When I ran the Olympia, from ‘74-'78, there was a TV repair shop next door. As I recall, during our renovation of the lobby, we uncovered a door into that store-front, which I believe to have once been “Olympia Candies”. The candy store was still making candy during those years a block or so down and across Broadway. See if that jibes with your mom’s recollections. Have you no memories of those years? Thanks
Thank Goodness the Big Boy is still accross the street!. Remember the back of the screen was a huge clock with Coke Bottles for hands?
My fondest memory was seeing “Night of the Living Dead” with a date and my 11-year-old sister in the back seat—turning around and grabbing and nibbling her arm at just the right moment during that film. I’m sure she remembers, though perhaps not so fondly!
Bruce: In the spirit of CT, can’t you find an old theater to restore? Already have the building? Stadium seating is “in”—Higher, shorter auditoriums—How high is your ceiling? Depending on your building’s shape, you may fit six and a nice lobby. And they’re already talking about releasing dvds simultaneously with the theatrical release—you might get a slightly better deal on film rental after two WEEKS of release! Talk to any film distributor in the nearest big city (Where are you?). They will give you an overhead allowance, then take 50-90% of your gross box-office. Many immigrants in the neighborhood? How about one or two of the screens in Spanish? Much of all needed equipment is available used— back to the big ciy—for soda, pop corn machines, counters, etc. This site may be all you need! good luck
A small community here in Nashville has been using an old Howard Johnson’s restaurant as their city hall. As I passed it yesterday I remembered that there had been one across from the Stillwell, Orange Roof, Steeple and all, right between the Dodge Dealer and the Ford Used Car lot!
I’ve just read this entire page solely because our local affiliate elected to delay “Ten Commandments” an hour and therefore it will not be in HD. I, too caught the Awards show reference to giant screens, but wanted to ask him what rock he’s been under. Due to the aforementioned decision, my 10' wide Da-Lite is dark and rolled up to the ceiling tonight. Once HD-DVD arrives, all I will lack will be the curtains in front of the screen—oh—and four or five hundred people with whom to share the experience. I did the curtain sweeps in the run-down old theater I operated in Cleveland in the 70’s, emulating the neighborhood theater I grew up in. Who even has curtains anymore? I’m on your side, guys; just not in a position to do much about it. I’ll tell one thing I’m not doing, is buying into their cable/satellite push. I get six channels of Free HD on my rabbit ears!
two days ago you were looking for a place. I take it you found something. Give us some details about what you’ve got and maybe you’ll get some more ideas. Size, decor, etc. Friends and I opened and old Theater 30 years ago with some elbow grease and paint. I understand you need equipment, too, but where is it written you gotta spend $1/4M?
Sorry, that didn’t answer my question. The screen was 2.35, right? I’m familiar with trimming the aperture plate to compensate for keystone, but you still have (on Southgate’s 65' screen)what, three or four feet on each side with a 1.85 picture. What are you refering to as the shadowbox? The way the screen appeared with no curtains or stage?
Funny, it seems those seats were such a big deal when that theater opened. I operated the old Olympia at 55th. & Broadway in the ‘70s and what do you think was in there, presumeably from a late 40’s remodeling? Push-back chairs.
I was in architecture class at Bedford High when Southgate opened. It greatly inspired a design I did for class. I particularly remember the eerie effect of the blue lighting on the screen, but didn’t know about masking at the time. Obviously, there was none. How did they treat a 1.85:1 picture? Just leave the edges dark?
Funny, it seems those seats were such a big deal when that theater opened. I operated the old Olympia at 55th. & Broadway in the ‘70s and what do you think was in there, presumeably from a late 40’s remodeling? Push-back chairs.
I was in architecture class at Bedford High when Southgate opened. It greatly inspired a design I did for class. I particularly remember the eerie effect of the blue lighting on the screen, but didn’t know about masking at the time. Obviously, there was none. How did they treat a 1.85:1 picture? Just leave the edges dark?
You can clearly see in the photo (see link, above) the “wings” added to accommodate Cinemascope. I could see this tower from a tree fort we had at home in Bedford!
I’ll have to call you on that one, Chuck. CINERAMA was introduced in the early 50’s, using three cameras and projectors.(Look at HOW THE WEST WAS WON,letterboxed dvd, for example. You can see where the three images meet). Soon, Cinerama did lose the three cameras. Todd AO and other 70mm processes followed.
I think the only thing I saw at the Belle Meade was RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. This must have been Nashville’s CINERAMA Theater, because the screen was very, very curved, distorting the picture badly. I couldn’t believe such a classy theater showed pictures that way. And since the curved screen was totally contained within the stage, it wouldn’t have been very good for Cinerama, either, because the audience wouln’t have been surrounded by it as designed. ‘Anybody else have thoughts about this?
Who’s writing about my theater! I’d like to know more! I know it was a pretty fancy organ. We found remnants, and the open bass pipes were still mounted on the back wall. Talk to me!
To me it was really special, going to the Mapletown, even though they showed “B” double features, not being on Cleveland’s “A” circuit as was my neighborhood’s theater, the Stillwell a few miles down the road. The Mapletown had deeper, plusher seats, a glass enclosed concession stand in the foyer from which one could see the screen, and as I recall, a dimmer on the lights-whoa! I barely remember it before a remodeling, when the entire auditorium was covered with gold colored curtains. Am I wrong, somebody? And, yes, it was way bigger than 850 seats! I guess that was the number after they divided it up. ‘Never got in there after that.
Can I “Double-Dip”? I don’t see how to edit once I hit “preview”!
I wanted to say what a fine job George Clooney’s Company did restoring the marquee and fixing the place up after making “Welcome to Collinwood”. When this site will accept photos, I’ll send some, including one from 1914 so you can see how nicely they duplicated the original marquee (too bad there’s not really a theater there!).When I was there in the 70’s, the sheetmetal-with-neons marquee, probably added mid century hung right out to the curb and was constantly being damaged by trucks. It came down after the theater closed and the front of the building was flat til they made the movie and left the nicely restored canopy.
Thanks for the glowing compliment, “frodosbudy”! Maybe you remember me. My name is Ray and I ran the Olympia from ‘74 to '78! Two friends and I went in there with less than $4000 and cleaned and fixed that place up (It had been boarded up a couple years) and reopened in May '74 with “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I personally pulled the curtains open, and I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me with the cheering of those neighborhood kids when that light hit the screen after having been dark so long!
The Olympia opened in l911 as a Vaudeville/movie house. Older neighbors recalled live orchestras on the weekends and the organ playing during the week. The stage was five stories high-enough to accommodate the fire curtain which rose straight up behind the tall arched proscenium. We had 850 seats on the main floor, some having been removed, and only used a few of the 225 on the balcony for “private parties”, (if you know what I mean). There was a huge (6’ dia.) squirrel cage fan backstage that put the nicest breeze out over the audience. Five dressing rooms, too. We ran it as a $1:00 theater, open only on weekends as second-sub-run. We’d open all week for some special features, like “Jaws”. I would play Ravel’s “Bolero” leading up to the show-the projectionist knew exactly when to start it so the from backstage we would dim the lights and open the curtains as the music came to its closing crescendo. Oh, how I miss it! And seeing the building (there’s 20 apartments and seven store fronts remaining)in “Welcome to Collinwood” still chokes me up.
Actually, I believe the Stillwell opened in ‘39 and was expanded from 850 to 1100+ seats in '41. It was on Cleveland’s “A” circuit, showing the biggest features, unlike the newer, nicer, bigger Mapletown not too far away. I remember the remodeling to accommodate the Cinemascope screen, and when they closed off the soda shop next door, (Mom worked there when she was in school) and reduced it to a mere lobby concession stand. The Stillwells were big on technology—I visited the booth before its closing-'couldn’t believe the audio-tape machines installed there, probably coincinding with “Around the World in Eighty Days” in Todd-AO 70.
When this site can take photos, I’ll send some-would you believe
AMC Gremlins in front of the Popcorn Stand!
We went from my home in Bedford to Chagrin Falls to Roller Skate, and I remember that cute little theatre-and did visit it once in the mid ‘70s.
Seems to me there was a very old school building right on Dolloff, maybe at Barkwell. Dolloff is just a half block away from the Olympia.
When I ran the Olympia, from ‘74-'78, there was a TV repair shop next door. As I recall, during our renovation of the lobby, we uncovered a door into that store-front, which I believe to have once been “Olympia Candies”. The candy store was still making candy during those years a block or so down and across Broadway. See if that jibes with your mom’s recollections. Have you no memories of those years? Thanks
Thank Goodness the Big Boy is still accross the street!. Remember the back of the screen was a huge clock with Coke Bottles for hands?
My fondest memory was seeing “Night of the Living Dead” with a date and my 11-year-old sister in the back seat—turning around and grabbing and nibbling her arm at just the right moment during that film. I’m sure she remembers, though perhaps not so fondly!
I agree, Cfrank. It was my childhood palace, too. Check it out on this website, and don’t hesitate to contact me for further discussion:
Bruce: In the spirit of CT, can’t you find an old theater to restore? Already have the building? Stadium seating is “in”—Higher, shorter auditoriums—How high is your ceiling? Depending on your building’s shape, you may fit six and a nice lobby. And they’re already talking about releasing dvds simultaneously with the theatrical release—you might get a slightly better deal on film rental after two WEEKS of release! Talk to any film distributor in the nearest big city (Where are you?). They will give you an overhead allowance, then take 50-90% of your gross box-office. Many immigrants in the neighborhood? How about one or two of the screens in Spanish? Much of all needed equipment is available used— back to the big ciy—for soda, pop corn machines, counters, etc. This site may be all you need! good luck
A small community here in Nashville has been using an old Howard Johnson’s restaurant as their city hall. As I passed it yesterday I remembered that there had been one across from the Stillwell, Orange Roof, Steeple and all, right between the Dodge Dealer and the Ford Used Car lot!
I’ve just read this entire page solely because our local affiliate elected to delay “Ten Commandments” an hour and therefore it will not be in HD. I, too caught the Awards show reference to giant screens, but wanted to ask him what rock he’s been under. Due to the aforementioned decision, my 10' wide Da-Lite is dark and rolled up to the ceiling tonight. Once HD-DVD arrives, all I will lack will be the curtains in front of the screen—oh—and four or five hundred people with whom to share the experience. I did the curtain sweeps in the run-down old theater I operated in Cleveland in the 70’s, emulating the neighborhood theater I grew up in. Who even has curtains anymore? I’m on your side, guys; just not in a position to do much about it. I’ll tell one thing I’m not doing, is buying into their cable/satellite push. I get six channels of Free HD on my rabbit ears!
two days ago you were looking for a place. I take it you found something. Give us some details about what you’ve got and maybe you’ll get some more ideas. Size, decor, etc. Friends and I opened and old Theater 30 years ago with some elbow grease and paint. I understand you need equipment, too, but where is it written you gotta spend $1/4M?
Sorry, that didn’t answer my question. The screen was 2.35, right? I’m familiar with trimming the aperture plate to compensate for keystone, but you still have (on Southgate’s 65' screen)what, three or four feet on each side with a 1.85 picture. What are you refering to as the shadowbox? The way the screen appeared with no curtains or stage?
Funny, it seems those seats were such a big deal when that theater opened. I operated the old Olympia at 55th. & Broadway in the ‘70s and what do you think was in there, presumeably from a late 40’s remodeling? Push-back chairs.
I was in architecture class at Bedford High when Southgate opened. It greatly inspired a design I did for class. I particularly remember the eerie effect of the blue lighting on the screen, but didn’t know about masking at the time. Obviously, there was none. How did they treat a 1.85:1 picture? Just leave the edges dark?
Funny, it seems those seats were such a big deal when that theater opened. I operated the old Olympia at 55th. & Broadway in the ‘70s and what do you think was in there, presumeably from a late 40’s remodeling? Push-back chairs.
I was in architecture class at Bedford High when Southgate opened. It greatly inspired a design I did for class. I particularly remember the eerie effect of the blue lighting on the screen, but didn’t know about masking at the time. Obviously, there was none. How did they treat a 1.85:1 picture? Just leave the edges dark?
may have info on Olympia.
Just can’t wait to send photos! Wassup???
You can clearly see in the photo (see link, above) the “wings” added to accommodate Cinemascope. I could see this tower from a tree fort we had at home in Bedford!
Fascinating! And I would have considered the Crescent a “bath-tub” theater-long and narrow. Again, not very good for Cinerama.
I’ll have to call you on that one, Chuck. CINERAMA was introduced in the early 50’s, using three cameras and projectors.(Look at HOW THE WEST WAS WON,letterboxed dvd, for example. You can see where the three images meet). Soon, Cinerama did lose the three cameras. Todd AO and other 70mm processes followed.
I think the only thing I saw at the Belle Meade was RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. This must have been Nashville’s CINERAMA Theater, because the screen was very, very curved, distorting the picture badly. I couldn’t believe such a classy theater showed pictures that way. And since the curved screen was totally contained within the stage, it wouldn’t have been very good for Cinerama, either, because the audience wouln’t have been surrounded by it as designed. ‘Anybody else have thoughts about this?
Who’s writing about my theater! I’d like to know more! I know it was a pretty fancy organ. We found remnants, and the open bass pipes were still mounted on the back wall. Talk to me!
To me it was really special, going to the Mapletown, even though they showed “B” double features, not being on Cleveland’s “A” circuit as was my neighborhood’s theater, the Stillwell a few miles down the road. The Mapletown had deeper, plusher seats, a glass enclosed concession stand in the foyer from which one could see the screen, and as I recall, a dimmer on the lights-whoa! I barely remember it before a remodeling, when the entire auditorium was covered with gold colored curtains. Am I wrong, somebody? And, yes, it was way bigger than 850 seats! I guess that was the number after they divided it up. ‘Never got in there after that.
Can I “Double-Dip”? I don’t see how to edit once I hit “preview”!
I wanted to say what a fine job George Clooney’s Company did restoring the marquee and fixing the place up after making “Welcome to Collinwood”. When this site will accept photos, I’ll send some, including one from 1914 so you can see how nicely they duplicated the original marquee (too bad there’s not really a theater there!).When I was there in the 70’s, the sheetmetal-with-neons marquee, probably added mid century hung right out to the curb and was constantly being damaged by trucks. It came down after the theater closed and the front of the building was flat til they made the movie and left the nicely restored canopy.
Thanks for the glowing compliment, “frodosbudy”! Maybe you remember me. My name is Ray and I ran the Olympia from ‘74 to '78! Two friends and I went in there with less than $4000 and cleaned and fixed that place up (It had been boarded up a couple years) and reopened in May '74 with “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I personally pulled the curtains open, and I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me with the cheering of those neighborhood kids when that light hit the screen after having been dark so long!
The Olympia opened in l911 as a Vaudeville/movie house. Older neighbors recalled live orchestras on the weekends and the organ playing during the week. The stage was five stories high-enough to accommodate the fire curtain which rose straight up behind the tall arched proscenium. We had 850 seats on the main floor, some having been removed, and only used a few of the 225 on the balcony for “private parties”, (if you know what I mean). There was a huge (6’ dia.) squirrel cage fan backstage that put the nicest breeze out over the audience. Five dressing rooms, too. We ran it as a $1:00 theater, open only on weekends as second-sub-run. We’d open all week for some special features, like “Jaws”. I would play Ravel’s “Bolero” leading up to the show-the projectionist knew exactly when to start it so the from backstage we would dim the lights and open the curtains as the music came to its closing crescendo. Oh, how I miss it! And seeing the building (there’s 20 apartments and seven store fronts remaining)in “Welcome to Collinwood” still chokes me up.
Actually, I believe the Stillwell opened in ‘39 and was expanded from 850 to 1100+ seats in '41. It was on Cleveland’s “A” circuit, showing the biggest features, unlike the newer, nicer, bigger Mapletown not too far away. I remember the remodeling to accommodate the Cinemascope screen, and when they closed off the soda shop next door, (Mom worked there when she was in school) and reduced it to a mere lobby concession stand. The Stillwells were big on technology—I visited the booth before its closing-'couldn’t believe the audio-tape machines installed there, probably coincinding with “Around the World in Eighty Days” in Todd-AO 70.
When this site can take photos, I’ll send some-would you believe
AMC Gremlins in front of the Popcorn Stand!