Joe: If you would, please email me the Boxoffice Magazine photo of this theatre. I truly appreciate being led to the Grand Theatre/Westfield NY Boxoffice 1941 article thanks to you!
Roy Benjamin also built the Marion in Ocala Florida which I hope to see next winter! The Marion has some connnection to John Travolta as he lives near Ocala in Anthony FL. He auctioned off a motorcycle from one of his movies to help with the theatre renovation. Thanks John!
I just learned of this theatre through a Florida friend, Irv Lipscomb. After clicking on Roy A. Benjamin’s name it is interesting to learn that 2 other theatres designed by him in Jacksonville are still listed as OPEN…the San Marco and the Florida Theatres!
Absolutely! The contributions and dedication that Lost Memory devotes to Cinema Treasures is a treasure and one that we all should appreciate. It isn’t about numbers, but devotion to a wonderful cinema site that I am truly pleased I found despite the occasional out of line posted comment. Let’s all read and remember the comment policy stated for all CT members and stop the personal attacks NOW or we risk the chance of losing this fabulous and informative site which has and continues for the most part to be productive!
Lost: This theatre built by Irving and Mary Cohen is connected to the Allendale Theatre in Buffalo which is still standing. Since you added this theatre can you confirm this theatre has been demolished? thought I was told by a CT member who lives near Hornell that it is still standing!
A white Wurlitzer! You have the best humor and again, I thank the lights in a flashing marquee that you are a CT member…should be an honorary member, imo.
“The Palace’s sky blue ceiling with its indirect neon cove lighting are reminiscent of an atmospheric ceiling, but the Palace is not an atmospheric theatre.” Will check this out when I visit Hamburg NY this summer.
I have friends whose last name is McAdoo so perhaps they have some personal and historical paperwork from the town’s history that might include this theatre that was sadly demolished. The above photo shows the marquee, doors and ticket kios along with a car going by which helps date the photo!
Many years ago I was in Peoria looking at a Frank Lloyd Wright built home so wasn’t into theatres though it had been demolished by then anyway. Hard to read this in a previous post: “It was corporate greed & a direspectful blow to the culture of Peoria when the Philistine developer Ray Heinz tore down Peoria landmarks.”
Jay also told me that plans are in the works to have the marquee restored. And I wonder if Jay is continuing to show Hitchcock movies each month? I didn’t think to ask him.
I recently received a phone call from the current owner, Jay Ruof. He is hoping to learn the name of the architect for this theatre. If anyone can provide that information, please let me know.
“The facade was faced with Vitrolite tiles.” I haven’t seen many theatre facades with the use of these tiles. It would be interesting to research the name, Vitrolite and see what we can find. I’m sure that in the 30’s this tile was used for other business facades such as restaurants and maybe even old gas stations.
I’ve been told that a building can be removed from NR if they don’t comply to the NR specifications when making changes. In this case, the State must have not complied though it would be interesting to learn the whys of it all. If you come across anything that might explain this, let me know. Thanks, again!
Joe: If you would, please email me the Boxoffice Magazine photo of this theatre. I truly appreciate being led to the Grand Theatre/Westfield NY Boxoffice 1941 article thanks to you!
Would love to see exterior and interior photos of when it was the Florida Theatre.
Any photos, anyone?
Yes sir!
Lost: Thanks…again.
jeffreyt: Interesting post..let us know what you find out and can photograph.
Roy Benjamin also built the Marion in Ocala Florida which I hope to see next winter! The Marion has some connnection to John Travolta as he lives near Ocala in Anthony FL. He auctioned off a motorcycle from one of his movies to help with the theatre renovation. Thanks John!
I just learned of this theatre through a Florida friend, Irv Lipscomb. After clicking on Roy A. Benjamin’s name it is interesting to learn that 2 other theatres designed by him in Jacksonville are still listed as OPEN…the San Marco and the Florida Theatres!
Chuck: I totally agree!
Absolutely! The contributions and dedication that Lost Memory devotes to Cinema Treasures is a treasure and one that we all should appreciate. It isn’t about numbers, but devotion to a wonderful cinema site that I am truly pleased I found despite the occasional out of line posted comment. Let’s all read and remember the comment policy stated for all CT members and stop the personal attacks NOW or we risk the chance of losing this fabulous and informative site which has and continues for the most part to be productive!
“demolished in the name of urban renewal”
Not a good thing to read as we all or most of us dislike the words, urban renewal.
A friend of mine used to see movies at this theatre as a young boy and also remembers the Avondale Theatre in Tonawanda which isn’t listed on CT.
Lost: This theatre built by Irving and Mary Cohen is connected to the Allendale Theatre in Buffalo which is still standing. Since you added this theatre can you confirm this theatre has been demolished? thought I was told by a CT member who lives near Hornell that it is still standing!
And are there any Beman organ sites out there with a directory as to past and present locations?
A white Wurlitzer! You have the best humor and again, I thank the lights in a flashing marquee that you are a CT member…should be an honorary member, imo.
Lost: I just called the phone number and left a message as I hope to receive a tour of this theatre that has been saved!
Did this theatre have an organ and after restoration is it still there and intact or being restored? If so, I’m sure it was a Wurlitzer.
LOUB: Thanks for posting the hamburgpalace site as I have now emailed Jay Ruof.
“The Palace’s sky blue ceiling with its indirect neon cove lighting are reminiscent of an atmospheric ceiling, but the Palace is not an atmospheric theatre.” Will check this out when I visit Hamburg NY this summer.
I have friends whose last name is McAdoo so perhaps they have some personal and historical paperwork from the town’s history that might include this theatre that was sadly demolished. The above photo shows the marquee, doors and ticket kios along with a car going by which helps date the photo!
Many years ago I was in Peoria looking at a Frank Lloyd Wright built home so wasn’t into theatres though it had been demolished by then anyway. Hard to read this in a previous post: “It was corporate greed & a direspectful blow to the culture of Peoria when the Philistine developer Ray Heinz tore down Peoria landmarks.”
Jay also told me that plans are in the works to have the marquee restored. And I wonder if Jay is continuing to show Hitchcock movies each month? I didn’t think to ask him.
I recently received a phone call from the current owner, Jay Ruof. He is hoping to learn the name of the architect for this theatre. If anyone can provide that information, please let me know.
“The facade was faced with Vitrolite tiles.” I haven’t seen many theatre facades with the use of these tiles. It would be interesting to research the name, Vitrolite and see what we can find. I’m sure that in the 30’s this tile was used for other business facades such as restaurants and maybe even old gas stations.
I’ve been told that a building can be removed from NR if they don’t comply to the NR specifications when making changes. In this case, the State must have not complied though it would be interesting to learn the whys of it all. If you come across anything that might explain this, let me know. Thanks, again!