Robby: I believe that I may have asked you this before, but have you or do you have any interest in restoring the Carolina Theatre? Recently I’ve met with Charlie Clayton and others, but know that their work has been an uphill battle for the past 10 years!
I plan to visit this theatre this summer as it has 2 similar theatre distinctions to my former hometown theatre in Westfield NY….art deco and the name….Grand! The 330 seats are less than were in mine. So many of these small town theatres are in need of being saved because in many cases the residents of these towns have many miles to travel to see a movie and most older folks would enjoy having one in their ‘own backyard’! In the case of my husband’s hometown that theatre is still there, but is being used for a youth center (hope still flames for that theatre to return) and in my case the small town Grand Theatre was foolishly demolished! :–(
LibbyHelen: My hat is off to you and your neighborhood association for NOT taking this lying down. In the end, whatever happens you’ll know that you fought and fought hard! The best of luck to you!
Love those atmospheric theatres and especially the ones that have been restored and NOT demolished! Was the former Loew’s in Atlanta an atmospheric and am I correct when reading that the Loew’s in Richmond does not show movies anymore since it’s been changed to a Performing Arts Center?
Christian: Thanks for this theatre description as it really sounds like a wonderful place to visit though it isn’t a theatre anymore. I’ve informed my Houston friend in case he hasn’t been there!
fnydude: Sounds very familiar here in Charlotte as well! Recently purchased a book about the city and so many historical buildings have been demolished that were so very beautiful!
William: You beat me to it…..as I was about to post the American Idol theatre news!! What a beautiful LA theatre and glad to see it get such fun exposure!!
Sodawar: Most interesting to read that you own an original 1908 Hipp theatre seat! I’ve seen old ones of that vintage and they weren’t very comfortable. Does yours have a wire/metal shelf underneath for ladies to put their purses, etc.?
“The lobby area is topped by a dome encircled by circular windows.” How very unique and will look so beautiful when this Kansas City landmark is restored to its former beauty and grandeur!
After viewing a photo of the boarded up Empire why there were plans for it to become a Planet-Hollywood because of its unusual facade, but it needs to remain a theatre as originally intended!
“The Kansas City Star reported that a plan to construct a new headquarters for Kansas City Power & Light on the theater’s site had been rejected by city leaders. Developers sought the entire Empire Theater block to erect a new office tower for the utility company, which rents space just two blocks away.” BellSouth in Atlanta wanted the land that the Fabulous Fox sits on, but a compromise was reached and the Fox is still fabulous today! If one wants to see what was saved, one only has to walk inside the doors of the Peachtree Street Fox to realize how important saving a theatre such as that one was which happens to be an atmospheric theatre which makes the end result sorta like “icing on the cake”!
There were many more Erie theatres than listed on the CT site so in time I hope to have a friend of mine whose father has a scrapbook on Erie area theatres will contribute his vast knowledge.
It’s too bad the old marquee and ticket window can’t be returned to this ‘performance space’.
Robby: I believe that I may have asked you this before, but have you or do you have any interest in restoring the Carolina Theatre? Recently I’ve met with Charlie Clayton and others, but know that their work has been an uphill battle for the past 10 years!
Robby: Interesting ghost story of a Manor former manager!
If anyone could provide theatre photos, I would appreciate.
I plan to visit this theatre this summer as it has 2 similar theatre distinctions to my former hometown theatre in Westfield NY….art deco and the name….Grand! The 330 seats are less than were in mine. So many of these small town theatres are in need of being saved because in many cases the residents of these towns have many miles to travel to see a movie and most older folks would enjoy having one in their ‘own backyard’! In the case of my husband’s hometown that theatre is still there, but is being used for a youth center (hope still flames for that theatre to return) and in my case the small town Grand Theatre was foolishly demolished! :–(
LibbyHelen: My hat is off to you and your neighborhood association for NOT taking this lying down. In the end, whatever happens you’ll know that you fought and fought hard! The best of luck to you!
Warren: Thanks as I felt this was the case, but wasn’t sure.
Love those atmospheric theatres and especially the ones that have been restored and NOT demolished! Was the former Loew’s in Atlanta an atmospheric and am I correct when reading that the Loew’s in Richmond does not show movies anymore since it’s been changed to a Performing Arts Center?
Christian: Thanks for this theatre description as it really sounds like a wonderful place to visit though it isn’t a theatre anymore. I’ve informed my Houston friend in case he hasn’t been there!
And it sounds like even though it has been changed into a bookstore the theatre exterior and interior ‘look and feel’ are still there!
This art deco bookstore/former theatre would be fascinating to see so will have to ask my Houston friends to go if they haven’t yet!
fnydude: Sounds very familiar here in Charlotte as well! Recently purchased a book about the city and so many historical buildings have been demolished that were so very beautiful!
William: Ok, thanks! And if I ever get to LA, THIS theatre will be definite must-see!
br91975: The official website is very special and offers a wonderful enlarged photo of the theatre with its organ near the stage! Thanks!!!
Having trouble with the website, Los Angeles Conservancy — Last Remaining Seats.
William: You beat me to it…..as I was about to post the American Idol theatre news!! What a beautiful LA theatre and glad to see it get such fun exposure!!
Sodawar: Most interesting to read that you own an original 1908 Hipp theatre seat! I’ve seen old ones of that vintage and they weren’t very comfortable. Does yours have a wire/metal shelf underneath for ladies to put their purses, etc.?
Tom: I never knew there was a Warner-Columbia connection, but thank goodness the Warner still exists on State Street!
“The lobby area is topped by a dome encircled by circular windows.” How very unique and will look so beautiful when this Kansas City landmark is restored to its former beauty and grandeur!
Can anyone post some old photos of the Empire?
After viewing a photo of the boarded up Empire why there were plans for it to become a Planet-Hollywood because of its unusual facade, but it needs to remain a theatre as originally intended!
“The Kansas City Star reported that a plan to construct a new headquarters for Kansas City Power & Light on the theater’s site had been rejected by city leaders. Developers sought the entire Empire Theater block to erect a new office tower for the utility company, which rents space just two blocks away.” BellSouth in Atlanta wanted the land that the Fabulous Fox sits on, but a compromise was reached and the Fox is still fabulous today! If one wants to see what was saved, one only has to walk inside the doors of the Peachtree Street Fox to realize how important saving a theatre such as that one was which happens to be an atmospheric theatre which makes the end result sorta like “icing on the cake”!
Another theatre battling a utility company…one only has to read the Fabulous Fox saga in Atlanta to realize that a win-win solution can be worked out!
There were many more Erie theatres than listed on the CT site so in time I hope to have a friend of mine whose father has a scrapbook on Erie area theatres will contribute his vast knowledge.
Nasty words……urban renewal!