Genesee Theatre
1600 Genesee Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14211
1600 Genesee Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14211
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Basil Brothers Theatres
Architects: Henry L. Spann
Styles: Adam
Previous Names: Basil's Genesee Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Basil’s Genesee Theatre was opened on October 12, 1927 with Glen Tryon in “Painting the Town”. It was equipped with a Marr & Colton 3 manual organ which was opened by organist Dusty Rhodes. It was still open in 1956, but had closed by 1957. It reopened and closed again in 1966. Reopened on January 9, 1970 and soon began screening adult movies. It finally closed in 1979. It was demolished in 1985 and the site is now a parking lot for the adjacent Super Price Choppers supermarket.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
My Great Grandfather George Schaaf of the construction company of the same name built a theater on Genesee st. sometime after 1914. The architech was Martin C Miller. any idea if this is the theater, or if there were or are other old theaters on Genesee St. Paul S
My childhood neighborhood theater. The photo must be from its last days – note the Visa logo on the furniture store: that didn’t exist until 1975, so the photo is probably at least a few years after that. When I worked at the Riviera in North Tonawanda in the 1980s, I loved knowing that parts of the Genesee survived there.
To paulgs15147…………………you`re thinking of the New Columbia at 449 Genesee at Spring.. Arch. M.C. Miller, opened Apr.15, 1915. Razed 1956.
Here is a larger version of an image on this theater’s photo page, the Marr and Colton organ company’s 1928 ad illustrated with a couple of images of the Gennesee Theatre.
Just saw this, thanks bobtoplin, I will check in on it.
I remember seeing the inside of this theatre in the late 1970s or perhaps 1980. The fellow that arranged for us to get inside this theater suggested that we go early in the morning before the neighborhood got too lively. As I recall, it was in wintertime and the building was not heated except for a glassed area toward the top of the auditorium. A couple of “gentlemen” were actively participating in the adult film that was showing on the screen. A sad ending to what was once a very nice neighborhood theatre.
Nice exterior architecture. The cars look like the 70’s to me. Interior of this theatre is lovely.
Facebook link to 3 vintage Basil’s Genesee Theatre promotional posters. Scroll right on link.
https://www.facebook.com/vintagebuffalony/photos/a.269120803166048/1709592319118882/?type=3&theater
In the planning stages, this was the Neighborhood Theatre for the East Genesee Holding Company with architectural plans by Henry L. Spann. It launched as Basil’s Genesee Theatre on October 12, 1927 with organist Dusty Rhodes at the Marr & Colton organ supporting the opening film of “Painting the Town” with Glenn Tryon.
It reopened on January 9th, 1970, with adult movies later in the year. Another ad posted.