“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!
Lost: Boy, that’s a depressing photo but it does show that exterior design next to the round windows which the others did not that were posted earlier. It sure is boarded up and needs some TLC. I wonder when that photo was taken? I’d say before the many photos that I rec’d from the Marketing Manager, NKCT. Many of those photos show several folks in the theatre along with kids looking and surveying the work to be done which is music to my heart.
Lost: I’ve been away from the computer most of the afternoon, but see that you and “RA” have exchanged Dattola thoughts. Come to think of it I recall someone by the name of Denny who sent me interior photos. RA: If you could send me an email, I could more than likely send those photos.
On a June 4, 2006 by Lost Memory there is a link given for Michael DeAngelis. It mentions his location in New Kensington City in Westmoreland County PA. Is this the same as NK in the Pittsburgh area or it is in the Philadelphia area????
RA: I don’t, but I do have interest in the theatre as the architect was the same person as for my hometown theatre built in western NYS…the Grand in Westfield NY. Someone thought that Michael DeAngelis may still be alive! If that is the case, your theatre efforts would be blessed if you could contact him though I don’t where you’d begin to look for him. He was from the Rochester NY area so perhaps heirs are still in that area. If you find out anything, let me know. My email is provided on my profile page. If fellow CT member, Lost Memory finds any photos he’ll let us know.
Found this link after reading the CT news story about the organ out of this theatre and is now in Mass. being restored by the Chevalier Organ Society. I don’t believe the Chevalier Theatre in Medford Mass. is listed on CT.
The site that features the demo photos is down and I’d like to view them though it is never easy to look at such mistakes! Can anyone find and post them?
Interesting to note that at least this DeAngelis had an organ. My hometown theatre did not. Also interesting to read in an earlier post on this link are the following words…..“He was still living until a few years ago, at least.” I wonder if he is still living as of this date? I’d sure like to talk to him, if possible!
Lost: THANKS! I found it and am thrilled to learn more about this theatre architect who is forever responsible for designing my hometown theatre…unfortunately he is gone and so is my hometown art deco theatre! Of the 10 DeAngelis theatres listed on CT I think only 2 have been demolished.
“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!
Lost: Now I know why your screen name is LOST MEMORY! ;–)
My uncle through marriage used to live in NK and operated the local 5 and 10 with luncheonette when downtown was prosperous!
Lost: Boy, that’s a depressing photo but it does show that exterior design next to the round windows which the others did not that were posted earlier. It sure is boarded up and needs some TLC. I wonder when that photo was taken? I’d say before the many photos that I rec’d from the Marketing Manager, NKCT. Many of those photos show several folks in the theatre along with kids looking and surveying the work to be done which is music to my heart.
This theatre is listed as having 3 screens so was it divided up and was originally a single screen theatre? I would say…yes!
Lost: Any interior photos out there?
RA: I have found the interior photos sent to me by a Denny Sulava, Marketing Manager of NKCT! If you’d like them, please email me @
Lost: I’ve been away from the computer most of the afternoon, but see that you and “RA” have exchanged Dattola thoughts. Come to think of it I recall someone by the name of Denny who sent me interior photos. RA: If you could send me an email, I could more than likely send those photos.
I’ve contacted the NKCT.org group and they seem to be the ones looking for interior photos now though not sure if CT member, “RA” belongs to NKCT.
And another CT link above mentions a link with photos, but no interior photos! http://www.nkct.org/dattola.htm
On a June 4, 2006 by Lost Memory there is a link given for Michael DeAngelis. It mentions his location in New Kensington City in Westmoreland County PA. Is this the same as NK in the Pittsburgh area or it is in the Philadelphia area????
RA: I don’t, but I do have interest in the theatre as the architect was the same person as for my hometown theatre built in western NYS…the Grand in Westfield NY. Someone thought that Michael DeAngelis may still be alive! If that is the case, your theatre efforts would be blessed if you could contact him though I don’t where you’d begin to look for him. He was from the Rochester NY area so perhaps heirs are still in that area. If you find out anything, let me know. My email is provided on my profile page. If fellow CT member, Lost Memory finds any photos he’ll let us know.
And to read about this grand and opulent theatre that was once in Dayton Ohio, but was eventually demolished truly breaks my heart.
Found this link after reading the CT news story about the organ out of this theatre and is now in Mass. being restored by the Chevalier Organ Society. I don’t believe the Chevalier Theatre in Medford Mass. is listed on CT.
The site that features the demo photos is down and I’d like to view them though it is never easy to look at such mistakes! Can anyone find and post them?
Interesting to note that at least this DeAngelis had an organ. My hometown theatre did not. Also interesting to read in an earlier post on this link are the following words…..“He was still living until a few years ago, at least.” I wonder if he is still living as of this date? I’d sure like to talk to him, if possible!
Lost: THANKS! I found it and am thrilled to learn more about this theatre architect who is forever responsible for designing my hometown theatre…unfortunately he is gone and so is my hometown art deco theatre! Of the 10 DeAngelis theatres listed on CT I think only 2 have been demolished.
The Oscar Glas murals sound intriguing!
Lost: It does seem that this theatre will be renovated and not restored though both are far better than demolished.