Well, to be fair I don’t think the Crocker Theatre was anything but a shell when they tore it down. Certainly they could have saved the exterior. But my understanding is that the building was almost completely gutted many years before demolition.
I think most tourists in converted movie palaces are theatre architecture fans.
Some church proprietors might be averse to the theatre fan’s mindset. I.E. “I hope someday these church guys will leave so that movies and live entertainment can prevail here again.”
That is definitely the way I think every time I see a grand 1920’s auditorium with a giant cross on the stage, and I’m sure that I am not alone.
If I were a church proprietor and heard someone make comments to this effect in my building I wouldn’t be thrilled.
People who tour the churches of Europe are there to take in the atmosphere of an age-old religious site, possibly associated with their personal faith. So the same conflict does not exist.
Keep in mind that I am only offering a theory, and not defending anyone’s actions.
I think you make an interesting point. It is a little weird. Just to be fair, twin conversions can be very profitable. The Evanston Theatre in Evanston, IL did fantastic business after they split it up into four screens for many years afterwards. But the proportions of the converted cinemas were always a strange presentation for the senses.
I’ve never seen the Day After. But I did see Threads (mentioned in comments above). I was just a little kid at the time, and walked around for days after looking up at the sky and wondering when the bomb would drop.
If he needs more screens he could build better ones by converting another part of the building, as was the case with Chicago’s successful Music Box. He could also build them on adjacent land if it is available. Two small cinemas don’t require very much property. The cinema business learned in the 70’s and 80’s that new screens hacked out of old theatres are oddly proportioned and don’t make for a great experience.
By taking these suggestions he will have better presentation, and the theatre won’t get screwed up.
If that is the ceiling they installed, the Garden has not been restored. You just can’t say that if the entire “sky” has been covered up. Renovated would be a better word.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad the facility is active.
Looks like a bond issue to finance the theatre was under discussion at some point recently.
Whole marquee is gone. Doesn’t appear that any work is being done to the theatre, however.
Such a shame. It looks like it was a fine building.
Wish they had save the front of the building.
Neon sign above the entrance is gone now.
Well, to be fair I don’t think the Crocker Theatre was anything but a shell when they tore it down. Certainly they could have saved the exterior. But my understanding is that the building was almost completely gutted many years before demolition.
That 2006 photo is surprising. There was a lot more left of the auditorium than I would have guessed after seeing those holes in the roof.
I think most tourists in converted movie palaces are theatre architecture fans.
Some church proprietors might be averse to the theatre fan’s mindset. I.E. “I hope someday these church guys will leave so that movies and live entertainment can prevail here again.”
That is definitely the way I think every time I see a grand 1920’s auditorium with a giant cross on the stage, and I’m sure that I am not alone.
If I were a church proprietor and heard someone make comments to this effect in my building I wouldn’t be thrilled.
People who tour the churches of Europe are there to take in the atmosphere of an age-old religious site, possibly associated with their personal faith. So the same conflict does not exist.
Keep in mind that I am only offering a theory, and not defending anyone’s actions.
Photo of the gutted lobby from CinemaTour:
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Several photos, interior and exterior:
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http://www.gaytino.com/schedule.php
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Really nice.
This is a long string. So forgive me if this has been posted.
I went looking for a photo taken after the 40’s conversion, and found this:
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Photo is about halfway down on right.
I think you make an interesting point. It is a little weird. Just to be fair, twin conversions can be very profitable. The Evanston Theatre in Evanston, IL did fantastic business after they split it up into four screens for many years afterwards. But the proportions of the converted cinemas were always a strange presentation for the senses.
I’ve never seen the Day After. But I did see Threads (mentioned in comments above). I was just a little kid at the time, and walked around for days after looking up at the sky and wondering when the bomb would drop.
Interesting Tower Theatre photo sent by a friend of mine from 1960. Unfortunately, the image is not centered on the theatre.
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Scroll down and open this document:
cta6338.jpg
This just keeps getting better:
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Here is a second cool Adelphi photo on Flickr:
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Does the church ever use any of the neon signs?
I don’t know anything about them. What assets have they screwed up?
So he’s going to triplex the place.
Fabulous.
If he needs more screens he could build better ones by converting another part of the building, as was the case with Chicago’s successful Music Box. He could also build them on adjacent land if it is available. Two small cinemas don’t require very much property. The cinema business learned in the 70’s and 80’s that new screens hacked out of old theatres are oddly proportioned and don’t make for a great experience.
By taking these suggestions he will have better presentation, and the theatre won’t get screwed up.
Avalon theatre web site listed in 8/20/07 comment is gone now. That is not a good sign.
It sounds like a very contrived article to me, Jeffrey 1955. Who knows what is really happening behind the scenes.
I was disheartened to see that Huang realized a capital gain by selling the property.
Rat bastard.
If that is the ceiling they installed, the Garden has not been restored. You just can’t say that if the entire “sky” has been covered up. Renovated would be a better word.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad the facility is active.
Holy sh*t! It’s incredible!
The lighting towers and sound gear are unfortunate. But what are you going to do?