Iam sorry about the Disney listing – It was Columbia with a Disney release that was originally scheduled to start after the fourth week of the run of “Annie”. After the contract was made to run “Annie” exclusive for the 18 weeks there was a rift with Disney because of the cancellation of the scheduled Disney run.
Being a commercial pilot and my route is between St. Louis and Honolulu the Waikiki was one of my favorite theatres. The size, the ambiance, the beauty of the theatre, the sound it was all just a great movie experience. I think the my favorite movie to view there was “Pearl Harbor”. The sound, the projection and everything was all top notch. I went on week night to teh early show and as large as the Waikiki was it was at least three fourths full. I still find it hard to believe that the theatre was not a money maker. With the closing of the Waikiki and the long gone Kohio my two favorite theaters are now gone in Hawaii. Even though my condo is much closer to a multiplex it would go into Waikiki to the Waikiki theatre. Now that it is gone I try catching my movies at the Esquire Theatre in St. Louis, another old movie palace that is still one of the busiest in the St. Louis Market. The Waikiki will be missed by all theatre fans from from the islands and the mainlanders that make it a point to see a movie while in the islands. I also agree with a comment above that Waikiki has enough shopping spots and really don’t need another.
The Palace theatre in Cleveland at one time housed the offices for the Reigional Manager for the Loew’s Theatre Midwest Division. Rein Rabakopf was the Regional Manager and over saw the Loew’s State, Loew’s Orpheum and Loew’s Mid City in St. Louis at the time.
If you are speaking of Drive In theatres, Austin had its fair share.
The Burnett Drive In on Burnett Rd., The Chief Drive In, The Drive in Theatre on Dallas Highway N., The Fiesta Drive In, The Rebel Drive In, Showtown USA Twin on Cameron, Southside Twin on Ben White.
There may have been more but these are the ones I have listed in my data.
Another highlight of the State Theatre history was that on the scheduled Christmas opening day the St. Louis area was hit with one of its worse snow storms. It didn’t put a dent in the number of people that showed up for the opening though as hundreds were turned away because each show was sold out. The management even placed and apology ad in the alton Telegraph the next day.
The million dollar Paramount theatre opened on September 3, 1931 on the site of the burned down Rialto Theatre. Some outstanding and unusual features of the Paramount was the park setting to the west of the entrance, it had rock gardens, waterfalls, trees, shrubs, flower gardens and rustic seats.
The Paramount is now the home of the Fox Valley Synphony and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 18, 1980.
The Norside Theatre opened on July 15, 1937 with a double feture, cartoon and shor. Closed January 5, 1955. There were some unique features for the Norside when it opened. It was the first theatre in Alton to install on opening the “Mirrophonic Sound Reproducing System”, the seats were leather, the architure had a triditional cornice and arched windows above the marquee resembling a bank building rather than a movie theatre.
In the Fifties television wasn’t the only threat to the theatres, in Alton the union insisted that the booths be manned by two men at all times. The owners of the Norside, Uptown and State asked the union to recind on their demands to no avail and operated at a loss. The three theatres tried there best but consistantly were turned down by the unions. The three theatres then closed their doors and posted signs closed until further notice. The theatre owners told the union it would be better that three projectionist working were better than six not working at all. By june the theatres were all open operating with a single man booth.
The Alton Cine' opened on April 9, 1976 with “Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox” in auditorium 1 and “Robin and Mariam” in dusitorium 2. At the time the Alton Cine' was built there were two residential homes on Claire Ave and the took the property of both the build the Cine'. When the theatres were opened it was touted that the first new motions pictures to be built in Alton, Il. in 41 years.
By 1989 the Wehrenberg Chain was already trying to rid themselves of the Alton Cine' but could find no takers. The Alton Telegraph stated that the Wehrenbers felt they had outgrown the venue. They had recently opened the new Jamestown Mall multiplex just a short distance away on the Missouri side of the river. They hoped the people of Alton would venture across the river to attend the new theatre. The owner of the Alton Square Mall offered to build a new cinema in the Mall for the Wehrenberg Chain but they were not interested. Alton city inspectors were receiving complaints that the theatre was in disrepair with sticky floors and filty seats. Upon an inspection the inspectors threatened to condemn the theatre and it was announed that the theatre was closing on April 9, 1998. The Alton Cine' was the last remaining motion picture theatre in Alton. The Building still stands waiting to be cleaned up and remodeled and used again as a theatre.
I really see that as feasible since right down the street is the much large Warnor that is a live venue. The Church that occupies the Crest has done a wonderful job at restoring the threatre.Better off leaving it as it is.
Michael, do you read before you make your senseless comments. The Ambassador is closed so how could it have a website. As I said in the history, after the theatre closed it was used as a church, a beauty school and then a church again. The building still stands all boarded up and the neighborhood that it located in is much in decline. It could not support a theatre, a symphony hall or a concert venue.
Brian, the box office featured in your link of the Library of Congress picture leads me to believe that Loew’s used that same style in many of their old Movie Palace. It is almost identical to the box office that used to be in front of the Loew’s State in St. Louis, Mo.
Michael, why don’t you put you money where your mouth is and buy all these theatres that you make your senseless comments on and you can do what you want with them.
I think Michael has the brain of a polar bear and it froze a long time ago. His comments of the site are a disgrace to the patriachs of the old movie palaces.
Michael, read the comments of the theatres that you make your comments on. This theatre already does concerts and live performances. You are contributing very little to this site by stating to turn eveything into a concert or symphony hall.
Michael, in this day of age single screen theatres cannot survive. This is the age of the multiplex, so if an old movie palace can survive and hang on as a church more power to them.
Coverdale Theatre address is 4990 Glenway Ave. The Coverdale is still open and functions as a live venue. Very unique front facade to the theatre. Facing the front of the theatre on the left it is squared off with a blondish color brick running from gound to roof and a lighter color type panel along the roof and two squared panels down the middle. Then a very uniqie feature is a replica of a lighthouse that extends well above the theatre with a light tower on top. Then the front indents in a little and the marquee is centered in this section. The theatre has a free standing box office. The next section squares off again and is much like the design on the left side. You can see at one time each side contained poster cases but has been replacecd with red bricks.
Iam sorry about the Disney listing – It was Columbia with a Disney release that was originally scheduled to start after the fourth week of the run of “Annie”. After the contract was made to run “Annie” exclusive for the 18 weeks there was a rift with Disney because of the cancellation of the scheduled Disney run.
Being a commercial pilot and my route is between St. Louis and Honolulu the Waikiki was one of my favorite theatres. The size, the ambiance, the beauty of the theatre, the sound it was all just a great movie experience. I think the my favorite movie to view there was “Pearl Harbor”. The sound, the projection and everything was all top notch. I went on week night to teh early show and as large as the Waikiki was it was at least three fourths full. I still find it hard to believe that the theatre was not a money maker. With the closing of the Waikiki and the long gone Kohio my two favorite theaters are now gone in Hawaii. Even though my condo is much closer to a multiplex it would go into Waikiki to the Waikiki theatre. Now that it is gone I try catching my movies at the Esquire Theatre in St. Louis, another old movie palace that is still one of the busiest in the St. Louis Market. The Waikiki will be missed by all theatre fans from from the islands and the mainlanders that make it a point to see a movie while in the islands. I also agree with a comment above that Waikiki has enough shopping spots and really don’t need another.
The Palace theatre in Cleveland at one time housed the offices for the Reigional Manager for the Loew’s Theatre Midwest Division. Rein Rabakopf was the Regional Manager and over saw the Loew’s State, Loew’s Orpheum and Loew’s Mid City in St. Louis at the time.
Those interested in getting program information should contact the theatre direct or click on their webiste for program information.
If you are speaking of Drive In theatres, Austin had its fair share.
The Burnett Drive In on Burnett Rd., The Chief Drive In, The Drive in Theatre on Dallas Highway N., The Fiesta Drive In, The Rebel Drive In, Showtown USA Twin on Cameron, Southside Twin on Ben White.
There may have been more but these are the ones I have listed in my data.
As noted in the above story concerning the Picwick the story was taken from the Mount Prospect Journal, the Journal reporter was Dwight Esau.
Another highlight of the State Theatre history was that on the scheduled Christmas opening day the St. Louis area was hit with one of its worse snow storms. It didn’t put a dent in the number of people that showed up for the opening though as hundreds were turned away because each show was sold out. The management even placed and apology ad in the alton Telegraph the next day.
The million dollar Paramount theatre opened on September 3, 1931 on the site of the burned down Rialto Theatre. Some outstanding and unusual features of the Paramount was the park setting to the west of the entrance, it had rock gardens, waterfalls, trees, shrubs, flower gardens and rustic seats.
The Paramount is now the home of the Fox Valley Synphony and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 18, 1980.
The Norside Theatre opened on July 15, 1937 with a double feture, cartoon and shor. Closed January 5, 1955. There were some unique features for the Norside when it opened. It was the first theatre in Alton to install on opening the “Mirrophonic Sound Reproducing System”, the seats were leather, the architure had a triditional cornice and arched windows above the marquee resembling a bank building rather than a movie theatre.
In the Fifties television wasn’t the only threat to the theatres, in Alton the union insisted that the booths be manned by two men at all times. The owners of the Norside, Uptown and State asked the union to recind on their demands to no avail and operated at a loss. The three theatres tried there best but consistantly were turned down by the unions. The three theatres then closed their doors and posted signs closed until further notice. The theatre owners told the union it would be better that three projectionist working were better than six not working at all. By june the theatres were all open operating with a single man booth.
Bryan I also show that there was a Coliseum Theatre on Front street that opened in 1923 and closed in 1951 – any relation to the hte Colesium above?
The Alton Cine' opened on April 9, 1976 with “Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox” in auditorium 1 and “Robin and Mariam” in dusitorium 2. At the time the Alton Cine' was built there were two residential homes on Claire Ave and the took the property of both the build the Cine'. When the theatres were opened it was touted that the first new motions pictures to be built in Alton, Il. in 41 years.
By 1989 the Wehrenberg Chain was already trying to rid themselves of the Alton Cine' but could find no takers. The Alton Telegraph stated that the Wehrenbers felt they had outgrown the venue. They had recently opened the new Jamestown Mall multiplex just a short distance away on the Missouri side of the river. They hoped the people of Alton would venture across the river to attend the new theatre. The owner of the Alton Square Mall offered to build a new cinema in the Mall for the Wehrenberg Chain but they were not interested. Alton city inspectors were receiving complaints that the theatre was in disrepair with sticky floors and filty seats. Upon an inspection the inspectors threatened to condemn the theatre and it was announed that the theatre was closing on April 9, 1998. The Alton Cine' was the last remaining motion picture theatre in Alton. The Building still stands waiting to be cleaned up and remodeled and used again as a theatre.
The address for the Lacy Steet Theatre is 504 Second St.
My first sentence should have read I really DON’T see that as feasible.
I really see that as feasible since right down the street is the much large Warnor that is a live venue. The Church that occupies the Crest has done a wonderful job at restoring the threatre.Better off leaving it as it is.
Most definately was opened as the Jerry Lewis Cinema, Identically to the Jerry Lewis cinema in Central City, Florissant, Mo.
Michael, do you read before you make your senseless comments. The Ambassador is closed so how could it have a website. As I said in the history, after the theatre closed it was used as a church, a beauty school and then a church again. The building still stands all boarded up and the neighborhood that it located in is much in decline. It could not support a theatre, a symphony hall or a concert venue.
Brian, the box office featured in your link of the Library of Congress picture leads me to believe that Loew’s used that same style in many of their old Movie Palace. It is almost identical to the box office that used to be in front of the Loew’s State in St. Louis, Mo.
Michael, why don’t you put you money where your mouth is and buy all these theatres that you make your senseless comments on and you can do what you want with them.
I think Michael has the brain of a polar bear and it froze a long time ago. His comments of the site are a disgrace to the patriachs of the old movie palaces.
Michael, that is why they are trying to restore this grand old theatre, to turn it back into a Performing Arts Center.
Michael the Los Angeles area already has an ample number of Opera Houses and Symphony Halls. They don’t need any more.
Michael, read the comments of the theatres that you make your comments on. This theatre already does concerts and live performances. You are contributing very little to this site by stating to turn eveything into a concert or symphony hall.
Michael, it is not conducive to become an opera house.
Michael, in this day of age single screen theatres cannot survive. This is the age of the multiplex, so if an old movie palace can survive and hang on as a church more power to them.
Coverdale Theatre address is 4990 Glenway Ave. The Coverdale is still open and functions as a live venue. Very unique front facade to the theatre. Facing the front of the theatre on the left it is squared off with a blondish color brick running from gound to roof and a lighter color type panel along the roof and two squared panels down the middle. Then a very uniqie feature is a replica of a lighthouse that extends well above the theatre with a light tower on top. Then the front indents in a little and the marquee is centered in this section. The theatre has a free standing box office. The next section squares off again and is much like the design on the left side. You can see at one time each side contained poster cases but has been replacecd with red bricks.