Hollywood Theater

You could have bought The Hollywood Theatre for $125,000 back in 1992. It was a beautiful theatre with gumwood entry doors and stained glass inserts. I thought about buying it but every time I went to a movie there were never more than 20 or so people in attendance.
The Hollywood was built by a wealthy "glue tycoon" whose wife missed the theatre life of N.Y.C. The last owner removed some of the balcony seats and installed tables and chairs. He'd planned to offer waiter service from the snack bar to the balcony in exchange for an increased admission price. I don't know if this concept actually ever happened before he closed the theatre and moved to Calfornia. The owner prior to the last owned a twin in Seneca, N.Y.

I just found the for sale listing sheet from 1992, so I'll share some of the information on the sheet. Designed by Rapp & Rapp, 70' by 30' stage, 700 auditorium seats plus 50 in the balcony with dining area. The only 50 seats in the balcony reflects the removal of many seats for the dining area. The theatre was built in 1926. Finding the listing sheet reminded me how nice the marquee was. I also now remember the theatre organ had been removed. The last owner tried other things to supplement the movie income. I remember at least one live production took place and probably more. I hope this time around it receives better community support.

Just in case you want a view of the Hollywood's exterior, its address is; 39 West Main St., Gowanda, N.Y.

This theater is special to me since it's very much a part of my childhood summers. When I was growing up during the 1960's, I would vacation in Gowanda during the summer months visiting family. At least once a week I would go to the Hollywood to see a film. I remember having to get cleaned up and put on a clean shirt and pants since I was 'going into town.' I also have a vague memory of an organist playing before the start of the film during some of these visits to the theater. Even in the 1960's I don't remember the crowd in the theater being very large. Even as a child I remember thinking this theater was different than the theaters back home since the audience was very small. However the best part of going to the movies in Gowanda was that after the film there was always a trip to Farner & Parker for ice cream!

Years later whenever I inquired about the status of The Hollywood, I remember relatives telling me about a woman who died and left money in her will to keep the theater going so that the townspeople would be able to see films. I don't know who the woman is and what her connection to The Hollywood was. I'm wondering if this woman was the wife of the 'glue tycoon.'

My last visit to The Hollywood must have been sometime in the 1970's. The film was The Titanic. I remember the film ran on national network television about two weeks later!

Correction! My last visit to The Hollwood was to see the Poseidon Adventure, not the Titanic.
Sorry.

Richard Serviss: Yes, The Hollywood was a special theater for its size and grandeur in a small town the size of Gowanda NY. I was there several years ago and saw that the marquee needed to be restored, yet the lobby was finished THEN I walked into the theater and saw what had happened to it due to no heat in the building for many years and a leaking roof! One had to look past what one saw and use his or her imagination so hopefully this theater will someday be restored for all to enjoy again. There is a big Harley Davidson meet there each year to help raise money for the theater and that brings alot of people into the town for that event!

It's a shame that many of the listed theaters on this site do NOT have photos as it would be great to see them!

And I'm glad to see that someone has made the correction in the name Gowanda as it isn't spelled Gowonda! It lists The Hollywood as having 1,000 seats. I recall the theater being very large so perhaps there were that many seats! The story of the wealthy 'glue tycoon' and his wife missing the theater in NYC was most interesting. I had heard the theater was built by a local man, but didn't know the story....until now! BTW, is Farner and Parker still there as I'll go check it out next summer?

The event each June to help raise monies for the Hollywood is called Happening at the Hollywood and the website is www.hollywoodtheater.org

7th annual
Harley Happening at the Hollywood
June 3 - 5, 2005 Gowanda, NY
Sponsored by Gowanda Harley-Davidson, Inc.

The Harley Happening is held annually to benefit the restoration of
Gowanda's historical Hollywood Theater. The weekend rally features live
bands, a parade, motorcycle activities, games, and fun for the entire family

Starts on Friday at 4:00pm on Main Street in front of the Hollywood Theatre.
This event will include a ride in bike show on Sunday at noon. There will
also be tattoo contest, fashion show, Team Extreme stunt show, vendors
music, food, beer and more. A 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 will be
raffled off, courtesy of Gowanda Harley-Davidson. For more information call
(716) 532-6103.

Originally modeled after Buffalo NY's Sheas Theater, Gowanda's historic
Hollywood Theater is currently in the middle of a painstaking effort to
restore it as a regional center for the performing arts. Held each June, the
Harley Happening at the Hollywood is the principal fund-raiser towards the
rehabilitation efforts. A motorcycle rally that draws bikers from several
states and Canada, Harley Happening features continuous live music, good
food and motorcycle-oriented events throughout the weekend.

Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theater is a 990-seat landmark theater
currently undergoing a multiyear $3 million historically correct total
restoration.

The Hollywood Theater will be utilized as a regional center for the visual
and performing arts serving a 40 mile radius of Gowanda including points
north of Gowanda to the Buffalo south-towns, all of southern Erie county,
points west to Fredonia/Dunkirk, points south to
Ellicotville/Salamanca/Olean and points east to Springville and Arcade.

Listed on both the New York State and National Historic Registry, the
Hollywood Theater is a highly ornate structure featuring 700 orchestra level
seats and 290 balcony seats.

The Hollywood Theater is one of only a small group of remaining historic
jewels in Western New York featuring Vermont marble floors, ornate plaster
designs, leaded glass windows, brass railings, 14-piece orchestra pit, 70'
by 30' foot stage, dual original oil murals, concave seating design and a
highly decorated softly lit ceiling dome in the center of main house.

The Hollywood Theater was built upon the original site of the Gowanda Opera
House which was lost in a fire in 1924. Designed as both a vaudeville
theater and movie house, the Hollywood Theater was built by Gowanda
businessman Richard Wilhelm in 1926.

The Architect of record is William Lampert II of Rochester, New York. This
is the same architect who designed the Rivera Theater in North Tonawanda,
New York

After years of neglect, the theater was rescued by Gowanda area businessman
Dan Gernatt, Jr. and the Gernatt Family of Companies of Collins, NY who
purchased the theater in 1999 and donated it as a gift to the Gowanda
community.

The Hollywood Theater was turned over to the Gowanda Area Redevelopment
Corp., GARC, a 501c(3) non profit organization. GARC together with the
Friends of the Hollywood Theater (a group of community volunteers) are
leading a total restoration effort of the building.

kurtcd: This is a wonderful event to raise money and stir up interest in a once beautiful theatre. I plan to call the phone number you have so kindly provided CT members. See you there!

I'm familiar with the Gernatt name of Collins NY so this is the right man for the right project!

I plan to attend the Hollywood Happening the first weekend in June so will report back on what I see and hear!

Well, I visited Gowanda's Hollywood Theatre today. The theatre is under renovation so will someday be beautiful once again and the town was full of beautiful Harleys. The theatre was the dream of a Mr. Wilhelm and his original home is on the corner of Main and Chapel.

On the Gowanda Chamber of Commerce website, the architect for the Hollywood Theater is listed as William Lampert II of Rochester, New York. Here is their website.

I have lived in Gowanda for about 8 years now and have contributed to the Hollywood restoration project.Every year they take in a great amount of money.The only thing that I have seen so far is the Marquis painted and some lights put in.Maybe they can post a project report in the pennysaver once a month and let us know what is being done and where the money is going.They tell me that they had the roof repaired.We must take their word because we can't get a ladder and get up there.I must stop contributing until I see some progress.Those that are involved with the progect should take a ride to Angola,NY and take a look at their theater.It is about the same age as the Hollywood.They restored it in a very short time and it is beautiful.I hate to say this but I am starting to smell a rat in the wood pile.

scam: I hope you will stay in the trusting mode as the Hollywood Theatre is under the watchful eye of Mr. Ganatt (sp) who is a local businessman in Collins NY. I don't think you should be 'smelling a rat in the wood pile." Keep the faith and if you question anything I suggest you go to the Chamber of Commerce and have them put you in touch with folks who are involved with the restoration.

Patsy,
Thank you for the information.

Scam: You are welcome and keep us posted on whatever you find out concerning the Hollywood Theatre in Gowanda NY.

Here are some photos of the Hollywood Theater in Gowanda.

Lost Memory: Thanks for the photo site. I have been to this theatre and in June the Hollywood Happening with the HD crowd really fills up the town to support this theatre!

My information tells me that the Hollywood, which opened April 19,1926, was designed by Leon H. Lempert,Jr. of Rochester,N.Y.

Here is a photo of the Hollywood Theater and this is a close-up view.

I'm somewhat familiar with this theatre south of Buffalo. It has an interesting history.

Here is a website for the Hollywood Theater.

I just viewed the slideshow on the website and see that there was a photo of a Hollywood Theater organist in the year 1966 so the theatre was still in operation at that time. I grew up near Gowanda, but have no memory of the theatre being there. I have since been inside the auditorium and it was completely gutted after a leaky roof, etc. was repaired. I would like to know how and why this theater was left to deteriorate.

Lost Memory: Once again thank you for providing the website information as the photos and current information on the restoration of this fine theatre are remarkable! Anyone interested should take the time and view all of the photos which include seeing all of the seats and cushions that have put in storage. These items will be restored by a local correctional facility. I had wondered about this as my visit to the Hollywood did not include seeing any seats as it like walking into a very large and empty room. Many of the restoration photos are amazing and well worth viewing! My theatre hat is off to the fine folks in Gowanda NY.

Here is a link to a recent news story - looks like they are progressing at a slow and steady pace!

http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/507820.html?nav=5047

Thanks for this recent update on the Hollywood. I've been to this theatre and seen the progress being made! I wonder if there is anyone out there who can tell us about the Wurlitzer organ that was once in the Hollywood? This theater has an interesting history!

The Wurlitzer from the Hollywood was removed from the theatre in i think 1978 and installed in a private residence in Tonawanda NY. It was maintained and restored in pristine original condition. From what i understand after the death of its owner, it was offered to the Hollywood for a sum by his wife, but was declined (not sure why). It was purchased by w Welsh organist, and local organ folk including myself, dismantled and packed it into a shipping container and off it went across the Atlantic, probabaly never to be seen on our shores again. Sad, it would have been nice to have a home coming at the Hollywood, I think the organ is one of the very few original components to have left that building. It was a small organ, yes (style DX, 2/6), but it had a sound much bigger than one would think!

Should note.. the above sale and shipping of the Hollywood organ took place in 2002-2003.

Opus: Interesting to read about the Wurlitzer organ that was once in the Hollywood. Though very disturbing to read that the organ was offered back to the theatre by the owner's widow and they declined! Also interesting to note in my research that the seats have all been saved and are being restored by inmates.

Here are some 1980s photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3