Main Theatre

1336 E. Main Street,
Columbus, OH 43205

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Showing 1 - 25 of 28 comments

rivest266
rivest266 on November 11, 2021 at 8:40 pm

This opened on December 25th, 1937, the same day as the Drexel’s opening. Grand opening ad posted

Mark_L
Mark_L on February 11, 2019 at 12:33 am

In 2006, Ron Newman asked about the International Star Palace. It WAS located in the Main Theater building in the 1970 time frame.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on November 23, 2016 at 10:52 pm

The current occupant of this building is HUB Community Development Corporation: http://thehubcdc.com/

Mark_L
Mark_L on June 19, 2012 at 11:39 pm

Additional information on the Todd-AO conversion:

From the Columbus Dispatch, 10/15/1960:

“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."

In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.

Mark_L
Mark_L on April 21, 2012 at 12:43 am

Looks like a technology training program. Columbus Children’s Advocacy Program gives this information:

“Henkels & McCoy Community Success Center

Connects youth (in-school and out-of-school) and adults with free employment, training and educational programs in Franklin County. The center provides free walk-in job assistance on weekdays. Help includes access to computers and copiers for job searches, help writing a resume, access to job fairs and training opportunities, youth internship programs and practice with interviews.

1336 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205"
                
Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 21, 2012 at 12:23 am

Internet says that Henkels & McCoy is a Pennsylvania-based engineering and construction firm specializing in projects for the energy, water, and communications industries. There’s no indication of what they are using the Main Theatre building for. It might be anything from branch offices to an equipment storage facility.

Keith
Keith on April 20, 2012 at 10:39 pm

now the marquee says “Henkels & McCoy”.

Mark_L
Mark_L on February 9, 2012 at 2:47 am

Referring back to a comment from Ron Newman in 2006:

“During at least some time in the late 60s or early 70s, I remember either this or the nearby Eastern Theatre (now demolished) being used as a nightclub or live stage. I vaguely recall it using the name ‘International Star Palace’. I hope someone else from Columbus can supply more information”

If I am recalling correctly, the International Star Palace nightclub was in the old Big Bear Grocery store a few blocks east of the Eastern theatre. This club was directly next to the grain elevator. That building was torn down and replaced by a Kidney Center.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on October 13, 2011 at 12:12 am

Is it still used as a medical facility?

Mark_L
Mark_L on August 18, 2010 at 12:29 am

This became the New Main Theatre on 11/10/1960, with the opening of CAN-CAN in TODD-AO. All seats were reserved.

Hibi
Hibi on May 20, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Did the theater have a balcony?

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 8, 2010 at 12:15 am

Here is a photo of the medical center:
http://tinyurl.com/yedkrhr

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 6, 2009 at 7:05 am

The July 17, 1937, issue of Boxoffice said “F. W. Rolands is about to build a 1,500-seat house at 1336 E. Main St., Columbus. General contract has been let to N. J. Mulligan, Columbus.” An August 3, 1946, Boxoffice item mentioned that “Contractors… Mulligan & Case… designed and built the Main Theatre.”

The December 25, 1937, issue of Boxoffice said that Fred Rowlands was opening his new Main Theatre in Columbus on Christmas Day. Rowlands also operated the Parsons Theatre in Columbus.

On April 3, 1954, Boxoffice said “Fred Rowlands' Main neighborhood was the first subsequent-run house here to install CinemaScope equipment.”

On January 16, 1961, Boxoffice said “Frank Yassenoff purchased the Main from Fred Rowlands and installed a reserved-seat policy for ‘Can-Can.’”

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on November 5, 2009 at 10:56 pm

The outside of the building sure doesn’t give any indication that any business (such as a pharmacy) is operating inside. How do people know to go to these offices or businesses if they are not advertised on signs?

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on November 5, 2009 at 10:54 pm

Still looks like a theater only whited out.

my3pauls
my3pauls on November 5, 2009 at 9:07 am

This building is NOT empty. For the last several years, the E. Main St Pharmacy has operated in this location. Though there has been a “revolving door” of physicians and/or medical clinics that have occupied the medical office section, the pharmacy has been in this location for at least five years. If you see the picture on Google Maps, mentioned by “ZookieFreddie” (he’s correct that the marquee says “For Lease” – but there are several available rooms/offices available for lease), you’ll also see a “sandwich board” style sign near the road. This is a sign for the dentist in the building. Unfortunately, it seems to be difficult to support most of the medical clinics that have occupied the medical space from the surrounding neighborhood.

However, I can assure you the building is NOT empty, and a local pharmacist has occupied the building for several years, and still does!

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on August 29, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Still empty with a ‘For Lease’ sign, when I drove by it this week.

Hibi
Hibi on April 10, 2009 at 8:28 pm

WOW. To think they showed 70mm in this place. You’d never know it now. The theater has been closed since the late 60’s I think. Was vacant for a long time after. Sad. The surrounding area is in really bad shape. Wish I could’ve seen it in its glory days. It’s quite imposing still from the outside…….

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on February 23, 2009 at 1:50 pm

That’s very sad. Do you know why the landlord evicted the medical clinic?

ZookieFreddie
ZookieFreddie on February 23, 2009 at 6:01 am

Here is an update on this theater: I used to go to a doctor who was in this building and well remember the lobby area way back inside. I don’t believe the interior layout ever had stadium seating or the kind that slopes down toward the screen. Anyway, the owner of the building kicked the midical clinic out totally in either late 2005 or early 2006 and it has been closed with a “for lease” sign on the marquee ever since — proving that Google maps is definitely wrong. Currently it is empty but does not appear to suffer any vandalism or disrepair. The surrounding area is still really bad.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 15, 2008 at 1:45 am

It’s still the medical center, according to the view on Google maps.

Mark_L
Mark_L on November 15, 2008 at 1:28 am

For a short time in the early ‘60’s, this theatre had a few roadshow runs. CAN-CAN and KING OF KING were presented in 70mm (KING OF KINGS was a move-over from the Cinestage). This was the first non-downtown location to run 70mm.

monika
monika on July 10, 2007 at 6:31 pm

The last time I saw it — probably around spring 2006 — it was either medical offices or a medical clinic.