There werent any (or few) mall theaters around yet in Cleveland when the Stillman closed (1963 or so?), so I’m wondering why Loew’s threw in the towel so early. The other theaters held out till the late 60’s. I’m sure Lawrence was a big moneymaker. Guess we’ll never know exactly why. Yes, it wasnt near the other 4, but the Hipp lasted a lot longer and was a lot bigger. Maybe there were real estate forces at work here behind the scenes.
I have fond memories of this theater. Being in a college town, it was the only theater close enough to me that ever showed foreign films. I went there a lot in the summer and when I was home for college breaks. I pass it every time I drive up to see my family.
Anyone know what architectural style it was? Were the Granada and the Park identical? For some reason I cant remember the Park, though I do remember the Granada (ads at least. Was never in either theater).
Thanks for refreshing my memory. I couldnt remember the balcony for some reason (obviously, I didnt sit in it!) That’s too bad about the neighborhood deteriorating, it was such a nice place. I cant imagine five screens in that place, it wasnt a big theater to begin with. Progress. :(
I remember reading an article about the Hipp in its last days and it saying that it had NO air conditioning! They ran huge fans or a fan in the ceiling. Is this true? It must have been very noisy in the summer. At that time it was running blackploitation films.
This should really be listed as the Colony theater, which was its name when it was a single theater for many years. In its prime, it was a roadshow theater. I know My Fair Lady played there, along with many other reserved ticket movies. I was there once to see Goodbye, Mr. Chips in the late 60’s. One of the last reserved seat engagements it had. I dont remember much about the theater, but it was nice. I’d hate to think what it looks like now all divided up! Does anything of its former glory days remain? Anyone know the original seating capacity? I dont remember it having a balcony.
Am glad finally someone posted something on this theater. I remember walking past what used to be the theater in the 70’s when I worked in downtown Cleveland and you could recognize the theater lobby, which was being used as the ramp to the parking garage. I remember it being announced it was closing after the roadshow engagement of Lawrence of Arabia. Does anyone know why it closed? It must have made money with that movie!
That’s for sure. A huge university, and not one theater in the district. There are plans for the Drexel group to open a multiplex in the Gateway project on south campus soon. I hope they make it.
Yes, I remember the Granada ads, but not the Park for some reason. Maybe it had closed before the Granada, but I was only a kid then. Thanks for clearing up the mystery over the Scrumpy Dump (the world’s worst theater name!)
Thanks for the tip! I was able to watch the special last night on TC. Enjoyed seeing all the pics from the old days. I wish I could’ve seen Times Square and 42nd St. before they changed and tore down so many of the old theaters. I had to laugh about the Toys R Us store though. Isnt that out of business allready. (another theater replaced!).
I remember seeing small ads for the Alhambra and Keiths in the early 60’s local newspaper. I dont remember the Park. Does anyone remember when that closed? And does anyone remember which theater was called the Scrumpy Dump (terrible name, but true) in the late 60’s-early 70’s? It was in the same location, so I’m assuming it was one of these older theaters. It showed blackploitation films.
Yes, that’s true the Columbus GCC theaters were all alike. They were nice enough until they were twinned. They are all closed or razed now, I believe. I used to go to the Olentangy location quite a bit in the 70’s-80’s. Now there’s a restaurant there. Sad.
Does anyone know if the Palace also had Cinerama? I seem to remember it did. I was never inside, unfortunately. From pictures I’ve seen it looked like the fanciest of the four theaters. Sadly, I dont live near Cleveland anymore, so I cant enjoy their 2nd life.
Thanks for all the info guys. I think the seating is close to 3000 now, but I’m not sure. I do remember reading about them installing Cinerama in the late 60’s. It hardly mattered as it closed shortly after. I’m so glad they were able to save all 4 theaters. Its a booming theater district now.
The State boasted one of the longest theater lobbies in the country. I think it stretched over 300 feet from the entrance to the auditorium. The reason for this was that Loews wanted an entrance on Euclid Ave. with the other theaters being built there, but the actual auditorium was on a side street (I think 17th St.) behind the Palace theater which was right next door. So one had to traverse the length of the Palace to reach the State auditorium way in the back of the block. I remember being there once as a kid in the 60’s with my cousin and the long walk through the endless seeming lobby and being seated in the vast, dark, mostly empty auditorium (was a weekly matinee). During the refurbishing, the lobby housed a dinner theater, so you can imagine the size of it.
The theater you are referring to is the Ohio Theater in Columbus, OH. It was saved from the wrecking ball and restored to its former glory. It took years of hard work and fundraising and it certainly was worth it. Its a gorgeous theater. Its now used as a performing arts center for concerts and touring plays.
There werent any (or few) mall theaters around yet in Cleveland when the Stillman closed (1963 or so?), so I’m wondering why Loew’s threw in the towel so early. The other theaters held out till the late 60’s. I’m sure Lawrence was a big moneymaker. Guess we’ll never know exactly why. Yes, it wasnt near the other 4, but the Hipp lasted a lot longer and was a lot bigger. Maybe there were real estate forces at work here behind the scenes.
I have fond memories of this theater. Being in a college town, it was the only theater close enough to me that ever showed foreign films. I went there a lot in the summer and when I was home for college breaks. I pass it every time I drive up to see my family.
Speaking of Cleveland theaters, does anyone know what happened to the Old Mayfield theater in Little Italy? I cant find a listing for it here.
LOL! What was the architecture like? Did anyone notice? :)
Yes, I couldnt believe they said it didnt have A/C. They didnt make clear weather it never had A/C or they just werent using any at the time-70’s)
Anyone know what architectural style it was? Were the Granada and the Park identical? For some reason I cant remember the Park, though I do remember the Granada (ads at least. Was never in either theater).
Thanks for refreshing my memory. I couldnt remember the balcony for some reason (obviously, I didnt sit in it!) That’s too bad about the neighborhood deteriorating, it was such a nice place. I cant imagine five screens in that place, it wasnt a big theater to begin with. Progress. :(
I remember reading an article about the Hipp in its last days and it saying that it had NO air conditioning! They ran huge fans or a fan in the ceiling. Is this true? It must have been very noisy in the summer. At that time it was running blackploitation films.
That’s odd. The Palace was never a Loew’s theater. The Loew’s State and Ohio were next door.
This should really be listed as the Colony theater, which was its name when it was a single theater for many years. In its prime, it was a roadshow theater. I know My Fair Lady played there, along with many other reserved ticket movies. I was there once to see Goodbye, Mr. Chips in the late 60’s. One of the last reserved seat engagements it had. I dont remember much about the theater, but it was nice. I’d hate to think what it looks like now all divided up! Does anything of its former glory days remain? Anyone know the original seating capacity? I dont remember it having a balcony.
Am glad finally someone posted something on this theater. I remember walking past what used to be the theater in the 70’s when I worked in downtown Cleveland and you could recognize the theater lobby, which was being used as the ramp to the parking garage. I remember it being announced it was closing after the roadshow engagement of Lawrence of Arabia. Does anyone know why it closed? It must have made money with that movie!
That’s for sure. A huge university, and not one theater in the district. There are plans for the Drexel group to open a multiplex in the Gateway project on south campus soon. I hope they make it.
Yes, I remember the Granada ads, but not the Park for some reason. Maybe it had closed before the Granada, but I was only a kid then. Thanks for clearing up the mystery over the Scrumpy Dump (the world’s worst theater name!)
Any word on its rehabilitation? Is it going to be a nightclub?
Thanks for the tip! I was able to watch the special last night on TC. Enjoyed seeing all the pics from the old days. I wish I could’ve seen Times Square and 42nd St. before they changed and tore down so many of the old theaters. I had to laugh about the Toys R Us store though. Isnt that out of business allready. (another theater replaced!).
I remember seeing small ads for the Alhambra and Keiths in the early 60’s local newspaper. I dont remember the Park. Does anyone remember when that closed? And does anyone remember which theater was called the Scrumpy Dump (terrible name, but true) in the late 60’s-early 70’s? It was in the same location, so I’m assuming it was one of these older theaters. It showed blackploitation films.
Yes, that’s true the Columbus GCC theaters were all alike. They were nice enough until they were twinned. They are all closed or razed now, I believe. I used to go to the Olentangy location quite a bit in the 70’s-80’s. Now there’s a restaurant there. Sad.
Does anyone know if the Palace also had Cinerama? I seem to remember it did. I was never inside, unfortunately. From pictures I’ve seen it looked like the fanciest of the four theaters. Sadly, I dont live near Cleveland anymore, so I cant enjoy their 2nd life.
Thanks for all the pics!
Thanks for all the info guys. I think the seating is close to 3000 now, but I’m not sure. I do remember reading about them installing Cinerama in the late 60’s. It hardly mattered as it closed shortly after. I’m so glad they were able to save all 4 theaters. Its a booming theater district now.
I believe it. It was huge!
I would hardly call this theater moderate. I think it seated over 3,000. Not sure its capacity now.
The State boasted one of the longest theater lobbies in the country. I think it stretched over 300 feet from the entrance to the auditorium. The reason for this was that Loews wanted an entrance on Euclid Ave. with the other theaters being built there, but the actual auditorium was on a side street (I think 17th St.) behind the Palace theater which was right next door. So one had to traverse the length of the Palace to reach the State auditorium way in the back of the block. I remember being there once as a kid in the 60’s with my cousin and the long walk through the endless seeming lobby and being seated in the vast, dark, mostly empty auditorium (was a weekly matinee). During the refurbishing, the lobby housed a dinner theater, so you can imagine the size of it.
Melanie,
The theater you are referring to is the Ohio Theater in Columbus, OH. It was saved from the wrecking ball and restored to its former glory. It took years of hard work and fundraising and it certainly was worth it. Its a gorgeous theater. Its now used as a performing arts center for concerts and touring plays.