Many thanks for sharing your neighborhood memories. I can email you an old photo of the Chateau if you’d like. If you’re interested, please indicate on this site and I’ll post my email address so you can forward yours
Darren, a Stooge fest can be a profitable venture depending upon several factors of course. The Riviera theatre in North Tonawanda draws close to 1000 people for their annual Stooge Fest. Perhaps it might be something the theatre might want to do for it’s own benefit and do something different for the Dormont Pool.
Looking forward to my next trip to Pittsburgh and the Hollywood theatre.
Wow, I’d forgotten all about the Marigold Arena. Unfortunately, the Vogue (Chateau) was one of the few morth side Chicago theatres I was never in. Thanks for all your detail about the neighborhood—the diner and underground passage sounded really cool. Do you remember much about the interior of the Vogue? If you do, I hope you’ll post your memories.
I don’t know the number but it’s or at least was on the marquee so it might be worth a trip there. I’ll probably pass by within a month or two and post the number on this site. You’d definitely stand a much better chance of success with the Kingsway but the rent would have to be lowered considerably before anyone besides the owner would make money.
Yes, they’ve done a fairly decent improvement job. Concert promoters now seem more willing to rent the facilities. I saw Lindsay Buckingham there a couple of months ago. Supposedly the event was sold out.
Glad to here the news — I miss all the Festival theatres. I’d be interested in hearing from others in the Toronto area who might be interested forming a consortium to lease and reopen the Kingway or Paradise. Email me at
I just visited the Rex on Easter weekend and saw the “World Premiere” of a locally done full length film titled, “You’re In Trouble” which was paired with a previously released short titled, “Corporate Blues”. I’ll just say they’re both okay since this isn’t a movie revue site. Most everything listed here is pretty accurate according to my source who now operates the Rex. The screen used now is about one third the size of the original screen since movies are rarely shown. Today, the Rex’s primary purpose is a “Premiere Rock Venue Facility” All permanent seating has been removed so when seating is required, banquet style chairs are placed. It’s butt tough to sit on for over 2 hours but the semi “theatre” experience was still worthwile. Sipping a beer and watching a movie was strange but throughly enjoyable. Despite its present shortcomings as a true movie theatre, I’d go again.
The Rex closed in 1959 and never returned as a movie theatre until the the nineties. The “art fare venue” lasted until the mid nineties with one short closure and reopening. During the time frame between 1959 and the nineties the Rex hosted a barber school as well as a wholesale (very appropiately) popcorn facility. The Rex sat vacant from the mid 90’s until 2001, when it reopend with a premiere Rock & Roll showcase venue.
Although, today what appears to be the Rex’s balcony, it was vastly different in its movie showing days. The balcony today is much larger and has a new curved staircase. Originally, the balcony was only on the left side (as you face the screen) of the projection booth. It contained only 6 seats. Does that qualify for entry into the Guiness book? You also need a VIP pass to gain entry to the balcony.
I had the pleasure of attending the Hollywood just this past Easter. While sitting in the balcony, watching Dreamgirls and eating my inexpensive popcorn, I thought how lucking you Dormont natives are. I travelled seven hours to have this experience. Wow, what a different theatre from when I saw the closed Hollywood at the tax auction. I hope the locals support it.
Today, March 3, 2007, I revisited the Joylan and saw a first run film. “Wild Hogs”. There were about 250 people at the 4:00 p.m. showing. Pretty good turn out for a small town single screen theatre.
The owner and I talked and she revealed something that many of us already know; which is, how difficult it is for a single screen, low admission price ($5.50) to get first run releases. Anyway, they managed to get “Wild Hogs” in its first week of release and it looks like they’ll do quite well with it.
Gosh, wrong again-pictures are on drive-in.com. Do a zip code search with 14042 and Loomis' Drive-In will be one of your options. Evidently, even when spelled correctly, the website listed on their brochure doesn’t work.
I guess I forgot to mention that Festival Theatres owned both buildings that housed the Revue and Royal. That’s why they had no rent to pay.
Sorry for the confusion.
Unfortunately, the asking price of the monthly rent is way too high for anyone to come close to breaking even. Some of the managers of the festival theatres had hoped to re-open the theatre at a rent less than festival was paying but the owner wants more rent than festival was paying. I’m pretty sure the Kingsway was the biggest grossing of all the theatres but probably not the most profitable — remember they had no rent to pay at the Revue and Royal.
Anyway, let’s hope the rent becomes realistic and you, I, or someone
opens the Kingsway. Have you thought about the Paradise? I know the gross would be very signifcantly less but if the rent were right, the net could be better.
Hi Patsy, sorry no relation. Had written a lot more but for some reason an error occured when I tried to preview it. Too busy to type it again right now, but will comment again soon
I know from hearing only one side of the story (the owners) that there’s some hostility between the city and Alex. Alex maintains that the theatre never made money under his ownership but the whole complex of theatre, stores, apartments and offices makes the building profitable. The city insisted that the P.P.A. tax be paid on all 1500+ seats even though the balcony (rear elevated portion) is roped off. Alex felt this was unjustfied but the city insisted that the only way he could avoid paying the tax on all the seats was to rip out the unused balconey seats. Alex wouldn’t bend and closed the theatre. That’s the owner’s version of why the Patio closed.
Two rumors are circulating about the sale of the Royal.
1. The theatre has been bought by a successful nightclub owner. It
will be turned into a nightclub and eventually condo’s
The theatre was bought by the digital sound editing company
which leases the balcony in the Regent. They plan to keep it
open as a theatre in the evening and do editing during daytime
business hours.
Let’s hope the second rumor is true. Asking price was $2.7 million and it sold for 2.3 million cdn. You’ve got to sell lots of popcorn to recoup this type of investment. The Festival Theatres will be missed by many Torontotonians.
Before ownership passed to the village, the theatre was owned by the same family that owned (still ownes) the Riviera theatre (closed but still standing) in Geneseo, N.Y. The New Family Theatre looks a little worse everytime I passby. Someone told me a portion of the roof has opened but this might be just be a rumor. I know the village had applied for (granted?) state and federal money to improve Main Street and improving the theatre was part of the village’s official plan.
My notes from 1986, indicate that both theatres were open. I saw “Peggy Sue Got Married” at the Orpheum. My notes indicate the theatre was small, had been twinned, and was rather plain inside. I did not see the inside of the other theatre. I returned to Clarion in 2000, to find both theatres closed, which confirms the statements above.
Before you all rush to the “ebay bidding war” check out the nearby competition. Memory tells me (but I’m not positive) these guys abandoned downtown and built a new facility on the outskirts of town.
I don’t think it was as long as the Uptown’s lobby but it was long. I have both interior and exterior photos of the North Center. It’s seating capacity was certainly scaled down from the proposed 3000 seat venue. The theatre though not plain was no match for many of Chicago’s other theatres.
Yes, the Community theatre is still operating. It has been twinned between the balcony and auditorium. The theatre is owned by the same person that owns the Orpheum in Saugerties. I know the theatre was still for sale just a few months ago. A good portion of the original plaster has been covered over but there’s still a reasonable amount of original detailing still visible. I’ll add more details soon.
The Palace has been gone approximately six or seven years. Where the once majestic theatre complex stood now stands another drug store. Years ago, just outside of downtown a small multi screen (maybe a triplex)theatre opened and the Palace had to resort to second run films at reduced admissions. Just before the Palace closed a mega-plex was built not too far from the “triplex”. This forced both the Palace and the triplex to close their doors. Memory tells me there was a rather grand staircase which you’d imagine led to a balcony. It however, only led to washrooms and the projection area. I was offered the Palace rent free in exchange for paying the taxes on the theatre’s portion of the complex.
The Geitner theatre closed in the early to mid 1980’s. It has a balcony and was, last time I passed by, being used as a dance studio. Just before its closing it reduced admission to $1.00. The Geitner family owned a number of theatres in the western New york area.
The year before the roof collapsed, I saw the Plaza theatre. It had already been forced to close but a sign appeared on the building. “Free to good new owner” or something to that affect. A year the building was gone so I asked the owner of a local restaurant what happened to the theatre. She informed me the roof caved in and the remaining portion of the theatre was demolished by the city. Malone has a fair size population base but no theatre nearby. All you entrepeneurs take note.
Many thanks for sharing your neighborhood memories. I can email you an old photo of the Chateau if you’d like. If you’re interested, please indicate on this site and I’ll post my email address so you can forward yours
Sorry Patsy, I have no photos of the Grand.
Darren, a Stooge fest can be a profitable venture depending upon several factors of course. The Riviera theatre in North Tonawanda draws close to 1000 people for their annual Stooge Fest. Perhaps it might be something the theatre might want to do for it’s own benefit and do something different for the Dormont Pool.
Looking forward to my next trip to Pittsburgh and the Hollywood theatre.
Wow, I’d forgotten all about the Marigold Arena. Unfortunately, the Vogue (Chateau) was one of the few morth side Chicago theatres I was never in. Thanks for all your detail about the neighborhood—the diner and underground passage sounded really cool. Do you remember much about the interior of the Vogue? If you do, I hope you’ll post your memories.
I don’t know the number but it’s or at least was on the marquee so it might be worth a trip there. I’ll probably pass by within a month or two and post the number on this site. You’d definitely stand a much better chance of success with the Kingsway but the rent would have to be lowered considerably before anyone besides the owner would make money.
Yes, they’ve done a fairly decent improvement job. Concert promoters now seem more willing to rent the facilities. I saw Lindsay Buckingham there a couple of months ago. Supposedly the event was sold out.
Glad to here the news — I miss all the Festival theatres. I’d be interested in hearing from others in the Toronto area who might be interested forming a consortium to lease and reopen the Kingway or Paradise. Email me at
I just visited the Rex on Easter weekend and saw the “World Premiere” of a locally done full length film titled, “You’re In Trouble” which was paired with a previously released short titled, “Corporate Blues”. I’ll just say they’re both okay since this isn’t a movie revue site. Most everything listed here is pretty accurate according to my source who now operates the Rex. The screen used now is about one third the size of the original screen since movies are rarely shown. Today, the Rex’s primary purpose is a “Premiere Rock Venue Facility” All permanent seating has been removed so when seating is required, banquet style chairs are placed. It’s butt tough to sit on for over 2 hours but the semi “theatre” experience was still worthwile. Sipping a beer and watching a movie was strange but throughly enjoyable. Despite its present shortcomings as a true movie theatre, I’d go again.
The Rex closed in 1959 and never returned as a movie theatre until the the nineties. The “art fare venue” lasted until the mid nineties with one short closure and reopening. During the time frame between 1959 and the nineties the Rex hosted a barber school as well as a wholesale (very appropiately) popcorn facility. The Rex sat vacant from the mid 90’s until 2001, when it reopend with a premiere Rock & Roll showcase venue.
Although, today what appears to be the Rex’s balcony, it was vastly different in its movie showing days. The balcony today is much larger and has a new curved staircase. Originally, the balcony was only on the left side (as you face the screen) of the projection booth. It contained only 6 seats. Does that qualify for entry into the Guiness book? You also need a VIP pass to gain entry to the balcony.
I had the pleasure of attending the Hollywood just this past Easter. While sitting in the balcony, watching Dreamgirls and eating my inexpensive popcorn, I thought how lucking you Dormont natives are. I travelled seven hours to have this experience. Wow, what a different theatre from when I saw the closed Hollywood at the tax auction. I hope the locals support it.
Today, March 3, 2007, I revisited the Joylan and saw a first run film. “Wild Hogs”. There were about 250 people at the 4:00 p.m. showing. Pretty good turn out for a small town single screen theatre.
The owner and I talked and she revealed something that many of us already know; which is, how difficult it is for a single screen, low admission price ($5.50) to get first run releases. Anyway, they managed to get “Wild Hogs” in its first week of release and it looks like they’ll do quite well with it.
Yep, it’s the correct photo.
Gosh, wrong again-pictures are on drive-in.com. Do a zip code search with 14042 and Loomis' Drive-In will be one of your options. Evidently, even when spelled correctly, the website listed on their brochure doesn’t work.
The official website for the Loomis' Delevan Drive-In is:
www.develandrivein.net
There are some photo’s on the site.
Hi Dave,
I guess I forgot to mention that Festival Theatres owned both buildings that housed the Revue and Royal. That’s why they had no rent to pay.
Sorry for the confusion.
Hi DaveC426013,
Unfortunately, the asking price of the monthly rent is way too high for anyone to come close to breaking even. Some of the managers of the festival theatres had hoped to re-open the theatre at a rent less than festival was paying but the owner wants more rent than festival was paying. I’m pretty sure the Kingsway was the biggest grossing of all the theatres but probably not the most profitable — remember they had no rent to pay at the Revue and Royal.
Anyway, let’s hope the rent becomes realistic and you, I, or someone
opens the Kingsway. Have you thought about the Paradise? I know the gross would be very signifcantly less but if the rent were right, the net could be better.
Hi Patsy, sorry no relation. Had written a lot more but for some reason an error occured when I tried to preview it. Too busy to type it again right now, but will comment again soon
I know from hearing only one side of the story (the owners) that there’s some hostility between the city and Alex. Alex maintains that the theatre never made money under his ownership but the whole complex of theatre, stores, apartments and offices makes the building profitable. The city insisted that the P.P.A. tax be paid on all 1500+ seats even though the balcony (rear elevated portion) is roped off. Alex felt this was unjustfied but the city insisted that the only way he could avoid paying the tax on all the seats was to rip out the unused balconey seats. Alex wouldn’t bend and closed the theatre. That’s the owner’s version of why the Patio closed.
Two rumors are circulating about the sale of the Royal.
1. The theatre has been bought by a successful nightclub owner. It
will be turned into a nightclub and eventually condo’s
which leases the balcony in the Regent. They plan to keep it
open as a theatre in the evening and do editing during daytime
business hours.
Let’s hope the second rumor is true. Asking price was $2.7 million and it sold for 2.3 million cdn. You’ve got to sell lots of popcorn to recoup this type of investment. The Festival Theatres will be missed by many Torontotonians.
Before ownership passed to the village, the theatre was owned by the same family that owned (still ownes) the Riviera theatre (closed but still standing) in Geneseo, N.Y. The New Family Theatre looks a little worse everytime I passby. Someone told me a portion of the roof has opened but this might be just be a rumor. I know the village had applied for (granted?) state and federal money to improve Main Street and improving the theatre was part of the village’s official plan.
My notes from 1986, indicate that both theatres were open. I saw “Peggy Sue Got Married” at the Orpheum. My notes indicate the theatre was small, had been twinned, and was rather plain inside. I did not see the inside of the other theatre. I returned to Clarion in 2000, to find both theatres closed, which confirms the statements above.
Before you all rush to the “ebay bidding war” check out the nearby competition. Memory tells me (but I’m not positive) these guys abandoned downtown and built a new facility on the outskirts of town.
I don’t think it was as long as the Uptown’s lobby but it was long. I have both interior and exterior photos of the North Center. It’s seating capacity was certainly scaled down from the proposed 3000 seat venue. The theatre though not plain was no match for many of Chicago’s other theatres.
Yes, the Community theatre is still operating. It has been twinned between the balcony and auditorium. The theatre is owned by the same person that owns the Orpheum in Saugerties. I know the theatre was still for sale just a few months ago. A good portion of the original plaster has been covered over but there’s still a reasonable amount of original detailing still visible. I’ll add more details soon.
The Palace has been gone approximately six or seven years. Where the once majestic theatre complex stood now stands another drug store. Years ago, just outside of downtown a small multi screen (maybe a triplex)theatre opened and the Palace had to resort to second run films at reduced admissions. Just before the Palace closed a mega-plex was built not too far from the “triplex”. This forced both the Palace and the triplex to close their doors. Memory tells me there was a rather grand staircase which you’d imagine led to a balcony. It however, only led to washrooms and the projection area. I was offered the Palace rent free in exchange for paying the taxes on the theatre’s portion of the complex.
The Geitner theatre closed in the early to mid 1980’s. It has a balcony and was, last time I passed by, being used as a dance studio. Just before its closing it reduced admission to $1.00. The Geitner family owned a number of theatres in the western New york area.
The year before the roof collapsed, I saw the Plaza theatre. It had already been forced to close but a sign appeared on the building. “Free to good new owner” or something to that affect. A year the building was gone so I asked the owner of a local restaurant what happened to the theatre. She informed me the roof caved in and the remaining portion of the theatre was demolished by the city. Malone has a fair size population base but no theatre nearby. All you entrepeneurs take note.