State Theatre
213 W. Federal Street,
Youngstown,
OH
44503
213 W. Federal Street,
Youngstown,
OH
44503
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Broumas Theatres
Architects: Charles W. Bates
Styles: Neo-Classical
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 17, 2013 — “South Pacific” 55th Anniversary – The Roadshow Engagements
- Oct 18, 2011 — Happy 50th, "West Side Story"
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
- Nov 18, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Ben-Hur"
- Jan 11, 2007 — Youngstown State Theater's fate at town meeting
The State Theatre opened in January 1928 with John Gilbert & Greta Garbo in “Flesh and the Devil”. Designed by architect Charles W. Bates, with engineer William M. Cook, it had a narrow entrance and lobby which fronted W. Federal Street, Youngstown’s principal business street at the time. Over the entrance is a large arched opening, framed by Roman columns and originally topped with a Palladian window.
The auditorium was reached from the lobby over an enclosed bridge spanning a rear alley. It was equipped with a Kimball theatre organ.
Operated as a movie theatre until closing in 1970. On July 19, 1973 it opened as a concert venue name Tomorrow Club. On December 21, 1978 it became a nightclub known as the Agora. That closed on July 23, 1982. Plans have been discussed to renovate the lobby as a museum for Idora Park, a defunct Youngstown Amusement Park.
There has also been interest by a local playhouse to obtain and renovate the theatre, however most of the State Theatre’s interior features have already been obliterated and the auditorium may be beyond feasible repair.
Situated one block east of the renovated Powers Auditorium, formerly the Warner Theatre, the State Theatre’s renovation would have been a definite plus to downtown revitalization. Sadly, the State Theatre was demolished in late-November 2008, only the front wall was saved.
Contributed by
John C. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 131 comments)
Emil Renner (a member of the Renner Brewery family) was one of the original owners of the State. He also oned the Princess Theatre; Realto Theatre; Uptown Theatre; Mahoning Theater; Cameo Theater; and Victor Theater, all of Youngstown.
The Cameo Theater was built at the same time that the State was built and was located between Chestnut and Fifth Avenue in downtown Youngstown and had a seating capacity of 800. It lasted for about 20 years before it closed, and the building was later demolished.
There is very little information about the Cameo other than what I mentioned, so I can’t give it its own page unless someone can provide more information. I do have a photo of the outside of the Cameo.
This is a longshot, but … As a child in 1952 I visited an adult sibling in Youngstown and saw movies with her that were playing concurrently that weekend. Can anyone tell me which Downtown Youngstown theater played “Where’s Charley?” and which played “Don’t Bother to Knock” (those theaters were practically side by side) and which played the reissued double bill of “Dodge City” and “Virginia City”? That theater was less impressive than the other two and was directly across the street from “Where’s Charley?” as I recall. Many thanks for any help.
It sounds like you are referring to either the Palace and Strand or the Paramount and State, but most likely the less impressive of them would have been the Strand. On the other hand,the Paramount and State were across the street from each other.
The State Theatre held a 3 Manual 12 Rank Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ, installed in 1928. It was removed, rebuilt, enlarged and re-installed in a Kingston, Ontario church.
When the State opened, it had a sister theater that was located between Chestnut Street and Fifth Avenue that was a small theater that ran westerns and other “B” pictures ans serials, and was named the Cameo Theater. It only lasted about 10 years before it was torn down.
Ed- Hope this a help. “Don’t Bother to Knock” (double-billed w/ “Holiday for Sinners”) opened at the Paramount on 8/14/52. “Where’s Charley?” (w/ “The Sea Tiger”) opened at the Warner on 8/15/52. The State opened the “Virginia City”/“Dodge City” double feature on 8/15/52 also.
Ed- I have no idea what the State looked like in 1952 since I wasn’t born yet, lol. But I’m guessing there must have been a substantial remodeling shortly thereafter since the State went on to become the premier roadshow house in downtown Youngstown (“West Side Story,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” “Dr. Zhivago,” “Cleopatra,” a year run of “The Sound of Music,” etc., etc.).
Patsy- Just saw your (long ago) post. Could you be thinking of the Southern Park Mall Cinema? It opened in April 1970 as a single-screen theater (w/ “MAS*H”), and, sadly, became a twin in mid-1977.
Broumas Theatre Circuit headed by John G. Broumas took over the State from the Edward C. Prinsen estate in 1963 less than a year after Prinsen’s death. The State had already transformed to a 1,250-seat road show house playing 70mm films.
The State Theatre became a concert venue on July 19, 1973 under the name “Tomorrow Club” before becoming the Youngstown Agora nightclub from December 31, 1978 until July 23, 1982.