Palace Theatre

The Palace was one of John Eberson's smaller atmospherics (only 1,500 seats), but especially lavish for a town whose population at the time was only 31,000. Financed by a local entrepeneur, it first opened on August 30, 1928, with Keith-Albee vaudeville and the MGM movie, "Excess Baggage." Eberson himself attended and presented the owner with a bag of birdseed for the stuffed pigeons that graced the upper regions of the auditorium's Spanish villa decor. A campaign to preserve the Palace as a community performing arts center began in the early 1970s. A fully restored Palace re-opened July 4th, 1976, with a stage production of the Broadway musical, "1776."

The Palace is fine example of Eberson's talents. I had the pleasure of seeing this theatre on May 15, 2004 along with several other Ohio treasures. Immediately upon entering the auditorium you know you've left reality behind. While a movie certainly would enhance escapism, I'd almost be satisified just to sit in a seat and look at the theatre for 30 minutes. Then, I suppose I'd want a movie.
I saw the Drifters, Coasters, and the Platters at the Palace and it's a great place to see a concert. It's extreme width but short depth allows everyone close proximity to the stage.
Marion is the popcorn capitol of the U.S. so it flows readily -- even during concerts.

What ia great place to see a movie, I saw the incredibles a few weeks ago with my family, I forgot how nice it was to see a movie on a true big screen. My kids are use to the Danbury screening rooms (I can't bring myself to call them "Theaters"). They loved the big screen and loved the clouds floating by even more. They also had fun after the show trying to find John Emberson's trade mark parriot. Well worth the drive to see a movie...or just enjoy this beautiful Theatre.

Does the theatre still have its 3/10 Wurlitzer organ?

I believe it does, I saw it in the pit covered by a tarp....not sure how oftern it is used.

The Wurlitzer is there and playing away. I saw two Chaplin movies there last Sunday with Dennis James playing. What a beautiful place!

Nice color photo of the vertical and marquee of the Palace.
http://carolynrichards.net/palace_marquee.jpg

Good news!
The Palace after receiving over a half million in grants and again as much in donations will move on phase one of a three phase expansion.
Designed to compliment the exterior a 2-story pavilion will be built on the west parkinglot to provide seating for 300 at dinner tables for conventions, weddings and dinner theatres while providing a venue for small, intimate shows. The old second story offices have been gutted and new construction for theatre offices have been finished.

Phase 2+3 Include expanding the oddly shaped stage by blowing out the back wall and expanding for larger stage shows and combining the store fronts into one large concession room to better serve patrons.

My father Gerald "Obie" Obenour who served the theatre for 63 yrs. as Stage Mgr. passed away Aug. 31 and loved every minute working there.

The theatre is alive and growing stronger and serves over 100,000 patrons every year.

Here is a link:
http://www.culture.ohio.gov/project.asp?proj=marion

Like Proctors'theatre in Schenectady, New York, it is good to know
how well The Palace theatre is being developed to serve the people in the 21st century.

Here is a recent photo of the Palace Theater.

There are some interesting interior photos from the 1920s on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/pgldg

Amoung John Eberson's many sky jobs, he designed this theatre and the Oklahoma City Midwest Theatre (1930-1975). Although OKC's Midwest Theatre auditorium was longer and higher, it was also much more narrow than the Palace. Otherwise these two theatre auditorium sidewalls matched one another in design.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976

Palace Theater ** (added 1976 - Building - #76001486)
272 W. Center St., Marion
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Eberson,John
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Art
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

This is another recent photo of the Palace Theater.

Here is a more recent photo.

Here is a June 1943 ad from the Marion Star:
http://tinyurl.com/267t8a

Here is a 1948 ad:
http://tinyurl.com/2yc23a

For whatever reason(s), the Palace is not listed in the 1957 Film Daily Year Book. I wonder if it had closed by that time?

1998 photo.

2008 photo.

A 1996 image of the Palace Theatre in Marion.

Another photo is here.

1982 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=29604

1982 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=29604

1973 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=26&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32137

Warren it was still playing movies in 1973.

A view of the Palace Theatre at its 50th anniversay in 1978 and a view of the auditorium .

What a beautiful-looking place!

MARION, OH — Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. the Palace’s mighty Wurlitzer organ fills the theatre as world renowned organist Dennis James accompanies the classic silent film “The Cat and the Canary.”