SAJ: I made an appointment with the Orange County History Center today to see what they had on Orlando’s theatres in their files. I found a picture from the SENTINEL-STAR, dated March 28, 1937, showing the soon to be opened Lincoln Theatre. You can contact me at .com if you’d like a copy of it.
I explored the State several times while it was still operating as a movie theatre. It had quite impressive stage facilities, and there was a basement under the stage which contained several dressing rooms. In fact, new managers would live there from time to time until they found permanent housing. I remember seeing a sign there reading “All good show folks eat at the (name forgetten) restaurant.” It was a grand old theatre with a rich vaudeville history. Tallahassee oldtimers told me they saw Harry James and his band perform on that stage. As the theatre was being razed, I managed to save a small piece of the screen.
The Gem Theatre was a separate theatre, Patsy, and has been closed since 1949. I can’t think of a reason that it would be mentioned on the Garden Theatre’s website. If you would like it, I’ve written a history of Winter Garden’s theatres,“Flickers, Fires and Flames,” and it’s published for free distribution by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. If you will send me your address, I’ll be glad to mail you a copy. You can write me at .com Aren’t you scheduled for a visit to Florida this winter?
The Cameo is open again, this time as a live theatre venue. The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has acquired the building, and is presenting “A Streetcar Named Desire” as its first production.
I was finally able to enter the Cameo Theatre building last Sunday (Feb. 17). An art show enterprise had rented the space for the weekend, and the staff permitted me to look around. The only evidence I could find that would indicate a theatre once was here were decorative side panels that had a downward thrust. They were apparently created to enhance the slanted floor that once existed. Otherwise, there was only a big open space on the first floor, and the second floor contained only small office spaces.
In the picture, you are looking at in incomplete installation. The stage curtains and some masking are not installed yet. We had to open while the construction work is finishing up. We are using DVD high definition projection. The sound system is state of the art stereo—I’m not sure about Dolby. We have a Conn theatre organ in storage that will be installed within the next few months. The drop ceiling was advised by an acoustician to improve the sound reproduction in the hall. Spanish lanterns with amber lamps will light the sides.
The Garden will open again on February 1, 2008, as a performing arts center. Classic movies will also be run twice a week. The gala grand opening is set for February 29. See www.wgtheatre.org or call 407-877-GRDN for information.
I’ll be interested to see what you come up with, The Angus. When I was a kid, I always wanted to go in and explore the Cameo. Our parents would sometimes drop us off at the Vogue, and afterwards, it was understood that they would pick us up at the Cameo. This was so we could peer in the windows and try to get some idea of what the theatre was like inside.
The Cameo, indeed, was only open for a brief period. I’ve always wondered why since it is a beautifully designed theatre. When Florida State Theatres (aka Paramount & Sparks) added the Vogue just down the street from the Cameo, apparently the Cameo bit the dust. I hope The Angus is successful in making something theatrical out of this attractive building.
A friend of mine “lived” in the Roxy for several weeks in the late 1940s when he was an usher there. He had run away from home, and the manager allowed him to stay in one of the dressing rooms backstage. He said he was kept awake all night by the ghosts of vaudeville artists who had performed in the theatre.
I attended movies in the Murray Hill many times as a child, and always enjoyed this neighborhood theatre. I remember a small stage with the curtains pinned back against the surrounding wall.
Projected “soft” opening of the Garden is in mid January, 2008. Grand opening has been scheduled for March 1, 2008. Two professional theatre companies have already opted to make this theatre their home.
Per a special exhibit at the Winter Park Historical Museum, the Baby Grand was built in 1911 for silent pictures by Mr. Beacham, who also owned theatres in Orlando. It had an organ, but it must have been small because the theatre was tiny.
The Garden Theatre’s facade and marquee are now completed, and were revealed in a ceremony on March 1, 2007. A soft opening is planned during early 2008, with the grand opening to follow on March 1, 2008. The theatre’s management can be contacted at 407-401-8660.
I was in the Palace today. It is being remodeled to be a dance studio, and the floor has been leveled. The stage is being kept, and the owner is doing a beautiful job of restoration, including the installation of period light fixtures.
If you’re curious about how a symphony orchestra or wind ensemble sounds in the Eastman Theatre, look for a Mercury CD featuring either the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra or the Eastman Wind Ensemble. These recordings are brilliant. Howard Hanson conducted most of the American music orchestral recordings, and Frederick Fennell conducted the wind ensemble ones.
Click here for a 2001 photo of the Gem Theatre.
SAJ: I made an appointment with the Orange County History Center today to see what they had on Orlando’s theatres in their files. I found a picture from the SENTINEL-STAR, dated March 28, 1937, showing the soon to be opened Lincoln Theatre. You can contact me at .com if you’d like a copy of it.
Per documents I came across today, the Lincoln opened on March 31, 1937.
I explored the State several times while it was still operating as a movie theatre. It had quite impressive stage facilities, and there was a basement under the stage which contained several dressing rooms. In fact, new managers would live there from time to time until they found permanent housing. I remember seeing a sign there reading “All good show folks eat at the (name forgetten) restaurant.” It was a grand old theatre with a rich vaudeville history. Tallahassee oldtimers told me they saw Harry James and his band perform on that stage. As the theatre was being razed, I managed to save a small piece of the screen.
The Gem Theatre was a separate theatre, Patsy, and has been closed since 1949. I can’t think of a reason that it would be mentioned on the Garden Theatre’s website. If you would like it, I’ve written a history of Winter Garden’s theatres,“Flickers, Fires and Flames,” and it’s published for free distribution by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. If you will send me your address, I’ll be glad to mail you a copy. You can write me at .com Aren’t you scheduled for a visit to Florida this winter?
From 1954 to 1956, the Gem Theatre became the Gem Super Market, an independently operated enterprise.
Thanks to all of you who maintain this magnificent website. I pull it up almost everyday. Happy New Year to your staff, and to all users of this site.
The Cameo is open again, this time as a live theatre venue. The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has acquired the building, and is presenting “A Streetcar Named Desire” as its first production.
I would have loved to met Lost Memory when he/she was here. Also, I will look forward to meeting Patsy.
The last feature to play the Florida before the 1960 fire was, appropriately, THE LAST VOYAGE.
I was finally able to enter the Cameo Theatre building last Sunday (Feb. 17). An art show enterprise had rented the space for the weekend, and the staff permitted me to look around. The only evidence I could find that would indicate a theatre once was here were decorative side panels that had a downward thrust. They were apparently created to enhance the slanted floor that once existed. Otherwise, there was only a big open space on the first floor, and the second floor contained only small office spaces.
In the picture, you are looking at in incomplete installation. The stage curtains and some masking are not installed yet. We had to open while the construction work is finishing up. We are using DVD high definition projection. The sound system is state of the art stereo—I’m not sure about Dolby. We have a Conn theatre organ in storage that will be installed within the next few months. The drop ceiling was advised by an acoustician to improve the sound reproduction in the hall. Spanish lanterns with amber lamps will light the sides.
The Garden will open again on February 1, 2008, as a performing arts center. Classic movies will also be run twice a week. The gala grand opening is set for February 29. See www.wgtheatre.org or call 407-877-GRDN for information.
I’ll be interested to see what you come up with, The Angus. When I was a kid, I always wanted to go in and explore the Cameo. Our parents would sometimes drop us off at the Vogue, and afterwards, it was understood that they would pick us up at the Cameo. This was so we could peer in the windows and try to get some idea of what the theatre was like inside.
The Cameo, indeed, was only open for a brief period. I’ve always wondered why since it is a beautifully designed theatre. When Florida State Theatres (aka Paramount & Sparks) added the Vogue just down the street from the Cameo, apparently the Cameo bit the dust. I hope The Angus is successful in making something theatrical out of this attractive building.
A friend of mine “lived” in the Roxy for several weeks in the late 1940s when he was an usher there. He had run away from home, and the manager allowed him to stay in one of the dressing rooms backstage. He said he was kept awake all night by the ghosts of vaudeville artists who had performed in the theatre.
The Colony’s exterior is featured in the 1958 sci-fi film, TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000.
Alexander Films in Colorado Springs. I remember seeing many of its productions at the Saturday matinees.
I attended movies in the Murray Hill many times as a child, and always enjoyed this neighborhood theatre. I remember a small stage with the curtains pinned back against the surrounding wall.
Projected “soft” opening of the Garden is in mid January, 2008. Grand opening has been scheduled for March 1, 2008. Two professional theatre companies have already opted to make this theatre their home.
How do I send the photos you requested to Lost Memory, Patsy?
Per a special exhibit at the Winter Park Historical Museum, the Baby Grand was built in 1911 for silent pictures by Mr. Beacham, who also owned theatres in Orlando. It had an organ, but it must have been small because the theatre was tiny.
The Garden Theatre’s facade and marquee are now completed, and were revealed in a ceremony on March 1, 2007. A soft opening is planned during early 2008, with the grand opening to follow on March 1, 2008. The theatre’s management can be contacted at 407-401-8660.
I was in the Palace today. It is being remodeled to be a dance studio, and the floor has been leveled. The stage is being kept, and the owner is doing a beautiful job of restoration, including the installation of period light fixtures.
If you’re curious about how a symphony orchestra or wind ensemble sounds in the Eastman Theatre, look for a Mercury CD featuring either the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra or the Eastman Wind Ensemble. These recordings are brilliant. Howard Hanson conducted most of the American music orchestral recordings, and Frederick Fennell conducted the wind ensemble ones.