Comments from graememcbain

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graememcbain
graememcbain on Nov 8, 2002 at 1:43 pm

I neglected to mention the architects were Bohringer,Taylor and Johnson.The State Theatre was also renovated,interior and exterior,in 1981,which was when it became known as Forum One and Two.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Uptown Theatre on Nov 6, 2002 at 1:59 pm

I live in Melbourne,Australia and I sincerely hope the Uptown Theatre can be saved.I have not yet visited Chicago,the closest being New York in 1999.It is important for future generations to be able to see these great theatres.Not one of today’s modern complexes comes any where near the beauty of the great picture palaces and all efforts to save as many as possible should be eagerly pursued at all costs.

I was very disappointed to see one such theatre,the Ambassador in St.Louis disappear five years ago.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Chicago Theatre on Nov 6, 2002 at 1:11 pm

A book I have in my collection says the Chicago Theatre was the ultimate in French opulence with crystal and bronze chandeliers in the lobby,the auditorium walls were lined with boxes,and the interior color scheme was in tones of blue,red and gold.It also states the theatre was famous for its lavish Balaban and Katz stage productions and six stories of dressing rooms used to be located on either side of the colossal stage.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Earle Theatre on Nov 5, 2002 at 9:57 am

This theatre was in the art deco style and the architects were Magaziner, Eberhard and Harris.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Academy 1-2-3 on Nov 5, 2002 at 9:50 am

This cinema was located in Oxford Street and opened as The Picture House on 25 January 1913.It was designed by Gilbert and Constanduros and was a two-level auditorium with 668 seats.The building suffered bomb damage in 1940 and didn’t re-open until March 1944.Academy One opened in May 1964,Academy Two in March 1965 and Academy Three in April 1967.The theatres closed permanently on 2 April 1986 and were demolished in 1989.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Cannon Royal Cinema on Nov 5, 2002 at 9:30 am

Opened as the Cinema de Paris on 12 February 1910.Architect was W.Hancock and it seated 360.A new entrance was created in Charing Cross Road in 1913 and Architect Robert Atkinson re-designed the cinema in 1926 with 476 seats.It was also known as the Cameo and Classic over the years and only took on the name Cannon Royal in 1985.It was demolished in February 1989.

graememcbain
graememcbain commented about Gaumont Birmingham on Nov 5, 2002 at 7:01 am

The Gaumont Palace was designed by architect William T.Benslyn.It opened on 9 February 1931 and had 2034 seats.It was renamed Gaumont in 1937 and was modernized in the early sixties for Cinerama,re-opening on 14 October 1963.The theatre was repaired and redecorated in August 1973 with the number of seats reduced to 1212.It closed on 29 October 1983 and was demolished.