Comments from GaryTrout

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GaryTrout
GaryTrout commented about Palace Theatre on Sep 5, 2011 at 5:28 pm

The Palace Theatre in the 1950’s and 60’s was in what was considered to be a rough part of town. The lite of Parkersburg would not be caught dead in this theatre. When I was a teenager this theatre plaed “And God Created Woman” starring Bridgett Bardot. No other theatre in town would play this film; the town fathers would have run them out of town.
I wish someone had a picture of this place. At one time Parkersburg was a real city and the downtown was large and lively

GaryTrout
GaryTrout commented about Virginia Theater on Sep 5, 2011 at 5:22 pm

The Virginia Theatre played mostly Westerns. I was not allowed to go to this theatre because of tough crowds who were known to attend films there.

GaryTrout
GaryTrout commented about Smoot Theatre on Sep 5, 2011 at 5:19 pm

The 1950’s renovation of the Smoot employed a vitrolite exterior with six display cases. The two end display cases were for 40X60 posters (very expensive for the time), beside each of these display cases were identical ones, each with a 22X28 half sheet on top with four 8X10 photos underneath. On each side of the ticket booth there wer two long display cases used to display a set of 11X14 lobby cards.
The lobby of the Smoot was not impressive.

GaryTrout
GaryTrout commented about Parker Theater on Sep 5, 2011 at 5:10 pm

The Parker did show mainstream A pictures for most of its existence (Actually it showed the more arty type films; I saw “Marty” there when I was a small boy. “A Catered Affair” played there too. I remember seeing several 3D films at the Parker including “Sangaree” starring Rhonda Fleming and Fernando Llamas. Outside the theatre they had a special display using view masters to preview the film.
The front of the theatre had three display cases – two used 22X28, half sheets and four 8x10 photos undereneath and the other was for coming attractions, using a 14X36 window card surrounded by eight 8X10 photos to the right side and three at the bottom. I wish someone had pictures of this theatre. The lobby of this theatre was practically nonexistant.

GaryTrout
GaryTrout commented about Burwell Theatre on Sep 5, 2011 at 4:58 pm

The JUR Theatre Circuit also had their offices in a connected art deco building on the left side of the buidilng. this theatre was a masterpiece of art deco styling. It was a great shame when this theatre was torn down. the vitrolite exterior and the use of vitrolite in the lobby was amazing.