JodarMovieFan, they are nice photos, but I will clarify that I didn’t take them myself. I haven’t revisited since it was showing movies. CVS may have a lease that gives them an option to renew.
After the Locust Street Theatre closed, DiLullo Centro was the 1st Italian restaurant in the space. Chef owner Joseph DiLullo died in 1994 of a heart attack at age 45. His widow Claire married in 1997 the restaurant’s manager, Antonio (Toto) Schiavone. In 2000, the restaurant was renamed Toto. 2003 photo of Toto on the marquee, http://www.flickr.com/photos/avocado8/242605164/
The current restaurant Estia opened in 2005.
Photos here View link but you need a subscription to make them larger.
Type Erlanger http://diamond.temple.edu:81/search/ for exterior photos of protesters upset a Communist rally was being held inside the theater, and a view of the auditorium facing the balcony.
Exterior photo of Locust Street marquee currently showing Greek restaurant Estia on marquee: View link
Previously, an Italian restaurant was in the space and on the marquee.
Historic Exterior and interior photos here, but do not try to enlarge them without a subscription: View link
I’m certainly not offended by your remarks. it is an intelligent, decent conversation.
I, too, didn’t need to see those additional, modern areas, but they must have many Jehovah’s Witnesses from around the world who want to see what they did.
I do agree it would be lovely if they could mention some of the movie palace history. It is, however, up to them. It isn’t impossible that if a few highlights were politely given to them (esp in the form of publications like THS Marquee or newspaper clippings) that they could decide to mention a bit. But, even if they don’t, in my opinion we are lucky it has survived.
I enjoyed my tour! Majestic movie palace. Even got to see the twinkling stars & moving clouds of the auditorium!
As a volunteer, I’ve given dozens of tours of Philadelphia’s closed Boyd. Sure, I mention the “movie palace” history. As to the Stanley, respect those many volunteers who saved it, restore it, and use it. No movie theater history? Nothing is perfect.
In my opinion, I’m thrilled they allow the public to tour it. Now, the United Artists in LA’s Broadway hasn’t been avail for tours in a while….they should resume.
But, the Stanley is NOT a strip joint or flea market!
I’ve taken the tour, and see many classic movies nearby at the Loews Jersey. Two movie palaces almost next to each other!
I’m in Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s Stanley, Earle, Mastbaum, Fox, and others GONE. Only one left in downtown: the Boyd, which is closed & at risk of demolition. Yet, Jersey City was lucky enough- and had people fighting to save the Loews, to retain TWO. I wish Philadelphia had another movie palace lovingly reused by a church!! I’ve visited Loews 175th in NYC and toured the United Artists in downtown LA, both restored & lovingly maintained by churches. Those cities and Jersey City, are lucky.
Thanks to CTA for forwarding a Daily Mail article. http://preview.tinyurl.com/2aqohk The newpaper reported that a stage production based on David Lean’s film Brief Encounters will begin February 2 at “The Cinema on The Haymarket” (this theater) and last until at least June 22. Both stage and screen will be used. The official, gala opening will be on February 17. Top price tickets will be only $29.50 pounds, a bargain for the West End.
Westminster Council agreed to change the use from cinema to live shows on stage.
The article describes the theater as having Italian and Spanish Renaissance “front of house” detail. The articles states that all 444 seats have perfect sightlines because they are designed for a cinema.
The article does not state whether movies will continue in the two auditoriums placed in the former stalls (orchestra).
Patsy,
you should look at the theater’s website, linked above, which says Tours usually 2ce a month on Wednesday & Saturday. Next month’s tour schedule not posted yet.
For this month & Feb, website shows screenings of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, Cabaret, An American in Paris, a double feature of Buster Keaton silent films (there’s a Wurlitzer organ), and current movies such as Atonement. Projection equipment doesn’t include 70 mm.
Tampa Tribune (Florida)
December 22, 2007 Saturday
Still Star-Struck At 80
By Kurt Loft, The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA – Our city has its share of movie houses, concert halls and
auditoriums, but it covets one above all, a magical place where history drifts like a
ghost and a starlit sky twinkles above our heads.
The Tampa Theatre is more than a landmark. It is part of the city’s body and
being, a breathing remnant of the past that refuses to fade or lose its
luster. For in this lavishly appointed palace, time moves in all directions, and
visitors slip enchanted into another era.
Tampa rightly takes pride in its prize in the heart of downtown, a
1,450-seat theater built more than 80 years ago and now on the National Register of
Historic Places. Nothing like it exists here, a mixed-breed of Italian
Renaissance, Byzantine, Mediterranean, Spanish, Greek Revival and English Tudor.
Gleaming marble floors and palazzo tile add touches of regal weight.
Defending the premises are mythological figures standing in alcoves around
the proscenium, and exotic beasts, gargoyles and birds hide among darkened
nooks and crannies. On any given night the Mighty Wurlitzer organ – a staple
during the age of silent film – pops up through the center of the stage.
Designed by architect John Eberson and built for $1.2 million, the theater
was Tampa’s first “air-cooled” building when it opened on Oct. 15, 1926,
featuring the silent film “Ace of Cads” for 25 cents. Today, the theater offers
more than 700 films and other events each year in an ideal marriage of form and
function.
“What’s important is the programming the theater does,” says Art Keeble,
director of the Arts Council of Tampa-Hillsborough County. “You can see great
movies and concerts, get married there, go to wine tastings. And while you go
for the event, once you walk in you’re struck by the beauty of the place. It’s
the heart of the cultural district.”
That heart nearly was ripped out by indifference and neglect. By the 1960s,
more and more people were leaving Tampa proper for the suburbs, and soon new
malls and multiplexes stole business from downtown.
With lost revenue, the historic theater fell into decay, leaving little
budget for sufficient maintenance. Termites and rust replaced Gable and Garbo,
and a final act loomed: the wrecking ball.
The mere suggestion that anyone would raze the place sends tingles down the
back of Randi Whiddon, president of the Tampa Theatre Restoration Society and
an architect with Urban Studios.
“People have taken down some amazing buildings that are part of our history,
but this is a real Tampa icon,” she says. “It’s full of unbelievable detail
and workmanship. There are only a handful of theaters out there with this
kind of feel.”
Florida State Theaters, which owned the building at the time, bailed out by
selling it for $1 to the city of Tampa. Local politicians, in particular City
Councilman Lee Duncan, realized the potential of the theater and worked on a
preservation plan with the arts council.
In 1977, the theater reopened as a quasi-nonprofit film and special events
center, and the next year was named to the National Register of Historic
Places. It was declared a Tampa landmark in 1988. A fundraising effort in the
1990s injected $1.5 million in much-needed restoration work.
Today, the theater is regarded as one of the country’s best preserved
examples of grand movie palace architecture, and each year more than 135,000 people
attend its classic film series, concerts and social events.
To accommodate the crowds and preserve the theater’s charm, management keeps
restoration on the front burner. Nobody seems to mind.
“The day-to-day care and love takes a lot of work and money,” says Tara
Schroeder, a theater spokeswoman. “But I’m privileged to work here. I feel like
we’re stewards of a community treasure.”
Philadelphia newspapers have a photo of it on the marquee of the Sameric (Boyd).
Was supposed to have an anniv showing at NYC’s Paris, but that didn’t happen.
When reviewing 70 mm World Premieres, I drafted this, but the Ziegfeld has had so many 35 mm premieres, I didn’t submit it for an addition to the Intro. Close Encounters stands out as the most important of the 70 mm premieres there, right?
World Premieres of 70mm films at the Ziegfeld included Rollerball (June 25, 1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (November 15, 1977), The Rose (November 6, 1979), Fame (May 12, 1980), Grease 2 (June 9, 1982), Who’s That Girl (August 6, 1987), and Hoffa (December 15, 1992)
Not sure as to twins, but I can tell you that Baltimore’s Stanley was the most magnificient movie palace ever built in that city, and has also been lost.
Philadelphia’s Stanley, also neoclassical, was one of Philly’s greatest showplace movie palaces.
actually, this is a set:
View link
Ok, here are some recent photos (not mine, but beautiful photos) of a truly Grand Lobby!
2007 photo of Grand Lobby!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaganita/2127789099/
Lobby columns & ceiling:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaganita/2128566616/
ceiling
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaganita/2127789157/
JodarMovieFan, they are nice photos, but I will clarify that I didn’t take them myself. I haven’t revisited since it was showing movies. CVS may have a lease that gives them an option to renew.
2008 exterior photos, last of which looks somewhat inside.
As a CVS.
View link
View link
View link
After the Locust Street Theatre closed, DiLullo Centro was the 1st Italian restaurant in the space. Chef owner Joseph DiLullo died in 1994 of a heart attack at age 45. His widow Claire married in 1997 the restaurant’s manager, Antonio (Toto) Schiavone. In 2000, the restaurant was renamed Toto. 2003 photo of Toto on the marquee,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/avocado8/242605164/
The current restaurant Estia opened in 2005.
Photos here View link but you need a subscription to make them larger.
Type Erlanger http://diamond.temple.edu:81/search/ for exterior photos of protesters upset a Communist rally was being held inside the theater, and a view of the auditorium facing the balcony.
Type Erlanger View link
for more exterior photos.
Exterior photo of Locust Street marquee currently showing Greek restaurant Estia on marquee:
View link
Previously, an Italian restaurant was in the space and on the marquee.
Historic Exterior and interior photos here, but do not try to enlarge them without a subscription:
View link
For 1954 photo of exterior showing Locust and Broad Street views, type Locust Street Theater in here: http://diamond.temple.edu:81/search/
I’m certainly not offended by your remarks. it is an intelligent, decent conversation.
I, too, didn’t need to see those additional, modern areas, but they must have many Jehovah’s Witnesses from around the world who want to see what they did.
I do agree it would be lovely if they could mention some of the movie palace history. It is, however, up to them. It isn’t impossible that if a few highlights were politely given to them (esp in the form of publications like THS Marquee or newspaper clippings) that they could decide to mention a bit. But, even if they don’t, in my opinion we are lucky it has survived.
I enjoyed my tour! Majestic movie palace. Even got to see the twinkling stars & moving clouds of the auditorium!
As a volunteer, I’ve given dozens of tours of Philadelphia’s closed Boyd. Sure, I mention the “movie palace” history. As to the Stanley, respect those many volunteers who saved it, restore it, and use it. No movie theater history? Nothing is perfect.
In my opinion, I’m thrilled they allow the public to tour it. Now, the United Artists in LA’s Broadway hasn’t been avail for tours in a while….they should resume.
Former movie palaces turned legit often do the same!
95% of the nation’s historic moviehouses are closed, mostly demolished or gutted.
Lucky! remains my word for the Stanley and many others….
But, the Stanley is NOT a strip joint or flea market!
I’ve taken the tour, and see many classic movies nearby at the Loews Jersey. Two movie palaces almost next to each other!
I’m in Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s Stanley, Earle, Mastbaum, Fox, and others GONE. Only one left in downtown: the Boyd, which is closed & at risk of demolition. Yet, Jersey City was lucky enough- and had people fighting to save the Loews, to retain TWO. I wish Philadelphia had another movie palace lovingly reused by a church!! I’ve visited Loews 175th in NYC and toured the United Artists in downtown LA, both restored & lovingly maintained by churches. Those cities and Jersey City, are lucky.
marquee relighting 2007
View link
set of interior photos:
View link
Photos including of an auditorium, at architect’s website.
http://www.jkroller.com/flash/index.html
click on Projects, then Entertainment, then theater name.
Thanks to CTA for forwarding a Daily Mail article. http://preview.tinyurl.com/2aqohk The newpaper reported that a stage production based on David Lean’s film Brief Encounters will begin February 2 at “The Cinema on The Haymarket” (this theater) and last until at least June 22. Both stage and screen will be used. The official, gala opening will be on February 17. Top price tickets will be only $29.50 pounds, a bargain for the West End.
Westminster Council agreed to change the use from cinema to live shows on stage.
The article describes the theater as having Italian and Spanish Renaissance “front of house” detail. The articles states that all 444 seats have perfect sightlines because they are designed for a cinema.
The article does not state whether movies will continue in the two auditoriums placed in the former stalls (orchestra).
Patsy,
you should look at the theater’s website, linked above, which says Tours usually 2ce a month on Wednesday & Saturday. Next month’s tour schedule not posted yet.
For this month & Feb, website shows screenings of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, Cabaret, An American in Paris, a double feature of Buster Keaton silent films (there’s a Wurlitzer organ), and current movies such as Atonement. Projection equipment doesn’t include 70 mm.
Tampa Tribune (Florida)
December 22, 2007 Saturday
Still Star-Struck At 80
By Kurt Loft, The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA – Our city has its share of movie houses, concert halls and
auditoriums, but it covets one above all, a magical place where history drifts like a
ghost and a starlit sky twinkles above our heads.
The Tampa Theatre is more than a landmark. It is part of the city’s body and
being, a breathing remnant of the past that refuses to fade or lose its
luster. For in this lavishly appointed palace, time moves in all directions, and
visitors slip enchanted into another era.
Tampa rightly takes pride in its prize in the heart of downtown, a
1,450-seat theater built more than 80 years ago and now on the National Register of
Historic Places. Nothing like it exists here, a mixed-breed of Italian
Renaissance, Byzantine, Mediterranean, Spanish, Greek Revival and English Tudor.
Gleaming marble floors and palazzo tile add touches of regal weight.
Defending the premises are mythological figures standing in alcoves around
the proscenium, and exotic beasts, gargoyles and birds hide among darkened
nooks and crannies. On any given night the Mighty Wurlitzer organ – a staple
during the age of silent film – pops up through the center of the stage.
Designed by architect John Eberson and built for $1.2 million, the theater
was Tampa’s first “air-cooled” building when it opened on Oct. 15, 1926,
featuring the silent film “Ace of Cads” for 25 cents. Today, the theater offers
more than 700 films and other events each year in an ideal marriage of form and
function.
“What’s important is the programming the theater does,” says Art Keeble,
director of the Arts Council of Tampa-Hillsborough County. “You can see great
movies and concerts, get married there, go to wine tastings. And while you go
for the event, once you walk in you’re struck by the beauty of the place. It’s
the heart of the cultural district.”
That heart nearly was ripped out by indifference and neglect. By the 1960s,
more and more people were leaving Tampa proper for the suburbs, and soon new
malls and multiplexes stole business from downtown.
With lost revenue, the historic theater fell into decay, leaving little
budget for sufficient maintenance. Termites and rust replaced Gable and Garbo,
and a final act loomed: the wrecking ball.
The mere suggestion that anyone would raze the place sends tingles down the
back of Randi Whiddon, president of the Tampa Theatre Restoration Society and
an architect with Urban Studios.
“People have taken down some amazing buildings that are part of our history,
but this is a real Tampa icon,” she says. “It’s full of unbelievable detail
and workmanship. There are only a handful of theaters out there with this
kind of feel.”
Florida State Theaters, which owned the building at the time, bailed out by
selling it for $1 to the city of Tampa. Local politicians, in particular City
Councilman Lee Duncan, realized the potential of the theater and worked on a
preservation plan with the arts council.
In 1977, the theater reopened as a quasi-nonprofit film and special events
center, and the next year was named to the National Register of Historic
Places. It was declared a Tampa landmark in 1988. A fundraising effort in the
1990s injected $1.5 million in much-needed restoration work.
Today, the theater is regarded as one of the country’s best preserved
examples of grand movie palace architecture, and each year more than 135,000 people
attend its classic film series, concerts and social events.
To accommodate the crowds and preserve the theater’s charm, management keeps
restoration on the front burner. Nobody seems to mind.
“The day-to-day care and love takes a lot of work and money,” says Tara
Schroeder, a theater spokeswoman. “But I’m privileged to work here. I feel like
we’re stewards of a community treasure.”
Reporter Kurt Loft.
1997 photos including wonderful looking auditorium, by Ken Roe:
View link
Ken Roe’s 2006 photos of interior of this grand Art Nouveau theater:
View link
With Ron’s 1934 date for movies, then I will speculate that’s when architect William H. Lee worked on this theater.
Philadelphia newspapers have a photo of it on the marquee of the Sameric (Boyd).
Was supposed to have an anniv showing at NYC’s Paris, but that didn’t happen.
When reviewing 70 mm World Premieres, I drafted this, but the Ziegfeld has had so many 35 mm premieres, I didn’t submit it for an addition to the Intro. Close Encounters stands out as the most important of the 70 mm premieres there, right?
World Premieres of 70mm films at the Ziegfeld included Rollerball (June 25, 1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (November 15, 1977), The Rose (November 6, 1979), Fame (May 12, 1980), Grease 2 (June 9, 1982), Who’s That Girl (August 6, 1987), and Hoffa (December 15, 1992)
Not 1950’s, but as I don’t see it above posted, wonderful photo set by Ken Roe of this theater:
View link
Not sure as to twins, but I can tell you that Baltimore’s Stanley was the most magnificient movie palace ever built in that city, and has also been lost.
Philadelphia’s Stanley, also neoclassical, was one of Philly’s greatest showplace movie palaces.
Gorgeous photos of the auditorium, 2006 by Ken Roe:
View link
is this a photo of the bookstore that was in the auditorium? is it still open?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-a-x/221049330/