bigjoe59 -Some roadshow info- at the Criterion- 1967 Thoroughly Modern Millie,1968 Funny Girl,
At the Rivoli-1961 West Side Story, 1963 Cleopatra, 1968 Star!, 1969 Sweet Charity, 1970 Hello, Dolly!
At the RKO Palace-1969 Goodbye Mr. Chips
At Loews State 1- 1968 Oliver!
At Loews State 2-1968 Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang
In 1968 Finians Rainbow had a roadshow engagement at the Warner which by then had split to 3 theatres-cant recall if Finians played The Penthouse or the Cinerama.
Sat in the lodge, taken to the seats by an usher. Loved it. After Funny Girl I wasnt in the theatre again until they multi-plexed it. A night showing of a Streep film, ruined by screaming, crying kids. I never returned after that.
saw my first big roadshow here when i was a kid. 1968 Funny Girl. I loved it. Show curtain overture, intermission,souvenir program, the works. I was hooked on roadshow engagements!
Seating in the theatre consisted of orchestra, lodge,and balcony. There was a smoking section in one of the upper levels. Most nights there were 3-4 ushers on duty, 1 candy girl, 1 ticket taker, and 1 box office person.Busy nights of course needed more staff
In the early 70s I worked as an usher at the other theatre in Freeport,The Grove. As thst and The Freeport were owned by Century,on occasion I would sub at this theatre.It was huge,and quite popular,especially on the weekends.
But as the problems in Freeport grew the attendance here and at the Grove dwindled.
After it closed as a theatre , but before being torn down, it was operated as a disco/nightclub for the 25 and over crowd. Then I believe it was an automotive shop for a bit. After that- dark,then torn down.
When I was little I would go here on Sat matinees, saw The Three Stooges, Robinson Caruso on Mars, Cold Turkey, The Russians are Coming, and many others.
I do remember there was an orchestra, loge and balcony, with a smoking section in one of the upper levels. The same was true at the Grove
More memories of The Grove.When I was little the facade of the theatre was different,this new one was a product of late 60s early 70s. The marquees were on either side of the building,under the top level of the fire escapes-you could see them as you drove down Merrick Rd-. To change the letters on the marquees was hell, involving a ladder , a bit nerve racking and being very high up, just under the top level of the fire escapes.
Before I worked there a friend of mine did and let me come in to see The Boys in the Band, and Midnight Cowboy.
I also remember cable TV was just starting, and as the studios were upset by this all theatres had the phrase Save Free TV lettered on their marquees. Of course we know how that turned out.
Then there were collections for Will Rogers, and for the Variety Club
worked as an usher here from 1972-73. When I started it was still rather classy. We had the Poseidon Adventure for a long run, and for Lady Sings the Blues we had the theatre all decorated up w/production stills and the soundtrack playing in the theatre before the show began, and outside non-stop. This was all the staffs idea, Century,and Paramount never said a word.
Shortly after the town of Freeport started having problems, and fewer people were coming to this theatre and its sister The Freeport.The bookings got rather dismal, Swinging Stewardesses, Night of the Lepus, Blacula,Hell up in Harlem, Cotton Comes to Harlem.
Every so often a prime film was still booked. But I left to go to college and when I came back the theatre was no more.
it is a shame that this theatre and all the others are now no longer, either torn down, or in another use. At least some of them are still in use as legit theatres. When I lived downtown I of course always went to these theatres,but even when I lived in Shadyside or East Liberty I came downtown to go to the movies.It was always so much more special. I understand progress and all but it is a shame when a downtown area of a city is devoid of any movie theatre, the multiplexes really ruined it all
Dinner at the Golden Spike then downstairs to see a movie. I had my very first Pgh date here, moved here to go to school at Point Park, the film was either Papillon or Blume in Love. Other films seen here, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, and New York, New York. I always enjoyed seeing a film here , the intimacymade it soecial
To me it will always be The Stanley. I used to do the bargain matinees when I was a student at Point Park. I remember A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand,and the huge billboard of her and Kris Kristofferson embracing high above the marquee.
I think I saw Goodbye Norma Jean with Misty Rowe as Marilyn here as well- I am not sure.
If I recall the theatre switched back and forth from film to live concerts. I saw An Evening with Diana Ross, great show,even though Miss Ross took a spill into the empty orchestra pit,(the band was onstage behind her).
She wasnt hurt too badly, and after about 45 min returned to the stage and the show continued
Ah The Warner, that beautiful marquee. Memories of The Exorcist, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Close Encounters. A beautiful theatre, now ruined and totally gone.
I loved walking 5th Ave at night on my way home and seeing that marquee all lit up!
I love this theatre. As a member of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera I had the pleasure of performing here from 1975-1980. One of the most beautiful theatres I have ever performed in. Front of house, backstage, perfect. Returned to Pgh in 1999 for a visit and was given a tour of the theatre so that I could stroll down memory lane
never saw a film here , but I did see one of the last legit shows to play the theatre. It was a production of Sabrina Fair, around 1975 or 1976. The theatre was quite empty the night I saw the show. Was quite sad when they tore it down.If I recall correctly the space sat as a vacant lot for a long time
As I lived downtown at the time these theatres opened ,I know I saw movies here. For the life of me I cannot remember any titles though. I did enjoy having dinner at the Rusty Scupper in the Bank Complex before going to the movies though. Can anyone help with titles,it would have been from 1976-78
I lived in the Chatham Towers Apartments from 1976-1978 and would often just get in the elevator on my floor, ride down to the parking garage, and enter the theatre to see the current film playing-never had to go outside. In 1977 I believe, I was dancing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and 20th Century Fox had a Gala Benefit Premiere for The Turning Point at the theatre. I recall all of us got dressed up in our finest to attend as guests. It was one of the few times I entered through the front doors.
I returned to Pgh for a visit in 1999 and was so upset to find this theatre and all the others gone
in the summer of 1969 Oliver! was playing at the Shore. I have pics I took ,but am unable to upload
bigjoe59 -Some roadshow info- at the Criterion- 1967 Thoroughly Modern Millie,1968 Funny Girl, At the Rivoli-1961 West Side Story, 1963 Cleopatra, 1968 Star!, 1969 Sweet Charity, 1970 Hello, Dolly! At the RKO Palace-1969 Goodbye Mr. Chips At Loews State 1- 1968 Oliver! At Loews State 2-1968 Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang In 1968 Finians Rainbow had a roadshow engagement at the Warner which by then had split to 3 theatres-cant recall if Finians played The Penthouse or the Cinerama.
Hope this was helpful
Sat in the lodge, taken to the seats by an usher. Loved it. After Funny Girl I wasnt in the theatre again until they multi-plexed it. A night showing of a Streep film, ruined by screaming, crying kids. I never returned after that.
saw my first big roadshow here when i was a kid. 1968 Funny Girl. I loved it. Show curtain overture, intermission,souvenir program, the works. I was hooked on roadshow engagements!
Seating in the theatre consisted of orchestra, lodge,and balcony. There was a smoking section in one of the upper levels. Most nights there were 3-4 ushers on duty, 1 candy girl, 1 ticket taker, and 1 box office person.Busy nights of course needed more staff
In the early 70s I worked as an usher at the other theatre in Freeport,The Grove. As thst and The Freeport were owned by Century,on occasion I would sub at this theatre.It was huge,and quite popular,especially on the weekends. But as the problems in Freeport grew the attendance here and at the Grove dwindled.
After it closed as a theatre , but before being torn down, it was operated as a disco/nightclub for the 25 and over crowd. Then I believe it was an automotive shop for a bit. After that- dark,then torn down.
When I was little I would go here on Sat matinees, saw The Three Stooges, Robinson Caruso on Mars, Cold Turkey, The Russians are Coming, and many others.
I do remember there was an orchestra, loge and balcony, with a smoking section in one of the upper levels. The same was true at the Grove
More memories of The Grove.When I was little the facade of the theatre was different,this new one was a product of late 60s early 70s. The marquees were on either side of the building,under the top level of the fire escapes-you could see them as you drove down Merrick Rd-. To change the letters on the marquees was hell, involving a ladder , a bit nerve racking and being very high up, just under the top level of the fire escapes. Before I worked there a friend of mine did and let me come in to see The Boys in the Band, and Midnight Cowboy. I also remember cable TV was just starting, and as the studios were upset by this all theatres had the phrase Save Free TV lettered on their marquees. Of course we know how that turned out. Then there were collections for Will Rogers, and for the Variety Club
worked as an usher here from 1972-73. When I started it was still rather classy. We had the Poseidon Adventure for a long run, and for Lady Sings the Blues we had the theatre all decorated up w/production stills and the soundtrack playing in the theatre before the show began, and outside non-stop. This was all the staffs idea, Century,and Paramount never said a word. Shortly after the town of Freeport started having problems, and fewer people were coming to this theatre and its sister The Freeport.The bookings got rather dismal, Swinging Stewardesses, Night of the Lepus, Blacula,Hell up in Harlem, Cotton Comes to Harlem. Every so often a prime film was still booked. But I left to go to college and when I came back the theatre was no more.
it is a shame that this theatre and all the others are now no longer, either torn down, or in another use. At least some of them are still in use as legit theatres. When I lived downtown I of course always went to these theatres,but even when I lived in Shadyside or East Liberty I came downtown to go to the movies.It was always so much more special. I understand progress and all but it is a shame when a downtown area of a city is devoid of any movie theatre, the multiplexes really ruined it all
Dinner at the Golden Spike then downstairs to see a movie. I had my very first Pgh date here, moved here to go to school at Point Park, the film was either Papillon or Blume in Love. Other films seen here, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, and New York, New York. I always enjoyed seeing a film here , the intimacymade it soecial
The Fulton and The Fulton Mini. Bargain matinees, I believe I saw The Story of O and Fritz the Cat here
To me it will always be The Stanley. I used to do the bargain matinees when I was a student at Point Park. I remember A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand,and the huge billboard of her and Kris Kristofferson embracing high above the marquee.
I think I saw Goodbye Norma Jean with Misty Rowe as Marilyn here as well- I am not sure.
If I recall the theatre switched back and forth from film to live concerts. I saw An Evening with Diana Ross, great show,even though Miss Ross took a spill into the empty orchestra pit,(the band was onstage behind her). She wasnt hurt too badly, and after about 45 min returned to the stage and the show continued
Ah The Warner, that beautiful marquee. Memories of The Exorcist, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Close Encounters. A beautiful theatre, now ruined and totally gone. I loved walking 5th Ave at night on my way home and seeing that marquee all lit up!
I love this theatre. As a member of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera I had the pleasure of performing here from 1975-1980. One of the most beautiful theatres I have ever performed in. Front of house, backstage, perfect. Returned to Pgh in 1999 for a visit and was given a tour of the theatre so that I could stroll down memory lane
never saw a film here , but I did see one of the last legit shows to play the theatre. It was a production of Sabrina Fair, around 1975 or 1976. The theatre was quite empty the night I saw the show. Was quite sad when they tore it down.If I recall correctly the space sat as a vacant lot for a long time
As I lived downtown at the time these theatres opened ,I know I saw movies here. For the life of me I cannot remember any titles though. I did enjoy having dinner at the Rusty Scupper in the Bank Complex before going to the movies though. Can anyone help with titles,it would have been from 1976-78
some other films I saw at the Chatham, Thats Entertainment, Young Frankenstein, F.I.S.T. and Mame
I lived in the Chatham Towers Apartments from 1976-1978 and would often just get in the elevator on my floor, ride down to the parking garage, and enter the theatre to see the current film playing-never had to go outside. In 1977 I believe, I was dancing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and 20th Century Fox had a Gala Benefit Premiere for The Turning Point at the theatre. I recall all of us got dressed up in our finest to attend as guests. It was one of the few times I entered through the front doors. I returned to Pgh for a visit in 1999 and was so upset to find this theatre and all the others gone