Yes, Ken, I visited your family several times when you lived behind the drive-in. It was probably a location not conducive to making friends when you were a kid. Right?
Great news! Good luck. I love to see old closed theatres reopened. When it’s convenient, come check out the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, which reopened over three years ago.
I spent many hours at the Miracle as a moonlighting projectionist. Good times. I got plenty of exercise walking between the two booths and keeping five schedules going. I hate to see her fade away.
The Princess has been partially restored and is now host to community theatre productions. The productions are presented by Creative Sanford, Inc. “Touch and Go,” a history of Sanford, will be presented again during October and November, 2011. Call 407-314-6750 for more information.
The Rialto Theatre building still stands. The building in the picture is it, but there is nothing left of the theatre furnishings. I have a picture of the Rialto in a local history book. I will try to post it to this site.
The Astor is listed on Cinema Treasures as the Grand, Matthew. The Astor name replaced the Grand late in its history. I posted a newspaper clipping showing the Astor on the Grand’s site.
Interesting comment on the organ. A theatre organist friend of mine, Walter Kimble, began his career as a very young man playing the organ at the Magnolia Theatre in Titusville. Also, per the 1944 FILM DAILY YEARBOOK OF MOTION PICTURES, Titusville had two movie theatres—the Alamo and the Magnolia, both with 400 seats. The Alamo is listed as closed.
This one was really news to me. I knew there was a Van Croix Theatre in Melbourne, but not Titusville. Undoubtedly built and owned by the same family. To my knowledge the Magnolia was Titusville’s only theatre. Is the old Van Croix building still standing.
When I visited the Clermont Historical Association at least a year ago, the person in charge told me the theatre was at the site of the newspaper’s offices.
I worked with the committee and board renovating the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL. Our 1935 theatre building was in miserable shape—having been used as a warehouse for over 40 years after the movie theatre closed. By applying for grants from the state, county and city, we raised a lot of capital We also received sizeable contributions from individuals. When all was said and done, our renovation cost $3.1 million. We raised about $2.1 million. The City of Winter Garden paid off our balance after we deeded the building back to it. Since the City owns the building now, it does the maintenance and repairs needed. A sweetheart deal! We have been very successful in our city of about 35,000 population. However, bear in mind, most of our fundraising was done in better economic times, and grants are much more difficult to come by now than they were at the time we were renovating. I wish you the best with your worthwhile project.
The Leon Theatre went through several ownerships beginning in the 1960s, and ran soft core porn. At one time, it was named “Randy’s Campus Theatre.” It probably closed in the 1990s; I’m not sure what the use of the building is now.
The Florida Theatre was also Carl Floyd Theatres' home office. Years after the theatre closed, the chain’s offices were still active in the building. My understanding is after closing as a full-time theatre, it was reopened from time to time for special showings. What is the building used for now?
I have a good friend who is involved in historic preservation in Auburndale, and, unfortunately, he doesn’t think there is any interest in reviving the theatre at this time.
Check out the new photo I just submitted showing a movie projected on the screen.
Nancy T: I also played in the FSU Bands 1957-1961. What was your name at that time? I’m Irv Lipscomb.
You go, girl!
I agree with Patsy. What a disgusting use of a fine old theatre.
Yes, Ken, I visited your family several times when you lived behind the drive-in. It was probably a location not conducive to making friends when you were a kid. Right?
Great news! Good luck. I love to see old closed theatres reopened. When it’s convenient, come check out the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, which reopened over three years ago.
I spent many hours at the Miracle as a moonlighting projectionist. Good times. I got plenty of exercise walking between the two booths and keeping five schedules going. I hate to see her fade away.
The Princess has been partially restored and is now host to community theatre productions. The productions are presented by Creative Sanford, Inc. “Touch and Go,” a history of Sanford, will be presented again during October and November, 2011. Call 407-314-6750 for more information.
Probably a sports bar.
The Rialto Theatre building still stands. The building in the picture is it, but there is nothing left of the theatre furnishings. I have a picture of the Rialto in a local history book. I will try to post it to this site.
The Astor is listed on Cinema Treasures as the Grand, Matthew. The Astor name replaced the Grand late in its history. I posted a newspaper clipping showing the Astor on the Grand’s site.
Interesting comment on the organ. A theatre organist friend of mine, Walter Kimble, began his career as a very young man playing the organ at the Magnolia Theatre in Titusville. Also, per the 1944 FILM DAILY YEARBOOK OF MOTION PICTURES, Titusville had two movie theatres—the Alamo and the Magnolia, both with 400 seats. The Alamo is listed as closed.
The heading for this theatre should also state “Also known as the Magnolia Theatre.”
This one was really news to me. I knew there was a Van Croix Theatre in Melbourne, but not Titusville. Undoubtedly built and owned by the same family. To my knowledge the Magnolia was Titusville’s only theatre. Is the old Van Croix building still standing.
When I visited the Clermont Historical Association at least a year ago, the person in charge told me the theatre was at the site of the newspaper’s offices.
I believe the local newspaper now occupies the site of the Lake Theatre in Clermont.
Picture of film being projected on the Garden Theatre’s screen, October 2, 2010 View link
I worked with the committee and board renovating the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL. Our 1935 theatre building was in miserable shape—having been used as a warehouse for over 40 years after the movie theatre closed. By applying for grants from the state, county and city, we raised a lot of capital We also received sizeable contributions from individuals. When all was said and done, our renovation cost $3.1 million. We raised about $2.1 million. The City of Winter Garden paid off our balance after we deeded the building back to it. Since the City owns the building now, it does the maintenance and repairs needed. A sweetheart deal! We have been very successful in our city of about 35,000 population. However, bear in mind, most of our fundraising was done in better economic times, and grants are much more difficult to come by now than they were at the time we were renovating. I wish you the best with your worthwhile project.
A 1949 picture of this theatre, when it was known as the Winter Garden Theatre, is at this link:
View link
This was truly a unique operation. I don’t recall ever hearing of side by side theatres being handled this way anywhere else.
Actually, this theatre was the Parkway Drive In Theatre. The Capitol Drive In was on South Monroe Street at Four Points.
The Leon Theatre went through several ownerships beginning in the 1960s, and ran soft core porn. At one time, it was named “Randy’s Campus Theatre.” It probably closed in the 1990s; I’m not sure what the use of the building is now.
The Florida Theatre was also Carl Floyd Theatres' home office. Years after the theatre closed, the chain’s offices were still active in the building. My understanding is after closing as a full-time theatre, it was reopened from time to time for special showings. What is the building used for now?
I have a good friend who is involved in historic preservation in Auburndale, and, unfortunately, he doesn’t think there is any interest in reviving the theatre at this time.
There are pictures of the exterior and interior here.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/26848.html