Rosna Theatre

The Rosna Theatre seated 750 people.

BTW "Zorba the Greek" was not a 70MM release.

Yes I know "Zorba the Greek" was not a 70MM release, something got messed up in editing. It was just a little 35MM, non widescreen black and white film. If I remember right they only used as much of the screen as was used in Lowel Thomas's intro to "This Is Cinerama".

LEVINE THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES is the chain for this theatre.

Something is wrong with this address! It has the same address as the Newport Theatre and they sure are two different theatres. The Rosna is now the St Andrews Temple which has an address of 616 W 35th Street. If I remember right, the Newport Theatre was around the corner on the same block, so it's entrance would have faced Newport Avenue, hence it's name NEWPORT.

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT March 15, 1995

"The Rosna auditorium is now the sanctuary of St. Andrews Temple. Some of its velvet-covered seats are threadbare, and a paneling-framed altar has replaced the screen. Otherwise it looks much like the Rosna of 40 years ago".

LOST MEMORY, Thanks so much for filling in some of the information for the Rosna, Memrose, and Rosele Theatres. Two framed photos of a man and lady hung over the doors between the lobby and auditorium of each LEVINE theatre. I would guess the photos were taken in the 1930's. If I remember right the man was mostly bald and had a mustache the lady had waves set in her hair (I'd ask my wife what that's called, but she's still asleep) and ladies don't wear that style hair now. After wondering all these years who they were and how the names of these theatres came from, thanks to you I now know, Nathan and Rose LEVINE. You must have got your information from an article about movie theatres in Norfolk from THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT March 15, 1995. I would love to read that article. I'm near Chicago, any suggestions on how I can beg, borrow or steal a copy of that article? Thanks!

Ditto to that request for the article about Norfolk movie theatres.

Your very welcome. I came across more than one article about former movie theaters in Norfolk. Unfortunately I only bookmarked the March 15, 1995 site. You can read that one at this link. If I find anymore I'll post them here.

Here is a link to a 1996 VIRGINIAN-PILOT article.

Check this out. The Rosna theater is up for auction. It is no longer a Church. This website has recent photos and info. I don't see any date given for this auction. They list the address as 636 WEST 35TH in NORFOLK, VA.

That works! Click on MAP, change the address to 636, click on SEARCH MAPS, click on SATELLITE or HYBRID, enlarge as much as possible and the top of the arrow is on the auditorium of the NEWPORT theatre. The ROSNA theatre is to the left. The V that sticks out of the building over the sidewalk is the marquee.

ALSO CALLED, ROSNA CINERAMA

"How the West Was Won" in 3-strip CINERAMA, played for 19 weeks starting June 20, 1963.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!" Lowell Thomas, September 30, 1952

ADDRESS SHOULD BE: 636 WEST 35TH STREET.

On June 19, 1968, the roadshow version, in 6-TRACK STEREO SOUND and in SUPER PANAVISION, 70mm "CINERAMA", "2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY" opened at this theater.

"Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children." Arthur C. Clarke 1917-2008 Author of "2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY"

***TRIVIA ITEM*** The name of this theater was derived from the first names of the owners, Nathan and Rose Levine. Many of the names of Levine Theaters in Norfolk were coined from first names of the Levines and their children. Naro, Memrose, and Rosele Theaters are other examples.

The ROSNA is for sale. A cloth sign is draped over the marquee saying:

"AVAILABLE
TO BE RENOVATED
700 SEAT HISTORIC THEATER
630-2342 773-2338
ALL BROKERS PROTECTED"

That's area code 757 if anyone is interested. One of the storefronts in the building is occupied by a restaurant.

Jeff-That's interesting, boy would I love to get inside that building and do some exploring. Why don't you just buy it and restore it as the CINERAMA Theater it was at one time. The closest CINERAMA is either on the west coast or Great Britian, so Norfolk would be a great spot. I don't know if you ever saw a CINERAMA movie at the ROSNA, put it was really something and the Levine's really knew how to put on a show at both the Rosna, Riverview and all the other theaters they owned. Is that area around the theater getting any better as ODU gets closer and did you get any snow this week?

Homesick for Norfolk, from Manteno, Illinois

Ret. Navy Chief Bob Jensen

Bob---

I don't think Norfolk got that much snow, but in Richmond we had close to ten inches in places. As for the Rosna, that area is still not that great, not a place I think you'd be able to convince people to come even during the day, much less at night. It is a nice dream though.... wish it could happen.