I tried to find an image of the Almira in the day but couldn’t. Oddly enough I could find pictures of the organ which was sent to England and the theatre into which it was subsequently installed.
Uploaded an advertising photo as the Belasco from the Quincy Public Library collection. Portions of the Princess and Gem ads appear. Don’t belive the Princess in on CT so will have to add it, particularly since I have a photo of the exterior.
The Do You Remember site of the University of Illinois cites June 16, 1914 as the opening date as a vaudeville house with the first film being shown as The Temple of Venus on January 16, 1926 and the first talkie, The Lion and the Mouse on November 4, 1928.
Joe, I found a reference that a Peter Jacobs, former police chief of Springfield, Il opened the Savoy and Gem at 522 and 524 Hampshire. There are also references to both of these properties changing hands a number of times.
Disagree with sybella26. The actual Quincy, see elsewhere on CT, was down the street at 521.
I found a reference in the Do You Remember collection of the University of Illinois which said the Bijou was opened by Messrs. Patrick and McConnell. The initial program consisted of five acts of vaudeville, an illustrated screen song and a moving picture.
Uploaded interior and exterior photos of the Orpheum as well as the announcement of the December 25, 1914 opening from the Quincy Public Library collection.
I tried to find an image of the Almira in the day but couldn’t. Oddly enough I could find pictures of the organ which was sent to England and the theatre into which it was subsequently installed.
Would be nice to know the full history how it morphed from a single screen to 6.
The permit is on the door dated January. Lobby is boarded over so nothing can be seen inside.
As part of a private party which was held in the vast lobby we were also treated to a short organ concert.
Joe Google link not working.
I found contradictory information regarding the Jamaica Rialto which makes no mention of Al Schwartz. See Savoy, Jamaica site.
Additional interior photo, from the Gardner Museum, uploaded.
The Family was unusual in that it’s entrance was at the side of the screen with the screen being at the street side of the building.
Throw in a strobe light or two and everyone will up chuck.
Joe, why would you say Nickelette is the correct spelling when the add says Nickellette?
Must have had a pretty good orchestra in the day since I saw a reference that they played in Hannibal, MO on one occasion.
Uploaded exterior photo from the Quincy Public Library collection.
And not long after its opening as the Colonade, it was purchased in 1911 by Messrs. Nelson and Schwindler and renamed the Star.
Uploaded the ad for the opening of the talkie The Lion and the Mouse from the Quincy Public Library collection.
Uploaded an advertising photo as the Belasco from the Quincy Public Library collection. Portions of the Princess and Gem ads appear. Don’t belive the Princess in on CT so will have to add it, particularly since I have a photo of the exterior.
First talkies purported to be July 7, 1929.
The Do You Remember site of the University of Illinois cites June 16, 1914 as the opening date as a vaudeville house with the first film being shown as The Temple of Venus on January 16, 1926 and the first talkie, The Lion and the Mouse on November 4, 1928.
Joe, I found a reference that a Peter Jacobs, former police chief of Springfield, Il opened the Savoy and Gem at 522 and 524 Hampshire. There are also references to both of these properties changing hands a number of times.
The name was changed to Colonial in 1910 when it was purchased by Colonial Theaters of Joliet, Il.
Disagree with sybella26. The actual Quincy, see elsewhere on CT, was down the street at 521.
I found a reference in the Do You Remember collection of the University of Illinois which said the Bijou was opened by Messrs. Patrick and McConnell. The initial program consisted of five acts of vaudeville, an illustrated screen song and a moving picture.
Uploaded interior and exterior photos of the Orpheum as well as the announcement of the December 25, 1914 opening from the Quincy Public Library collection.
Uploaded a 1946 exterior photo, the year it closed, and an interior photo from the Quincy Public Library collection.
Uploaded a photo of the exterior from the Quincy Public Library collection.
Uploaded two pictures of the Quincy from the Quincy Public Library collection. In the 1916 photo actress Mae Miller is shown.
Who needs all this s…. Just give me a good movie, a clean, comfortable environment at a good price.