Warner Lady: I’ve been visiting the Erie Playhouse link today and have been comparing photos posted on Oct 2, 2005 to a b/w sketch posted today, Jan 14, 2008. Could you give me any background information on why th theatre name was changed from the Strand to the Erie Playhouse and why the overall exterior was changed so drastically from the mid 60’s?
Lost Memory: I’m familiar with this playhouse having seen Sleeping Beauty and A Few Good Men on stage, but after seeing the “ken mc” Jan 14, 2008 photo I realize what it used to look like in the mid 80’s compared to the photos posted on Oct 2, 2005!
WDG: Would also like to communicate with you about the Grand via email. I’ve been in touch with the present town historian and she would like to feature the former town theatre in a future column.
LOUB: Thanks for the update on this wonderful theatre! I just sent the website to a Dr. Bill Snyder, resident organist Tennessee Theatre Knoxville Tennessee!
I know “beggers can’t be choosers”, but if there is any way you could somehow find some vintage interior photos that would be wonderful, too! We’ve seen the decaying interior so it would be nice to see what it once looked like on the inside!
I just now noticed your above post with all of the depressing East St. Louis photos and your “link heaven” comment concerning the 1947 vintage photo so I guess we won’t see it afterall…still hoping to see one of that era though.
Lost Memory: And if you can somehow post the photos you added on Oct 13, 2005 that would be wonderful! I’ve tried a few times to view them, but no luck!
It sounds like this theatre is in a decaying part of St. Louis and its fate is probably written in stone now due to the declining area. However, I do hope to see some vintage photos here of this once great theatre in the near future!
Lost Memory: Your Oct 13, 2005 post features a vintage photo though I couldn’t bring it up and would like to see what this theatre once looked like and to think it was added to the NRHP in just ‘85 which isn’t that long ago. What happened to this theatre and the interior as those photos are very hard to view?
Lost Memory: Your Aug. 14, 2007 posted photo of the ticket kios is very nice. During my visit to Knoxville over the holidays that ticket kios had a very familiar person inside…Santa Claus! At night the marquees were lighted and it was a joy to see them shining brightly as I drove down Gay Street in Knoxville TN.
I recently visited the Tennessee and received a lovely full tour by resident organist, Dr. Bill Snyder. He even treated my husband and I to a private lovely 4 tune concert ending with, of course, the Tennessee Waltz. I also stepped into the Regal Cinema to check it out as they are headquartered in Knoxville along with Martha White Flour and HGTV, by the way! On the walls of the Regal are large b/w vintage photos of Knoxville so be sure to look up when you enter! And by the entrance doors is a vintage projector!
Thanks…I did check out the theatre’s website and clicked on tours so hopefully a tour will work out while in Tampa….sure hope so! I plan to give them a call.
dave-bronx: Thanks so much for posting this arcadia publishing site as I plan to order a book since visting all of these theatres this past summer while in Cleveland visiting Ohio friends.
I know a man from Effingham who owns a large car related business so perhaps he might be interested in purchasing this theatre or know someone who might have interest!
Lost Memory: If you find any photos of this theatre when it was the Strand, please post!
Warner Lady: I’ve been visiting the Erie Playhouse link today and have been comparing photos posted on Oct 2, 2005 to a b/w sketch posted today, Jan 14, 2008. Could you give me any background information on why th theatre name was changed from the Strand to the Erie Playhouse and why the overall exterior was changed so drastically from the mid 60’s?
/theaters/2954/
Lost Memory: I’m familiar with this playhouse having seen Sleeping Beauty and A Few Good Men on stage, but after seeing the “ken mc” Jan 14, 2008 photo I realize what it used to look like in the mid 80’s compared to the photos posted on Oct 2, 2005!
WDG: Would also like to communicate with you about the Grand via email. I’ve been in touch with the present town historian and she would like to feature the former town theatre in a future column.
LOUB: Thanks for the update on this wonderful theatre! I just sent the website to a Dr. Bill Snyder, resident organist Tennessee Theatre Knoxville Tennessee!
“Regular St. Louis must appear to be Emerald City in comparison.” Interesting quote as I’m a Wizard of Oz fan!
I know “beggers can’t be choosers”, but if there is any way you could somehow find some vintage interior photos that would be wonderful, too! We’ve seen the decaying interior so it would be nice to see what it once looked like on the inside!
Thanks! I knew you’d come through for me….again! Happy New Year!
I just now noticed your above post with all of the depressing East St. Louis photos and your “link heaven” comment concerning the 1947 vintage photo so I guess we won’t see it afterall…still hoping to see one of that era though.
Lost Memory: And if you can somehow post the photos you added on Oct 13, 2005 that would be wonderful! I’ve tried a few times to view them, but no luck!
I guess the theatre’s heydays were from 1925 to 1949…24 years of glory. And I see that after the word, Owner it reads….Private. Who owns the building?
It sounds like this theatre is in a decaying part of St. Louis and its fate is probably written in stone now due to the declining area. However, I do hope to see some vintage photos here of this once great theatre in the near future!
Lost Memory: Your Oct 13, 2005 post features a vintage photo though I couldn’t bring it up and would like to see what this theatre once looked like and to think it was added to the NRHP in just ‘85 which isn’t that long ago. What happened to this theatre and the interior as those photos are very hard to view?
Lee: A real shame to lose (or soon lose) a theatre with the WARNER name!
Will Dunkin: Sorry I missed you while in Knoxville. Sure enjoyed the theatre tour by Dr. Snyder…such a nice man!
Lost Memory: Your Aug. 14, 2007 posted photo of the ticket kios is very nice. During my visit to Knoxville over the holidays that ticket kios had a very familiar person inside…Santa Claus! At night the marquees were lighted and it was a joy to see them shining brightly as I drove down Gay Street in Knoxville TN.
I recently visited the Tennessee and received a lovely full tour by resident organist, Dr. Bill Snyder. He even treated my husband and I to a private lovely 4 tune concert ending with, of course, the Tennessee Waltz. I also stepped into the Regal Cinema to check it out as they are headquartered in Knoxville along with Martha White Flour and HGTV, by the way! On the walls of the Regal are large b/w vintage photos of Knoxville so be sure to look up when you enter! And by the entrance doors is a vintage projector!
What a cute little theatre that is no more! Any interior photos?
Thanks…I did check out the theatre’s website and clicked on tours so hopefully a tour will work out while in Tampa….sure hope so! I plan to give them a call.
HowardBHaas: Thanks for posting the interesting article. I plan to be in FL in early Feb. and will include a tour of this theatre! Are tours given?
dave-bronx: Thanks so much for posting this arcadia publishing site as I plan to order a book since visting all of these theatres this past summer while in Cleveland visiting Ohio friends.
Still hoping to see some photos this theatre! Thanks.
Is this theatre just “closed” or was it demolished? I have written a Raleigh friend and will hopefully get the answer!
My April 19,2007 post talks about this person and his connection to an event called Fun Fest.
I know a man from Effingham who owns a large car related business so perhaps he might be interested in purchasing this theatre or know someone who might have interest!