Playground Theater

We recently found some information about the builders and architect for the Shores Theater. It was built by Dunning properties and designed by Harold Steward of the firm of Steward and Skinner, Architects. Construction began in 1942. Can anyone give me a clue where I could find more information about these companies. We really want to see the original blueprints of the building and get an idea of the interior details (including the missing wall sconces), so that we can restore it as faithfully as possible.

This is a charming, atmospheric little venue that shows some wear, but still offers some appealing art deco flavor.

I have not seen any live theater here, only films (within the past year), and while projection is decent, the sound system is horrible.

As manager of this place in the late seventies I was subjected to constant harrassment from city hall, local churches, the local paper and even the police. Among the movies this "island community" tried to shut down were LAST TANGO IN PARIS, BLAZING SADDLES, NASTY HABITS, THE EXORCIST and SHAMPOO. No banning efforts were successful for obvious reasons and the latter wasn't even playing at the time but the local stupidity was profound.

At the theatre we laughed off the "island community" slogan to mean "no Blacks, no Cubans".

A sad chapter in the history of South Florida, Miami Shores was a racist vacuum of Christian fascists in the late seventies which destroyed this ABC Florida State theatre and forced it to close. The subsequent "arthouse" attempts were also undermined by a community that demanded Disney and then didn't but then didn't show up.

When I think of censorship killing a theatre, Miami Shores is never far away in my memory.

Great theatre. I remember back in the early 80's looking at "Silent Rage" which stars Chuck Norris and Swiss Family Robinson. Any more news on this theatre?

Used to go frequently in the mid-late 70s/early 80s. Biggest theater in the North Miami area I believe and a really nice place to watch movies. Wasn't doing well in the early 80s and started to play older movies. Saw a twin bill of 60s James Bond films there and it was just me and another guy.

The place used to also have kid summer club showings. These were quite fun when I was a kid...

A few photos can be found here. Click on the photos to expand them.

Did this theater change its name? This is a website for the Playground Theater which has the same address as the Shores Performing Arts Theater.

I used to go to the Disney movies here. I also remember seeing that weird ass THE MOUSE AND HIS CHILD with my dad at the Shores. It always struck me as a oddly designed but interesting theatre because of all the standing room at the back of the hall, which was where the bathrooms were located. You'd walk out of the bathroom and boom, back in the theatre. Wonder if they kept the turnstiles?

In addition to my comments(two years ago), I remember they would show The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturdays at midnight. After you passed the doors, black and white pictures of the movie was in glass display case on the right.

Looks like they finally 86'd the SHORES on the marquee. Google mapped it this morning and it's officially the Playground theatre with a crappy marquee, so technically, it's not even the Shores Theater anymore.

Look, I know progress and everything, but ugh....

They suck.

1987 photos of the Shores here and here.

Recent view. http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc34425.php