Mall Theatres

An interesting sidelight: It's not widely known around Cleveland, but the Mall was formerly a Loew's theatre. This was very early on in its existence. A photograph does exist showing the Loew's Mall sign atop the Euclid Avenue marquee. I'm trying to obtain a copy of this photo right now.

Another quasi-interesting note: During the early to late 1930s, the Mall was managed by Bert H. Todd, who would become an assistant manager to Billy Rose, the famous showman who managed the 1939 New York World's Fair. Todd returned to Cleveland after the fair, and was manager and part-owner of several area theatres, including the Oriental and Bandbox.

The Mall was built in 1914 by real estate developer Joseph Laronge. In 1916 Laronge built the Stillman Theatre near 12th St. Later that year he formed a partnership with 2 guys named Strong and Desberg and a third guy, Marcus Loew. The partnership was called Loew's Ohio Theatres. This may be when the Mall and Stillman became Loew's houses. The partnership went on to develop the Loew's State, Ohio, Park and Granada theatres.

Ad for a picture at the Lower Mall,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestospeed/1355281013/in/set-72157594571697814/

Odd, I never heard of this theater till now. I guess I was too small when it closed to remember. It must've been the first theater on Euclid Avenue.