I had on Public Radio this afternoon/evening (Saturday 2/27/10) and listened to Garrison’s Keillor’s A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION from American Public Media.
The show was broadcast live from this theater.
The Mighty WurliTizer Theater Pipe Organ was played by John Lauter. JOHN MADE THE OLD ORGAN SOUND GREAT! Many Public Radio Stations rebroadcast A Prairie Home Companion on Sunday so you might still get to hear the organ.
John has a number of posts above. Nothing is really listed above about the Fox’s organs so I thought I would post what I could find out and hopefully John can correct my mistakes and also add comments.
“Fox Special"
Opus #1458, 1926, New York Paramount Theater
Opus #1894, 1928, Detroit Fox
Opus #1904, 1928, Brooklyn Fox
Opus #1997, 1928, St. Louis Fox
Opus #2012, 1928, San Francisco Fox
The Detroit “Fox Special” is a 4 Manual/36 Rank shipped by WurliTizer on June 14, 1928.
John writes that very little lost pipework (like 3 pipes/75 years (Dec. 2002)), essentially as installed, probably the largest original WurliTizer left, wonderful sound in that acoustic environment.
The organ included a 2nd 4-manual console (slave), I do not know if it still exists.
Moller Company Grand Lobby Organs
Opus #5286, St. Louis Fox
Opus #5387, Detroit Fox
Opus #5497, San Francisco Fox
These organs were 3 Manual/12 Rank with Artiste player units and each cost $10,000 in 1928. As of 2004 the Detroit Grand Lobby Organ was still working, I do not know it’s condition now.
WOW, a theater with curtains and an usher in uniform! Most folks have never seen such a theater, what a great way to show them what a theater should really look like! They sit in a big shoe box that doesn’t look as good to watch a movie and here is a real shoe box that looks better then what they sit in!
Everything I could find out or remember about CINERAMA at the Lowe’s Palace, the only CINERAMA Theater in Memphis.
CINERAMA used a single booth.
It showed 3-strip CINERAMA from Wednesday, July 26, 1961 to Wednesday, October 2, 1963.
It never played 70mm CINERAMA.
I may have seen other CINERAMA Movies in Memphis, but I know I saw THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM, probably around August or September of 1962.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON, opened on Wednesday, July 3, 1963 and ran for 13 weeks, until Wednesday, October 2, 1963 (this was the last CINERAMA Movie shown in Memphis). I saw it, but not in Memphis.
Anyone know the size of the screen, if it was louvered or it’s curvature?
Here’s something I’ve never seen mentioned before. After THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM was over, I don’t remember if they showed the credits or not of if the curtain closed or not, but they showed the preview to HOW THE WEST WAS WON in 3-strip CINERAMA. They of course showed all the action shots. At least that’s the way I remember it. Can anyone verify this?
Up in the intro it mentions “It was built to showcase the roadshow versions of the CINERAMA movies in the early-1960’s”. I’ve checked around and can find no information of this theater ever showing anything in CINERAMA or even Dimension 150.
Perhaps the plan was for it to be a CINERAMA Theater and it just never happened. Anyone know anything about that?
It may have showed 70mm roadshow movies, but as far as I can tell, not CINERAMA.
Anyone know the size of the screen and did it have any curvature?
If you go to the map and the satellite photo, the theater is at the top left hand corner of the photo, right on the waters edge. It is a white square with a brown circle in it.
I don’t think your question of Jan 10, 2006 was ever answered.
“for the CINERAMA exhibition, did they use the high projection booth? Or did they build a booth at the rear of the orchestra?”
Here’s the answer, over 4 years later!
They actually built 3 booths at the rear of the orchestra.
This causes me to want to know, did they use the high projection booth for the black and white, standard film, Lowell Thomas Prologue or the Bravo Booth?
The CINERAMA Movies it showed were in 70mm CINERAMA only.
I saw at the Southgate, the Re-Issue of THIS IS CINERAMA, in 70mm CINERAMA, of course, in July or August of 1973. I had seen the 3-strip CINERAMA version long ago and far away. I think this is the last time I saw a movie in CINERAMA.
Please help me out, here in Illinois. I am trying to find my way around Santurce using the CINERAMA as a starting point. It would help to have the exact address of this theater so I can find the building on the satellite photo and see what it looks like from the air.
I think the cross street is Cll Bolivar and it would have an address something like 1647 Avenida Fernadez Juncos. If you type 1647 before the street on the map—-is that the theater on the northwest corner? If that’s the building it looks like it has ramps on the roof, did it have parking on the roof?
It would nice to find the exact address so it could be added to this site.
It had a 146 degree LOUVERED, 78 ft by 26 ft, screen!
The first CINERAMA movie, THIS IS CINERAMA, had it’s World Premiere at the Broadway on Tuesday, September 30, 1952. It ran for 35 weeks, till Thursday, June, 4 1953!
THIS IS CINERAMA then transfered to the Warner Theater, on Friday, June 5, 1953 and ran for another 88 weeks!
This means THIS IS CINERAMA had a 123 week run (THAT’S ALMOST 2 YEARS AND 5 MONTHS!), the longest running movie engagement in the history on New York City!
“Ladies and Gentlemen, THIS IS CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
This is a quote I found concerning CINERAMA in San Juan.
“Ran both English and Spanish sound versions at different performances”
That’s all I know.
It seems to me that I remember from a long time ago that 3-strip CINERAMA would change the language on the 4th strip/sound track “film” sometimes. This might have been easier than adding subtitles?
Teatro CINERAMA ran 3-strip CINERAMA from, Tuesday, May 4, 1965 till Sunday, December 12, 1965.
70mm CINERAMA started Saturday, December 25, 1965.
It had a LOUVERED Screen 75 ft by 35 ft.
I know for sure that I saw CIRCUS WORLD in the theater in 1966. I may have seen other CINEARAMA Movies in San Juan, but I’m not always positve what CINERAMA Films I saw in what cities.
I am sure I saw CIRCUS WORLD with an English soundtrack.
Is anyone able to add anything about CINERAMA Movies that played in Puerto Rico with Spanish soundtracks?
Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Massachusetts installed a pipe organ in the Broadway/Colony Theater in 1924. It was Opus 485, a 4 Manual/32 Rank with 2,153 pipes. I know it was played by George Brock in 1927 and that’s the last thing I can find out about the organ. Anyone know what happened to this organ after that?
Terry: I don’t think the original Cine Capri ever had a D-150 (Dimension 150) screen. Have you got a way to check and see if it really did or didn’t have D-150?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 20, 1952.
The address does not work because the street is spelled wrong. When the street is spelled correct the address works and a photo shows up, which if it is scanned will show the theater.
Just think what it must have been like to be at the Rivoli in New York City 45 years ago tonight! Thanks for reminding us Michael.
Can anyone explain what is going on with this theater, it looks like it’s been gutted?
I had on Public Radio this afternoon/evening (Saturday 2/27/10) and listened to Garrison’s Keillor’s A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION from American Public Media.
The show was broadcast live from this theater.
The Mighty WurliTizer Theater Pipe Organ was played by John Lauter. JOHN MADE THE OLD ORGAN SOUND GREAT! Many Public Radio Stations rebroadcast A Prairie Home Companion on Sunday so you might still get to hear the organ.
John has a number of posts above. Nothing is really listed above about the Fox’s organs so I thought I would post what I could find out and hopefully John can correct my mistakes and also add comments.
“Fox Special"
Opus #1458, 1926, New York Paramount Theater
Opus #1894, 1928, Detroit Fox
Opus #1904, 1928, Brooklyn Fox
Opus #1997, 1928, St. Louis Fox
Opus #2012, 1928, San Francisco Fox
The Detroit “Fox Special” is a 4 Manual/36 Rank shipped by WurliTizer on June 14, 1928.
John writes that very little lost pipework (like 3 pipes/75 years (Dec. 2002)), essentially as installed, probably the largest original WurliTizer left, wonderful sound in that acoustic environment.
The organ included a 2nd 4-manual console (slave), I do not know if it still exists.
Moller Company Grand Lobby Organs
Opus #5286, St. Louis Fox
Opus #5387, Detroit Fox
Opus #5497, San Francisco Fox
These organs were 3 Manual/12 Rank with Artiste player units and each cost $10,000 in 1928. As of 2004 the Detroit Grand Lobby Organ was still working, I do not know it’s condition now.
“Gee Dad, it is a WurliTizer!”
PLEASE CHANGE THE ADDRESS
The above listed address is about 10 blocks to far north.
The theater was on South Main, between Monroe and Union, I think on the east side of the street.
The exact address was 52 South Main.
Thanks.
I was mistaken it does work, good!
GOOD GRIEF-RELAX
WOW, a theater with curtains and an usher in uniform! Most folks have never seen such a theater, what a great way to show them what a theater should really look like! They sit in a big shoe box that doesn’t look as good to watch a movie and here is a real shoe box that looks better then what they sit in!
www.personalmovietheater.com is an expired domain as far as I can tell.
To bad, the more people that see what a theater should look like the better, and I did want to make one for my Lionel model train layout.
Everything I could find out or remember about CINERAMA at the Lowe’s Palace, the only CINERAMA Theater in Memphis.
CINERAMA used a single booth.
It showed 3-strip CINERAMA from Wednesday, July 26, 1961 to Wednesday, October 2, 1963.
It never played 70mm CINERAMA.
I may have seen other CINERAMA Movies in Memphis, but I know I saw THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM, probably around August or September of 1962.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON, opened on Wednesday, July 3, 1963 and ran for 13 weeks, until Wednesday, October 2, 1963 (this was the last CINERAMA Movie shown in Memphis). I saw it, but not in Memphis.
Anyone know the size of the screen, if it was louvered or it’s curvature?
Here’s something I’ve never seen mentioned before. After THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM was over, I don’t remember if they showed the credits or not of if the curtain closed or not, but they showed the preview to HOW THE WEST WAS WON in 3-strip CINERAMA. They of course showed all the action shots. At least that’s the way I remember it. Can anyone verify this?
Up in the intro it mentions “It was built to showcase the roadshow versions of the CINERAMA movies in the early-1960’s”. I’ve checked around and can find no information of this theater ever showing anything in CINERAMA or even Dimension 150.
Perhaps the plan was for it to be a CINERAMA Theater and it just never happened. Anyone know anything about that?
It may have showed 70mm roadshow movies, but as far as I can tell, not CINERAMA.
Anyone know the size of the screen and did it have any curvature?
If you go to the map and the satellite photo, the theater is at the top left hand corner of the photo, right on the waters edge. It is a white square with a brown circle in it.
Ed Solero-
I don’t think your question of Jan 10, 2006 was ever answered.
“for the CINERAMA exhibition, did they use the high projection booth? Or did they build a booth at the rear of the orchestra?”
Here’s the answer, over 4 years later!
They actually built 3 booths at the rear of the orchestra.
This causes me to want to know, did they use the high projection booth for the black and white, standard film, Lowell Thomas Prologue or the Bravo Booth?
The Southgate opened Friday, July 3, 1964.
The screen was 60 ft by 20 ft.
The CINERAMA Movies it showed were in 70mm CINERAMA only.
I saw at the Southgate, the Re-Issue of THIS IS CINERAMA, in 70mm CINERAMA, of course, in July or August of 1973. I had seen the 3-strip CINERAMA version long ago and far away. I think this is the last time I saw a movie in CINERAMA.
Please help me out, here in Illinois. I am trying to find my way around Santurce using the CINERAMA as a starting point. It would help to have the exact address of this theater so I can find the building on the satellite photo and see what it looks like from the air.
I think the cross street is Cll Bolivar and it would have an address something like 1647 Avenida Fernadez Juncos. If you type 1647 before the street on the map—-is that the theater on the northwest corner? If that’s the building it looks like it has ramps on the roof, did it have parking on the roof?
It would nice to find the exact address so it could be added to this site.
A few more details on CINERAMA at the Broadway.
This, of course, was a 3-strip CINERAMA location.
It had a 146 degree LOUVERED, 78 ft by 26 ft, screen!
The first CINERAMA movie, THIS IS CINERAMA, had it’s World Premiere at the Broadway on Tuesday, September 30, 1952. It ran for 35 weeks, till Thursday, June, 4 1953!
THIS IS CINERAMA then transfered to the Warner Theater, on Friday, June 5, 1953 and ran for another 88 weeks!
This means THIS IS CINERAMA had a 123 week run (THAT’S ALMOST 2 YEARS AND 5 MONTHS!), the longest running movie engagement in the history on New York City!
“Ladies and Gentlemen, THIS IS CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
JSA,
This is a quote I found concerning CINERAMA in San Juan.
“Ran both English and Spanish sound versions at different performances”
That’s all I know.
It seems to me that I remember from a long time ago that 3-strip CINERAMA would change the language on the 4th strip/sound track “film” sometimes. This might have been easier than adding subtitles?
I hope someone can add some light to this.
widescreenman-
Teatro CINERAMA ran 3-strip CINERAMA from, Tuesday, May 4, 1965 till Sunday, December 12, 1965.
70mm CINERAMA started Saturday, December 25, 1965.
It had a LOUVERED Screen 75 ft by 35 ft.
I know for sure that I saw CIRCUS WORLD in the theater in 1966. I may have seen other CINEARAMA Movies in San Juan, but I’m not always positve what CINERAMA Films I saw in what cities.
I am sure I saw CIRCUS WORLD with an English soundtrack.
Is anyone able to add anything about CINERAMA Movies that played in Puerto Rico with Spanish soundtracks?
Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Massachusetts installed a pipe organ in the Broadway/Colony Theater in 1924. It was Opus 485, a 4 Manual/32 Rank with 2,153 pipes. I know it was played by George Brock in 1927 and that’s the last thing I can find out about the organ. Anyone know what happened to this organ after that?
The Rosna started out with 3-strip CINERAMA on October 18, 1961. It showed 70mm CINERAMA (and 3-strip) starting July 8, 1964.
I don’t know all the CINERAMA Films shown at the Rosna, but I know
THIS IS CINERAMA
CINERAMA HOLIDAY and
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM
played.
I know
HOW THE WEST WAS WON 1963 and
THE HALLELUAJAH TRAIL 1965
played for sure because I know I saw both of them at the Rosna (I probably saw other CINERAMA Movies, but don’t remember for sure).
Rick Wolfe
What’s the name and location of your theater? Sounds like a great place,I hope it’s close to me!
?PREVIOUS NAMES?
SHOULDN’T
“TOWN HALL”
AND
“OLD SAYBROOK TOWN HALL”
BE LISTED FOR PREVIOUS NAMES?
Terry: I don’t think the original Cine Capri ever had a D-150 (Dimension 150) screen. Have you got a way to check and see if it really did or didn’t have D-150?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 20, 1952.
Ron—I forgot to mention a great site
http://cinerama.topcities.com/
see 312 CINERAMA Theaters around the world by clicking on CINERAMA THEATERS.
Ron—Click on Toledo and as you scroll down you will see that Michael made up a list of what you want.
CORRECTION
That should be 11/3 or 11/10/71
timoneill –
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was shown at the McClurg Court in 70mm (Panavision Blow Up). It began on either 1/3 or 11/10/71 and played for 57 weeks.
The Drive-In is listed on Cinema Treasures.
Fly-In Drive-In
The address does not work because the street is spelled wrong. When the street is spelled correct the address works and a photo shows up, which if it is scanned will show the theater.
1920 FredEricksburg Rd, San Antonio TX 78201