Greetings from a “neighbor” in Geneva NY! I have unconfirmed information that the Cinema Theater in Rochester NY has been in continuous operation since 1914. (But i believe it to be true.) It’s a tiny little cinema that sits across the road from the Highland Diner, another vintage treasure in Rochester. As of last year I know the current owner was trying to sell but i never heard what the upshot was of those talks. (I met with a potential buyer to talk about all the “joys” of owning a movie theater.)
Would love to visit the Lyric some day, you are so close it’s amazing that i haven’t stumbled by already!
Karen Colizzi Noonan, President
Theatre Historical Society
As President of Theatre Historical Society, i would urge anyone who is interested in future tours to check our website for future Conclave information. (www.historictheatres.org) In 2006 we are, as mentioned, in Boston but that tour is now sold out. In 2007 we will be traveling from Milwaukee to Minneapolis and in 2008 we will be in the San Francisco/Oakland area. A decision on 2009 will be made this coming week at our board meeting, but we anticipate being back on the East Coast in the Mid Atlantic region. (Think of a fabulous restoration in PA which will be completed by then!) As soon as the proposal is accepted for the official calendar, I’ll announce it right here!
Since the company that owns A & E also owns (among others) The History Channel it would be beneficial to contact the “powers that be” in large numbers to advocate for more exoposure for our historic theaters!
Theater Historical Society assisted with this exciting show – we too wish that it would be released on DVD! If you go to the A & E website there is a place where you can request a program that is not offered for sale. Maybe if enough people do it they will reconsider?
ERD: Any time i have written to Gov Pataki’s office (in my role as President of Theatre Historical Society AND as a resident of the State of New York) i have always gotten a prompt acknowledgement but a detailed reply from Commissioner Bernadette Castro who heads up the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. (And odd pairing at best!)
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHiPO, as we call it) is sometimes painted as the “bad guy” but i know for a fact that a few of their staffers are really into historic theaters and have gone the extra mile to give advice and oversight when one comes on their radar screen.
I think that encouragement could be brought to the Palace management and Commissioner Castro to replace this missing piece of the grand old theater. If, as Tom says above, the one at the museum is not adequate, an investigation should be undertaken to see if a workable proposal can be put forth to the powers that be.
Mike, i am surprised to hear about the organs owned by the NYS Museum. Any idea where they came from? The State has been very generous to the Palace and it seems to be a supported project for Senate Leader Joe Bruno and Gov Pataki too. I wouldn’t think it would take a whole lot of persuasion to arrange for the loan or even the deacession the organ from the Museum to the theater. Too bad i’m 3+ hrs away – i’d get involved in the project! (Because i am despirately in need of ANOTHER project to get myself involved in! HA!!)
Gee… this sounds like a challenge that would catch the interest of any Theater Organ group in the area! It would be wonderful to be able to enjoy silent film and theater organ concerts at this beautiful old theater. There must be an ATOS chapter out there just itching to start a huge new project!
You would want to contact Ronn Koerper at 419-668-1641. As far as i know there are a couple of interested parties but they are still rolling along as usual. It is a treasure of a theater – well kept for its age and size, loaded with great deco architectural elements. One of my all time favorite Schine Theaters! (Oh wait… they’re ALL my favorites!)
He is currently constructing a marquee for the Hamilton Theater in Hamilton NY and we hope to have him work on the Capitol Theater in Rome NY soon. He replicated the blade sign on the Palace in Syracuse and it looks better than new.
Hey there Rochester Pete: I have photos of most of the Schine theaters in Rochester (exteriors – just a few interiors) from the 30s if anyone is interested. They are originals that were given to me by a former Schine general manager. Email me for details.
Wow Ken, I had never heard of another Rigaumont theater other than the Geneva and Ithaca theaters. Little is heard of Victor Rigaumont after he worked on the Schine Geneva. He and Myer Schine were often “at odds” – which is probably too mild a term for their disagreements!
Good point ERD! As to the Schine family, they are scattered to the four winds and no longer live in Gloversville. I think it is commendable that, although the chain flouished and grew to be the largest independent chain of its time, the brothers felt a duty to remain in Gloversville. The first generation is, of course, gone. The second generation is also, sadly, dwindling. The third generation has a keen interest in the history of their family, but sadly due to some internal family struggles, there isn’t a lot of information for them. The brothers were very close and were very family oriented. It is unfortunate that their families fractured after their deaths. The 3rd generation seems intent on reconnecting and learning all they can about the wonderful theaters and later the equally glamorous luxury hotels that the Schine Enterprises operated.
The bottom line is, the Schine Brothers and their enterprises were responsible for many smiles and good times throughout the northeast from 1916 through 1966. The fond memories of their former employees and patrons will last a lifetime – as the stories are told and retold over the years.
Patsy: I will try to get in touch with Karen Noonan, but i hear she can be hard to get hold of (hehehehe)! And as to the wonderful old Schine marquee, it was replaced in the late 60s or early 70s in a misguided attempt to “modernize” the facade. The replacement was a horribly, ugly triangular set up. While it is true that the change may have coincided with the dissolution of the Schine chain, many theaters simple removed or modified the Schine name on the marquee. Some actually retained the marquee and we know of at least two that still say “Schine” to this day.
Actually Patsy, that is not stained glass. It is a beautifully detailed wrought iron inset. I’ve been in that room so have been able to see it up close. Also, it was removed when the facade was worked on and it sat on the floor of the mezzanine for a few months. Got a chance to really look at it then.
Wow, i laughed out loud when i heard this “breaking news” on one of the entertainment shows. I guess the old saying is true: Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"! Hey, there’s a whole generation who never had the… pleasure?… of Smell-O-Vision. We kind of owe it to them, hunh?
Hi Bill,
Greetings from a “neighbor” in Geneva NY! I have unconfirmed information that the Cinema Theater in Rochester NY has been in continuous operation since 1914. (But i believe it to be true.) It’s a tiny little cinema that sits across the road from the Highland Diner, another vintage treasure in Rochester. As of last year I know the current owner was trying to sell but i never heard what the upshot was of those talks. (I met with a potential buyer to talk about all the “joys” of owning a movie theater.)
Would love to visit the Lyric some day, you are so close it’s amazing that i haven’t stumbled by already!
Karen Colizzi Noonan, President
Theatre Historical Society
As President of Theatre Historical Society, i would urge anyone who is interested in future tours to check our website for future Conclave information. (www.historictheatres.org) In 2006 we are, as mentioned, in Boston but that tour is now sold out. In 2007 we will be traveling from Milwaukee to Minneapolis and in 2008 we will be in the San Francisco/Oakland area. A decision on 2009 will be made this coming week at our board meeting, but we anticipate being back on the East Coast in the Mid Atlantic region. (Think of a fabulous restoration in PA which will be completed by then!) As soon as the proposal is accepted for the official calendar, I’ll announce it right here!
Karen Colizzi Noonan, President THS
Since the company that owns A & E also owns (among others) The History Channel it would be beneficial to contact the “powers that be” in large numbers to advocate for more exoposure for our historic theaters!
Theater Historical Society assisted with this exciting show – we too wish that it would be released on DVD! If you go to the A & E website there is a place where you can request a program that is not offered for sale. Maybe if enough people do it they will reconsider?
ERD: Any time i have written to Gov Pataki’s office (in my role as President of Theatre Historical Society AND as a resident of the State of New York) i have always gotten a prompt acknowledgement but a detailed reply from Commissioner Bernadette Castro who heads up the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. (And odd pairing at best!)
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHiPO, as we call it) is sometimes painted as the “bad guy” but i know for a fact that a few of their staffers are really into historic theaters and have gone the extra mile to give advice and oversight when one comes on their radar screen.
I think that encouragement could be brought to the Palace management and Commissioner Castro to replace this missing piece of the grand old theater. If, as Tom says above, the one at the museum is not adequate, an investigation should be undertaken to see if a workable proposal can be put forth to the powers that be.
Mike, i am surprised to hear about the organs owned by the NYS Museum. Any idea where they came from? The State has been very generous to the Palace and it seems to be a supported project for Senate Leader Joe Bruno and Gov Pataki too. I wouldn’t think it would take a whole lot of persuasion to arrange for the loan or even the deacession the organ from the Museum to the theater. Too bad i’m 3+ hrs away – i’d get involved in the project! (Because i am despirately in need of ANOTHER project to get myself involved in! HA!!)
Gee… this sounds like a challenge that would catch the interest of any Theater Organ group in the area! It would be wonderful to be able to enjoy silent film and theater organ concerts at this beautiful old theater. There must be an ATOS chapter out there just itching to start a huge new project!
You would want to contact Ronn Koerper at 419-668-1641. As far as i know there are a couple of interested parties but they are still rolling along as usual. It is a treasure of a theater – well kept for its age and size, loaded with great deco architectural elements. One of my all time favorite Schine Theaters! (Oh wait… they’re ALL my favorites!)
You might want to call:
Ted Kunzi
Neon Glassworks
3426 Burnett Avenue
Syracuse NY 13206
315-414-0442
He is currently constructing a marquee for the Hamilton Theater in Hamilton NY and we hope to have him work on the Capitol Theater in Rome NY soon. He replicated the blade sign on the Palace in Syracuse and it looks better than new.
Hey there Rochester Pete: I have photos of most of the Schine theaters in Rochester (exteriors – just a few interiors) from the 30s if anyone is interested. They are originals that were given to me by a former Schine general manager. Email me for details.
Wow Ken, I had never heard of another Rigaumont theater other than the Geneva and Ithaca theaters. Little is heard of Victor Rigaumont after he worked on the Schine Geneva. He and Myer Schine were often “at odds” – which is probably too mild a term for their disagreements!
Good point ERD! As to the Schine family, they are scattered to the four winds and no longer live in Gloversville. I think it is commendable that, although the chain flouished and grew to be the largest independent chain of its time, the brothers felt a duty to remain in Gloversville. The first generation is, of course, gone. The second generation is also, sadly, dwindling. The third generation has a keen interest in the history of their family, but sadly due to some internal family struggles, there isn’t a lot of information for them. The brothers were very close and were very family oriented. It is unfortunate that their families fractured after their deaths. The 3rd generation seems intent on reconnecting and learning all they can about the wonderful theaters and later the equally glamorous luxury hotels that the Schine Enterprises operated.
The bottom line is, the Schine Brothers and their enterprises were responsible for many smiles and good times throughout the northeast from 1916 through 1966. The fond memories of their former employees and patrons will last a lifetime – as the stories are told and retold over the years.
Yes, Patsy, the Lockport theater is indeed one of them. I’ve heard of one in Delaware too. Anyone else know of others?
Patsy: I will try to get in touch with Karen Noonan, but i hear she can be hard to get hold of (hehehehe)! And as to the wonderful old Schine marquee, it was replaced in the late 60s or early 70s in a misguided attempt to “modernize” the facade. The replacement was a horribly, ugly triangular set up. While it is true that the change may have coincided with the dissolution of the Schine chain, many theaters simple removed or modified the Schine name on the marquee. Some actually retained the marquee and we know of at least two that still say “Schine” to this day.
Actually Patsy, that is not stained glass. It is a beautifully detailed wrought iron inset. I’ve been in that room so have been able to see it up close. Also, it was removed when the facade was worked on and it sat on the floor of the mezzanine for a few months. Got a chance to really look at it then.
Wow, i laughed out loud when i heard this “breaking news” on one of the entertainment shows. I guess the old saying is true: Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"! Hey, there’s a whole generation who never had the… pleasure?… of Smell-O-Vision. We kind of owe it to them, hunh?