Ioka Theater

According to Roger Detzler, President of IOKA Entertainment Inc., Club Ioka has recently reopened and expanded to include a cigar/pipe room, a party suite and live jazz every Thursday. At one time there was an American Fotoplayer in the theater. According to a web site that no longer exists (Google had it cached), the American Fotoplayer was the only one still available for the public to see and hear. This combination theater organ, player piano, and special sound effects device was the only one not in a private collection. It was the personal property of the prior owner of the Ioka Theater and went with him when Detzler recently purchased the theater. Their new web site should be on-line again soon.

That "vintage exterior" view isn't vintage at all. I'd say that picture is only a few years old at the most. That particular car was owned by the previous theater owner, and he parked it there all the time! I used to live about two blocks from there. Its "sad" he took the fotoplayer when he left, but considering he had taken it apart I guess it would be good that he take it because nobody else could put it back together. The owner got a new job in Texas I believe and that's why the theater was sold.

John

I drove through Exeter on a weekday morning about 11:30 am and, of course, just as I expected, the theatre was closed. I spotted and interesting restaurant and went for lunch. It was a lucky lunch, because went I walked by the theatre again for a second try to gain entry a workman had the door propped open. I gave myself a tour. One side of the candy counter has integrated stools. This is one lovely little theatre and I certainly reccomend going out of your way to see it. The Chrysler, a 1957 I believe, was nowhere to be seen.

I forgot to mention, a life long Exeter resident claims that the basement had a swimming pool. This pool was full of junk and old movie reels. This person also claims to have had sex with the projectionist on the balcony during a film, so I don't know how accurate this is.

John

Your comments regarding the swimming pool are indeed fact. It was cleaned out after the Y was X'd.
I am very happy the Ioka is still open. I had heard that she had been closed for some time, but have not been nearby to verify that statement. It broke my heart when I heard about it.

It should be noted that the Ioka is also perhaps the oldest original Vaudeville theatre in the nation that is run as a theatre, and also one of the oldest single-screen theatres- one of few left with silver screens.

When the theatre was built, no Roxy or Royale was good enough, so a theatre-naming contest was launched. The name "Ioka"- a Native American word that means "peaceful place or playground"- was selected; the winner- an eight year old girl.

In case anyone is curious, the large screen in the main theatre is an original silver screen, capable of showing 3-D films in their proper form. Underneath it is a full Vaudeville stage, flanked by tiny but worthy dressing rooms that were later used to store popcorn cups and napkins. Underneath that is a spooky little storage area, with a lock on the inside.
The lights at the foot of the stairs, stage right, would often flick off when someone was alone up in the high dressing room.

The two 35 mm projectors are original (and were pristine), with 1938 Art Deco carbon-arc lit Brinkert picture heads (God help me I can't spell Brinkart just now), paired with equally original RCA soundheads. Beautiful machines. The carbon rods (no one manufactures these anymore) were usually acquired after a two or four hour drive to some sad little broken down theatre... or bartered for... sent away for...prayed for. The 35mm reels were run individually, as the gods intended, and the foot pedals- a satisfying way to change mastership on a pair of machines- were retained. Films that came to the theatre were restored to every possible degree... they often had to be, since running them through other theatres in first run on a platter system often damaged the film.

The shows were run with painstaking attention to details- like proper aspect ratio (dimensions of the projected image on the screen)and scrupulous masking (the black felt covered frame around the silver screen that precisely met the edge of the projected image). One might recall dozens of hours moving the masking legs.. "more to the left.. no, right.. a little more... no, back...dammit..move it ahead.. right..."

The theatre downstairs would doubtless have the 1940 something 16 millimeter carbon arc projector (nicknamed "Sparky", because it did...). I don't know what he used for a screen down there.

Yes- that photo would be post-1994. The Marquee was painted in 1991 or 92, and the Chrysler (it was original, and ran like the wind) was purchased around 1993 if one remembers correctly. The picture works, though, doesn't it?

The candy counter is a fully functional soda fountain, purchased, as I remember, in 1992. A creatively themed lunch menu was served for awhile during the 90's, and that fountain made a mean Black & White. The entire lobby was rennovated to Art Deco at that time.

Speaking of black and white, it's a shame he took the Fotoplayer- it was nice, worked well, and suited the theatre. But, yes, he did buy it himself. It really was the only Fotoplayer available to the public, unless something has changed since that time. It took a dual trip across the U.S. and back to locate one, and it was a dream come true for him. I am unable to recall where he found that one- Maryland perhaps.

As far as sex with the projectionist goes, I will say that interesting things certainly went on there (mostly, I understand, before my time), but as far as I know, there was only one female projectionist working independently there between the Ioka's reopening in 1976(*) and 1994, when the aforementioned pool was capped... and I myself would never have agreed to sex on the balcony during a film... it would make it somewhat difficult to maintain frame and focus, and it would probably distract the patrons.
Perhaps other women have, er, projected since my work there, but I imagine this- like many Iokaisms- is wishful thinking of the part of the young local. No matter. The real legends of the Ioka will stay with its ghosts.

I am glad the basement is serving a better purpose.
The Jazz sounds good, too. Whomever Roger Detzler is, I offer him my warmest welcome and congratulations, and my hopes that he will endeavor to preserve the integrity of the Ioka Theatre for the generations to come. I imagine that business is better these days-it looks like the previous owner bid on first run and won, but in case I am mistaken, I want to say this: I know that furniture stores and bowling alleys are monetarily tempting in the face of ancient cinema, but keep the faith, Mr. Detzler- you captain a wonderful little ship. The Ioka is a national treasure, and a part of my heart will forever remain one its carbonless spirits.
xiantedance@yahoo.com

Recent photo:
http://www.goseacoast.com/photographs/ioka.jpg

Hello All,

Keep meaning to get here and make a few comments myself, instead of having everyone do it for me. I won't spend alot of time goingt into the history of the IOKA as that is pretty well recorded here. Instead I would like to write about what has taken place under my ownership.

Though I am a movie fan, it was the opportunity to restore live entertainment to the IOKA, and the nightclub operation that inspired me to buy it. I have now spent the better part of two years improving the facility and slowing producing more and more events.

The list of improvements includes a new boiler, the first set of stage curtains in over 40 years, a complete renovation of the balcony with new seats, the installation of a state of the art PA system, installation of a new LED stage lighting system, concessions redesign, overhauling the movie sound system, and doubling the size of the stage (by capping the original orchestra pit, a controversial but necessary step), as well as countless other small improvements. Still to go is an electrical service upgrade, redesign of the main screen and construction of dressing rooms.

You Brenkert fans will be glad to know that htey are still up there churning away. in fact if anyone is in need of Brennkert BX-80 and 100 heads, I now have nearly 20 in my collection.

However you carbon arc fans will have to forgive me. In the interest of efficency we did take the step of installing a platter system in the upper booth, and replacing the old Ashcroft carbon lighthouse with a Xenon box. Projector one is still pristine and we do still use it to run one reelers occassionally.

Sadly the IOKA is struggling and its future is uncertain. I don't need to tell anyone here what a disaster the movie business has been in 2005. One flop after another has left our bottom line hurting badly. Worse, our attempts to being a diversity of live entertainment to the IOKA have received nothing but yawns from the surrounding community who seem to have little interest in supporting cultural progamming.

Worse yet we are being constantly harassed by the local police and liquor commission who literally sit in cars outside our doors in full view of our patrons. It has so damaged the night club business that we were forced to close it to the public, and now operate the lower level strictly as a function room. I am convinced this town does not want an entertainment complex as part of its downtown. I have never heard or seen anything like this. Most communities would bend over backward to support something like the IOKA, yet Exeter not only seems to care less, it is all but assisting in the eventual closure of its ONLY venue.

How much longer will the IOKA survive? Difficult to say. We have suspended all further improvements, and are cutting goperating expenses wherever possible. I am actively searching for additional investors in order to complete the improvement plan and move forward with event programming in the hope that the public will begin to understand that the IOKA is far more than a movie theater.

Sincerely,

Roger Detzler
President
IOKA Entertainment Inc

Hi again from the IOKA,

Just here to tell everyone that we are still open and will be for the holiday movie season, which looks to have at least a couple of hits.

That means the IOKA will turn 90! Actually its official anniversary was Oct 31, 2005. We are throwing a week long series of events from Nov 10-17th to celebrate.

Unfortunately, after the new year the IOKA will be closed for movies due to the incredibly high costs of heating the structure and the lack of decent movies that would appeal to our customers. However, we will be open for several special events in the months of January and February so keep an eye on our website www.iokatheater.com

Will the IOKA rejoin the movie business? I am uncertain at this point. Our main competition is adding several more screens. Single screen theaters can ONLY survive with strong local support. With the support of the community for both our movies and special events we can survive.

Also I would like to clarify some comments made in an earlier post. After a recent conversation with our Chief of Police regarding some of the incidents that have occurred, I have been assured that the enforcement we have been subject to has not been from our local police department.

Roger Detzler

It looks like the Ioka Theater is for sale. Click here for details.

The theater is not officially for sale, it was but the listing ran out some time ago. The IOKA is now 91 years old and still moving along, albeit with the usual difficulties. Rising utilities, insurance, and most recently the enforcement of the new state fire codes, etc. In 2006 we were flooded out and then bombed by golf ball sized hail. Still we endure. It was our hope that the sale would attract one or more intereted parties that could have been joined together to create a new non-profit entity to take ownership of the theater. Under its current ownership structure, creating a non-profit to make the IOKA eligible for various forms of funding appears difficult. We would greatly appreciate the help of anyone who happens to be an expert in non-profit matters. We are in serious need of outside funding to help us meet our required safety improvements. If we cannot meet these improvements it is very likely that we will be forced to close. Once again I would like to thank the enormous efforts of my staff and the support of our fans.

Happy 92 IOKA! 1915-2007, Birth of a Nation - Bee Movie, provided we survive the gas prices and fire safety improvements of this winter we will see everyone in 2008

http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/49307121_053.do

a clip i found while at work behind the concessions counter at the ioka

http://seacoastonline.com/articles/20081030-ENTERTAIN-810300301

Here are more photos.

I am glad to know the IOKA still is around. It sounds like Roger Detzler and the staff are very dedicated. This pleasant theatre has a long history.

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The Ioka Theater in Exeter will close Dec. 24, 2008.
Rich Beauchesne file photo
By Jennifer Feals
jfeals@seacoastonline.com
November 18, 2008 10:51 AM
EXETER — The Ioka Theater, one of New England’s oldest independently owned, privately operated theaters, will close its doors this winter after 93 years in operation.

Co-owner and President Roger Detzler announced Tuesday, Nov. 18, that the theater will close on Dec. 24, due to several contributing factors, including the need for a sprinkler system, increased utility and insurance costs and an overall “hostile” business environment.

Curtain call
Fans will have one last chance to see a film at the Ioka as "The Nutcracker" featuring the Kirov Ballet will run at the theater throughout December. The last presentation will be Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.iokatheater.com or at the box office.
The Ioka is a staple in the Exeter community that has been located on Water Street since 1915. The theater opened on Nov. 1 of that year with the epic “The Birth of a Nation,” directed by D.W. Griffith, and has pleased audiences since with a variety of films, musical concerts and comedic acts.

Detzler cites the cost of installing a sprinkler system at the theater, which is a requirement following the Rhode Island Station Fire in 2003, as the primary reason for the closure. While it is in the interest of public safety, Detzler said this legislation has the unintended side effect of closing many historic businesses since the state has failed to provide funding to protect such operations.

Town Manager Russell Dean said town officials have had contact with Detzler about the new fire code and expressed the responsibility of the Ioka to follow the regulations for the safety of its patrons.

“It’s not anything we can turn away from,” Dean said. “We have a responsibility to make sure these regulations are followed and that businesses comply.”

Efforts to create a non-profit entity to maintain the theater have also failed. Detzler said there are many challenges to such a transition. “It requires a substantial amount of capital and would require a very different business model,” he said.

Detzler said the venue is currently for sale and he hopes to find a buyer with the financial ability and vision to maintain the current operation. However, time is running out, he said, and if no one steps forward before the closing date, the building will be sold for development.

This isn’t the first time the building has closed, said Barbara Rimkunas, Exeter resident and curator of the Exeter Historical Society. With each threat of closing, she said, the Ioka has managed to come back. “I’m going to hold out hope that someone will bring it back,” she said. “I really don’t think it will be vacant long, that’s the optimism I have.”

Though a handful of small town theaters still survive throughout New England, the Ioka was unique due to its age, its original architecture, and its lifelong dedication to both cinema and the performing arts. The Ioka represents the beginning of film in America, pre-dates the “movie palaces” of the Art Deco era, and was built for silent film and vaudeville, Detzler said.

“The Ioka is not a museum; it is living history, a place that everyone comes to and everyone has a story about,” he said. “Time and time again we have people tell us that their first kiss was in the balcony and that they can remember what movie was playing.”

Famous artists have crossed the stage including Fatty Arbuckle, Warren Zevon, Stephen Wright and many other comics and musicians. The Ioka was a draw for locals and tourists alike. The closure of the Ioka will be a loss to all of downtown Exeter, not just historically, Detzler said, but commercially as well.

The response to the Ioka closing was one of surprise Tuesday from community members.

“Oh no!” said Rimkunas.

Rimkunas said she lived in town probably just four days before walking to the Ioka to catch the release of the “Wizard of Oz.”

“It was wonderful to see that on the big screen,” she said, adding that green lights were on display to showcase the Emerald City. “It’s a beautiful place to see a film. I will miss it horribly.”

“I think it’s a sad thing,” said Dean. “It’s a real loss for the community. That building has been a part of the town’s fabric for many years.”

For Dean, who grew up in Stratham, memories of the Ioka are fond. “It was a great place to go ... I remember going there as a kid, around the seventh or eighth grade. It was a cool place to go. I vividly remember standing outside with friends and waiting for parents to pick us up,” he said. “I know there will be friends of mine sad to see it closing.”

I just heard that the IOKA theatre is closing it’s doors on Christmas eve. After 93 years, is Exeter going to lose the centerpiece of local culture? After talking with owner Roger Detzler about the reality of trying to continue operating with a necessary upgrade of a sprinkler system (remember The Station nightclub in Rhode Island?), it is simply not cost effective to do so. The root of the problem is lack of local support.
While Portsmouth celebrates and generously supports it’s own Music Hall, and Rochester does the same with The Opera House, the people of Exeter blatantly ignore the historic gem right here in downtown. Will we be saying 7 years from now, boy, I sure do miss the IOKA theatre, it would have been 100 this year.
Why is there no local support? Everyone seems to care about the bandstand like it’s some great architectural marvel. Then there’s Swasey parkway and the pavilion there. Realistically, both are only usable 4 months a year, weather permitting. The IOKA is a year round venue.
I’ve seen Roger try everything to generate local interest in the IOKA, offering a huge variety of entertainment, unique films and events. Does anyone remember the pride we all felt when Exeter’s own Dan Brown held the premiere of The DaVinci Code at the IOKA? Or remember standing in line all the way around the corner to the string bridge to see Stoogefest? Or the sight of hundreds of Gothic teens descending on downtown Exeter to see the Dresden Dolls? Since the days of vaudeville, the IOKA has been part of the fabric of Exeter, the very identity of the downtown. With it’s iconic marquee and genuine Hollywood heritage, this is the cultural centerpiece of this community and it is closing next month, yet no one seems to care. For less than a million dollars, the town could purchase the historic theatre and revitalize the downtown area, and along with it, draw visitors from neighboring communities and bring customers to other downtown businesses. Other than the sprinkler system,the theatre already has had major improvements in recent years including a new sound system, new seats and a fresh coat of paint inside. Are we going to let the IOKA disappear forever or has the time come to act now and save it before it’s gone forever? The choice is yours Exeter. And time is running out.

Richard Gouin

There are many societal influences that are going against the ioka theater, and in return making it hard for the theater to continue.

1stly, the theater is an indepedent company, not a non profit, or a corporation, which our capitalistic society sides with.

2ndly, it is a small town entity, therefore it relies on its towns patrons for it to make money.

3rdly, the economy is just bad.

4rthly, the state and town put so many restrictions on a venue like this, which acts against it, rather than for it, and in return costing more money, than money earned.

5thly, also running movies, doesn't make that much money for the theater.

i wish these societal influences didn't exist, because i wish for the theater to maintain as a movie theater, a independent movie theater, and i would love for this theater to become popular again, because i love rushing around, asking people what they want, and getting them there popcorm, etc.

i hope also that the state recognizes this theaters need, and helps pump some money into restorations, not only to meet fire code requirements which they themselves put in place, but also so that the marquee which hasn't lit up the word ioka in sometime, may do so in the future.

Roger has allowed me to shoot some film inside the theater before it closes.

I am using it for my BFA thesis film which i planned to make about the struggling independent theater. Since the news of its closing as came sooner than i thought, the film has changed into an exploration of this closing theater in its last days. (i really hope it does not close for good)

The idea of making a film as a piece of art for the ioka is my way of remembering the theater through film, for which this theater was built to show.

Wow, what a saga. I'm all for any added safety improvements. But for the city government to mandate something so costly, without a plan to help pay for it on a place that should be grandfathered in anyway, is shameful.

My guess is that the city silently was also against the concert venue idea as well. The Coronet Theatre in Evanston Illinois suffered a similar fate over that. An initial liquor license stipulated that it could only be served in the lobby, not the auditorium. Spotters were dispatched to witness any "rule breaking".

It eventually became such a headache to continue to build a business that was ironically a potential boon to the area, that they just threw in the towel. It was torn down and became condos & retail space.
My thoughts and hopes are with the Ioka.
Hope your film turns out well. Be sure to include the former pool area.

P.S. The Chrysler pictured is a 1956.
Chrysler designer Virgil Exner's first year with a tail fin. Which would go crazy the following year.

The crazy asking price is why this theater never sold.It has been for sale for years ..1 million dollars......now 980,000

The old LoopNet listing posted on Feb 1, 2007 had an exterior photo and a selling price. The new LoopNet listing which is here, has an interior photo and no price. In 2007 the price was $899,900 for building only!

Interested in a community-owned or community-run Ioka Theater?
Suggestions for best practices? Program ideas? Volunteer or business support?
Let us know!
Check out the Ioka on www.facebook.com (groups) and www.twitter.com

The crazy asking price isn't so crazy. However, it is one reason why so many older theaters close. Real estate appreciates, typically much faster than ticket prices. The IOKA is located in Exeter, NH not Bumblescum Kansas. Exeter is a beautiful, New England town, in the most populous region of the State, the IOKA is directly across the street from one of the most prestigious prep schools in the Country. It is one of the largest commercial buildings in town and is in excellent physical condition. The price is also not just for the building but at 995,000 includes everything related to the operation. This operation extends well beyond movies. Just the audio systems alone which include two professional PA's as well as video production and lighting cost over $150,000. Not too mention two digital projection sytems, and tens of thousands of dollars of furnishings. To think of the IOKA as simply a 'movie theater' is to discredit what this operation has been and could be. The price also includes all furnishings, inventory, intellectual properties, trademarks, and the liquor license.

Recent news story:
http://tinyurl.com/9fvyjl

To confirm the news story, this is a recent photo of a closed Ioka Theater.

Unfortunately the price is the reason.. logic would prevail that at sale price over 10 times the net profits, that the operation was too glamourous for its own good. The investment put in by the owner is not relevant to a purchaser, profits are...

It is sad to hear of this, I ' like the theatre very much.

I was the one who had to put up that sad sign. Someone should changed the STATUS of this theater on Cinematreasures.org to CLOSED.

Give me 30 years time...to gain knowledge and money...and I will come back to buy that building.

Roger was the best boss I ever had, and I hope there is someone as crazy as him to fill his shoes soon, because I'd love for it to reopen.

The price may not be crazy for the building.Going to be run as a theater it is a crazy price.The price may be well worth itbut it is not priced so so some one can run it as a theater.If it was it would still be open.

The IOKA is closed. Anyone interested in theater seats, curtains, lighting, and other related equipment may contact us through the website.

1980 photo of the Ioka Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c29%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=29851

The IOKA is in the process of being purchased. For more information go to www.savetheioka.com

Here is a June 2009 photo.

IOKA (A BFA Thesis) A film for a movie theater.

http://iokafilm.com/

This is another 2009 photo of the Ioka.