Linda…I like stained glass and this bugs me because I feel like I’ve seen this or something like it before and seems like it had to do with a movie theater. If you ever find anything out, please let us know. Thanks
Michael…Interesting, somehow I knew a 70mm print of MOLLY BROWN was “floating” around. I don’t know why I thought it was at RCMH. I was In Norfolk, Virginia the summer of 1964, so I knew nothing about it being at the Palace in Chicago. Thanks for the info.
Well I know it’s a good list, but I sure didn’t think it was so great it needed to be repeated three times. I’ve got some real computer problems, I hope Santa reads this.
Well I know it’s a good list, but I sure didn’t think it was so great it needed to be repeated three times. I’ve got some real computer problems, I hope Santa reads this.
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
Michael…Thanks for all the info, you filled in a lot of blank spots!
I thought it was interesting that that “THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN” played at the Place in 70mm. I did not know that. The only place I had recalled it had been in 70mm was at Radio City Music Hall.
I also see that “CAMELOT” played at the Bismarck. I had forgotten that the Palace for a time had been called the Bismarck after the Bismarck Hotel which was the hotel building the Palace/Bismarck Theater was located in.
Seems to me Flo’s was a little closer to State Street and not right next to the United Artists? I think the women on the swing had a microphone and would talk to the folks down on Randolph Street. Seems like I recall her saying something like “Come to Flo’s, Fabulous Flo’s”, as she swung on the swing, anyone remember that? Years later it seemed like a bookstore and Burger King got located in those buildings before everyting got torn down, including the United Artists.
Tim…Back as a kid on March 23 1958 my brother and I went to the Cinestage in Chicago and saw “AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS”, ever since then I’ve been hooked on ROADSHOW/70mm. This of course includes CINERAMA (both kinds) which I’ve seen in Chicago, Memphis, Norfolk, New York, San Juan and Washington DC.
Sometime back I asked Michael Coate about a list for Chicago of 70mm films like the ones he had worked on for NY and LA and he mentioned then about “parted ways”, but you still gotta love the guy cause now he’s come out with these GREAT lists of CINERAMA movies in various cities. I really enjoy them!
Chicago really needs a list of Roadshow/70mm, so let me add and fill in on Michael’s list and I hope others will help out and let’s see what we come up with. If I don’t know the date the movie opened I’ve put in the Release Date knowing that it would have opened after that date. At the end, is a list of films that may or may not have been Roadshow/70mm in Chicago and I have no idea what theater they played at. For sure more flicks are listed then ever made it as a Roadshows in Chicago, but better to list too many then not enough and I may have still missed some. I have not listed movies that are a re-Issue for I doubt if they are Roadshow?? I make no gurantee that all the info is 100% accurate but it’s close and it’s a start. Any mistakes, please correct me.
Michael Coate… Don’t laugh, I know this list is really sick next to one of yours, but it’s better than nothing (which is what my wife says about me).
EVERYONE… Notice how many weeks films played! It’s a joke now days how a film is released plays in theaters for a short time, is out on DVD and on TV before you know it! I think that’s because the movies are no good, the theaters are no good, the projection and sound are no good and the audience takes no prize either! What do you think?
“A WORK-IN-PROGRESS-LIST”
CHICAGO ROADSHOW 3-STRIP & 70MM MOVIES
THIS IS CINERAMA, Palace, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
LMB-
I’m guesing you were about eleven when you saw “This Is CINERAMA”. Any chance you can give us any details on how you happened to be lucky enough to be at the Palace here in Chicago that first night and anything else. Was Lowell Thomas there etc.?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Michael-
I use to be up in the EDENS area all the time and went to movies at those theaters. I think I saw the first “STAR WARS” at the EDENS. From what I can remember the screens might have had slight curve, but nothing like a CINERAMA, D-150 or even the curve of the first TODD-AO screens.
I was not aware that “This Is CINERAMA” played at the EDENS, darn I missed that. I did see it on the south side of Milwaukee probably at the SOUTHTOWN or perhaps the SOUTHGATE. Hal T. says the SOUTHGATE had a CINERAMA screen and I don’t recall a CINERAMA screen being installed though I could be wrong, after all this was 35 years ago!
“Ladies and Getlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Warren,
R-E-L-A-X, you take all the fun out of this site! I did as much research as I could out here in the middle of the cornfields of Illinois. Didn’t I know it wasn’t the Cort/Elysee, didn’t I know the WurliTzer went to the Cinema Imperial, didn’t I write “Can anyone verify if any films got shown in this building in the last 96 years?”? Please don’t act like I didn’t do any “research before jumping to wrong conclusions.”. I want this site to have accurate information just like you. However I don’t think an error here is one of the 7 deadly sins? Gosh it’s only a theater listing! It’s been on here for months and no one has said anything. If everyone is positve no movies were shown here back in 1913 or whenever, and though it it would be a shame to have this beautiful theater disappear, by all means remove it from the site.
It does seem nice if Cinema Treasures would have a section, as LuisV writes “There should be a "Theater Treasures” for Legit Playhouses!"
“Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children.” Authur C. Clarke (1917-2008)
No question that this theater has spent most of it’s life with live theater. The Shubert Website only talks about live theater which is of course their business. It makes no mention of the theater ever showing films, nor does it mention that the theater was the site from 1969-1972 of “The Merv Griffin Show”.
A WurliTizer was shipped to the theater in 1912. Can anyone verify if any films got shown in this building in the last 96 years?
‘Goldwynisms’ “Keep a stiff upper chin.” Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974)
If you read all the comments on this theater you would see a lot of questions about the address. It has now been been agreed on as 612 Main. Just out of curiosity, what address did you have for back in 1960?
‘Goldwynisms’ “Don’t turn it into a flop!” Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974)
45 YEARS that’s at least how long this theater has had the same phone number!
bflofan,
I live near Chicago, so Buffalo phone numbers don’t mean a lot to me, but it’s should bring back memories to those around Buffalo and especially if they worked at one of these theaters. It was still neat for me to be reminded of when exchanges had names.
Do you have phone numbers for theaters not listed on Cinema Treasures? If yes, you could add them to CT. What a great way to get all the Buffalo area theaters of the early 60’s all listed on CT.
“This is like deja vu all over again.” Yogi Berra (1925-)
monika,
WOW, what a surprise! The only way I knew anything about this theater was because an organ had been shipped here. Because the newer Cort/Elysee Theater had beeen built in 1926 and demolished in 1985, I never expected that the older theater would still be standing. Can you be any help on the address, street or area?
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Yogi Berra (1925-)
LIM – I don’t know if this would get, Loves movies – hate going! back to the movies, but this would get me back.
CLASS
It all can be summed up in that one word
Comfortable Seats
Seat rows that are wide apart
Seat that are staggered so no one is directly in front of you
Perfect projection
Perfect stereo sound
Scope pictures with the screen widened with the masking pulled from the sides none of this droping masking from the top crap
No ads on the screen, I can get that on TV at home
No comercials, I can get that on the radio at home and in the the car, that’s why I listen to National Public Radio
A nice pleasent clean theater
Not a shoebox
No sticky floors
Nicely decoerated
Perhaps just elegant lush red drapes on all the walls
Guess what, no movie screen!
A large curtain at the front of the theater with a good curve to it to give a hint of the big curved screen behind it.
A big curved screen, from wall to wall, ceiling to floor
The curtain would be lit by a row of recessed ceiling spotlights.
A clock, with probably a green neon ring to light it, it would be to the side (so no one would have to keep looking at their dam cell phones for the time)
If it was possible, play music from the soundtrack of the movie (the CD programed in such a way that it’s timed that the movies theme plays just before the movie starts) if no soundtrack is available play music from famous classic movies.
The house lights would dim
The curtain lights would start to dim
The water fall curtain would start to rise
A cartoon would play
One prevue of that theaters next movie would play
A short film on manners would show about cell phones, talking, no kicking the seats ahead of you, taking noisy kids out etc.
The curtain drops and the curtain lights come on
If they need to, the masking and lens change
The curtains rise,the curtain lights dim and “JENESEN THEATERS PROUDLY PRESENTS” with a fanfare all happen at the same time
The movie begins
(sometimes a movie has it’s own previews, this is something that would have to be worked out)
The curtains would not close till the last credits had shown (in other words when the movie was over)
The curtain lights then would come up
The house lights would then come up
The GUEST should never see a blank screen
No one would start to clean the theater till the last guest had left
After the last GUEST has left, the theater would really be lit and cleaned and a mop should be handy to clean up any coke spills
To me that’s what what we had at one time and need today-CLASS!
Did I forget anything?
Anything you want to add?
“I don’t sell tickets to movies. I sell tickets to theaters.” Marcus Loew 1870-1927
Ah yes, break my heart, the albatrosses (Gooney Birds, not the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain or LSD) had conquered the island even when the Navy was there. They had a terrible time keeping them out of the way. Join the Navy and see the world. In all of my travels that was the most interesting place I’ve ever been! After the Navy left Midway they had Eco-Tours from about 1996-2002 and I hear they are to start up again this year. If I can’t get to your island what’s my chances of getting to Midway? I understand they show DVDs in the old Midway Theater you ought to go over there and you’ll get to see the theater and the Gooney Birds, I think it’s only about a 1,000 mile swim from your place.
“Paint Your Wagon” 1969
Lee Marvin/Ben Ramson: “I was born under a wandrin' star.”
What’s that round building? Love your videos, just don’t like them tearing down a theater. I think that’s the closest I’ll ever get to getting back there. I used to fly in and out of the U.S. Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, all the time, now that’s closed. I think the last time I was there was in 1980 on my way back from U.S. Naval Air Facility, Midway Island, that’s closed too, and it had a movie theater I should add to CT. Course I could fly over, but my wife won’t fly since 9/11. I’ve got a good quote for that, hope my wife, daughter and grandkids don’t read it, I love them all dearly, but I sure miss O'AHU!
Mahalo
“Zorba the Greek” 1964
Alan Bates/Basil: “Are you married?"
Anthony Quinn/Alexis Zorba: "Am I not a man? And is a man not stupid? I’m a man, so I married, wife, children, house, everything. The full catastrophe.”
Thanks for your youtube, as I watched it, a lot of it looked like a lot of sorting was going on for recycling, which was good. Near the end as s/he started to pull those beams out of the walls and I didn’t even see the walls shake even a little, I started to get mad. I think plenty of life was still left in the old girl! I think it was just another case like the Indian Hills Theater! If you don’t know that story, read that whole saga, that ended up, guess what, being a parking lot! “Make your blood boil, well I should say!”
“They showed the old movie theater, and half of it was gone.” Scott Ward
Linda…I like stained glass and this bugs me because I feel like I’ve seen this or something like it before and seems like it had to do with a movie theater. If you ever find anything out, please let us know. Thanks
Manteno, IL (50 miles south of Chicago)
Michael…Interesting, somehow I knew a 70mm print of MOLLY BROWN was “floating” around. I don’t know why I thought it was at RCMH. I was In Norfolk, Virginia the summer of 1964, so I knew nothing about it being at the Palace in Chicago. Thanks for the info.
CinemarkFan…By all means make sure you contact Michael, the keeper of the lists.
If you care to, you might also add to the CHICAGO ROADSHOW “A WORK-IN-PROGRESS-LIST” at http://cinematreasures.org/news/20357_0_1_20_C/
That was me not the computer with the TORO! instead of TORA!. I guess I didn’t spend enough time in Japan.
Let’s try http://cinematreasures.org/news/20357_0_1_20_C/ and see if that works any better.
Well I know it’s a good list, but I sure didn’t think it was so great it needed to be repeated three times. I’ve got some real computer problems, I hope Santa reads this.
Well I know it’s a good list, but I sure didn’t think it was so great it needed to be repeated three times. I’ve got some real computer problems, I hope Santa reads this.
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
CINERAMA HOLIDAY, 6/15/55, 78 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, 12/12/56, 70 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEARCH FOR PARADISE, 4/16/58, 22 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE, 9/18/58, 59 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
CAN-CAN, 4/19/60, Todd-AO
THE ALAMO, 10/26/60, Todd-AO
THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, 6/24/64, Panavision 70mm Blow Up, NON Roadshow
MY FAIR LADY, 10/23/64, Super Panavision 70
CAMELOT, after 10/25/67, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
TORO! TORO! TORO!, after 9/24/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, 1973, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
For some extensive lists of possible movies that could have “PLAYED THE PALACE” that you might want to add to this list go to http://cinematreasures.org/news/20357-0-1-0-C/
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
CINERAMA HOLIDAY, 6/15/55, 78 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, 12/12/56, 70 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEARCH FOR PARADISE, 4/16/58, 22 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE, 9/18/58, 59 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
CAN-CAN, 4/19/60, Todd-AO
THE ALAMO, 10/26/60, Todd-AO
THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, 6/24/64, Panavision 70mm Blow Up, NON Roadshow
MY FAIR LADY, 10/23/64, Super Panavision 70
CAMELOT, after 10/25/67, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
TORO! TORO! TORO!, after 9/24/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, 1973, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
For some extensive lists of possible movies that could have “PLAYED THE PALACE” that you might want to add to this list go to http://cinematreasures.org/news/20357-0-1-0-C/
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Here’s a list of SOME of the Roadshows “THAT PLAYED THE PALACE”. It includes all of the 3-strip CINERAMA films that showed at the Palace and some 70mm. The list IS NOT complete and MAY have errors, but it’s still a pretty good list that I’ve come up with (I had a lot of help from Michael Coate). Please feel free to add any flicks or make corrections. Reruns are not listed. An AFTER before a date means that this was the movies release date. Notice how many weeks some films played next to how long a film lasts in a theater now days! Hope it brings back some memories, let’s hear about them.
THIS IS CINERAMA, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
CINERAMA HOLIDAY, 6/15/55, 78 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, 12/12/56, 70 weeks, 3-strip CINERAMA
SEARCH FOR PARADISE, 4/16/58, 22 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE, 9/18/58, 59 weeks, 3 strip CINERAMA
CAN-CAN, 4/19/60, Todd-AO
THE ALAMO, 10/26/60, Todd-AO
THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, 6/24/64, Panavision 70mm Blow Up, NON Roadshow
MY FAIR LADY, 10/23/64, Super Panavision 70
CAMELOT, after 10/25/67, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
TORO! TORO! TORO!, after 9/24/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, 1973, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
For some extensive lists of possible movies that could have “PLAYED THE PALACE” that you might want to add to this list go to http://cinematreasures.org/news/20357-0-1-0-C/
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Michael…Thanks for all the info, you filled in a lot of blank spots!
I thought it was interesting that that “THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN” played at the Place in 70mm. I did not know that. The only place I had recalled it had been in 70mm was at Radio City Music Hall.
I also see that “CAMELOT” played at the Bismarck. I had forgotten that the Palace for a time had been called the Bismarck after the Bismarck Hotel which was the hotel building the Palace/Bismarck Theater was located in.
I thought of a few more possible movies.
“A WORK-IN-PROGESS-LIST II”
???????????????????????????
?POSSIBLE?CHICAGO?ROADSHOW?70MM?35MM?THEATER?DATE?
CAROUSEL, after 2/16/56, CinemaScope 55 35mm
THE KING AND I, after 6/28/56, CinemaScope 55 35mm
BLACK TIGHTS, after 2/20/62, Super Technirama 70
LA FAYETTE, after 4/10/63, Super Technirama 70
THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, after 12/15/65, Spherical 35mm
THE DIRTY DOZEN, after 6/15/67, Metroscope 70mm Blow Up
WAR AND PEACE, after 4/28/68, Sovscope 70
DR. COPPELIUS!!, after 12/25/68, Superpanorama 70
TO LATE THE HERO, after 5/20/70, Metroscope 70mm Blow Up
NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, after 12/13/71, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
HOUSE OF WAX, 1953, Natural Vision (3-D) 35mm (Side-by-side Anamorphic) 70mm Blow Up 1972 re-issue
TOM SAWYER, after 3/15/73, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
Seems to me Flo’s was a little closer to State Street and not right next to the United Artists? I think the women on the swing had a microphone and would talk to the folks down on Randolph Street. Seems like I recall her saying something like “Come to Flo’s, Fabulous Flo’s”, as she swung on the swing, anyone remember that? Years later it seemed like a bookstore and Burger King got located in those buildings before everyting got torn down, including the United Artists.
They should really be called “MINI-MAX”!
See
View link
Tim…Back as a kid on March 23 1958 my brother and I went to the Cinestage in Chicago and saw “AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS”, ever since then I’ve been hooked on ROADSHOW/70mm. This of course includes CINERAMA (both kinds) which I’ve seen in Chicago, Memphis, Norfolk, New York, San Juan and Washington DC.
Sometime back I asked Michael Coate about a list for Chicago of 70mm films like the ones he had worked on for NY and LA and he mentioned then about “parted ways”, but you still gotta love the guy cause now he’s come out with these GREAT lists of CINERAMA movies in various cities. I really enjoy them!
Chicago really needs a list of Roadshow/70mm, so let me add and fill in on Michael’s list and I hope others will help out and let’s see what we come up with. If I don’t know the date the movie opened I’ve put in the Release Date knowing that it would have opened after that date. At the end, is a list of films that may or may not have been Roadshow/70mm in Chicago and I have no idea what theater they played at. For sure more flicks are listed then ever made it as a Roadshows in Chicago, but better to list too many then not enough and I may have still missed some. I have not listed movies that are a re-Issue for I doubt if they are Roadshow?? I make no gurantee that all the info is 100% accurate but it’s close and it’s a start. Any mistakes, please correct me.
Michael Coate… Don’t laugh, I know this list is really sick next to one of yours, but it’s better than nothing (which is what my wife says about me).
EVERYONE… Notice how many weeks films played! It’s a joke now days how a film is released plays in theaters for a short time, is out on DVD and on TV before you know it! I think that’s because the movies are no good, the theaters are no good, the projection and sound are no good and the audience takes no prize either! What do you think?
“A WORK-IN-PROGRESS-LIST”
CHICAGO ROADSHOW 3-STRIP & 70MM MOVIES
THIS IS CINERAMA, Palace, 7/29/53, 98 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
CINERAMA HOIDAY, Palace, 6/15/55, 78 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
OKLAHOMA!, McVickers, 12/26/55, 47 weeks, Todd-AO
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, Palace, 12/12/56, 70 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, Cinestage, 4/4/57, 90 weeks, Todd-AO
SOUTH PACIFIC, McVickers, 3/26/58, 56 weeks, Todd-AO
SEARCH FOR PARADISE, Palace, 4/16/58, 22 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
WINDJAMMER, Opera House, 6/20/58, 14 weeks, 3-Strip CineMiracle
SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE, Palace, 9/18/58, 59 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
PORGY AND BESS, McVickers, after 6/24/59, Todd-AO
BEN HUR, Michael Todd, after 11/18/59, 74 weeks, MGM Camera 65
SCENT OF MYSTERY, Cinestage, 1/6/60, Todd-AO
CAN-CAN, Palace, after 3/9/60, Todd-AO
SPARTACUS, McVickers, after 10/6/60, Super Technirama 70
THE ALAMO, Palace, after 10/24/60, Todd-AO
EXODUS, Cinestage, after 12/15/60, Super Panavision 70
KING OF KINGS, Michael Todd, after 10/11/61, Super Technirama 70
WEST SIDE STORY, Michael Todd, after 10/18/61, Super Panavision 70
EL CID, Cinestage, after 12/6/61, Super Technirama 70
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM, McVickers, 8/8/62, 29 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
MUNITY ON THE BOUNTY, Michael Todd, after 11/8/62, Ultra Panavision 70
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Cinestage, after 12/9/62, Super Panavision 70
HOW THE WEST WAS WON, McVickers, 2/27/63, 37 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
55 DAYS AT PEKING, Michael Todd, after 5/6/63, Super Technirama 70
IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, McVickers, 11/19/63, 33 weeks, Uultra Panavision 70 CINERAMA
CLEOPATRA, State-Lake, 1/3/64, Todd-AO
BECKET, Cinestage, 3/11/64, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, Michael Todd, 4/17/64, Ultra Panavision 70
CIRCUS WORLD, McVickers, 7/8/64, 15 weeks, Super Technirama 70 CINERAMA
THE BEST OF CINERAMA, McVickers, 10/21/64, 9 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA
MY FAIR LADY, Palace, after 10/21/64, Super Panavision 70
CHEYENNE AUTUMN, McVickers, after 11/19/64, Super Panavision 70
MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY, Cinestage, 12/25/64, 13 weeks, Superpanorama 70 CINERAMA
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, McVickers, 3/10/65, 29 weeks, Ultra Panavision 70 CINERAMA
THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Michael Todd, 3/17/65, 93 weeks, Todd-AO
THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL, McVickers, 9/28/65, 9 weeks, Ultra Panavision 70 CINERAMA
THE GREAT RACE, State-Lake, 10/12/65, 16 weeks, Panavision 70mm Blow-Up? Roadshow?
BATTLE OF THE BULGE, McVickers, 12/22/65, 14 weeks, Ultra Panavision 70 Cinerama
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE, McVickers, 3/29/66, 11 weeks, 3-Strip CINERAMA/KINOPANORAMA
KHARTOUM, McVickers, 6/22/66, 11 weeks, Ultra Panavision 70 CINERAMA
THE BIBLE…IN THE BEGINNING, Michael Todd, 12/23/66, DIMENSION-150
GRAND PRIX, Cinestage, 1/25/67, 24 weeks, Super Panavision 70 CINERAMA
GONE WITH THE WIND, after 10/10/67, UA Cinema 150 (Oak Brook IL), Academy image ‘tilt-and-scanned to fill the 70mm frame
DOCTOR DOLITTLE, Michael Todd, 12/20/67, Todd-AO
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, Cinestage, 4/11/68, 36 weeks, Super Panavision 70 CINERAMA
STAR! Michael Todd, 11/6/68, Todd-AO
ICE STATION ZEBRA, Cinestage, 4/17/69, 10 weeks, Super Panivision 70 CINERAMA
FUNNY GIRL, Michael Todd, 6/18/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA, Cinestage, 6/26/69, 12 weeks, Todd-AO CINERAMA
GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS, Michael Todd, 11/12/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, Michael Todd, 8/14/70, 12 weeks?, Panavision, Roadshow?
SONG OF NORWAY, UA CINEMA 150 (Oak Brook IL), after 11/4/70, Super Panavision 70
RYAN’s DAUGHTER, Michael Todd, 12/18/70 Super Panavision 70
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, McClurg Court, 11/3 or 11/10/71, 57 weeks, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
PATTON, Michael Todd, 11/24/71, DIMENSION-150
MAN OF LA MANCHA, McClurg Court, 12/14/72, Spherical (1.66:1) 70mm Blow Up
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?POSSIBLE?CHICAGO?ROADSHOW?70MM?THEATER?DATE?
SLEEPING BEAUTY, after 1/29/59, Super Technirama 70
THE BIG FISHERMAN, after 8/4/59, Super Panivision 70
SOLOMON AND SHEBA, after 10/27/59 Super Technirama 70
BARABBAS, after 2/4/62, Super Technirama 70
THE CARDINAL. after 12/12/63, Panavision 70mm Blow UP
ZULU, after 6/17/64, Super Technirama 70
THE LONG SHIPS, after 12/26/64, Super Technirama 70
LORD JIM, after 2/15/65 Super Panivision 70
IN HARMS WAY, after 4/6/65, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES, after 6/3/65, Todd-AO
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY, after 10/7/65, Todd-AO
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, after 12/22/65, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
BORN FREE, after 4/6/66. Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE BLUE MAX, after 5/21/66, CinemaScope
HAWAII, after 10/10/66 Panavision 70mm Blow Up
IS PARIS BURNING?, after 10/10/66, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE SAND PEBBLES, after 12/20/66, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, after 3/21/67, Spherical (1.85:1) 70mm Blow Up
THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, after 10/6/67, Panavision
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, after 10/18/67, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
CAMELOT, after 10/25/67, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
CUSTER OF THE WEST, after 11/9/67, Super Technirama 70
HALF A SIXPENCE, after 2/20/68, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
FINIAN’S RAINBOW, after 10/9/68, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN, after 11/14/68, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
OLIVER!, after 12/11/68, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, after 12/18/68, Super Panavision 70
SWEET CHARITY, after 2/11/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
WHERE EAGLES DARE, after 3/12/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
McKENNA’S GOLD, after 3/18/69, Super Panivision 70
THE LION IN WINTER, after 8/21/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
PAINT YOUR WAGON, after 10/15/69 Panavision 70mm Blow Up
MAROONED, after 12/13/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
HELLO DOLLY!, after 12/16/69, Todd-AO
ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS, after 12/18/69, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
WOODSTOCK, after 3/26/70, 16mm to 70mm Blow Up
AIRPORT, after 5/3/70, Todd-AO
KELLY’S HEROES, after 6/23/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
DARLING LILI, after 6/24/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
TOTO! TORO! TORO!, after 9/24/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
SCROOGE, after 11/5/70, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE LAST VALLEY, after 1/28/71, Todd-AO
WATERLOO, after 4/2/71, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, after 12/23/71, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE COWBOYS, after 1/13/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH, after 3/25/72, 16mm to 70mm Blow Up
DELIVERANCE, after 8/16/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
YOUNG WINSTON, after 10/10/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE GREAT WALTZ, after 11/1/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, after 12/12/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
JEREMIAH JOHNSON, after 12/22/72, Panavision 70mm Blow Up
I THINK THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ROADSHOWS WAS OVER BY 1972, DOES ANYONE AGREE OR DISAGREE?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
LMB-
I’m guesing you were about eleven when you saw “This Is CINERAMA”. Any chance you can give us any details on how you happened to be lucky enough to be at the Palace here in Chicago that first night and anything else. Was Lowell Thomas there etc.?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
On second thought, pehaps I saw the “The Best of CINERAMA” in Milwaukee. Did that come out in 70mm?
“I thought I made a mistake once, and then I found out I was wrong!”
Michael-
I use to be up in the EDENS area all the time and went to movies at those theaters. I think I saw the first “STAR WARS” at the EDENS. From what I can remember the screens might have had slight curve, but nothing like a CINERAMA, D-150 or even the curve of the first TODD-AO screens.
I was not aware that “This Is CINERAMA” played at the EDENS, darn I missed that. I did see it on the south side of Milwaukee probably at the SOUTHTOWN or perhaps the SOUTHGATE. Hal T. says the SOUTHGATE had a CINERAMA screen and I don’t recall a CINERAMA screen being installed though I could be wrong, after all this was 35 years ago!
“Ladies and Getlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952
Warren,
R-E-L-A-X, you take all the fun out of this site! I did as much research as I could out here in the middle of the cornfields of Illinois. Didn’t I know it wasn’t the Cort/Elysee, didn’t I know the WurliTzer went to the Cinema Imperial, didn’t I write “Can anyone verify if any films got shown in this building in the last 96 years?”? Please don’t act like I didn’t do any “research before jumping to wrong conclusions.”. I want this site to have accurate information just like you. However I don’t think an error here is one of the 7 deadly sins? Gosh it’s only a theater listing! It’s been on here for months and no one has said anything. If everyone is positve no movies were shown here back in 1913 or whenever, and though it it would be a shame to have this beautiful theater disappear, by all means remove it from the site.
It does seem nice if Cinema Treasures would have a section, as LuisV writes “There should be a "Theater Treasures” for Legit Playhouses!"
“Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children.” Authur C. Clarke (1917-2008)
No question that this theater has spent most of it’s life with live theater. The Shubert Website only talks about live theater which is of course their business. It makes no mention of the theater ever showing films, nor does it mention that the theater was the site from 1969-1972 of “The Merv Griffin Show”.
A WurliTizer was shipped to the theater in 1912. Can anyone verify if any films got shown in this building in the last 96 years?
‘Goldwynisms’ “Keep a stiff upper chin.” Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974)
bflofan,
If you read all the comments on this theater you would see a lot of questions about the address. It has now been been agreed on as 612 Main. Just out of curiosity, what address did you have for back in 1960?
‘Goldwynisms’ “Don’t turn it into a flop!” Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974)
45 YEARS that’s at least how long this theater has had the same phone number!
bflofan,
I live near Chicago, so Buffalo phone numbers don’t mean a lot to me, but it’s should bring back memories to those around Buffalo and especially if they worked at one of these theaters. It was still neat for me to be reminded of when exchanges had names.
Do you have phone numbers for theaters not listed on Cinema Treasures? If yes, you could add them to CT. What a great way to get all the Buffalo area theaters of the early 60’s all listed on CT.
“This is like deja vu all over again.” Yogi Berra (1925-)
monika,
WOW, what a surprise! The only way I knew anything about this theater was because an organ had been shipped here. Because the newer Cort/Elysee Theater had beeen built in 1926 and demolished in 1985, I never expected that the older theater would still be standing. Can you be any help on the address, street or area?
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Yogi Berra (1925-)
LIM – I don’t know if this would get, Loves movies – hate going! back to the movies, but this would get me back.
CLASS
It all can be summed up in that one word
Comfortable Seats
Seat rows that are wide apart
Seat that are staggered so no one is directly in front of you
Perfect projection
Perfect stereo sound
Scope pictures with the screen widened with the masking pulled from the sides none of this droping masking from the top crap
No ads on the screen, I can get that on TV at home
No comercials, I can get that on the radio at home and in the the car, that’s why I listen to National Public Radio
A nice pleasent clean theater
Not a shoebox
No sticky floors
Nicely decoerated
Perhaps just elegant lush red drapes on all the walls
Guess what, no movie screen!
A large curtain at the front of the theater with a good curve to it to give a hint of the big curved screen behind it.
A big curved screen, from wall to wall, ceiling to floor
The curtain would be lit by a row of recessed ceiling spotlights.
A clock, with probably a green neon ring to light it, it would be to the side (so no one would have to keep looking at their dam cell phones for the time)
If it was possible, play music from the soundtrack of the movie (the CD programed in such a way that it’s timed that the movies theme plays just before the movie starts) if no soundtrack is available play music from famous classic movies.
The house lights would dim
The curtain lights would start to dim
The water fall curtain would start to rise
A cartoon would play
One prevue of that theaters next movie would play
A short film on manners would show about cell phones, talking, no kicking the seats ahead of you, taking noisy kids out etc.
The curtain drops and the curtain lights come on
If they need to, the masking and lens change
The curtains rise,the curtain lights dim and “JENESEN THEATERS PROUDLY PRESENTS” with a fanfare all happen at the same time
The movie begins
(sometimes a movie has it’s own previews, this is something that would have to be worked out)
The curtains would not close till the last credits had shown (in other words when the movie was over)
The curtain lights then would come up
The house lights would then come up
The GUEST should never see a blank screen
No one would start to clean the theater till the last guest had left
After the last GUEST has left, the theater would really be lit and cleaned and a mop should be handy to clean up any coke spills
To me that’s what what we had at one time and need today-CLASS!
Did I forget anything?
Anything you want to add?
“I don’t sell tickets to movies. I sell tickets to theaters.” Marcus Loew 1870-1927
Ah yes, break my heart, the albatrosses (Gooney Birds, not the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain or LSD) had conquered the island even when the Navy was there. They had a terrible time keeping them out of the way. Join the Navy and see the world. In all of my travels that was the most interesting place I’ve ever been! After the Navy left Midway they had Eco-Tours from about 1996-2002 and I hear they are to start up again this year. If I can’t get to your island what’s my chances of getting to Midway? I understand they show DVDs in the old Midway Theater you ought to go over there and you’ll get to see the theater and the Gooney Birds, I think it’s only about a 1,000 mile swim from your place.
“Paint Your Wagon” 1969
Lee Marvin/Ben Ramson: “I was born under a wandrin' star.”
Bob,
What’s that round building? Love your videos, just don’t like them tearing down a theater. I think that’s the closest I’ll ever get to getting back there. I used to fly in and out of the U.S. Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, all the time, now that’s closed. I think the last time I was there was in 1980 on my way back from U.S. Naval Air Facility, Midway Island, that’s closed too, and it had a movie theater I should add to CT. Course I could fly over, but my wife won’t fly since 9/11. I’ve got a good quote for that, hope my wife, daughter and grandkids don’t read it, I love them all dearly, but I sure miss O'AHU!
Mahalo
“Zorba the Greek” 1964
Alan Bates/Basil: “Are you married?"
Anthony Quinn/Alexis Zorba: "Am I not a man? And is a man not stupid? I’m a man, so I married, wife, children, house, everything. The full catastrophe.”
Bob,
Thanks for your youtube, as I watched it, a lot of it looked like a lot of sorting was going on for recycling, which was good. Near the end as s/he started to pull those beams out of the walls and I didn’t even see the walls shake even a little, I started to get mad. I think plenty of life was still left in the old girl! I think it was just another case like the Indian Hills Theater! If you don’t know that story, read that whole saga, that ended up, guess what, being a parking lot! “Make your blood boil, well I should say!”
“They showed the old movie theater, and half of it was gone.” Scott Ward