Strand Theater

This is the theater used in the John Goodman film "Matinee".

I worked in this cinema as a projectionist in the late 1960's. It was a delux cinema owned by the Carbonell family which also owned the Monroe Cinema two blocks further South. I remember showing "Midnight Cowboy" at this cinema. The writer of the movie was a Key West local who put a local "joke" in the movie...when John Voight who ask do you know so and so it was a name of a corrupt local politician...which brought roars of laughter in the audience. what killed this cinema was the advancing age of the family and a local multiplex with plenty of parking.

The Strand Theatre seated 888 people.

I reciently got back from what is definity my last trip ever to Key West! I am disgusted that such a land mark will be yet another Walgreens and on the other end of the street is a Eckerd's... Basically Key West is now a string of T-Shirt shops seperated by Drug Stores and tacky theme park style attractions.

I echo the sentiments of riprod! I recently re-visited Key West. I was stationed in the Navy there in the late 50's and fell in love with the place. Now, it has become disgustingly commercial. I guess it is a case of--Paradise Found/Paradise Lost!

Bolton

I grew up in Key West and one of my best friends when I was young was Coni Carbonell whose father owned the Strand. I remember many afternoons of fun going to the Strand and hanging out in the theatre. When the movie "Ben-Hur" came to Key West it played at the Strand and the nuns from our school - Convent of Mary Immaculate - took us all to see the movie. It was a glamorous theatre to be sure. Donna

Why is the related website for this cinema page..Walgreens?

exactly. i went to the site and typed in the address, figuring i would see something on that page that said it was in an old theater or some homage. but nothing.

Shoeshoe: Hope we get our Walgreens answer so perhaps it's a mistake, but thought perhaps the Walgreens used to be a theatre!?!

Photo from 1984:
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/dalemcdonald/dm0058.jpg

1983 daytime photo:
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/dalemcdonald/dm0055.jpg

TC: THANKS for the photos site of this Key West theater. It's a real shame that Walgreens got their pharmacy fingers on this one! Now my question about the Walgreens connection has been sadly answered! :-( I, too, have been to Key West during the years I lived in South Florida,but don't recall seeing this theatre with its beautiful facade and now certainly regret that oversight. :-(

Riprod: I just noticed that after the word STATUS it reads "Closed/Renovating/Restoring" so doesn't this mean what it says? Hope we're all wrong!

The style of this theater is listed as Art Deco. Here is a photo of the Strand:
http://gunnerson.photosite.com/key-west-2004/IMG_0444.html

lostmemory: Thanks for the photo, but that tacky Walgreens sign at the top of the facade is just that.......tacky! So I guess this means that the theatre is owned by Walgreens afterall! :-(

lostmemory: After really studying the photo that you posted I am truly outraged now as I see the marquee has been 'torn' off! The folks passing by on the street should be holding picket signs and protesting rather than just walking by like they don't have a care in the world! Unbelievable that this theatre would be allowed to be raped in quaint Key West where there is so much culture and attention to the arts! I would like to read what other members think of this recent 'development' that is going in the wrong direction!

I did read an article that this theater is about to become a Walgreens, Patsy. When I searched for this theater, the listing shows: "Strand Theater (former movie theater, former Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium, and future site of Walgreen's Drug Store".

I also found some old photos of this theater. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photo:
http://image11.fcla.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?q1=MM00005652&rgn1=Identifier&type=boolean&view=thumbnail&c=mile

http://image11.fcla.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?q1=MM00008660&rgn1=Identifier&type=boolean&view=thumbnail&c=mile

I hope those links aren't too long and that they work correctly.

Yes, these additional b/w photos worked correctly and were fun to see yet I'm devastated to see the Walgreens sign high above that most unusual facade. Can't believe though that the 'Couch Republic' isn't up in arms over this pharmacy purchase! The 'theater' is definitely on THE street in Key West....Duval Street!

With the new millenium comes change and not always for the best, imo.

lostmemory: Just noticed that you have 3 of my hometown area drive-ins on your profile sheet, but since nobody has posted on any of those pages thought I mention it here......I was recently in contact with a man in Erie PA who owns and operates the Corry Drive-In in Corry PA, Joe Kirsch. I plan to meet with him this spring/summer to discuss his career in theatre/drive-in ownership so should be a fascinating interview. Also, he once owned my hometown theatre in western NYS. My hometown also had a drive-in on Route 20.

Boy does that Walgreens photo make me sick. Unfortunately, you get sick, you go to a doctor. Your doctor writes you a 'scrip. You take that 'scrip to your local pharmacy, perhaps a Walgreens. In an ironic way I guess we could think of it as going full circle. Let's hope there is more than one local pharmacy.
Steve

Steve: Well written and I DITTO your comments! Have a nice day despite the Walgreens-Strand photo!

Patsy....I heard of the Corry drive-in in Corry, Pa. I didn't add it to Cinema Treasures because I couldn't find much info on it. Things like when it was built or the year that it opened. I believe that it is a single screen drive-in. I read some promo or ad written by a Dawn Kirsch, I assume that is Joe's daughter or wife. When you interview Joe, maybe you can get enough info to add the Corry drive-in here.
I'm trying to find all the open drive-ins and add them here. Then I can go back to adding regular theaters. I'm saving the "dead" drive-ins for last since it is very difficult if not impossible to find addresses for them.

Question to all: Should we be adding drive inns to this site?
I think that they are adequately covered by other web sites dedicated to drive inns. In addition, the founders of CT have excluded them from their book.

Drive-in theaters are theaters too. Most of the open drive-ins show first run movies just like a enclosed theater does. Should we eliminate porn theaters from here also? How about those "dinner" theaters which are listed on here? There are also old Airdrome theaters listed here that consisted of four walls and bench seats. Some of them didn't even have walls. Where do you draw the line? In my opinion a theater is a theater, hardtop or convertible!

Well, all I know is that there are drive-in theatres listed and many have them are included on personal profile links so I don't have a problem with including them.

lostmemory: Where did you see this promo or ad written by Dawn Kirsch? She is Joe's daughter. And as far as adding drive-ins to this cinema website perhaps we should ask the founders of the site and see what they prefer.

Dawn has posted on CT so perhaps you've read her words on the Grand Theatre/Westfield NY link since her father onced owned and operated that hometown theatre.

Patsy....I found the message that Dawn wrote on a drive-in website. I will paste it here:
"We are still here to entertain you! at only $8.00 a carload, we are an affordable family getaway. Brand new sound station at 88.1 FM just this August. Buy a freshly baked pizza at consession stand each week and get in FREE each following week!!! Completely family owned and operated. Come visit the KIRSCH'S CORRY DRIVE IN!!!"

There have been multiple "debates" on this site about which theaters should be allowed and which one's do not qualify. To the best of my knowledge, the theater had to show movies at some point in its lifetime. Thats it! Drive-ins played a role in movie theater history, why deny them a place on here. If we only include enclosed theaters, then maybe we should only have large enclosed theaters with 2000+ seats. How about we only include theaters designed by famous architects? Why do we have old silent theaters listed that closed 80 or 90 years ago that no one remembers anyway. Like I said before, a theater is a theater. Why discriminate against one particular type of theater.

lostmemory: I agree and btw, what is the link for the drive-in website as it would be fun to visit. Thanks.

And if Walgreens intends to make it a pharmacy I sure hope they keep the unique facade! At least do that Mr. Walgreens!

Drive in theatre is movie theatre. Why would you want to exclude them from here. That is just discrimination and I very much loathe discrimination in any form. Any type of theatre should be welcome here this not only for some elite people.

If anyone has any current news on the Strand in Key West, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Donna Merritt: My father, Iggy Carbonell, owned and ran the Strand. I have such fond memories of the Old Strand. Even when Rippley's brought it they tore down some of the beautiful Spanish tile that was part of the ticket booth and the fountain in the lobby by the candy counter. Thanks to everyone who have said such wonderful things about the Strand. I also will never forget the William Gambles Jewlery neon clock down below the curtain. Donna Merrit would that be formerly Brazil?
Coni Carbonell

There is a pic here from when it was for sale

http://community.webshots.com/photo/133475974ohUbpP

THIS theatre with its colorful facade should have been purchased. Someone should have organized a Friends of the Strand like in other communities that go forward to save old theatres. The fact that this theatre was allowed to get into the hands of Ripley's Believe It or Not and then into the hands of Walgreens was an absolute CRIME! The folks of Key West should hang their heads in shame!

Coni Carbonell - Yes, Donna Braziel. It is so sad that someone in Key West did not take action to preserve the Strand. Hope you are well. Donna

I wonder how the Walgreens Drugstore (former Strand) weathered Wilma?

The Strand actually looks quite good. I was by it about two weeks ago, and aside from the Walgreens side on the side of the marquee, it still looks like a theater. The Walgreens company did a terrific job of recreating the old marquee. In fact, I had no idea it was not original until I saw the photos linked in this thread, and in them there was no marquee.
Anyway, I went inside, and there is not too much remaining from the theater to tell it was a theater unfortunately. Not much ornamentation at all. However, I have no idea what the theater looked like to begin with inside, nor how ornate the interior was to begin with.
Anwyay, here's the link to a photo:

Click here for link to photo

Bway: It's been a long time since my post and yours so it was good to see a recent photo of the Strand and your on site visual report. The Walgreens sign appears to have been nicely done and does seem to be color coordinated with the former Strand colors, but I do wish it were still......a theatre! Am glad that Walgreens chose to keep the original theatre facade, but perhaps a Key West historical group told them they had to do so.

Photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ncv77

Here is another photo of the Strand Theater for your viewing enjoyment.

At night:
http://tinyurl.com/qxnwj

ken: This is a great night show and closeup as you can see a Walgreens customer exited the store with the shelves in the background. I don't have any immediate plans to visit the Keys, but if I were to go I'd have to check out this former theatre and try not to voice my personal opinions. It's a shame that Key West allowed this to happen to their unique pastel theatre! One thing for sure is that they would have had to level the slanted floor!

I was in the theater back in january, yes the floor was definitely leveled off. That may have already been done for the Ripleys. The opening comments are no longer accurate, as there are no wooden floors (it's just standard white linoleum tiles like any store has), and I there's no "lobby" anymore or original tiles that were in the lobby unfortunately. The ceiling is high, but it's just plain regular drop ceiling tiles, and florecent lighting (like you would see in any store). There is a balcony in the back, with a railing around it, and that is opened to the windows out front, allowing natural daylight into the "store" from above. The back of the store has been opened up to the stage area, and that has a lower normal heigh ceiling. Little if any original elements of the theater interior survive.
The outside has been beautifully restored, but there is little left on the interior.

Bway: Thanks for your onsight report though sad to read that there is little left on the inside that 'is theatre'. I would love to know the story on how Walgreens was able to acquire this property without the preservationists putting up a fight!

Better half than none.

From the photos prior to Walgreens buying it, it appeard the building was in pretty sorry shape. Even the marquee was destroyed/removed for some reason. They probably were required to recreate the marquee (which they did a beautiful job on), and restore the exterior (also beautifully done). However, the interior may have already been trashed. (Anyone know if any theater ornamentation remained in the Ripley days?). I was also in Key West in 1998, and Ripleys was open then, but didn't go to it.

ken: Yes, better half than none and the exterior was beautifully restored so that's a good thing.

Did this theater have a small balcony? I am trying to figure out what the "catwalk" in the back of this theater (now the store) was when it was a theater.

I used to work at the Strand back in the early 90's when it was a nightclub (quiet as its kept I used to live there temporaily). Famous reggae bands used to perform there and 2 legendary Female Impersonators Ms. Tiffany Arieagus a former Miss Continental http://gay-guide.com/tiffany/intro.htm (whom inspired me to be who I am today). and Ms. Coco Vega http://www.lasvegas.com/searchagent/event/SearchResultView.do?id=12405 who does a fab Pattie Labelle, also a local favorite at the time Ms. Sasha Sterling who won the Miss Copa pageant I hear that club is gone too. I was planning a trip back to Key West and found this website about the Strand. I cant believe they sold it to Ripleys and now Walgreens. Well at least the La Te Da is still open for sunday tea dances. by the way the "catwalk" was how u got to the dj booth if I remember correctly. Just so yall know the Strand was a "straight" nightclub who just happend to have a gay manager who liked to have drag shows once in awhile afterall Key West used to be the Gay Capitol back in tha day.

Peace! Jazi:)

I used to live in Key West in the late 1970s. I remember the Strand Theater as showing Deep Throat and The Devil in Miss Jones for years.

Photo of the Strand Theater in Key West Florida from 1987. I don't think it was a theater anymore but a nightclub called tht Copa:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/KeyWestStrand1987.jpg

Other exterior photos of The Strand from late 80's and early 90's. I could swear I heard that this theater had a major fire during the 90's so until I do some research, I will not post the pictures of the Strand when I thought it became The Copa:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/KeyWestStrand1988.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/KeyWestStrand1989.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/KeyWestStrand1990.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/KeyWestStrandlitho.jpg

Such a shame that this theatre didn't remain a theatre rather than another Walgreens. Was this the only theatre in Key West?

It wasn't ever a theater when I was there off and on (1987-1994). Oddly, there was a small theater (sort-of) on the opposite side of Duval Street where I saw Hairspray (the movie) and because of the heavy humidity, you were allowed to buy beer and bring it into this little theater. On my next visit, that theater was a store and its where I bought the litho that I posted. I did read on a website that ..."Southernmost Signs was chosen to refurbish this historic feature (The Strand) of Key West. We had the opportunity to demolish and rebuild both the marquee and the facade, replicating the original look of the theater as it appeared in the mid-1920's."

Having lived in South FL for over 30 years I can relate to 2 words in the above post......."heavy humidity". Nice to read that Key West did have another theatre on the opposite side of Duval Street though it is now "a store".

Hollywood, I don't understand what you typed. You have more photos of the Strand when it was a club, but you don't want to post them because the Strand burned when it was a club perhaps? What are the photos? Any interior photos from when it was a theater?

After some all-day researching today, The Strand did not burn down. I had thought the Strand became The Copa(danceclub) because I don't remember seeing both buildings standing at the same time during my visits and have no pictures of both buildings in the same photo, even tho they were 1 block away from each other. The Copa is the building that burned down. I didn't want to make another posting error before researching it. The pictures I did not post are of The Copa...a different building with a different address. As I stated above, during my visits to Key West, The Strand never operated as a movie theater.

Ah thanks, that clears up my question. So I assume the Copa was never a theater, so the photos are irrelevant.

There were a number of other theatres in Key West in the years 1978-80. I remember a small movie theatre on the other side of Duvall St. where I saw The Rocky Picture Horror Show. There was another historical theatre on Duvall St. whose name I can’t remember but we called it the Cuban Opera House with an austere interior where I saw Phyllis Diller perform live after it had been closed for many years. There was a movie theatre on N. Roosevelt Blvd. in the Searstown shopping mall. There was the Greene Street Theatre where plays were performed. I saw a wonderful performance of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire there. The Greene Street Theatre moved from Greene St. to the Navy Base off of Whitehead St. and featured plays like Cabaret and A Thousand Clowns (in which I was involved.) The Red Barn Theatre opened during this time on Duvall St. which featured plays. I saw the single most hilarious performance I’ve ever seen there which was an evening of scenes from Shakespeare’s tragedies—not meant to be funny—with a rowdy audience. There was a theatre on Front St. which performed plays. And finally a beautiful, modern theatre opened in 1980 as The Tennessee Williams’ Art Center on Stock Island adjacent to Key West at the Community College where Tennessee Williams donated an old play of his to be performed for the opening titled Will Mr. Merriweather Return From Memphis? (never before performed.) I met Tennessee Williams’ there during the auditions and again later for a follow up audition at his home on Duncan St. I was in Key West in 1983 when Tennessee Williams died and attended a memorial service for him at this theatre where locals reminisced about him, a number of them falling down drunk. Ah, Key West.

Does anybody know anything about a former Strand Theatre in Miami?

One morning while communting from my home in Hollywood down to my job in Coral Gables, I decided to avoid the terrible traffic on I-95 and find some avenue that ran parallel to the interstate. And somewhere between NW 29th Street and NW 14th Street along NW 7th Avenue I found a small theatre with a marquee and classic double doors. It was labeled the STRAND with the S having fallen off some time ago. It currently seems to be a small church/prayer home now. I will try to take some pictures of it. Can anybody here identify what part of town/neighborhood we would call this area? It's definitely industrial and very poor. Perhaps that might help with some research (where I'm finding NO luck).

I have lived in Key West for 5 years and I HATE what Walgreen's has done to the Strand. The Strand always reminded me of a place in the board game Candy Land. I always wondered what it used to look like on the inside. If anyone has any pictures of the inside, I would love to see them. I have always been connected to the Strand from the first day I arrived on this Island. ( I think it was Rippleys then.) I work at a Guest House that used to be the home of the Carbonell family. They were the original owners of the Strand. The grand daughters drop in to see me and their family home from time to time. They have told me many stories about the Strand and their family. I even believe their spirits are still there. I have even tried to talk to them about writing down some of the family history for the Guest House. Nothing has come of it yet. Carbonell family home was built somewhere around 1893. The home was sold to a man named Mickey Hollinsed (I met him too! Now he has passed.) Mickey converted the house into apartments, which are now called Condos.
The Guest House is now called the Hollinsed House. It is 2 blocks from the Strand. Each Condo is individually owned, and rented on a daily basis like a hotel. In one of the Condos, was a painting of the Strand by a local artist. The same exact picture on the web site that holywood90038 has already posted. I wanted that painting in the worse way. The Condo was sold and the painting was removed. I have no Idea what they did with it. What a shame, just like the Strand.
The RICH come to Key West and tear down our history, then build new homes and paint them purple. So sad, he who has the most money wins.

The lithograph that I posted of the Strand Theater was limited to 1000 copies and signed by the artist who also did a series of Key West Christmas cards, one of which I believe is of the Strand.

I just remembered that about 3 years ago I went on a Ghost Tour in Key West. There was another Theater that caught on fire in old town. It was not far from the Strand. This theater was a playhouse. I can't remember the name, but I believe it was near Bahama Village. The story was told that there were many children in this theater and the nuns were trying to protect the children. Many children were in the fire. This was an act of arson.
It is believed that many souls are still there. This theater has been closed since then, maybe in the 1950s. I did see something there but I am not sure what it was.

I will see if I can find out the facts

I found the theater. It is located on the corner Eaton and Bahama St.
There is no name on it. It is still closed.

I know Im getting older, but not much. For so they call em mature years.. My history with this MAGICAL BUILDING, began in 83. The building was renovated and opened as a up-scale nite club. I was the guy who worked at this playland until Ray .... over Xtended himself..
I worked from the opening till closing in 85. I have many stories of all the big bands, and oh remembeing those tacky polyester Tux suits,,,, and for key West yes.. Tie and jacket.........I was the man behind the scenes.. .

When Key West, you knew your friends,,,,,,,,,,, Lady Pinky & Lester and his Caddy of La Te Da, God rest thier soles. Vouge and Vital.

When Vouge & I spon Vynal at the Stand in 84 it seemed liked pink purubian was leagal........The OP had 50Cent happy Hour..WAIL 95 was radio king. But best of all me working for Peter, taking care of this peter pan building. Day to day, nite to nite. I polished all that brass and hung markee letters evey monday, lugged and set tables & chairs for every concert and them some..Polish & polish .. I had such a love for this building, till this day I can not even tell you. I only wanted to be there all the time. I herd so many first hand history upon reopeing and was mesmerized at the beauty of this building. I loved my job.. On my 22nd birthday, Jimmy Buffet perfomed, I was plastered on the main spotlite, I barfed all over it and the can swong....... I left my post and past out in the projection booth.. at this time it was used for storage.. When I awoke later at 5am, Buffet and bartender Debbie & lover were sitting at the bar laughing at me stumbeling down the strairs... *Some nite kid * Buffet said ...
I had a Debbie,, Gin Marteneeee with Buffet and stumbled home up to White Head Street............
I have so many fond memmories,,, I was so saddened in 85 ... I was the guy that put on the markkeee,, CLOSED FOR VECATION.... Only to know we would never reopen.. but wanting to hold on to the DIGNITY AND CLASS OF LADY NOT GOING....
Interested in much history first hand and mennnnnny origanl programs and stories of the 80s Strand & Key West , Drop me a note, ALL EMAILS WILL BE RETURNED and maybe old friends will come together in this magical memmory of the past ...

Former Lighting DJ and caretaker of the Strand.....
TopGunUSNavy1@aol.com

This is a recent close-up view of the Strand Theater building.

Here is another recent photo of the Strand.

Actually I think the first photo from Dec 11th is more recent than the second one from the 14th. When I was in key west about two years ago, it was already the Walgreens drug store, because I went in there to check the place out. I think it was the Ripleys before that.

Your right Bway. That photo must be older. This address is still listed on the Walgreens website as store # 7089.

Here is a night view of the Strand Theater building.

Robt, wasn't it the Monroe that showed Deep Throat/Devil in Miss Jones every night? I was there in the late 70s as well, and don't remember the Strand being open as a movie house at that time.

The main places you could see regular movies was at that shopping center along Roosevelt Blvd, at the Islander Drive-In on Stock Island, and if you were military (I was), then on base.

Don, I think you're right. The Monroe wasn't far from the Strand Theatre on Duval St. and I must have gotten them them mixed up in my memory. The Monroe is listed as showing adult movies in the 70's.

Robt

I added a listing for the Islander. Then I remembered the Picture Show, which as I remember it, was a storefront converted to a theater for all day showings of "The Key West Picture Show," a very good 40 minute documentary/travelogue on the island. Do you recall that at all?

Yes, I remember the Picture Show on Duval St. in the late 70's. That was an excellent documentary about Key West that it showed. Wasn't "The Last Resort" in the title, or am I confusing that, too? I think this theater sometimes played "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" late at night.

Robt

I think you're right about the Rocky Horror showings, but wrong about The Last Resort part (I checked my VHS copy). Now that I think about it, I seem to remember that The Key West Picture Show played during the day, but at night they played alternative/cult-type movies. It was my first exposure to repertory programming. I saw A Boy And His Dog there, if memory serves.

What's weird is that I shot a lot of film while living there, but didn't take a single picture of any of the movie theaters.

Here is another recent photo.

A 2003 view of the Strand Theater without the Walgreens sign and with it here. How did Key West let this happen!?

1985 Photo

1987 Photo

It's nice that at least the exterior was preserved.

Probably one of the more fancier looking drug stores.

Another 1985 photo of the Stand Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c9%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=2&catpagesize=25&ProductID=25540

I worked at the Strand in '71 at the concession stand. My best friend worked in the ticket bubble. The concession had a window opening directly on the street so people would come by and visit and I could see all the people "crusing" What a blast back in those days!!! Does anyone know what happened to that ticket bubble? It was allready vintage in '71. The Strand was a "B" theater by then and the movie I remember distinctly was the "Last House on the Left". Scary ! The Strand did have a balcony.

Another Strand Theatre photo, click to enlarge

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s254/Pavy1/DSC01127.jpg