Thanks, Joe. I suppose it’s no big deal. I promised my Mom before she passed away that I would write my Dad’s life history, and this was a major part of it, so I googled Soledad Theatre to see what I could find.
I just saw this blog of several years ago. My dad managed the Soledad Theatre from 1947 until 1978. He installed the cinema screen and when it first opened there were good cartoons and current newsreels between movies. [My daughter visited there only two years ago. It did not burn down. She said it was a pitiful site with second-hand clothing being sold inside.] I knew Ernie Gnesa and Ed Franscioni, but did not know they purchased the theatre, apparently from Ralph Martin. Many people in town thought my dad owned the theatre. Ha-Ha! When we as kids would help him clean the theatre he would often allow us to roller-skate up, down and around. It was worth sweeping and mopping to be able to do that. By the way, the Rio Theatre was Spanish-speaking movies only, and it was on Front Street, Soledad. If I remember correctly, Ralph Martin may have been the owner of that theatre also, for awhile anyway. If there is a way to post pictures, I have some.
This is the only photo I have with the name of the Theatre — Soledad.
Thanks, Joe. I suppose it’s no big deal. I promised my Mom before she passed away that I would write my Dad’s life history, and this was a major part of it, so I googled Soledad Theatre to see what I could find.
Thank you, Joe. I sent an email to: with three photos, and it was returned by the MAIL DEAMON.
I just saw this blog of several years ago. My dad managed the Soledad Theatre from 1947 until 1978. He installed the cinema screen and when it first opened there were good cartoons and current newsreels between movies. [My daughter visited there only two years ago. It did not burn down. She said it was a pitiful site with second-hand clothing being sold inside.] I knew Ernie Gnesa and Ed Franscioni, but did not know they purchased the theatre, apparently from Ralph Martin. Many people in town thought my dad owned the theatre. Ha-Ha! When we as kids would help him clean the theatre he would often allow us to roller-skate up, down and around. It was worth sweeping and mopping to be able to do that. By the way, the Rio Theatre was Spanish-speaking movies only, and it was on Front Street, Soledad. If I remember correctly, Ralph Martin may have been the owner of that theatre also, for awhile anyway. If there is a way to post pictures, I have some.