What amazes me is that this gorgeous theater, along with the Strand which was next door, were torn down in the name of urban renewal.
What replaced them along with the other buildings that were demolished is a now vacant mall and parking ramp,an amusement center which was once a wintergarten, and a number of street vendors.
To most Western New Yorkers this theater will always be known as Shea’s Buffalo.
I remember when the Loew’s chain operated this theater during the early 70’s. The venue consisted of martial arts and action films and the theater was in disrepair. Loews pulled out and there was talk about demolishing the theater.
Fortunately,the theater was saved and is thriving as the centerpiece of Buffalo’s Theater District.
There was a Jerry Lewis Twin in Niagara Falls,NY. It closed and the auditoriums are used for off-track betting. The lobby was used by an optician but is now vacant.
At one point 2 additional theaters opened above the theater on the first floor making the Cinema a triplex. This theater was also known as the Downtown Cinema and featured martial arts and action films.
I had the opportunity to see Ben Hur here a few years ago as part of the Classic Film series. The theater was packed and there were many young people with their parents. Seeing this film on the big screeen was certainly special.
I remember going to the Riviera during the 70’s for second run films and paying $1.00. The theater was dingy and dirty and the seats were badly worn. Yet, as you looked around you could see there once was a time when this theater was special.
Fortunately, volunteers came forward to restore the theater and it once again offers something for everyone in this elegantly restored theater.
Patsy: I do remember the balcony as being part of the roller rink when I skated there,although that was 40 years ago. My father, who is deceased used to talk about working at the theater.
View link
Sad to state but the above website reports that John McNab,who was in the processs of renovating the Capitol, has died.
What amazes me is that this gorgeous theater, along with the Strand which was next door, were torn down in the name of urban renewal.
What replaced them along with the other buildings that were demolished is a now vacant mall and parking ramp,an amusement center which was once a wintergarten, and a number of street vendors.
The Lovejoy Pool is featured in the book Silent Screens by Michael Putnam.
http://www.meibohmfinearts.com/artists.aspx?ID=49
If you read through this website you will find that Rafael Beck did the murals for the Strand and Cataract Theaters.
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This website also shows a picture of the Granada.
This theater is featured in Michael Putnam’s book Silent Screens. It shows the interior of the theater being used for shooting practice.
At the present time Wal-Mart wants to put a store on the site of the Grandview.
View link
This article deals with its closing.
This drive-in,which was the last remaining drive-in in Erie County, closed on Sept.2,2007. The land was being sold to a developer.
To most Western New Yorkers this theater will always be known as Shea’s Buffalo.
I remember when the Loew’s chain operated this theater during the early 70’s. The venue consisted of martial arts and action films and the theater was in disrepair. Loews pulled out and there was talk about demolishing the theater.
Fortunately,the theater was saved and is thriving as the centerpiece of Buffalo’s Theater District.
There was a Jerry Lewis Twin in Niagara Falls,NY. It closed and the auditoriums are used for off-track betting. The lobby was used by an optician but is now vacant.
At one point 2 additional theaters opened above the theater on the first floor making the Cinema a triplex. This theater was also known as the Downtown Cinema and featured martial arts and action films.
http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/image/28216201
This is the link for the Granada today.
www.pbase.com/kjosker/theaters
This link shows the theater today in its use as a pizzeria.
www.tonawanda-news.com/local/local_story_220133858.html
The above site refers to an article about the theater’s chandelier.
Great picture! Brought back memories of this theater where I spent many Saturday afternoons.
Didn’t the Kallets operate the Leroy Theatre?
I think this theater was last used in the late 80’s for plays.
I had the opportunity to see Ben Hur here a few years ago as part of the Classic Film series. The theater was packed and there were many young people with their parents. Seeing this film on the big screeen was certainly special.
As was the Cataract, this theater was also razed in 1972 as part of an urban renewal project.
I remember going to the Riviera during the 70’s for second run films and paying $1.00. The theater was dingy and dirty and the seats were badly worn. Yet, as you looked around you could see there once was a time when this theater was special.
Fortunately, volunteers came forward to restore the theater and it once again offers something for everyone in this elegantly restored theater.
http://www.lockportpalacetheatre.com/april.html
April looks like a pretty diverse month at the Palace. I’d love to see the Sabres hockey games on the big screen.
Check out their Summer Film Series at www.rivieratheatre.org
http://www.capitoltheatreniagara.com/
Patsy: This is the web site posted on the theatre.
Patsy: I do remember the balcony as being part of the roller rink when I skated there,although that was 40 years ago. My father, who is deceased used to talk about working at the theater.