Actor Lee Van Cleef got his acting start at this theater. It had been converted into offices for many years; however, the large interior space and the stage proscenium were incorporated into the office renovation/conversion. A 3-alarm fire several days ago (May, 2016) appeared to have destroyed most of the interior. The brick walls remained standing.
I have the ticket grinder from the Olden. It was known as the Gayety (pretty sure of the spelling but pronounced Gay-tee by the locals) until it was refurbished and renamed around 1951. Oh yes, Maruca’s Tomato Pies was a mainstay in the Olden Building and can be seen in the photo above. The photo is Olden Avenue looking south. There was also a bowling alley within the building. The theater retail portion of the building stands but the lobby and auditorium was completely razed in the mid 80s. Russ and Clara’s Bar and the Pine Tavern were close by.
The Lost Picture Show was located at 2495 Springfield Ave, Union. I was there July 25, 1977 and saw “Black Sunday.” Instead of a traditional ticket stub, they issue receipts which I have in my memorabilia.
I stopped in and took a look in October. There are stores lining the long corridor leading into the auditorium. The auditorium is intact but it seems like the seats have been removed. The auditorium doors are locked and it’s dark inside. There are several active stores within the corridor /mall area leading back to the theater section. The Elmora seating was on one floor only. The roof seems secure.
Actor Lee Van Cleef got his acting start at this theater. It had been converted into offices for many years; however, the large interior space and the stage proscenium were incorporated into the office renovation/conversion. A 3-alarm fire several days ago (May, 2016) appeared to have destroyed most of the interior. The brick walls remained standing.
I have the ticket grinder from the Olden. It was known as the Gayety (pretty sure of the spelling but pronounced Gay-tee by the locals) until it was refurbished and renamed around 1951. Oh yes, Maruca’s Tomato Pies was a mainstay in the Olden Building and can be seen in the photo above. The photo is Olden Avenue looking south. There was also a bowling alley within the building. The theater retail portion of the building stands but the lobby and auditorium was completely razed in the mid 80s. Russ and Clara’s Bar and the Pine Tavern were close by.
Based on the address (which is on the receipt), the building is gone.
The Lost Picture Show was located at 2495 Springfield Ave, Union. I was there July 25, 1977 and saw “Black Sunday.” Instead of a traditional ticket stub, they issue receipts which I have in my memorabilia.
I stopped in and took a look in October. There are stores lining the long corridor leading into the auditorium. The auditorium is intact but it seems like the seats have been removed. The auditorium doors are locked and it’s dark inside. There are several active stores within the corridor /mall area leading back to the theater section. The Elmora seating was on one floor only. The roof seems secure.
The converted building is located at 802 Arnold Ave.