I haven’t been in Salem for decades, however I seem to remember a theater across the street from the Elsinore called the Grand. It was being used for wrestling matches at the time. (1960s). I don’t find it listed on this site. Anyone have any info?
Looks like the “Roseway” was restored to the orighnal neon instead of the plastic one in other photos. Smooth reader board instead on the corrigated one. Nice to see the restorations. This was always a favorite theater of mine when I lived in Portland. They had a very wide screen that originally could handle the old scope 2.55:1.
I moved to San Bernardino in 1997 and the Sound and Cinema store was already operating under the name Video Mart 2000. The store is now a high end audio/video store. In what was originally the theatre lobby, there are interior and exterior pictures of the original theater.
Makes buying a 3D tv more attractive. I don’t go to many films because of the cost, 3D films being an exception. But I’m not willing to pay one penny more than I currently paid. They just priced themselves out of business as far as I’m concerned.
There is a HealthMart Pharmacy commercial currently running (3\3\2010) that has a nice view of the front of this theater. Saw the ad on General Hospital.
My parents used to take me to this drive-in when I was a young boy. I remember that there was a playground in front of the screen and they had pony rides before the show started.
I seem to remember that the place closed in 1959 to make way for airport expansion. I don’t think it could have still be open in 1975 as mentioned above. Maybe someone can confirm the exact close date.
In the night photos above it looks like most of the neon was no longer working. The underside of the marque originally was fully light with neon tubes in various shapes. It created a bright and very theatrical front to the theater. Also, there was a lot of flashing neon around the reader board. Sad to see it in such poor repair.
For the postings above concerning the name Hippodrome, this was never a name for the Fox. The theater opened as the Heilig, renamed the Rialto in 1929 when Paramount/Pubix took control, then a couple years later under still new management it was renamed the Mayfair. Finally it became the Fox. A block north, the theater best known as the Orpheum used the Hippodrome name for a short time around 1916.
I too have to question the auditorium photo above. The Fairview had no balcony and I don’t remember the side walls being angled. It’s been 50 years since I was inside this theatre so my memory may have faded, but definately no balcony.
Since Earl Haug listed this theater in 2002 there has been no restoration work done. I talked to him when I was on vacation in Vermillion in 2005 and he seemed very positive about the project at that time. It would now appear that he has closed up his storefront and different people have taken over. I’m afraid that the planned restoration may have been dropped. Anyone have any updated info?
If you go to http://www.pastormelissascott.com/ you can make reservations for the Sunday service. There is also a schedule for the tv broadcasts during which the cameras will pan the auditorium so you can get an idea of what it looks like. During the time that Gene Scott was pastor much restoration was done and the theater is in excellent condition. By the way, I wouldn’t call them funamentalist weirdos although they do march to their own drummer.
When I worked at the Aztec in the late 60s, this space was used as a card room. Mostly older men playing poker. It was never a traditional theatre. As I recall, the space was fairly small, so I doubt that there were more than 100 seats or so. Maybe someone out there knows for sure.
This beautiful theatre should have the great marquee recreated instead of the tacky thing that’s hanging there now. It was the one part of the restoration that was poorly done (IMHO).
I haven’t been in Salem for decades, however I seem to remember a theater across the street from the Elsinore called the Grand. It was being used for wrestling matches at the time. (1960s). I don’t find it listed on this site. Anyone have any info?
Looks like the “Roseway” was restored to the orighnal neon instead of the plastic one in other photos. Smooth reader board instead on the corrigated one. Nice to see the restorations. This was always a favorite theater of mine when I lived in Portland. They had a very wide screen that originally could handle the old scope 2.55:1.
I moved to San Bernardino in 1997 and the Sound and Cinema store was already operating under the name Video Mart 2000. The store is now a high end audio/video store. In what was originally the theatre lobby, there are interior and exterior pictures of the original theater.
linking email
Makes buying a 3D tv more attractive. I don’t go to many films because of the cost, 3D films being an exception. But I’m not willing to pay one penny more than I currently paid. They just priced themselves out of business as far as I’m concerned.
linking for email.
There is a HealthMart Pharmacy commercial currently running (3\3\2010) that has a nice view of the front of this theater. Saw the ad on General Hospital.
My parents used to take me to this drive-in when I was a young boy. I remember that there was a playground in front of the screen and they had pony rides before the show started.
I seem to remember that the place closed in 1959 to make way for airport expansion. I don’t think it could have still be open in 1975 as mentioned above. Maybe someone can confirm the exact close date.
relinking
Posting to create link.
I’d love to see more interior shots in color. Most I’ve found are B&W. The one above is nice.
In the night photos above it looks like most of the neon was no longer working. The underside of the marque originally was fully light with neon tubes in various shapes. It created a bright and very theatrical front to the theater. Also, there was a lot of flashing neon around the reader board. Sad to see it in such poor repair.
For the postings above concerning the name Hippodrome, this was never a name for the Fox. The theater opened as the Heilig, renamed the Rialto in 1929 when Paramount/Pubix took control, then a couple years later under still new management it was renamed the Mayfair. Finally it became the Fox. A block north, the theater best known as the Orpheum used the Hippodrome name for a short time around 1916.
relinking
I too have to question the auditorium photo above. The Fairview had no balcony and I don’t remember the side walls being angled. It’s been 50 years since I was inside this theatre so my memory may have faded, but definately no balcony.
Since Earl Haug listed this theater in 2002 there has been no restoration work done. I talked to him when I was on vacation in Vermillion in 2005 and he seemed very positive about the project at that time. It would now appear that he has closed up his storefront and different people have taken over. I’m afraid that the planned restoration may have been dropped. Anyone have any updated info?
Thanks for the photos.
The Ohio also roadshowed “The Ten Commandments”, “Around the World in 80 Days” “Oklahoma” ran here but in 35mm.
Thanks for the photos
If you go to http://www.pastormelissascott.com/ you can make reservations for the Sunday service. There is also a schedule for the tv broadcasts during which the cameras will pan the auditorium so you can get an idea of what it looks like. During the time that Gene Scott was pastor much restoration was done and the theater is in excellent condition. By the way, I wouldn’t call them funamentalist weirdos although they do march to their own drummer.
Thanks for the photos.
When I worked at the Aztec in the late 60s, this space was used as a card room. Mostly older men playing poker. It was never a traditional theatre. As I recall, the space was fairly small, so I doubt that there were more than 100 seats or so. Maybe someone out there knows for sure.
Nice photos, thanks.
It’s always sad when a class operation like this closes.
This beautiful theatre should have the great marquee recreated instead of the tacky thing that’s hanging there now. It was the one part of the restoration that was poorly done (IMHO).