Paul: You anticipated my question though I was hoping to read that this guy was going to reopen the Regent and not pour any cement for other plans. I hope you get in before he makes those changes! The nearby Catholic church must have sold it as they were using the building for storage when I stopped at the church. I was hoping to see the interior then, but nobody offered.
Sure would be nice if every major city in the USA was as fortunate as Tampa to have this Eberson atmospheric theatre. The photos on Cinema Tours are always fun to view again and again! I’m sure it is mentioned in a previous post, but did this theatre have an orchestra pit in its past? So many did and then they were removed for various reasons.
Lost Memory: Your post of July 21, 2007 are spectacular and makes me wonder why this elegant theatre wasn’t saved especially with it’s rich Sinatra history.
I think there was a Strand Theatre in Erie, but there was also several others and among them was a Shea’s which may have had 1600 seats. The Avalon Hotel is on that site now, unfortunately.
Mark in NC: At one time were you ever involved with the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society? I won’t be able to attend the Encore party event, but hope you do and post here afterwards. If you wish to contact me via email, the address is
On October 16th from 6-8 at 6th and Tryon in Charlotte NC there will be a party put on by Encore to review their residental plan with tours of the Carolina Theatre along with cocktails and appetizers. For more information on this event please contact .com
The following was originally posted on the Reg Lenna site:
The Wintergarden at one point was the jewel of the theatres in Jamestown. We had a total of seven theatres in downtown Jamestown. The Wintergarden was (is) located on North Main Street between Third and Fourth Streets. As a theatre geek, I worked there in the early 80’s and yes it was in bad shape then.
In the early 60’s there was a fire that gutted the Wintergaden pretty badly. When the theatre was restored, half the balconcy was removed, and the house was simply painted, none of the ornate features were restored. The stage and pit were also removed at this time.
There is a small space under the screen where these is some storage space for the marquee letters. Now here is a trivia fact the marquee for the Wintergarden was large enough to accomidate seven rows of letters. It was a real scary thing climbing a latter and changing them, especially on the downward (the side facing Third street) as it was on a hill. In the winter it was not uncommon to see only two lines on that side of the marquee.
It is true that in its last few years of life it was in bad shape. The original red neon block two level Winter Garden sign was half out, the neon inside the marquee was dead, they even went so far as to install for spots lights to shine on the marquee. The underside of the marquee had neon that had also been removed, and the original box-office covered.
The WinterGarden died a most horrible death for a grand old lady, and today sits empty.
BTW- the seven theatres downtown? The Roosevelt, Strand, Royal, & majstic – all were in Brooklyn Square, distroyed in the early 70’s – I have no memory of them. The Palace (now the Reg Civic Center, The Allen Opera House (then Sheas Theatre and now the home of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre)
I am looking for old photos of any and all of the old theatres of my hometown, or just great old stories for my personal website (Remember I am a theatre geek) If you have them, contact me at , or post them to me via my website www.samanthakitty.com I have opened 12 “New Grand Mega-plexes” for my employer over the years, but there is “Nothing like a dame” ..
posted by Movie Bob on Jul 10, 2006 at 2:30pm
I just saw a wonderful Tribute to Frank Sinatra at the Reg tonight so if you get a chance to see and hear Tom Tiratto…..you won’t be disappointed. http://www.sinatra-tribute.com/index.html
gib: The September 1, 2006 post that shows many interior photos are the only interior photos that I have seen. I was inside the theatre a few years ago when a realtor was showing the theatre to a prospective buyer which, unfortunately, did not result in a sale. Since there was no electricity lighting was from flood lights. I sadly recall there was much dampness and mildew from too many years of neglect. I know there are many residents in Jamestown who recall going to this theatre and would be happy to talk with you.
gig: I don’t recall hearing or reading about anyone purchasing the Winter Garden nor that someone was “actually in the process of restoring the Winter Garden to as close to original as possible”. THIS, imo, would be very BIG news for the City of Jamestown so don’t understand why it wouldn’t have made the Post Journal. We have the restored Reg Lenna thanks to M/M Reginald Lenna, but a restored Winter Garden would be icing on the theatrical cake!
gig: I have found your recent post most intriguing. I have met fellow CT member, “DakRoland” and would suggest that you contact him. If you read his August 24, 2007 post, you will see that he has the original blueprints and knows much about this theatre’s history with photos.
Paul: Can you tell me anymore about the theatre clock that is STILL IN DUNKIRK? Would love to see it!
Paul: You anticipated my question though I was hoping to read that this guy was going to reopen the Regent and not pour any cement for other plans. I hope you get in before he makes those changes! The nearby Catholic church must have sold it as they were using the building for storage when I stopped at the church. I was hoping to see the interior then, but nobody offered.
charlie c: Thanks for the website…very nice. Hope to see you this winter.
In the online Encore sales brochure it shows how the Carolina Theatre marquee would look which is very similar to the original design, imo.
http://www.cmhpf.org/surveys&rcarolinatheater.htm
This site shows some wonderful b/w photos of the interior and exterior as they once were along with interesting historical information.
HowardBHaas: Me, too!
Lost Memory: Found any photos other than the one I found in Remembering Charlotte?
Sure would be nice if every major city in the USA was as fortunate as Tampa to have this Eberson atmospheric theatre. The photos on Cinema Tours are always fun to view again and again! I’m sure it is mentioned in a previous post, but did this theatre have an orchestra pit in its past? So many did and then they were removed for various reasons.
“Eberson’s magic lives on” with this one! Hope to see it, in person, someday!
Jamie: Thanks for your post and explanation.
View link)
Lost Memory: Your post of July 21, 2007 are spectacular and makes me wonder why this elegant theatre wasn’t saved especially with it’s rich Sinatra history.
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID110.htm
There is a photo with a timeline of the Paramount on this site.
I think there was a Strand Theatre in Erie, but there was also several others and among them was a Shea’s which may have had 1600 seats. The Avalon Hotel is on that site now, unfortunately.
Then I guess his name is only part of this theatre’s history.
Mark in NC: At one time were you ever involved with the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society? I won’t be able to attend the Encore party event, but hope you do and post here afterwards. If you wish to contact me via email, the address is
On October 16th from 6-8 at 6th and Tryon in Charlotte NC there will be a party put on by Encore to review their residental plan with tours of the Carolina Theatre along with cocktails and appetizers. For more information on this event please contact .com
The following was originally posted on the Reg Lenna site:
The Wintergarden at one point was the jewel of the theatres in Jamestown. We had a total of seven theatres in downtown Jamestown. The Wintergarden was (is) located on North Main Street between Third and Fourth Streets. As a theatre geek, I worked there in the early 80’s and yes it was in bad shape then.
In the early 60’s there was a fire that gutted the Wintergaden pretty badly. When the theatre was restored, half the balconcy was removed, and the house was simply painted, none of the ornate features were restored. The stage and pit were also removed at this time.
There is a small space under the screen where these is some storage space for the marquee letters. Now here is a trivia fact the marquee for the Wintergarden was large enough to accomidate seven rows of letters. It was a real scary thing climbing a latter and changing them, especially on the downward (the side facing Third street) as it was on a hill. In the winter it was not uncommon to see only two lines on that side of the marquee.
It is true that in its last few years of life it was in bad shape. The original red neon block two level Winter Garden sign was half out, the neon inside the marquee was dead, they even went so far as to install for spots lights to shine on the marquee. The underside of the marquee had neon that had also been removed, and the original box-office covered.
The WinterGarden died a most horrible death for a grand old lady, and today sits empty.
BTW- the seven theatres downtown? The Roosevelt, Strand, Royal, & majstic – all were in Brooklyn Square, distroyed in the early 70’s – I have no memory of them. The Palace (now the Reg Civic Center, The Allen Opera House (then Sheas Theatre and now the home of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre)
I am looking for old photos of any and all of the old theatres of my hometown, or just great old stories for my personal website (Remember I am a theatre geek) If you have them, contact me at , or post them to me via my website www.samanthakitty.com I have opened 12 “New Grand Mega-plexes” for my employer over the years, but there is “Nothing like a dame” ..
posted by Movie Bob on Jul 10, 2006 at 2:30pm
I just saw a wonderful Tribute to Frank Sinatra at the Reg tonight so if you get a chance to see and hear Tom Tiratto…..you won’t be disappointed. http://www.sinatra-tribute.com/index.html
So sad that this former Thomas Lamb theatre is now an Army Navy store.
gib: The September 1, 2006 post that shows many interior photos are the only interior photos that I have seen. I was inside the theatre a few years ago when a realtor was showing the theatre to a prospective buyer which, unfortunately, did not result in a sale. Since there was no electricity lighting was from flood lights. I sadly recall there was much dampness and mildew from too many years of neglect. I know there are many residents in Jamestown who recall going to this theatre and would be happy to talk with you.
Lost Memory: These are quite the photos of quite a theatre…still hoping to see it in person!
gig: I don’t recall hearing or reading about anyone purchasing the Winter Garden nor that someone was “actually in the process of restoring the Winter Garden to as close to original as possible”. THIS, imo, would be very BIG news for the City of Jamestown so don’t understand why it wouldn’t have made the Post Journal. We have the restored Reg Lenna thanks to M/M Reginald Lenna, but a restored Winter Garden would be icing on the theatrical cake!
gig: I have found your recent post most intriguing. I have met fellow CT member, “DakRoland” and would suggest that you contact him. If you read his August 24, 2007 post, you will see that he has the original blueprints and knows much about this theatre’s history with photos.
And that marquee used to read LOEW’S.