dstier: I’m not sure if the decision to raze the Grand was put to some kind of popular vote. My hunch is that it was not. I have spoken to a view people who were around then so I will try to get an answer though I get the sense that many/most don’t want to talk about it. They realize that perhaps the wrong decision was made, but then again hindsight is always 20/20. I believe the Mayor of Westfield at the time was Joseph Pagano. He is deceased so I can’t go to him! I will tell you that I have spoken to Mayor Carr and mentioned the theatre to him. I was able to get him to agree with me that it was a loss for the community. Do you know a Willy Locke? He used to work at the theatre along with Bill Gollintz and Rick Clausen when Bob Mascaro was the manager and later Tom Tetreault. Willy has told me that IF he were to win the lottery he’d rebuild the theatre. And through my volunteer work for the Fenton History Center in Jamestown I have located the blueprints!
To call the statues, ridiculous may not be the proper word as the statues, themselves, were very well done. The statues at the current location does allow tourists and locals to see them as they pass through town. Yet the bottom line is..that site would not have been chosen had the theatre remained on the corner of N. Portage and Main Street. Had the theatre remained I’m sure the statues would probably have been placed in Moore Park, if not the train depot on English Street.
dstier: Well, your comments do spark interest and concern with me. As you know I have posted many a post on CT about the Grand which is the closest theatre to my heart in all of my theatre interest. I have never met the sculptor artist, Don Sottile, but I have spoken to him over the phone. He is a Westfield native and lives in Penn Yan NY now. I agree with you that it’s a shame that the Grand was razed and that the statues were not put in Moore Park or at the train station where Lincoln actually met Grace. I would like to see the theatre returned to that corner, but suppose it is not a reality in the near future or sadly, ever. I wish I had been living in the county when plans to demolish the theatre were being formed as I would have launched a campaign to Save the Grand. Through my library research I have come to learn many of the names and faces of those involved with the demolition. Part of me would like to hold them accountable, but it wouldn’t bring the theatre back to us. It was a major error and a decision that we all have to live with now. Every small town who still has a theatre in operation are very lucky.
MARION, OH â€" Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. the Palace’s mighty Wurlitzer organ fills the theatre as world renowned organist Dennis James accompanies the classic silent film “The Cat and the Canary.â€
Yes, what a difference. Mr. Dunn’s work with Vitrolite is truly amazing! If anyone knows of available Vitrolite, please contact him at this website. www.vitrolitespecialist.com
Close enough Lost! LOL! Thanks for always caring and being there when needed! And be sure to check out the Vitrolite facade on the Rialto in Cedarsburg WS with its amazing amount of black tile from top to bottom!
In fact, the entire building was transformed with the lovely addition of awnings, etc. I wish more downtowns made use of storefront awnings rather than see them turned into a rusty place for bird’s nests.
Thanks Jack and a post from norelco! Where have you been? And if this theatre ever gets restored the original marquee that is shown on their Save the Franklin website needs to be reinstated!
“The enduring romance with the Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937. The marquee spilled brilliantly onto Main Street inviting citizens countywide to see "Night Must Fall,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. And they came — young and old, black and white, rich and poor. They laughed, they cried, they dreamed. And, together, within the illuminated walls of the Franklin Theatre, unforgettable moments occurred and memories were made."
Are there any interior photos of this art deco theatre? The Save the Franklin site shows the original art deco marquee that needs to be returned to this theatre exterior, imo. As a sidenote, I think there is a recording studio near Franklin called Dark Horse?
A friend of mine has told me that friends of his bought the Victoria Theatre in Blossburg last spring and are restoring it and hope to have it open for next spring. It used to be a feed store.
The August 2009 photos show a very nice renovation job!
Joe: Thanks for your historical information! Interesting to note that Eberson AND another man designed this one.
dstier: I’m not sure if the decision to raze the Grand was put to some kind of popular vote. My hunch is that it was not. I have spoken to a view people who were around then so I will try to get an answer though I get the sense that many/most don’t want to talk about it. They realize that perhaps the wrong decision was made, but then again hindsight is always 20/20. I believe the Mayor of Westfield at the time was Joseph Pagano. He is deceased so I can’t go to him! I will tell you that I have spoken to Mayor Carr and mentioned the theatre to him. I was able to get him to agree with me that it was a loss for the community. Do you know a Willy Locke? He used to work at the theatre along with Bill Gollintz and Rick Clausen when Bob Mascaro was the manager and later Tom Tetreault. Willy has told me that IF he were to win the lottery he’d rebuild the theatre. And through my volunteer work for the Fenton History Center in Jamestown I have located the blueprints!
I don’t know how much the statues cost, but will email Mr. Sottile.
To call the statues, ridiculous may not be the proper word as the statues, themselves, were very well done. The statues at the current location does allow tourists and locals to see them as they pass through town. Yet the bottom line is..that site would not have been chosen had the theatre remained on the corner of N. Portage and Main Street. Had the theatre remained I’m sure the statues would probably have been placed in Moore Park, if not the train depot on English Street.
dstier: Well, your comments do spark interest and concern with me. As you know I have posted many a post on CT about the Grand which is the closest theatre to my heart in all of my theatre interest. I have never met the sculptor artist, Don Sottile, but I have spoken to him over the phone. He is a Westfield native and lives in Penn Yan NY now. I agree with you that it’s a shame that the Grand was razed and that the statues were not put in Moore Park or at the train station where Lincoln actually met Grace. I would like to see the theatre returned to that corner, but suppose it is not a reality in the near future or sadly, ever. I wish I had been living in the county when plans to demolish the theatre were being formed as I would have launched a campaign to Save the Grand. Through my library research I have come to learn many of the names and faces of those involved with the demolition. Part of me would like to hold them accountable, but it wouldn’t bring the theatre back to us. It was a major error and a decision that we all have to live with now. Every small town who still has a theatre in operation are very lucky.
I checked out the drugstore photo on Cinematour…very nice looking building, but a shame that the town doesn’t still have the Bedford cinema.
Would love to see a photo of this former theatre.
Would love to see a photo! I have friends who live in Youngsville so will have to ask them about this former theatre.
MARION, OH â€" Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. the Palace’s mighty Wurlitzer organ fills the theatre as world renowned organist Dennis James accompanies the classic silent film “The Cat and the Canary.â€
Yes, what a difference. Mr. Dunn’s work with Vitrolite is truly amazing! If anyone knows of available Vitrolite, please contact him at this website. www.vitrolitespecialist.com
Close enough Lost! LOL! Thanks for always caring and being there when needed! And be sure to check out the Vitrolite facade on the Rialto in Cedarsburg WS with its amazing amount of black tile from top to bottom!
This amazing exterior is Vitrolite done by Tim Dunn, Vitrolite specialist located in St. Louis MO.
This theatre has a red Vitrolite exterior. The work was done by Tim Dunn, Vitrolite specialist located in St. Louis MO.
This theatre has a Vitrolite tile exterior. The work was done by Tim Dunn, Vitrolite specialist located in St. Louis MO.
I would love to see a photo of this theatre with its Vitrolite exterior!
In fact, the entire building was transformed with the lovely addition of awnings, etc. I wish more downtowns made use of storefront awnings rather than see them turned into a rusty place for bird’s nests.
The new marquees etc. are just fantastic compared to how this theatre’s exterior looked in 1988. Complete transformation!
spectrum: Music to my ears when reading “complete restoration was completed”. Congratulations!!!
Nice to read that an organ is being installed in this small town movie house.
Thanks Jack and a post from norelco! Where have you been? And if this theatre ever gets restored the original marquee that is shown on their Save the Franklin website needs to be reinstated!
“The enduring romance with the Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937. The marquee spilled brilliantly onto Main Street inviting citizens countywide to see "Night Must Fall,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. And they came — young and old, black and white, rich and poor. They laughed, they cried, they dreamed. And, together, within the illuminated walls of the Franklin Theatre, unforgettable moments occurred and memories were made."
Are there any interior photos of this art deco theatre? The Save the Franklin site shows the original art deco marquee that needs to be returned to this theatre exterior, imo. As a sidenote, I think there is a recording studio near Franklin called Dark Horse?
panhandle: Thanks for the updated information concerning Texas preservation groups though a sad scenario.
A friend of mine has told me that friends of his bought the Victoria Theatre in Blossburg last spring and are restoring it and hope to have it open for next spring. It used to be a feed store.