Palace Theatre
19 Clinton Avenue,
Albany,
NY
12207
19 Clinton Avenue,
Albany,
NY
12207
15 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Palace, Albany (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters, RKO
Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson
Functions: Concerts, Movies, Stage Shows
Styles: Atmospheric, Baroque
Previous Names: RKO Palace Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
518.465.4663
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Dec 7, 2007 — December Movies at the Palace Theatre
- Nov 1, 2007 — November Movies at the Palace Theater
- Sep 14, 2007 — 2007/2008 Movie Series at the Palace Theatre
- Feb 7, 2007 — February movies at the Palace
- Jan 4, 2007 — Upcoming movies at the Palace in Albany, NY
- Nov 13, 2006 — November and December Movies at the Palace
- Oct 13, 2006 — Movie Times for the Palace Theatre
- Sep 27, 2006 — More Movies at the Palace Theatre
- Sep 25, 2006 — "The Public Enemy" Showing at The Palace Theatre in Albany, NY
- May 26, 2006 — Replacing the organ at the Palace Theatre
- Jun 15, 2005 — Movies Return to the Palace Theatre in Albany
- Jan 3, 2005 — Raiders of the Lost Ark to screen at Palace Theatre
The RKO Palace Theatre was opened on October 23, 1931 with Ann Harding in “Devotion” on the screen and RKO vaudeville on stage. It had 3,764 seats and was equipped with a Wurlitzer 4 manual, 20 ranks organ. It was built by Fabian Securities Ltd. and leased to RKO. Designed by noted theatre architect John Eberson in a Baroque/semi-Atmospheric style. Seating is now provided for 1,541 in the orchestra and 1,303 in the balcony. The proscenium is 63 feet wide and the stage 33 feet deep. In 1960, it was renovated and a new facade and marquee were installed over the entrance, reopening on October 28, 1960 with Doris Day in “Midnight Lace”. The Palace Theatre was closed as a movie theatre in September 1969.
It was purchased from Fabian by the city, for use as a civic auditorium. In 1979, it was placed on the Register of Historic Places. Many stars such as The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springstein, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Melisa Etheridge and Jerry Seinfeld have performed on the Palace Theatre stage. The Palace Theatre is also home to the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Extensive renovations were carried out in 2002, and a replica of the original 1931 marquee was installed in 2004. Now part of Albany’s resurging theatre district, the Palace Theatre is home to concerts and live shows. Once a vibrant movie palace, it has risen again as a prime venue for concerts in the state capital.
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Recent comments (view all 97 comments)
Cool history and photos.
A few years ago, someone SOMEWHERE on the web posted pictures of the Palace Projection booth that were taken in the 80’s showing the OLD booth before restoration with the old 1950’s era RCA equipment. Anyone have any idea where these pictures appeared? Dozens of Google searches have given me nothing.
An article on Fabian’s Palace, with photos, appeared in Boxoffice magazine, August 7, 1961:
View link
Tinseltoes: Great photo you posted on 7/21/2010. In October a group called Straight No Chaser will take to the Palace stage!
Palace is a definite fit for this theater, it is truly like a Palace, it is palacial in size and decore. I think it sad to see not only theaters but all manor of old buildings in such states of disrepair and neglect, instead of preserving the buildings of this era of time we just let them rot away. It is such a shame we could have so many more beautiful examples such as proctors, but through selfishness and greed we let them deteriorate until we cannot save them.
Clear version of the 6/28/51 LIFE Magazine Photo added.
Circa 1952 photo added credit Times Union. Palace sign with arrow at the top.
Updated facade photo added, 1969 photo credit Historic Images.
Grand opening ad posted.
Reopened as “The Capital District’s Newest, Most Beautiful Theatre” on October 28th, 1960. Grand opening ads posted.