I was the District Manager for the theatres in Altoona and State College at the time of the transition in ownership from the Schlow family to Associated Theatres. I was also friends with several members of the Schlow family. In any case, I was always impressed by the Twelvetrees and it’s film policy. Martha (Marty) Schlow actually offered the theatre to me first. I was too young (shortsighted?)and poor, at the time to buy it. I was told the alternative would be to sell off the larger building that housed the Twelvetrees for non-theatrical use. Rather than see the theatre disappear all together, I told my bosses (Associated Theatres) about the availability of the the theatre. A deal was made and I was told that I would have a major role in programming and policy. Alas, that was never true. I didn’t like or agree with the name change to beghin with. I did manage to get a few good films in The Flick and some classics. Alas, the main bill o' fare was second run and even some bad X-rated junk. I got a lot of heat from the town about the films at the Flick. As Twelvetrees, the theatre was an important part of State College. I’m sure those who remember it do so with fondness for what Twelvetrees was and not for what it became.
State College has changed a great deal; but, I still miss living there. The great theatres of State College are gone, i.e. The Catham, Cinemas, The Movies, and even the Nittany AND Twelvetrees. Thank goodness the State is still there. “Those were the days” where fond memories live. I hope you are well Merle :–) ——-Jack O.
The Uptown was a gem of a theatre! It has been an important part of area theatre history. It’s among the last classic Y'town cinemas still standing. It hurts to think about how many great theatres in Y'town (Palace, State, Liberty/Paramount, Newport, etc., etc.) are gone and forgotten by many.
The Warnere Film Center / Cascade Picture Palace Theatre is now on Facebook and Twitter in addition to the website: www.warnerfilmcenter.org. Everyone is invited to check out and share these links with other cinema fans.
Thanks Joe! The Cascade opened on February 2nd, 1907. So, the Cascade and Twin in Atlanta apparently share the “official” honors. It’s amazing how many wonderful tidbits of theatre history are out there.
The Cascade Picture Palace should have it’s description changed to show 2 screens instead of one with a total seating capacity of 200. As noted above, the original Warner Brothers theatre had a nickelodeon side, with 100 seats, bare-bones decor and folding chairs. The “Gentry” side, also with 100 seats, cost a quarter and sported plush seats and a fancy decor for “more sophisticated patrons.” In addition to being the WB first theatre, one might speculate if this was not also the world’s first twin theatre.
Hi Wolfgirl. Maybe some of the interested people in Youngstown should join forces with the Warner Film Center in New Castle with an eye toward some sort of joint venture at Powers or someplace.
Urban legend has it that the Y'town Warner (Powers Auditorium) was originally intended to be built in New Castle. Political mis-deeds and a huge escalation in land cost resulted in the Y'town creation.
Anyway, it can’t be a bad idea for those interested people in both cities to join forces in a common cause.
The Warner Film Center is also new on Facebook with many interesting articles about past theatres in New Castle. Very much worth reading!
Indeed, any form of memorabilia can be a valuable addition to the Warner Theatre museum displays. WFC is looking for anything and everything from ticket stubs to WB/SW uniforms, lobby decor, posters, photos, etc., etc., And, remember, WFC is a 501 c3 non-profit corp. YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! Contact them at www.warnefilmcenter.org. or 724-614-6541 or PO Box 665, New Castle, PA 16103
Many people in the community have refused to see the Cascade Picture Palace and its important part of movie history fade from memory. A non-profit, 501 c3 corporation is established and with it comes new efforts launcing to recreate the original Warner theatre along with a museum featuring ever-changing displays commemorating the Warner Brothers, New Castle and the development of the motion picture business.
The site is now recognized as a national historic location. Through the efforts of the team of Trustees and advisers, WFC hopes to educate and entertain visitors to the Warner Film Center about the early ‘glory’ days of this unique community as well as the contribution the Warner family made to the area and the world. The WFC is currently soliciting memberships and corporate sponsors. They are also seeking photographs and memorabilia that might be used in the museum displays. This is a true labor of love! The current Board of Trustees include Jerry Kerns, President, John Meyer, Bill Zeiger Audrey Przybylski, all of New Castle, and Jack Oberleitner, www.cinema-consultant.com. of Dayton, OH.
This is a truly significant project! Anyone in the film business or interested in cinema and early film history should rally behind this important landmark preservation project
The Baltimore family originally opened the State following the closing of their Baltimore Strand nickelodeon which was also located on Long Avenue. Long Avenue itself was a “second downtown” area of sorts which was a popular shopping district for Polish, Italian and other recent immigrant groups. Some referred to shopping on Long Avenue as “going to Europe.” The State theatre was almost always a second run house with occasional foreign language specials. It’s last incarnation was, briefly, as a XXX house before closing as a film theatre. The New Castle Playhouse has done a remarkable job of renovating the theatre and converting it to a live venue. The success of the Playhouse has also brought renewed life to the area in the form of restaurants and small shops. This is a good example of how it SHOULD be done. Currently a search is underway to locate the original architectural drawings of the theatre.
Ghouls and zombies will be seen on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12 when the Fugate Cinema 5’s sister location, the Way-Bak-Wyn Twin Drive-in re-opens with a spooktacular 5th birthday bash. The festivities will include live music featuring Kayla Beth Smith and Southern Chaos performing live at 7 PM and during intermissions. Both screens will be presenting 5 terror movies including, ZOMBIELAND, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER, DREAM HOUSE OF FEAR, SCREAM 4 and THE THING. In addition, patrons in costume can enter the ZOMBIE COSTUME CONTEST. Lucky people will win prizes including food, free passes, cash and a autographed ZOMBIELAND poster. Gates open at 6 PM and admission is only $5 a carload. Those cruising in via a vintage car will be admitted for 50 cents a carload. Visit www.3cmovies.com or call 606-666-7733 for ,ore details.
Ghouls and zombies will be seen on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12 when the Way-Bak-Wyn Twin Drive-in re-opens with a spooktacular 5th birthday bash. The festivities will include live music featuring Kayla Beth Smith and Southern Chaos performing live at 7 PM and during intermissions. Both screens will be presenting 5 terror movies including, ZOMBIELAND, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER, DREAM HOUSE OF FEAR, SCREAM 4 and THE THING. In addition, patrons in costume can enter the ZOMBIE COSTUME CONTEST. Lucky people will win prizes including food, free passes, cash and a autographed ZOMBIELAND poster. Gates open at 6 PM and admission is only $5 a carload. Those cruising in via a vintage car will be admitted for 50 cents a carload. Visit www.3cmovies.com or call 606-666-7733 for ,ore details.
There are no plans to close the drive-in! In fact, it will undergo a facelift this Spring and plans are in the making for a opening weekend “festival” featuring live music, special movies and prizes. Stay tuned.
It is sad to see the Kings Court as a storefront. In it’s day, it was an elegant roadshow theatre under the direction of Tom Bryant. Tom was one of the handful of Associated Theatres managers that was a true professional and showman. He managed his theatres with pride. Tom was later promoted to run the Associated downtown Pittsburgh theatres, Fulton, Gateway, Fiesta, etc. A true management star.
From your dreams to opening night…and beyond! To do it right,contact Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consulting for experienced, professional service.
www.cinema-consultant.com
According to Condy Wayne and Wilhelmina Fugate, Fugate’s Cinema 5 and the Way-Bak-Wyn Drive-In Theatre (Lost Creek, KY) are now managed by 3C Entertainment, Inc, a Fugate family enterprise, The Fugate family has operated theatres in Kentucky for over 30 years. All 7 screens are booked by Fred and Lori Schweitzer of PBS Booking Services and are under contract with Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, www.cinema-consultant.com
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
Wow, I toured the Paramount extensively when it was reopened very briefly in the early 70’s. I didn’t get into the basement area but now wish I had. An upscale cafeteria in the lower would be just too cool! 75 cents for a meal in the 20’s was pretty hefty for self service. The organ console and pipes were back stage; but, at the time it was difficult to see if that was their original point of installation or just a storage spot. While my least favorite of the major downtown houses, considering it’s age, the Paramount was maintained in pretty good condition up through the final closing around 1972.
I was the District Manager for the theatres in Altoona and State College at the time of the transition in ownership from the Schlow family to Associated Theatres. I was also friends with several members of the Schlow family. In any case, I was always impressed by the Twelvetrees and it’s film policy. Martha (Marty) Schlow actually offered the theatre to me first. I was too young (shortsighted?)and poor, at the time to buy it. I was told the alternative would be to sell off the larger building that housed the Twelvetrees for non-theatrical use. Rather than see the theatre disappear all together, I told my bosses (Associated Theatres) about the availability of the the theatre. A deal was made and I was told that I would have a major role in programming and policy. Alas, that was never true. I didn’t like or agree with the name change to beghin with. I did manage to get a few good films in The Flick and some classics. Alas, the main bill o' fare was second run and even some bad X-rated junk. I got a lot of heat from the town about the films at the Flick. As Twelvetrees, the theatre was an important part of State College. I’m sure those who remember it do so with fondness for what Twelvetrees was and not for what it became.
State College has changed a great deal; but, I still miss living there. The great theatres of State College are gone, i.e. The Catham, Cinemas, The Movies, and even the Nittany AND Twelvetrees. Thank goodness the State is still there. “Those were the days” where fond memories live. I hope you are well Merle :–) ——-Jack O.
The Uptown was a gem of a theatre! It has been an important part of area theatre history. It’s among the last classic Y'town cinemas still standing. It hurts to think about how many great theatres in Y'town (Palace, State, Liberty/Paramount, Newport, etc., etc.) are gone and forgotten by many.
The Warnere Film Center / Cascade Picture Palace Theatre is now on Facebook and Twitter in addition to the website: www.warnerfilmcenter.org. Everyone is invited to check out and share these links with other cinema fans.
Thanks Joe! The Cascade opened on February 2nd, 1907. So, the Cascade and Twin in Atlanta apparently share the “official” honors. It’s amazing how many wonderful tidbits of theatre history are out there.
The Cascade Picture Palace should have it’s description changed to show 2 screens instead of one with a total seating capacity of 200. As noted above, the original Warner Brothers theatre had a nickelodeon side, with 100 seats, bare-bones decor and folding chairs. The “Gentry” side, also with 100 seats, cost a quarter and sported plush seats and a fancy decor for “more sophisticated patrons.” In addition to being the WB first theatre, one might speculate if this was not also the world’s first twin theatre.
Hi Wolfgirl. Maybe some of the interested people in Youngstown should join forces with the Warner Film Center in New Castle with an eye toward some sort of joint venture at Powers or someplace.
Urban legend has it that the Y'town Warner (Powers Auditorium) was originally intended to be built in New Castle. Political mis-deeds and a huge escalation in land cost resulted in the Y'town creation.
Anyway, it can’t be a bad idea for those interested people in both cities to join forces in a common cause.
The Warner Film Center is also new on Facebook with many interesting articles about past theatres in New Castle. Very much worth reading!
Indeed, any form of memorabilia can be a valuable addition to the Warner Theatre museum displays. WFC is looking for anything and everything from ticket stubs to WB/SW uniforms, lobby decor, posters, photos, etc., etc., And, remember, WFC is a 501 c3 non-profit corp. YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! Contact them at www.warnefilmcenter.org. or 724-614-6541 or PO Box 665, New Castle, PA 16103
The status of this location should be changed to: closed, renovating.
Note to whomever: this building has not been demolished. The original building still stands. Only the interior has been changed.
Many people in the community have refused to see the Cascade Picture Palace and its important part of movie history fade from memory. A non-profit, 501 c3 corporation is established and with it comes new efforts launcing to recreate the original Warner theatre along with a museum featuring ever-changing displays commemorating the Warner Brothers, New Castle and the development of the motion picture business. The site is now recognized as a national historic location. Through the efforts of the team of Trustees and advisers, WFC hopes to educate and entertain visitors to the Warner Film Center about the early ‘glory’ days of this unique community as well as the contribution the Warner family made to the area and the world. The WFC is currently soliciting memberships and corporate sponsors. They are also seeking photographs and memorabilia that might be used in the museum displays. This is a true labor of love! The current Board of Trustees include Jerry Kerns, President, John Meyer, Bill Zeiger Audrey Przybylski, all of New Castle, and Jack Oberleitner, www.cinema-consultant.com. of Dayton, OH.
This is a truly significant project! Anyone in the film business or interested in cinema and early film history should rally behind this important landmark preservation project
The Baltimore family originally opened the State following the closing of their Baltimore Strand nickelodeon which was also located on Long Avenue. Long Avenue itself was a “second downtown” area of sorts which was a popular shopping district for Polish, Italian and other recent immigrant groups. Some referred to shopping on Long Avenue as “going to Europe.” The State theatre was almost always a second run house with occasional foreign language specials. It’s last incarnation was, briefly, as a XXX house before closing as a film theatre. The New Castle Playhouse has done a remarkable job of renovating the theatre and converting it to a live venue. The success of the Playhouse has also brought renewed life to the area in the form of restaurants and small shops. This is a good example of how it SHOULD be done. Currently a search is underway to locate the original architectural drawings of the theatre.
This lovely twin drive-in is now up for sale so that the current owners can pursue other interests. If interested, go to www.3cmovies.com
Ghouls and zombies will be seen on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12 when the Fugate Cinema 5’s sister location, the Way-Bak-Wyn Twin Drive-in re-opens with a spooktacular 5th birthday bash. The festivities will include live music featuring Kayla Beth Smith and Southern Chaos performing live at 7 PM and during intermissions. Both screens will be presenting 5 terror movies including, ZOMBIELAND, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER, DREAM HOUSE OF FEAR, SCREAM 4 and THE THING. In addition, patrons in costume can enter the ZOMBIE COSTUME CONTEST. Lucky people will win prizes including food, free passes, cash and a autographed ZOMBIELAND poster. Gates open at 6 PM and admission is only $5 a carload. Those cruising in via a vintage car will be admitted for 50 cents a carload. Visit www.3cmovies.com or call 606-666-7733 for ,ore details.
Ghouls and zombies will be seen on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12 when the Way-Bak-Wyn Twin Drive-in re-opens with a spooktacular 5th birthday bash. The festivities will include live music featuring Kayla Beth Smith and Southern Chaos performing live at 7 PM and during intermissions. Both screens will be presenting 5 terror movies including, ZOMBIELAND, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER, DREAM HOUSE OF FEAR, SCREAM 4 and THE THING. In addition, patrons in costume can enter the ZOMBIE COSTUME CONTEST. Lucky people will win prizes including food, free passes, cash and a autographed ZOMBIELAND poster. Gates open at 6 PM and admission is only $5 a carload. Those cruising in via a vintage car will be admitted for 50 cents a carload. Visit www.3cmovies.com or call 606-666-7733 for ,ore details.
You are absolutely right Mike. That’s why they ARE planning a great deal more.
There are no plans to close the drive-in! In fact, it will undergo a facelift this Spring and plans are in the making for a opening weekend “festival” featuring live music, special movies and prizes. Stay tuned.
It is sad to see the Kings Court as a storefront. In it’s day, it was an elegant roadshow theatre under the direction of Tom Bryant. Tom was one of the handful of Associated Theatres managers that was a true professional and showman. He managed his theatres with pride. Tom was later promoted to run the Associated downtown Pittsburgh theatres, Fulton, Gateway, Fiesta, etc. A true management star.
From your dreams to opening night…and beyond! To do it right,contact Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consulting for experienced, professional service. www.cinema-consultant.com
According to Condy Wayne and Wilhelmina Fugate, Fugate’s Cinema 5 and the Way-Bak-Wyn Drive-In Theatre (Lost Creek, KY) are now managed by 3C Entertainment, Inc, a Fugate family enterprise, The Fugate family has operated theatres in Kentucky for over 30 years. All 7 screens are booked by Fred and Lori Schweitzer of PBS Booking Services and are under contract with Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, www.cinema-consultant.com
Contact Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consulting for experienced, professional service in taking on this project. www.cinema-consultant.com
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
www.cinema-consultant.com
We shall look forward to hearing from you!
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
www.cinema-consultant.com
We shall look forward to hearing from you!
Our company, Oberleitner Associates Cinema Consultants, Could probably be of great service to your project. We have over 40 years of experience in working with non-profit groups, small and medium theatrical,cinema ventures.
For complete information, reference and, contact info. and such, please visit our website at:
www.cinema-consultant.com
We shall look forward to hearing from you!
Wow, I toured the Paramount extensively when it was reopened very briefly in the early 70’s. I didn’t get into the basement area but now wish I had. An upscale cafeteria in the lower would be just too cool! 75 cents for a meal in the 20’s was pretty hefty for self service. The organ console and pipes were back stage; but, at the time it was difficult to see if that was their original point of installation or just a storage spot. While my least favorite of the major downtown houses, considering it’s age, the Paramount was maintained in pretty good condition up through the final closing around 1972.