ziggy: Your recent post brought a smile to my face! Thanks. I live in western NYS and to anyone from the Big Apple they consider this area as Upstate, too. I have never been to the Stanley, but hope to someday as I know it would be well worth the trip. As you probably know, the grand staircase in the lobby is designed like the Titanic grand staircase. And if you friend is from TN he should be very familiar with the Kennessee Theatre in Knoxville. Go to that link and CT member, Lost Memory recently posted a wonderful exterior photo showing the front doors and the marquee.
RobbKCity: You are a wealth of information and I enjoy reading your informative posts. Interesting to read about what could have been the design for the AZ state capitol building. Another missed opportunity that could have stood the test of time! And my hat is off to the City of Kansas City for their theatre respect.
I just viewed the May 12, 2004 post with photos and I just can’t believe my “art deco” eyes! To have demolished this theatre was a true crime! I guess it’s a good thing the bus system didn’t want the land that the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Biltmore Hotel sits on or we wouldn’t have that grand piece of architecture in AZ today!
RobbKCity: As I read your post and got to the part that mentioned “to create a series of off-street bus lanes for the city bus system” I thought to myself….now that’s a new one. Then I read “There were any number of vacant lots they could have done that on instead of tearing down the theater” and felt that the City of Phoenix didn’t do the Fox any favors nor the citizens when they demolished the S. Charles Lee Fox/Phoenix with its 1800 seats and art deco design. Such a shame.
I don’t know much about “the fist”, but was shown one at this theatre when the manager took my husband and I on a tour which included the basement where, in a box, were some of the original birds that once “flew” in the atmospheric auditorium.
ken mc: When comparing the August 3, 2007 photo with your posted exterior b/w exterior vintage photo I can see the differences like awnings at the above windows and the change in the ticket kios!
Jacob J. (Jack) Liebenberg was born in Milwaukee to German-Jewish parents in 1893. He attended the University of Minnesota and was part of the first graduating class in the School of Architecture (1916). After receiving a McKim fellowship, he then studied at Harvard University where he was awarded the Prix de Rome, a scholarship for promising architectural students. After service in the Air Force, Liebenberg returned to Minnesota and taught at the University for a year before forming an architectural partnership with a student, Seeman Kaplan. Kaplan, who later became Liebenberg’s brother-in-law, focused on the business aspects and engineering details while Liebenberg was in charge of design.
The architecture firm of Libenberg and Kaplan maintained a full general practice, designing a variety of homes, hospitals, commercial and industrial buildings, churches, and synagogues, but it was their designs for theaters that gave them wide acclaim. During their careers, they designed over 200 theaters throughout the Midwest. In the Twin Cities alone, Liebenberg and Kaplan were responsible for the Granada (Suburban World, 1927-28), the Wayzata (1932), the Edina (1934), the Hollywood (1935), the Uptown (1937), the Varsity (1938), and others no longer standing. Other noteworthy commissions include Adath Jeshurun Synagogue (1927) and Beth El Synagogue (1926, razed 1995).
Over their long careers, Liebenberg and Kaplan designed within a somewhat transitional architectural period. Their theaters were a showcase of a combination of eclectic elements of the 1920s and the newer Streamlined and Zigzag Deco motifs of the 1930s.
“When the Hollywood Theater opened on October 26, 1935, the marquee pronounced it “The Incomparable Showcase of the Northwest.†Built during the peak of the Art Deco period, with a budget that allowed for generous use of decorative elements, the Hollywood is an excellent example of the Deco style and the trend to small, yet elegant, neighborhood theaters. Architects Liebenberg and Kaplan, famous for their Minneapolis theater designs, used a coordinated color scheme and intricate detailing to design the Hollywood, a theater some have called “the most original and daring scheme for their time.â€1 All public interior spaces are designated for their zig-zag Deco style with streamline accents. The exterior, with the exception of the marquee, is designated. The Hollywood Theater, aside from its masterful depiction of Art Deco architecture, is significant as a remnant of a pattern of theater/entertainment growth that took place in the United States between 1920 and 1939.”
In this theatre’s heyday, it had a beautiful marquee and one that vertically said HOLLYWOOD! BTW, how did this theatre get that name in MN? After looking at the photos that Sean posted on May 7, 2004 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful art moderne/art deco streamline designed theatre! What happened over the years that this theatre would become stripped and neglected?
ariane: The “northeastbeat.com” site is very good. And when you visit the other CT Hollywood site you’ll see that I posted your August 3 at 11:28 comments there, too to help spread the word even further.
ariane: Also wanted to ask you about an HGTV show that I think is filmed in Minneapolis…Design on a Dime. The host frequents a local Minneapolis antique shop on many of the shows that uses and finds new ways to use “trash to treasure” items.
I was just driving by the Hollywood theater and thinking about how it could be used as a non-profit community/youth arts center. I can see that a number of ventures are apparently underway, but would very much like to see what could be done to support a non-profit arts venture in conjunction with that which is already occurring. I’m an art teacher in Columbia Heights and would love to know what my students and I could do to support this idea. I would also be willing to write some grants (i.e. State Arts Board) or form a committee of local arts organization/art teachers to get the ball rolling. Let me know what I can do.
ariane: If you haven’t already, please post your comments of August 3, 2007 on the CT link below as well. And Sean Ryan’s May 7, 2004 post has some wonderful comparison interior and exterior photos that really put this theater’s past and present into better focus.
ariane: Nice to read your “of interest” post and hope that you are able to offer your expertise. BTW, did you take the 35W bridge from time to time in the Minneapolis area?
Was there a Belasco Theatre in NYC at 111 West 44th Street that opened in 1907? It was originally called the Stuyvesant.
ziggy: Your recent post brought a smile to my face! Thanks. I live in western NYS and to anyone from the Big Apple they consider this area as Upstate, too. I have never been to the Stanley, but hope to someday as I know it would be well worth the trip. As you probably know, the grand staircase in the lobby is designed like the Titanic grand staircase. And if you friend is from TN he should be very familiar with the Kennessee Theatre in Knoxville. Go to that link and CT member, Lost Memory recently posted a wonderful exterior photo showing the front doors and the marquee.
Lost Memory: Thanks so very much as I just sent it to friends who recently moved to Knoxville!
RobbKCity: You are a wealth of information and I enjoy reading your informative posts. Interesting to read about what could have been the design for the AZ state capitol building. Another missed opportunity that could have stood the test of time! And my hat is off to the City of Kansas City for their theatre respect.
I just viewed the May 12, 2004 post with photos and I just can’t believe my “art deco” eyes! To have demolished this theatre was a true crime! I guess it’s a good thing the bus system didn’t want the land that the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Biltmore Hotel sits on or we wouldn’t have that grand piece of architecture in AZ today!
RobbKCity: As I read your post and got to the part that mentioned “to create a series of off-street bus lanes for the city bus system” I thought to myself….now that’s a new one. Then I read “There were any number of vacant lots they could have done that on instead of tearing down the theater” and felt that the City of Phoenix didn’t do the Fox any favors nor the citizens when they demolished the S. Charles Lee Fox/Phoenix with its 1800 seats and art deco design. Such a shame.
If anyone from the Phoenix area could tell us why this theatre was brought down, please post. Thanks.
Worth repeating……….“Sadly, the Fox Phoenix was ground to dust during its demolition in 1975.
compass drive ins: Lucky you!
I don’t know much about “the fist”, but was shown one at this theatre when the manager took my husband and I on a tour which included the basement where, in a box, were some of the original birds that once “flew” in the atmospheric auditorium.
Lost Memory: Thanks for this fabulous vintage photo!
ken mc: What a great vintage photo that shows the theatre when it was called the Babcock and wasn’t twinned until later.
But thank goodness the marquee doesn’t seem to have been changed!
ken mc: When comparing the August 3, 2007 photo with your posted exterior b/w exterior vintage photo I can see the differences like awnings at the above windows and the change in the ticket kios!
ken mc: Love that second interior photo…such clean design lines.
In the photos that I have viewed the building is very large and seems to take up a large chunk of land. Is it in or near the downtown area?
Jacob J. (Jack) Liebenberg was born in Milwaukee to German-Jewish parents in 1893. He attended the University of Minnesota and was part of the first graduating class in the School of Architecture (1916). After receiving a McKim fellowship, he then studied at Harvard University where he was awarded the Prix de Rome, a scholarship for promising architectural students. After service in the Air Force, Liebenberg returned to Minnesota and taught at the University for a year before forming an architectural partnership with a student, Seeman Kaplan. Kaplan, who later became Liebenberg’s brother-in-law, focused on the business aspects and engineering details while Liebenberg was in charge of design.
The architecture firm of Libenberg and Kaplan maintained a full general practice, designing a variety of homes, hospitals, commercial and industrial buildings, churches, and synagogues, but it was their designs for theaters that gave them wide acclaim. During their careers, they designed over 200 theaters throughout the Midwest. In the Twin Cities alone, Liebenberg and Kaplan were responsible for the Granada (Suburban World, 1927-28), the Wayzata (1932), the Edina (1934), the Hollywood (1935), the Uptown (1937), the Varsity (1938), and others no longer standing. Other noteworthy commissions include Adath Jeshurun Synagogue (1927) and Beth El Synagogue (1926, razed 1995).
Over their long careers, Liebenberg and Kaplan designed within a somewhat transitional architectural period. Their theaters were a showcase of a combination of eclectic elements of the 1920s and the newer Streamlined and Zigzag Deco motifs of the 1930s.
“When the Hollywood Theater opened on October 26, 1935, the marquee pronounced it “The Incomparable Showcase of the Northwest.†Built during the peak of the Art Deco period, with a budget that allowed for generous use of decorative elements, the Hollywood is an excellent example of the Deco style and the trend to small, yet elegant, neighborhood theaters. Architects Liebenberg and Kaplan, famous for their Minneapolis theater designs, used a coordinated color scheme and intricate detailing to design the Hollywood, a theater some have called “the most original and daring scheme for their time.â€1 All public interior spaces are designated for their zig-zag Deco style with streamline accents. The exterior, with the exception of the marquee, is designated. The Hollywood Theater, aside from its masterful depiction of Art Deco architecture, is significant as a remnant of a pattern of theater/entertainment growth that took place in the United States between 1920 and 1939.”
In this theatre’s heyday, it had a beautiful marquee and one that vertically said HOLLYWOOD! BTW, how did this theatre get that name in MN? After looking at the photos that Sean posted on May 7, 2004 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful art moderne/art deco streamline designed theatre! What happened over the years that this theatre would become stripped and neglected?
Go to http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/12387.html and you’ll see more photos of this theatre in its present state.
ariane: The “northeastbeat.com” site is very good. And when you visit the other CT Hollywood site you’ll see that I posted your August 3 at 11:28 comments there, too to help spread the word even further.
ariane: Also wanted to ask you about an HGTV show that I think is filmed in Minneapolis…Design on a Dime. The host frequents a local Minneapolis antique shop on many of the shows that uses and finds new ways to use “trash to treasure” items.
I was just driving by the Hollywood theater and thinking about how it could be used as a non-profit community/youth arts center. I can see that a number of ventures are apparently underway, but would very much like to see what could be done to support a non-profit arts venture in conjunction with that which is already occurring. I’m an art teacher in Columbia Heights and would love to know what my students and I could do to support this idea. I would also be willing to write some grants (i.e. State Arts Board) or form a committee of local arts organization/art teachers to get the ball rolling. Let me know what I can do.
Ariane
posted by ariane on Aug 3, 2007 at 11:28am
ariane: If you haven’t already, please post your comments of August 3, 2007 on the CT link below as well. And Sean Ryan’s May 7, 2004 post has some wonderful comparison interior and exterior photos that really put this theater’s past and present into better focus.
http://cinematreasures.org/news/11373_0_1_10_C/
ariane: Nice to read your “of interest” post and hope that you are able to offer your expertise. BTW, did you take the 35W bridge from time to time in the Minneapolis area?