Brian: That was my exact thought….why get rid of that seal. Do you know what was on the seal or if there was any wording? After looking at the present day photo it looks like a good job was accomplished in preserving the building, but keeping the seal and perhaps some of the ornate and elaborate exterior design would have been a nice touch!
The same here in Charlotte with the building up of center city with restaurants, clubs, sports arena, condo high-rises and the talk of a light rail system, but where is the Carolina Theater in all of this planning? The Carolina is still standing, but still unrestored! One of the major problems is the ‘politics’ involved, etc.
So nice to read about this Eberson-art deco theatre being saved in Texas! It just goes to show that whether they seat thousands or just 542 patrons it doesn’t matter….saved over demolished is the right decision no matter what it takes! Amen! Seth: Old courthouses are an architectural favorite of mine, too along with fire stations and railroad stations!
Jim: Just read your post concerning the art deco exterior and the spanish interior decor as I just couldn’t picture in my mind’s eye a theatre having an art deco/atmospheric interior!
Haven’t seen too many theatres on this site with both an art deco/atmospheric description so will have to try and visit Anderson IN and see this combined artistic style!
Must be in the Philly area. Can anyone tell me if this theatre was saved or is just the facade still standing? After viewing photos of this theatre it’s interior is truly unique and should be totally saved, not just part of it!
We used to live in Wichita Falls (early 70’s) and traveled to Dallas on occasion, but since I wasn’t into old movie palaces back then I missed the opportunity to see this atmospheric treasure!
Through cinema site research I had to add this one to my favorites as it was Eberson’s FIRST atmospheric theatre! And it, too, was demolished. “…the ceiling was blue with stars moving overhead.” I’m beginning to hate the word….demolished! I have Houston friends who I must ask about their memories of the Majestic. It sounds as if the Majestic was truly that….majestic! Are the Majestics in San Antonio and Dallas still standing?
In reading about John Eberson and his son, Drew (inserted below) there was mention of a former Hamilton OH theater called the Jewel which was Eberson’s earliest known conventional theater. And the Jewel is not listed on our cinema site for a theater in Hamilton OH.
“Eberson was born in Cernauti, Bukovina, a region of Romania. He attended high school in Dresden and studied at the University of Vienna in 1893. After escaping from prison (he was incarcerated after a disagreement with a superior officer in his military regiment) Eberson moved to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. His earliest atmospheric experiments are found in his stage design and painting work between 1901-03 for the Johnston Realty and Construction Company. Eberson’s earliest known conventional theater commission was for the Jewel in Hamilton, Ohio (1909). After moving to Chicago in 1910 he began to receive steady theater design work. While his early commissions could be characterized as traditional, by the mid-1910’s Eberson had clearly forged a new direction with the Austin Majestic (1916) and Dallas Majestic theaters (1917). His first truly Atmospheric Theater, the Houston Majestic, opened in 1923. The Atmospheric Theaters reflected Eberson’s European heritage. Italian influences,especially in statuary and interior motifs. In addition, were landscape and garden influences. Eberson’s theater interiors contained numerous fountains and grottoes.
[Adapted from an exhibition publication of the Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Art Gallery, Hunter College (1988)]
ff514ny: We have friends who live in Chagrin Falls so I must ask them about their Falls memories. Keep that marquee print…wish my hometown theatre had done a print of it’s last movie!
This being an Eberson theatre I had to include it on my favorites list! Can anyone give me background information on the 2 Eberson names….Drew and John? Were they related?
Brian: That was my exact thought….why get rid of that seal. Do you know what was on the seal or if there was any wording? After looking at the present day photo it looks like a good job was accomplished in preserving the building, but keeping the seal and perhaps some of the ornate and elaborate exterior design would have been a nice touch!
The photos of this former theatre are fascinating! It had such an ornate facade that has all been removed or covered today!
Brian: Congratulations and good luck with your Warner Theatre research……I will be in touch!
The same here in Charlotte with the building up of center city with restaurants, clubs, sports arena, condo high-rises and the talk of a light rail system, but where is the Carolina Theater in all of this planning? The Carolina is still standing, but still unrestored! One of the major problems is the ‘politics’ involved, etc.
Two years ago I saw Tony Orlando at the Lyric!
This theatre is clearly an atmospheric theatre, yet is listed as “unknown” after the word Style!
So nice to read about this Eberson-art deco theatre being saved in Texas! It just goes to show that whether they seat thousands or just 542 patrons it doesn’t matter….saved over demolished is the right decision no matter what it takes! Amen! Seth: Old courthouses are an architectural favorite of mine, too along with fire stations and railroad stations!
Jim: Just read your post concerning the art deco exterior and the spanish interior decor as I just couldn’t picture in my mind’s eye a theatre having an art deco/atmospheric interior!
Haven’t seen too many theatres on this site with both an art deco/atmospheric description so will have to try and visit Anderson IN and see this combined artistic style!
Neo: Thanks for the Riviera photo!
Thank goodness the Fox/Detroit was saved, but sorry to read that the Riviera wasn’t and it was an atmospheric-Eberson palace!
“….local officials halted the demolition”! If anyone has current info on this Art Moderne theater, please post here!
Another theatre with the Eberson connection so is worth keeping our eyes on it!
Must be in the Philly area. Can anyone tell me if this theatre was saved or is just the facade still standing? After viewing photos of this theatre it’s interior is truly unique and should be totally saved, not just part of it!
Where is Yeadon PA?
Does anyone have a website address with photos of the Paramount and the others on Church that were razed in Nashville over the years?
Barbara: Two reasons to save and restore this theater in Flint MI…….Eberson and atmospheric!!!
Patrick: Honest mistake….you do a fantastic job on the cinema site and thank you as I’m hooked, for sure!
We used to live in Wichita Falls (early 70’s) and traveled to Dallas on occasion, but since I wasn’t into old movie palaces back then I missed the opportunity to see this atmospheric treasure!
Bryan: Well, that’s great news! Thank goodness, but the folks of Houston sure lost a treasure when they brought their Majestic to the ground!
Through cinema site research I had to add this one to my favorites as it was Eberson’s FIRST atmospheric theatre! And it, too, was demolished. “…the ceiling was blue with stars moving overhead.” I’m beginning to hate the word….demolished! I have Houston friends who I must ask about their memories of the Majestic. It sounds as if the Majestic was truly that….majestic! Are the Majestics in San Antonio and Dallas still standing?
In reading about John Eberson and his son, Drew (inserted below) there was mention of a former Hamilton OH theater called the Jewel which was Eberson’s earliest known conventional theater. And the Jewel is not listed on our cinema site for a theater in Hamilton OH.
“Eberson was born in Cernauti, Bukovina, a region of Romania. He attended high school in Dresden and studied at the University of Vienna in 1893. After escaping from prison (he was incarcerated after a disagreement with a superior officer in his military regiment) Eberson moved to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. His earliest atmospheric experiments are found in his stage design and painting work between 1901-03 for the Johnston Realty and Construction Company. Eberson’s earliest known conventional theater commission was for the Jewel in Hamilton, Ohio (1909). After moving to Chicago in 1910 he began to receive steady theater design work. While his early commissions could be characterized as traditional, by the mid-1910’s Eberson had clearly forged a new direction with the Austin Majestic (1916) and Dallas Majestic theaters (1917). His first truly Atmospheric Theater, the Houston Majestic, opened in 1923. The Atmospheric Theaters reflected Eberson’s European heritage. Italian influences,especially in statuary and interior motifs. In addition, were landscape and garden influences. Eberson’s theater interiors contained numerous fountains and grottoes.
[Adapted from an exhibition publication of the Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Art Gallery, Hunter College (1988)]
ff514ny: We have friends who live in Chagrin Falls so I must ask them about their Falls memories. Keep that marquee print…wish my hometown theatre had done a print of it’s last movie!
Another very sad demolition theatre story! The fact that it is a demolished Eberson-atmospheric theatre is a very hard pill to swallow!
This being an Eberson theatre I had to include it on my favorites list! Can anyone give me background information on the 2 Eberson names….Drew and John? Were they related?