempert,Senior.
The photo above was shot October 22-23,1951. The Firm was Leon H. Lempert & Son, Theatrical Architects, of Rochester,N.Y.
Qualification: Architect:Leon H. Lempert,Jr. Firm: Leon H. Lempert & Son, of Rochester,N.Y. It was the firm of the architect’s father, Leon H. Lempert,Sr., who turned the firm over to his son in 1906 and who passed in May of 1909. Jr. died Jan.14,1934.
Please, The Architect’s name was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. The firm was Leon H. Lempert & Son, Theatrical Architects of Rochester,N.Y. The Interior Designer was Willard Lusk. It opened with a seating capacity of 1,400. I could be wrong, but I have the date of Aug.1,1939 as the change over to Basil-Dipson. (Leon Sr. passed in 1909 and Leon Jr., who departed Jan.14,1934, had no children). I also have the Chandelier as being from the Genesee Theater,1600 Genesee St. Buffalo, in 1974.
According to David Naylor in his book “Great American Movie Theatres”…..I quote “The classically styled auditorium features opposing rows of murals, those on the right by Barry Faulkner and on the left by Ezra Winter. One balcony stair landing is graced with a painting by Maxfield Parrish”. He credits R.E. Hall and McKim, Mead and White as the 1921 architects.
The Paramount opened May 30,1927 as the Fox Great Lakes. The Architect was Leon H. Lempert,Jr. Interior Designer was Gustave Brandt. It’s original seating capacity was 3,300. It became the Paramount on July 22,1949. It closed Feb.16,1965. Gutted soon after.The facade and walls remained till the 80’s. It was described as a nine story, four bay, Art Moderne building with Spanish Revival style detailing. The main Spanish foyer on the Mezzanine had a ceiling of Indian figures, typifying the past history of this region. The pillars were twisted marble. On either side of the auditorium, in recesses, were large murals showing the evolution and development of Music and Drama. Over the proscenium was a large painting entitled “The Awakening of Day”. Today the site is occupied by the City Center Condominiums. I’ll try and send B&W shots from the Courier Express, at a later date. Bruce, I hoped this helped.
The Oneonta Theatre opened Jan.31,1898. The Architect was Leon H. Lempert Sr.
The North Park Theatre opened Nov.21,1920 with a seating capacity of 1,420. The Architect was Henry L. Spann and the Interior Designer was Raphael Beck.