Trailer for “The Purple Rose Of Cairo” below, with interior shots of the Kent Theatre. The theatre facade in the film was built in a vacant lot in Piermont NY, per Lou Lumenick of the New York Post in 2009.
I am finding several references to this originally being the Vivian Theatre at the same address and opening prior to 1929.
Maybe the Empire name began in 1935?
“The Forest Drive-In hosted bingo and pig races and even had a merry-go-round, but it was best known for showing feature films suitable for the whole family. At intermission, moviegoers could get popcorn and a Pepsi to enjoy on the hood of their cars.”
Address is 120 W. Main Street.
Tech Theatre was located in the then Hotel Cain.
Building is still standing today.
Burrows Pro Audio Video was the most recent tenant in the former theatre space in 2018.
Two postcards added with the Tech Theatre on the right in both.
Opened April 19, 1928 with “Something’s Always Bound To Happen”.
The Palace had miniature golf on the second floor, later billiards. (Photo added advertising the GOLF)
Per the Lorain Historical Society.
The Palace front and second floor caught fire in November 1951.
I believe this was called the Ventura Theatre in 1930. I just added a photo from then, which has that name on the vertical sign. It definitely has the same street presence as 530 E. Main Street does today. But I believe the original theatre building that was three stories, has been replaced with a two story building. Or had the top floor removed. The current structure has modern looking I beams exposed. Searching “Buffalo Exchange Ventura California” will get you to the outside street view.
Once you turn around in the image.
The corner building down the same side of the street is identical to the 1930 photo I posted.
Address was 69 South Second Street.
Per Arcadia Publishing:
“Louis Lieber commercial sign painter and amateur actor built the Lyric Theatre in 1913. The Lyric was one of San Jose’s earliest "straight” theatres, that showed only motion pictures with no vaudeville acts. The Lyric was torn down in 1959 to make way for a parking lot."
February 1945 photo credit Hennepin County Library.
September 2019 article with photos.
https://kwwl.com/2019/09/06/local-man-hopes-to-save-historic-theater/?fbclid=IwAR2Y1p5y-GM7Y99tCFAThzbKY7NbXSgLF1iQX2orBUCHz-EgbuPhtNvLkIc
News piece of the Pickwick coping with the current circumstances.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/686144?fbclid=IwAR3gJ3kkS5sl2zdjA3WHRjDC8LV5KCWDS_ugxfpyG_j3X99qbcL0oHwLK6s
May 20, 1977 print ad added courtesy Stephen Leigh.
1958, “South Pacific” at the Criterion.
Update: Photo credit Fred Stein.
Trailer for “The Purple Rose Of Cairo” below, with interior shots of the Kent Theatre. The theatre facade in the film was built in a vacant lot in Piermont NY, per Lou Lumenick of the New York Post in 2009.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp6YDZVVbj0
1929 photo as Vivian Theatre added courtesy Harry Smith. Promotion for “Street Girl”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Girl
July 4, 1950 Parade photo added credit Jim Huff.
1952 photo as Florida Theatre added credit Shalon Musee Pascarelli.
I am finding several references to this originally being the Vivian Theatre at the same address and opening prior to 1929. Maybe the Empire name began in 1935?
Multiple fire photos here.
https://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/27492.html
Update: Photo credit icp.org.
Confirmed Demolished.
From article linked below, credit Philip Gerard.
“The Forest Drive-In hosted bingo and pig races and even had a merry-go-round, but it was best known for showing feature films suitable for the whole family. At intermission, moviegoers could get popcorn and a Pepsi to enjoy on the hood of their cars.”
https://www.ourstate.com/1950s-at-the-drive-in/
Address is 120 W. Main Street. Tech Theatre was located in the then Hotel Cain. Building is still standing today. Burrows Pro Audio Video was the most recent tenant in the former theatre space in 2018. Two postcards added with the Tech Theatre on the right in both.
Opened April 19, 1928 with “Something’s Always Bound To Happen”. The Palace had miniature golf on the second floor, later billiards. (Photo added advertising the GOLF) Per the Lorain Historical Society. The Palace front and second floor caught fire in November 1951.
1957 photo added courtesy Lee Bishop.
Circa June 1942 photo added credit Jack Hill, The Clovis Times, Palace of the Governors Photo Archives. “Maisie Gets Her Man” at the Mesa Theatre.
Photo credit Tyler Dingee.
Street view shows a vacant lot, so it appears the bus depot never happened.
I believe this was called the Ventura Theatre in 1930. I just added a photo from then, which has that name on the vertical sign. It definitely has the same street presence as 530 E. Main Street does today. But I believe the original theatre building that was three stories, has been replaced with a two story building. Or had the top floor removed. The current structure has modern looking I beams exposed. Searching “Buffalo Exchange Ventura California” will get you to the outside street view. Once you turn around in the image. The corner building down the same side of the street is identical to the 1930 photo I posted.
Address was 69 South Second Street. Per Arcadia Publishing: “Louis Lieber commercial sign painter and amateur actor built the Lyric Theatre in 1913. The Lyric was one of San Jose’s earliest "straight” theatres, that showed only motion pictures with no vaudeville acts. The Lyric was torn down in 1959 to make way for a parking lot."
1965 photo added courtesy Bob Emerson.
1937 photo as Victory Theatre and early `60s photo as Crest Theatre added courtesy Bob Emerson. The auditorium fire was June 6, 1965