Irv: As we near the month of March, 2008 please post on CT the exact date of the grand opening as I will probably be in FL that month and would like to plan my trip around this date! Thanks so much.
I wish Mr. Rothacker had come to my hometown in the early 90’s…perhaps he could have painted the Grand Theatre and helped save it rather than have it demolished for reasons I will never understand!
George H. Rothacker painted the Media Theater in 1991 to help raise money for a community effort to preserve the 1927 movie house. More than $3500 was raised in print sales, after which the owner of the theater decided to restore the theater for musicals and live stage events. A few months later, on a trip to Doylestown, Mr. Rothacker discovered that the 1938 County Theater was dark. His wife photographed the building with a disposable camera, and he painted the building, and created a print series which eventually helped the community restore the theater.
Since that time, George Rothacker has painted 10 theaters, the latest of which is the Indiana Theater, created and reproduced for the benefit of the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes I paint a theater to help physically preserve it,†said Mr. Rothacker. “And sometimes I simply paint it because of it’s a wonderful building that should remain with us in memory a while longer. When establishing a fundraising effort, I do the painting, and the printing it at my cost and then offer the sponsoring organization 50% of the sale of the prints from the initial sale. By taking all of the risk , I relieve the community or other sponsor of any financial concerns. Its an all win situation for them.â€
Mr. Rothacker is continually searching for movie houses to paint and reproduce. If you know of any theaters in need of preservation, or of an organization who could help benefit the revitalization of a theater or a community, please call 610-566-0334.
This theatre has true “street front presence” thanks to the beautiful lighted marquee, ticket kios and brick facade with the year 1927 above the theatre doors and marquee.
Will: Glad to report that my husband and I will be making a trip to Knoxville in 2007 as we have friends who are relocating there from Atlanta and will be working for HGTV.
Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I’ll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!
longislandmovies: Yes, the Fox is a very special theatre and one that was almost demolished. I was pleased to read your memorable account of your visit to the Fabulous Fox! For any theatre buff, it is a must-see!
Lost Memory: Having just returned from Playhouse Square in Cleveland I have now answered my own organ inquiry posted earlier. The only organ left is in the Palace though I didn’t see it during my recent tour. The tour included the Ohio, State, Allen and Palace. They are all located on Euclid Avenue with the Hanna Theatre nearby on 14th? In the 20’s when all of these theatres were built Euclid was known an Millionaire’s Row and the Who’s Who List lived there and frequented these beautiful theatres. And thanks goes to basically one man, Mr. Raymond Shepardton for saving these theatres for future generations!
tim: Interesting to read that you have some of the old posters, etc. If only this theatre in Dunkirk could be brought back as the slanted floor is still there and has not been ‘messed with’. I just read your entire March 15 post and was sad to read about the mold on the walls and that the seats are gone though I did find out about 2 years ago that the nearby Catholic church had purchased the building and was using it as storage. I have made one attempt to see the interior, but to no avail though will keep working on that hope/desire!
The fact that this theatre has it’s original marquees is quite unusual, but very pleasing to the eye…imo. They have now added another marquee on the backside of the theatre which is nice though a modern digital one.
“……was only spared at the last minute from being bulldozed for a parking lot. Workers had already begun dismantling the interior when the word came to halt demolition.” Thank goodness as I will be touring this theatre along with the Ohio, State and Palace in Playhouse Square in the near future.
Under “Related Websites” are some wonderful photos of this theatre in years past along with the beautiful marquee of that era!
This theatre has quite an ornate facade.
Irv: Sorry…I didn’t realize that you posted the first day of March for the grand opening. If there is any change in this date, please advise.
Can anyone provide current restoration photos?
Irv: As we near the month of March, 2008 please post on CT the exact date of the grand opening as I will probably be in FL that month and would like to plan my trip around this date! Thanks so much.
Thank you so very much.
I wish Mr. Rothacker had come to my hometown in the early 90’s…perhaps he could have painted the Grand Theatre and helped save it rather than have it demolished for reasons I will never understand!
George H. Rothacker painted the Media Theater in 1991 to help raise money for a community effort to preserve the 1927 movie house. More than $3500 was raised in print sales, after which the owner of the theater decided to restore the theater for musicals and live stage events. A few months later, on a trip to Doylestown, Mr. Rothacker discovered that the 1938 County Theater was dark. His wife photographed the building with a disposable camera, and he painted the building, and created a print series which eventually helped the community restore the theater.
Since that time, George Rothacker has painted 10 theaters, the latest of which is the Indiana Theater, created and reproduced for the benefit of the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes I paint a theater to help physically preserve it,†said Mr. Rothacker. “And sometimes I simply paint it because of it’s a wonderful building that should remain with us in memory a while longer. When establishing a fundraising effort, I do the painting, and the printing it at my cost and then offer the sponsoring organization 50% of the sale of the prints from the initial sale. By taking all of the risk , I relieve the community or other sponsor of any financial concerns. Its an all win situation for them.â€
Mr. Rothacker is continually searching for movie houses to paint and reproduce. If you know of any theaters in need of preservation, or of an organization who could help benefit the revitalization of a theater or a community, please call 610-566-0334.
The www.georgerothacker.com site will give you his entire theatre painting gallery which includes this historial theatre.
This theatre has true “street front presence” thanks to the beautiful lighted marquee, ticket kios and brick facade with the year 1927 above the theatre doors and marquee.
hammerglenn: Interesting piece of theatre memorabila so hang onto that cardboard banner and your memories of the Star.
Will: Glad to report that my husband and I will be making a trip to Knoxville in 2007 as we have friends who are relocating there from Atlanta and will be working for HGTV.
I just heard about this Rapp and Rapp theatre through a friend who lives in Normal Illinois.
I just learned of this restored theatre through friends who live in Normal Illinois. It’s a gem and I hope to see it, in person, some day!
Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I’ll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!
Alan V. Karr: Yes, I just saw the HGTV episode and it was quite interesting. The recent broadcast I watched was June 13.
longislandmovies: Yes, the Fox is a very special theatre and one that was almost demolished. I was pleased to read your memorable account of your visit to the Fabulous Fox! For any theatre buff, it is a must-see!
Lost Memory: Having just returned from Playhouse Square in Cleveland I have now answered my own organ inquiry posted earlier. The only organ left is in the Palace though I didn’t see it during my recent tour. The tour included the Ohio, State, Allen and Palace. They are all located on Euclid Avenue with the Hanna Theatre nearby on 14th? In the 20’s when all of these theatres were built Euclid was known an Millionaire’s Row and the Who’s Who List lived there and frequented these beautiful theatres. And thanks goes to basically one man, Mr. Raymond Shepardton for saving these theatres for future generations!
tim: And I hope you find that photo of when the Regent was “brand new”!
tim: Interesting to read that you have some of the old posters, etc. If only this theatre in Dunkirk could be brought back as the slanted floor is still there and has not been ‘messed with’. I just read your entire March 15 post and was sad to read about the mold on the walls and that the seats are gone though I did find out about 2 years ago that the nearby Catholic church had purchased the building and was using it as storage. I have made one attempt to see the interior, but to no avail though will keep working on that hope/desire!
The fact that this theatre has it’s original marquees is quite unusual, but very pleasing to the eye…imo. They have now added another marquee on the backside of the theatre which is nice though a modern digital one.
“……was only spared at the last minute from being bulldozed for a parking lot. Workers had already begun dismantling the interior when the word came to halt demolition.” Thank goodness as I will be touring this theatre along with the Ohio, State and Palace in Playhouse Square in the near future.
View link
Here are the other June broadcast dates and times.
The Tampa Theatre episode will air on other June dates and times so check the DYI broadcast list.
View link
This site tells more about the DIY To The Rescue episode though there doesn’t seem to be any photos.