Comments from arfranpe

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arfranpe
arfranpe commented about Hometown Cinema on Dec 9, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Jerry Lewis Cinemas became known as mom and pop theaters, and were twins that could be operated from the switches near the concession. Stage 212 in LaSalle, IL, was a former Jerry Lewis Cinema and is now their live theater.

arfranpe
arfranpe commented about Majestic Theater on Dec 9, 2008 at 7:54 pm

The majestic, was finally bulldozed from the center out, and turned into a twin cinema, GKC Showplace. Fortunately the booth was revamped, and you could see all of the screens. It closed in the mid 80s and is now a church.

arfranpe
arfranpe commented about VIP Roxy Cinemas on Dec 9, 2008 at 7:46 pm

The Roxy in Ottawa, was originally the Gayety and was a vaudeville house. It was an art showcase with six large paintings by Isabelle Sanders, an OTHS teacher, who was also an artist. They were of Starved Rock and other areas. My mom played the organ there during the silent era and at the Orphuem, too. I once helped her install new curtains, as she was an interior decorator, and was hired to do so. In the late 40s, shows ran Sun-Tue, then a double on wed with dish night, and then Thur -Sat. If the projectionist missed his cue, we would all stomp and clap until movie came back on. The Roxy greeted 3D with Bwana Devil and Cinemascope with the Robe. IT also featured the first push back rocking seats. The box office was out front on the sidewalk, and the original marquee hung over the walk and there was also an upright sign. For years, it was An Alliance Theater.

arfranpe
arfranpe commented about Orpheum Theatre on Dec 9, 2008 at 7:36 pm

The Orphuem was my favorite growing up in Ottawa. It had a balcony and inside there was a wooden soldier theme/ There were circles on the walls, that had lights inside, that framed a wooden soldier and a wooden horse. The walls were painted with several wooden soldiers on parade.

arfranpe
arfranpe commented about Illinois Theatre on Dec 9, 2008 at 7:32 pm

The Illinois was also known for Saturday early shows. For $1.00 you could buy a card at school, and go for ten Saturdays and see cartoons, a serial “Flash Gordon” and a movie. IT was one of three theaters in Ottawa, The Gayety (Roxy) and the Orphuem were teh others.