Hippodrome Theatre

BTW, the firm of Knox & Elliot is listed as the architect of the Hippodrome.

I saw the inside of the Hippodrome on the day the demoltion began. Yes, it was huge. A radio announcer was joking about how "you could get lost inside". I stumbled onto this magnificent theatre because of this radio program. The theatre originally even had an elevator to wisk you up to the upper levels.

The Hippodrome Theatre was truly a magnificent place! When it opened, it was reported to be the largest theatre in Ohio, with the second-largest stage in the United States. Backstage, there were 42 private dressing rooms on 6 floors -- served by two elevators. The stage once held a full-size swimming pool. It was so large that live horses were ridden around a "ring" that was similar to what you'd find on a horse farm.

For years, the house attendance record was held by Sophie Tucker, who "packed 'em in" during a 12-day run back in the twenties. At the time I worked at the Hippodrome, (the late 1950s), a lot of memorabelia like signs, one-sheets and stage props from the vaudeville era were stored in several rooms under the stage area. Today, these items would be worth a fortune. I only hope someone was smart enough to retrieve them before the theatre was demolished.

How ironic, because the old Hippodrome Theatre on 6th Avenue in Manhattan was also demolished for parking. That lot bears the name Hippodrome garage.

The "Big Theatre List" published by Theatre Historical Society of America gives a seating capacity of 3,502 for the Cleveland Hippodrome. The New York Hippodrome had 5,105 seats, according to the same list.

I think the THSA figure may be incorrect. The 4500 seat figure is the 'as-built' capacity and came from the list in the back of 'American Picture Palaces'. The Palace in Cleveland had 3600+ seats and the Hippodrome was way bigger, and always acknowledged locally as the biggest movie theatre in town with over four-thousand seats. Perhaps as the years went by it was re-seated with bigger seats, or official capacity reduced when they closed the upper balconies. Roger Stewart - how many seats in the Hipp when you worked there?

Dave: Way over 4000 seats -- for sure! You're exactly right about the Palace - it was 3600 and then some before they put in Cinerama, and maybe 2800 when they got through.(Those three projection booths and the screen extensions took up a lot of space.) The Hipp was a whole lot bigger - no question about it! All you had to do was look at it to tell that. Somebody once made the comment that "you could put the Palace and the Ohio into the Hipp and still have room left over for a dance hall!" I don't know about that, but I do know that I'd have hated to be the one paying the heat and air conditioning bill when the Hipp was operational!

I remember taking a shortcut through the alley btwn Euclid and Prospect where the Hipp's stage doors were - and that windowless auditorium structure was towering above the street, and was nearly as tall as the Hippodrome office building. It had stage doors that they could (and I'm sure at some point did) march elephants through.

I believe one of the last times that the Hipp was doing capacity business was in the 60s during Beatlemania and "A Hard Days Night" played there. It was packed to the rafters with screaming teenage girls.

To all fans of Cleveland theaters, I am preparing a manuscript for publication on Cleveland and the City Beautiful movement. Theaters are a part of this movement, and while I can find good information about the major Playhouse Square theaters (Allen, Ohio, Palace, State) information is less reliable about such theathers as the Hippodrome, Stillman, Lyric, Alhambra Hanna, and Park. There is at least one reference in the literature to the latter group as having either murals, sculpture, or both, to enhance the theater interiors. There may be others to add to this group as well. If anyone knows of such decorations and can name artists, architects and sculptors for these theaters I would be most grateful for the help.

I believe I have an EXIT sign from the Hipp.

TO: Jlove: There were murals at the Stillman and the Park - and maybe at Keith's 105th. As for sculpture, I can't really remember. Seems like the Park and Keith's 105th Street both had some statuary, but I'm getting old and my memory is fading quickly. Wish I could help you further. Cleveland lost a lot of very fine "Cinema Treasures" when they lost the five theatres at Euclid and East 105th. Ditto for the Uptown - at 105th and St Clair. The Granada - West 114th & Detroit -- The Knickerbocker - Euclid and E. 90th (or thereabouts) -- the Carter - down on East 9th Street, (a "flop-house" in its later days. It was open 24 hours a day, ran junky westerns continuously and charged 35-cents admission. The drunks and bums -- today we call them "homeless" -- lived and slept in the Carter. It smelled worse than the city dump!) Good luck with your research!

Roger: I'm sure Jlove is appreciative of your knowledge as I was reading it though was saddened to read about the drunks and bums who lived and slept in one of the former theatres, the Carter and that it "smelled worse than the city dump"! Sounds like Cleveland had many wonderful theatres, but not anymore. :-(

It would be nice if someone would post pictures of the Hippodrome and its marquee. It seems to be one of the forgotten movie palaces and yet it showed movies longer than the State,Palace,Allen and Ohio. I would like to know how the Hippodrome ranked in size with its origianl capacity. It sounds like it would rank in the top 20 of the largest movie palaces in North America.I remember in Weekly Varitey that the Hippodrome was listed as having over 4000 seats.brucec

TO: Patsy: Hold on to that exit sign from the Hipp! I might have changed the lightbulb in it at one time! No question that Cleveland had its share of absolutely great theatres. I'm thankful that I had the chance to see so many of them before they were destroyed. Happy New Year!

Roger: I still have that exit sign!

TO: Brucec: I would swear that the Hipp had 4400 seats - but there seems to be some controversy about the actual number. The auditorium did undergo some changes over the years, and I do know that some seats were removed in the top balcony and in the orchestra section back in the 1950s. As for a picture, you really can't appreciate how big the theatre really was from looking at shots of the marquee on Euclid or the one on Prospect. But surely some news photographer snapped some pictures back in the alleyway when the building was being torn down. If I lived in Cleveland now, I'd spend some time at the library going through the newspaper morgues. Surely either The Press or The Plain Dealer published some Hipp photos. Happy New Year, Bruce!

Thanks Roger for the reply. I think Variety listed the Hipp as seating 4400 also. I would love to see photos of the interior as well as the marquee if someone from Cleveland would post them. Cleveland restored more movie palaces than most other cities. The Palace,State,Ohio and Allen are all right next to each other.They also added the Legit Hanna theatre to Playhouse Sqaure. Other cities should look at Cleveland on how to restore movie palaces that helped revive the greater downtown. Its a shame the Hippodrome wasn't saved because it would have made a great concert hall with its huge seating capacity.brucec

Patsy - Cleveland as well as most cities did have many wonderful theatres, but Cleveland still has five major theatres from the 1920s that are alive and well and operating, thanks to the many years of hard work by the Playhouse Square Association. They prevented the demolition and restored the Loew's State & Ohio Theatres, and the Keiths Palace and RKO Allen, I'm not sure of the atatus of the Hanna Theatre. True, the Hippodrome was lost, but to me it was not particularly remarkable aside from the capacity of the auditorium and size of the building. As I stated in the lead info, I never saw the auditorium with the lights on, but I remember some things about the lobby, and nothing about the decor stood out as grand, or even faded-grand. It was a long, narrow 1-story room. The Playhouse Square theatres, on the other hand, were from the golden era of theatre building, and in many ways were/are Grand, some elements are even what I would consider dazzling. Cleveland gets a bum-rap in a lot of ways. Many towns would be lucky to have 1 big old theatre still standing, let alone restored, but Cleveland saved and restored a cluster five, and in my opinion they are the best five.

Dave: You're right on the money! The State, Ohio, Allen & Palace were and are the best theatres in town. The Hipp had already become seedy in 1956. Years of little or no upkeep and maintenence really began to show up back then. I can't even imagine how bad it was when the first wreecking ball started to swing. By the way: You'll be happy to know that the Hanna is now fully restored. I understand they even put in a small cafe/restaurant, so if you visit, they might provide you with some tea and crumpets at intermission! Happy New Year!

Dave: Yes, Cleveland does get a bum-rap as does Buffalo at times. Glad to read that Cleveland has restored a cluster of five and Buffalo has saved their downtown Shea's! There were others, but they are gone today. And there is a book entitled CLASSIC BUFFALO that really shows off the wonderful architecture throughout Buffalo that has been SAVED!

BTW, I don't know how much communication was taking place on this cinema site before my name was added, but ever since I found it I think it seems to have explored! One thing for sure is that I've contributed many remarks about many theatres that I hope others have benefitted from as I have. There isn't a day that I don't check the site and look around so my hat is off to the founders! :-)

To Roger Stewart: Thanks for your confirmation on murals for the Stillman and Park, and possibly the Keith's 105th. I am not familiar with the names of the Uptown, the Granada the Knickerbocker or the Carter. would those have been major first run theaters? I'll just hope that more information will turn up about these theaters and their decorative schemes. There are a few interiors photos of the Hipp that I've run into in the course of this research but I can't quote the source right now. As I go through my material I will post anything that might be of interest. Surprisingly, Roger, none of the typical Cleveland resources for photos (Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland State, Western Reserve Historical Society) have much on the theaters. In response to the present state of the Hanna Theater, it is standing but not restored. The main floor of the theater is used on occasion for cabaret type productions ("Nunsense", etc.), but I don't know what Playhouse Square Foundation's plans are for the theater long term. Thanks for your response.

When I visited the Hipp booth in the 60s, I found 3 Super Simplex projectors and a very old RCA Photophone sound system. I believe the lamps were Peerless HyCandescent, but I'm not sure.

Not the greatest equipment for a first-run theatre downtown.

The manager was Jack Silverthorne.

I take that back about the Peerless lamps. My memory is coming back. They were Ashcraft lamps.

To: jlove: Only Loew's Stillman was considered to be a first run house. Keith's 105th Street and Loew's Park were old vaudeville houses, and for may years were part of Cleveland's second-run theatre group, which also included the Alhambra, the Circle and the University theatres -- all of which were located on Euclid Avenue, from 101st to 107th Streets. I'm aware of the fact that the normal Cleveland reference sources have very little information on any but the downtown first-run theatres. The Uptown, Granada, Knickerbocker and Carter were never first run venues. Loew's Granada was on the west side. The Carter was downtown on E. 9th, and was known back in the 1950s as a "shotgun house" - along with a couple others: the Standard on Prospect Avenue and the Embassy on Euclid. As for the Hanna, I read a report that I think was in Cleveland Magazine during the past year. It stated that Playhouse Square Association had opened a cabaret of sorts, and that the theatre had also been reopened. Maybe I got my wires crossed re "reopening" and "renovation." I no longer live in the Cleveland area, so I can't check out what has actually taken place. I only know that I was happy to hear that the Hanna had returned from the dead! I last worked there in the late 50s -- on a play that starred Karl Malden. I've long-since forgotten the name of it. Anyway, if my info was incorrect. I apologize.

TO: Jim Somich: I think you were right the first time. But I thought the Hipp had 4 Super Simplex projectors w/Peerless lamps. And Jack Silverthorne was the manager back in the 50s too, (Ugh!).

Roger - what was a "shotgun house"? Was the Carter theatre near the Carter Hotel on Prospect? Possibly where Cleveland Trust built their parking garage?

Dave: A "shotgun house" was one where an armed guard was an integral part of the theatre's management staff. The Standard was one of Cleveland's first "adult theatres." But prior to that, it had a rather sleazy reputation for running films that came from the "10-cent rack," and then charging a low admission price that would attract bums and other "street people" who would then use the place to warm up in winter/cool off in summer. The Carter Theatre was between Euclid and Prospect on E. 9th Street. I'm not familiar with the Cleveland Trust parking garage, so I don't know if that's where it was built or not. While we're at it, Dave, we should also mention that the good old Roxy Burlesque House was also on East 9th, north of Euclid. It doesn't qualify as a "shotgun house," even though there may have been a hired gun on the premises from time to time. The Roxy did have motion picture projectors, so it does qualify as a "Cinema Treasure." The slogan of the Roxy was, "If you want to be foxy, go to the Roxy!" (As a young whippersnapper, I went to the Roxy many times, but never worked there. I also never became "foxy.")

The Cleveland Trust garage was on the southeast corner of Prospect & E. 9th, with the widest side on E. 9th, all the way to the New York Spaghetti House [is that still there?] - on Prospect there is/was a parking lot btwn the garage and the old Carter Hotel.

I had submitted the Roxy to this site, but was told it didn't qualify since iot was a burlesque house (even though they did show movies, too).

Jack Silverthorne, the manager of the Hipp, had a rep for being difficult. I remember that his office door was often open and visible from the lobby. The walls were plastered with celebrity pictures.
I had to beg and beg to get into the booth. After a while it became a real challenge.
The Hipp was an amazing theatre. I never got into either of the two balconies. I understand that there was an elevator to the second balcony.

TO DAVE-BRONX: According to Cleveland Magazine, the New York Spaghetti House closed a few years ago, and then reopened last year. Sounds like the parking garage was built on the site of the old Carter Theatre.

TO: Jim Somich: Yes, I remember Silverthorne's office, and his loud, irritating voice pouring out into the lobby. He was "difficult" - to be sure. I got into the balconies, but not via the elevator. It was not, as far as I know, working when I was assigned on infrequent occasions,to work at the Hipp. I guess my momory is fading fast, but I was thinking there was a third balcony. I don't remember anything unusual about the balconies, other than the fact that they were not used much in the late 50s. I remember that several sections of seats had been removed -- maybe to have the seats re-upholstered, (or retaped - given the penny-pinching nature of the ownership!)

I remember reading an article about the Hipp in its last days and it saying that it had NO air conditioning! They ran huge fans or a fan in the ceiling. Is this true? It must have been very noisy in the summer. At that time it was running blackploitation films.

TJ: If the air conditioning went out in the Hipp's last days, I'm not surprised. I can't remember what kind of a/c system they had, but I seem to remember several Airtemp compressors humming along in the basement. This was in the 50s, and the Hipp was a first run house back then. But it was not a "first-rate" house, simply because management would never spend what it took to keep the place up and running properly. Even so, it would have been unthinkable to try to operate that huge, cavernous building without air-conditioning. I'm glad I wasn't around at the time of the Hipp's horrible demise.

Yes, I couldnt believe they said it didnt have A/C. They didnt make clear weather it never had A/C or they just werent using any at the time-70's)

Back in 1978 I wrote an article which got published in the PD Sunday Magazine on the "Neighborhood Theatres" of Cleveland. I was just a kid then but always had a love for theatres. In doing the research I was able to secure a large number of photos of Cleveland area neighborhood theatres, like the Jewel, Uptown, Stork, Mt Pleasant, La Salle, Garfield, Shaker, Grand, Olympia and many others. I got lucky and made contact with a fellow who owned the Garfield Theatre. He had a ton of pictures of local theatres which he gave to me. All pictures are from the outside, showing the structure and usually the marquee. When the PD published the article they included a great photo of the old Colonial Theatre in 1932 ( from their files ). From the outside this looks like a great theatre. I would bet that the PD has a massive archive of theatre photos.

All of my photos are of small neighborhood theatres, and nothing on the grand old ladies from downtown. If anyone is interested I can scan my photo collection and post it somewhere ( I'll have to ask one of my sons how to do this ). However, I am very interested in seeing photos of the inside of the Hipp, State or Ohio PRE- RECONSTRUCTION, or in the case of the Hipp de-construction. I would also like to see any interior photos of the Roxy. I was just old enough to see an actual burlesque show there in the late 1960's - ok I was 15 - but tall enough to get in.

I would LOVE to see your pictures. Please scan and post them. If you cannot, I would be only too glad to do it for you. Contact me off list jsomich@alltel.net

Jim Somich
8060 Wren Dr
Macedonia Ohio 44056

I am a Cleveland Theatre buff and treasure every nugget I can find.
I would even post these pictures on a site if you like.

I am interested in ALL Cleveland movie theatres from the biggest to the smallest. You cannot let these pictures go to waste. I am sure there are many who would find them very interesting. Thanks.

My father would go to the ROXY regularly. I never got the chance. I remember he told me about the boxes of candy that hawkers sold in the aisles. Each one contained a "prize." Some of the "prizes" were pretty amazing...like Electric Razors! Mostly "Occupied Japan" junk! Anyone else remember this?
I am a camera buff and remember REITMAN CAMERA right next door to the ROXY.

I understand the ROXY had a booth and projectors. Anyone know anything about this?

Here is some interesting info from the "Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:"

The HIPPODROME THEATER was located in an 11-story office building at 720 Euclid Ave. Designed by Cleveland architect John Elliot, the "Hipp" featured exceptionally good acoustics, a lavish interior, grandiose spaciousness, and a second entrance on Prospect Ave. Considered to be among the world's great playhouses, it attracted performers such as Enrico Caruso, Sarah Bernhardt, W. C. Fields, Will Rogers, Al Jolson, and John McCormack. The auditorium had boxes, 2 balconies with elevators, and seating for 3,548. The stage was equipped to handle large-scale productions and spectacles such as operas. The world's 2nd-largest, next to the Hippodrome in New York, it measured 130' wide, 104' deep, 110' high, and could be lifted to 4 different levels by hydraulic jacks. On one level was an 80x40x10-ft. water tank used for water spectacles. The theater was built in 1907 by an operating company headed by Max Faetkenhauer at a cost of $800,000. After several years, theater operations were leased to B. F. Keith. In 1922 Walter Reasoner took over operations, followed by RKO in 1929. Remodeling in 1931 made it the largest American theater devoted entirely to motion pictures. A large portion of the stage was removed, while the main floor was lowered and a new mezzanine added to increase seating to above 4,000. In 1933 the theater went bankrupt, and operations were taken over by Warner Bros. In 1951 it became part of the Telenews chain, and in 1972 the property was purchased by Alvin Krenzler. The last of the major downtown movie houses to close, the Hipp's downfall came when the office space was closed and the theater's revenues proved insufficient to support the building. The Hippodrome was demolished in 1981 to make way for a parking lot.

I have posted a picture (exterior) of the old ROXY Theatre at
http://maxxgen.org/roxy/Roxy.jpg
Since the ROXY had projectors, perhaps it should have a page of its own. This picture was posted at the Encyclopedia of Cleveland history and is a good one.

I have posted a great (exterior) picture of the Hippodrome Theatre.
Can anyone date it?
http://maxxgen.org/hipp/hipp.jpg

The following is from a 1980 Cleveland newspaper article:

"The Hippodrome, at 720 Euclid Ave is going to close— this time definitely. No maybes. This is the end for the last downtown movie house. It has hung on, like a crippled giant. The theater remained in operation because the building was there and a building with an empty theater was as good as dead. And now the building has been declared terminal and the once proud showplace dies with it.

The yellowed clippings in newspaper libraries recount its splendid beginnings in 1907—its mammoth stage (130 feet wide, 104 feet deep, 110 feet high), its hydraulic lifts, a 455,000-gallon water tank, a tread mill so that horses could gallop and gallop and go nowhere. Seating depends on the year and whom you ask. 1,500 seats, main floor; 950, mezzanine or 2,500 seats, main floor; 950, mezzanine.

The big, famous movies opened elsewhere. The Hipp specialized in black films, action films, horror films. The house record was set with the 1964 James Bond movie, "Goldfinger"—$50,000 in a single week when ticket prices were $1.50, half a buck for kids.

Curiously, repeated announcements of the imminent demise of the Hipp (the announcements have been going on for a decade) brought no one forward to save the Hipp. Nostalgia doesn't meet expenses. With vacant offices overhead and a few stores in operation alongside it was only a matter of time before allowing the building to stand remained more expensive than tearing it down. And that's what happens on Aug. 31".

The "Hipp" really had character. I never saw it in it's heyday, but it was still magical in it's later years. The downtown became much more sterile without it.
I guess we should be thankful for Playhouse Square. Those great theatres (Palace, State, Ohio, Allen) almost met the same fate.
We will never see movie theatres like these again. Unfortunately.
And what do we get?
More parking!

TO: neighborhoodtheatres -Jim Somich is right! There are many that would find your pictures interesting. Put me on the list if you ever decide to share them, rent them or even sell them. I'm interested! I only wish I'd taken a camera with me when I worked as a stagehand back in the 1950s. The theatres you mentioned brought back a lot of memories. The ones that come to mind that don't appear in Cinema Treasures are: The Euclid - which was on Euclid between Noble Road and Ivanhoe; The Ambassador - on Superior at E. 124th St; The Shaw-Hayden, on Hayden at Shaw, of course; The Lexington - E. 55th & Lexington; the Hough-79th - at guess where? The Astor, E. 86th & Hough; the Yale, St Clair and E. 84th, (I think); the Norwood, St Clair and E. 74th - or thereabouts; the Regent - on Buckeye Avenue (the Hungarian section of town); the Mayfield - in the heart of Little Italy on Mayfield Hill; the Union Square, Union Avenue at E. 79th; the Doan, St. Clair at E. 105th. The Avalon, E. 131st & Miles Ave; The Stillwell in downtown Bedford; the Vine on Vine Street in Willoughby, Ohio; the Oriental - I think on E. 105th between Euclid & Chester --- and I've probably forgotten 7 or 8 more. There's also several more on the West Side, but my memory is really fading on those. I'll have to think on that for a day or two! As for the Colonial Theatre, my great uncle either owned or managed that theatre at one time. I think he also owned the Oriental - out on 105th. His name was Bert Todd, and he later managed the Upper & Lower Mall Theatres downtown. As for the Roxy, I snuck into that place when I was just 14 years old - after being refused admittance numerous times. Your grandfather was right! The hawkers sold stuff in the aisles after the pitchman made a long-drawn sales presentation from the stage. He pushed opera glasses especially -- so you could see EVERYTHING when the girls came out! The old men in the audience would get tired of listening to him and would start throwing things at the stage. They'd stand up and yell, "BRING ON THE WOMEN!" The Roxy was a real fun place. I got to see the world-famous stripper Tempest Storm there in about 1954 or 55. Good memories! Let's hope your comments generate more stories from some Cleveland old-timers!

TO: Jim Somich: Great pictures of the Roxy and Hipp! And yes, the Roxy certainly did have a booth and projectors. In fact, the last several times that I was there, they ran one burlesque show in the afternoon and one at night. In between those shows they ran movies -- mostly westerns, as I remember -- old ones like Johnny Mack Browne, Tom Mix and that genre. It was as much a movie house as a burlesque house in those days, so it ought to be included in Cinema Treasures.
(The City of Cleveland should put a plaque on the sidewalk at the former location of the Roxy on E. 9th Street to honor the old bawdy house for its service to mankind.) After all, the youth of Cleveland learned a lot about hucksterism, churlish behavior, corny jokes and the female anatomy - for many decades, all at an affordable admission price!

I had submitted the Roxy, and stated that it did show movies, but was told it didn't qualify for this site since it was primarily a burlesque house.

One of the postings above says that the theatre was doomed once the building's office space was closed. So why did the landlord close the offices, knowing that was the likely outcome?

I think it came down to "real estate." The theatre was run down and so was the office space. Cleveland had been "downsizing" for decades.

There was a huge need for parking in the area because of new office buildings like the National City Bank building across the street.
The NCB building also ate up the Embassy theatre and the Roxy.

The era when the Hipp closed was the one of the "shoebox cinemas" in the suburban malls. The thought of doing anything like that with the HIPP was just too daunting and downtown was dying anyway. The only movies left in downtown Cleveland are the Hoyt's Cinemas in Tower City Center.

If the HIPP had been a part of Playhouse Square, it might have been "saved" like the Palace, State, Ohio, and Allen.

Roger Stewart; I do have photos of the Shaw-Haden, The Doan, The Avalon and the Regent. Some show "Bank Nite" amounts on the marquee. The Avalon advertises a type of Bingo. The photos of the Grand and the Doan show the marquees with "Dish Nite" on them. Also have the Union, Mayfield, and Lakeshore.

I got a new scanner yesterday. Give me a couple of days and I'll find a way to package all these photos.

TO: Neighborhood Theatres: That's great news! I'm standing by! If I can help in any way, just give me a shout. My email address is rogst@aol.com

Me too! Can't wait to see 'em

Yes, cant wait to see the pictures! Many of the theaters, I've never heard of. Sad. I know there was a book published on the Playhouse Square theaters decades ago. Too bad no one bothered on the rest of them....

TJ: Getting info about the other Cleveland theatres is like pulling teeth! The Cleveland Public Library will tell you they have little or nothing in their files concerning theatres other than the Playhouse Square four. I can't believe that the newspaper morgues don't contain lots of photos. I can remember seeing many of them when I was growing up back in the 1940s. But either the library has no method of retrieving such photos or the staff doesn't care about doing so. I tried to get a copy of the movie ad pages from the Press or Plain Dealer in 1937, 1947 and 1957 editions. This would help in establishing addresses of theatres if nothing else. They never even replied to my requests. So, regrettably, it seems to be an exercise in futility

to roger:
I have had good success checking the microfilms of the Cleveland newspapers at the Cleveland Public Library. This is a rather crude system where you find the frame you want and the machine spits out a copy (in negative form!). But, in the end, it works even though the copies are lousy! I don't know how it is today, but they used to have the papers going back into the 20's.

All: I left Cleveland in 1979 for a job in Boston. I had finished my BA at CSU and my MBA at CWRU. My mom still lives in Parma and my wife's mom lives in Euclid.

Boston has some great living theatres. I go on a regular basis to the Orpheum Theatre, downtown. Been operating since 1885, without renovation. Booker T. Washington ( without the MG's) used to lecture there. In the lobby walls you can still see where the gas used to flow to the gas lanterns for lighting. I saw Van Morrison at the Orpheum in April. Oh, what a ceiling. Seats less then 2,000 with two balconies (sp ?) Everything is close, close, close to the stage.

The Wang Center ( old theatre/bad name -remember Wang computers ? )
Knocks out 3,500. Good place but not the Orpheum.

My main point is that in Boston, like Cleveland there appears to be some problem getting detailed info on theatres.

I'll bet Gordon Cobbledick never had this problem ( if you know who this was then you are a true Clevelander )

Roger, that's too bad, but I'm not surprised. I do remember some of the theaters from ads in 60's newpapers.

TO: Neighborhoodtheatres:
I haven't thought of Gordon Cobbledick in probably 40 or even 50 years! The ex-Plain Dealer Sports Editor's only tie to Cleveland theatres is that he used to eat lunch at the Theatrical Grill. Am I right?

The Orpheum, Wang Center, and many other Boston theatres past and present are listed on this site. Massachusetts library card holders have free access to the Boston Globe and Boston Herald archives since 1979, which is a great help in doing research. Unfortunately, the online database has only articles and not advertisements.

Whatever happened to the Old Mayfield? Was it torn down? Does anyone know? (The one in Little Italy).

To: Neighborhood theatres: The old Moreland Theatre on Buckeye Rd near E. 118 St is still standing and houses a church. Much larger than the Regent Theatre, The Moreland was already closed when I lived there in the early sixties. It had a 3 manual Kimball theatre organ. I wonder if it's still there?

I own an original 1908 hippodrome theater seat. I know 5 other are still around, and some pieces of the organ. I know of a ticket booth forsale in southern ohio antique area. All wood, no glass, pretty nice condition. I was told it was from a cleveland movie theater, but they didn't know which one. It's priced at $1200. I can help you locate it if interested. I would love to have seen the hipp. in it's glory, it's sad that things, so unique have to be destroyed. regards.

Sodawar: Most interesting to read that you own an original 1908 Hipp theatre seat! I've seen old ones of that vintage and they weren't very comfortable. Does yours have a wire/metal shelf underneath for ladies to put their purses, etc.?

Hi All: I enjoyed reading this entire posting. My name is Chris Kennedy and I'm a researcher working with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I'm investigating Elvis Presely's 1955 appearances in Cleveland. He performed at The Circle Theater and St. Michael's Hall in October of 1955. Do any of the experts here have any info on these theaters? Does anyone have any leads / contact info on owners or booking agents you may have worked these shows? Hope to hear back. Chris K.

Chris: This theatre website never seems to amaze me as the posts are most interesting and informative such as yours! Good luck with your Presley appearances investigation. BTW, did you ever hear that Elvis had a son? If you go to www.elvisjr.com you can come to your own conclusion(s)then share your thoughts if you wish to do so. Thanks. I was told that when filming Blue Hawaii he met a young lady who worked on the set and that she is deceased now.

Years ago my husband and I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio and was looking forward to the King of Rock and Roll display, but the final date for that showing was prior to my arrival so didn't get to see it. I was with several others who were in my age range and we all left thinking there was much more 'rock' than 'roll' represented at the Hall of Fame!

Chris: I see on your profile that you just joined this cinema website....TODAY! So welcome and may you receive as much enjoyment from becoming a Cinema Treasures member as I have since joining in late November '04.

Chris: I remember when Elvis appeared at the Circle. Back in the 50s, there was a country music show at the Circle every Saturday night. I can't remember who the promoter was at the time, but he had a good thing going. He was appealing to the large audience of ex-West Virginia and Kentucky citizens who had moved to Cleveland to find work. Cleveland was loaded with these people in those days, and they crowded into the Circle to see their favorite stars every Saturday night. I wish I could help you with the name of either the promoter or the owner of the Circle -- but I just can't remember. You might check with some of the old station employees at WERE radio. Seems like they ran commercials for the show on their Saturday morning hillbilly music program. Tommy Edwards was the deejay/host of that show. (He later got into trouble during the Payola scandal.)

Hi Patsy: The Hipp seat doesn't have anything under it for feet or purses. I has the typical solid wood back w/ cloth, hardwood arm rest, with cast iron ornate sides. It would be nice to see a museum of some kind dedicated to vintage theater items from common to rare. I would donate this seat if there were ever such a thing.

Roger Stewart: The Belkin brothers/Belkin Productions were the big promoters in town in the sixties and seventies, were they around in the fifties? If not, perhaps Chris Kennedy could contact them and they might know who the promoters were in those days. Just a thought...

Chris: Keep us all posted on what develops with your investigative research in regards to the King of Rock and Roll.

Thanks to all who replied, glad I found this site. Roger, did you actually attend one of Elvis' Circle shows?! Please let me know & fill me in on any details you recall. And do you have any memorabilia of any kind from those days? I'm in the process of going thru microfilm I recieved from the Cleveland Historical Society covering The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Press from 1955. I did find one small ad referring to an October 19th, 1955 Circle show with Elvis. He received last billing, his name barely readable below country stars Kitty Wells & Jonnnie & Jack!
Thanks for the warm welcome from everyone, great site. Chris

dave-bronx: great tip re Belkin Bros...I'll look into it. Any contact leads you can give me for them? Chris K.

Chris K.: No, sorry, I have no contacts at Belkin Productions. I just know when I lived there up to the early 80s, all the big (and not so big) rock concerts that came through town were Belkin Productions.

Does the ad you found say anything like "so-and-so presents..." or list the producer in small print?

Elvis Sighting.....In the 50's Elvis appeared at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte NC and just before he died I saw Elvis, in concert, at the former West Palm Beach Auditorium in West Palm Beach FL. It's an experience I will NEVER forget!

I remember the Hipp in the 1950's. I was in my early teens at the time. As a big Pat Boone fan at the time I was determined to be the first person in Clealand to buy a ticket for "Bernardine", his first film. I arrived about 4 hours before the box office opened and did in fact get the 1st ticket sold. In the fifties the Hipp was the first run house for Fox films and it was the Hippodrome that housed the first CinemaScope screen in Cleveland.

To Neighborhoodtheaters: I too would like to see some of you pictures. I lived in Cleveland in the 1950s moving to Oregon in 1959. The theaters I went to as a kid were on the West side and included the Riversid, Variety, Lyric. All these were on Loraine. I also remember seeing other Loraine theatres as we would ride the bus to downtown. I'd love to see pictures of the Stork, Loraine, Loraine-Fullton. And there was one just a block off Loraine called the Alhambra. That one and the Stork closed in the early 50s, but the others were still operating. Any scans would be greatly appreciated. It would be great if a Cleveland Theatre web site good be opened to preserve the history of these great neighborhood theatres.

To Neighborhoodtheaters: Sorry I forgot to include an address in the previous post. Anyone with photos of west side theatres can contact me at chspringerjr@netzero.com
I don't have any photos to share, but I do have many memories to talk about.

My grandfather, Bill Schnell worked as custodian at both the Madison Avenue and Hippodrome theatres after he retired from the Cleveland police force. He got a hand-carved table and 4 chairs that were imported from France in 1907 for the opening of the Hippodrome and were in the lobby for most of its years. Some of the original gilding is very faint on 2 of the chairs but the table and other 2 chairs my grandmother had refinished. I can furnish pictures if anyone is interested. I have fond memories of the Madison and spent most of my time there between the ages of 11 & 16 because my grandfather got me in free and I got free popcorn. Two of the movies I saw there were Cleopatra & The Sun Also Rises. I remember old women doing knitting & crocheting in the audience as they watched the movie. I wondered how they did that. Now I know because I crochet at movies whenever I go. I enjoyed reading all the posts.

Contrary to what the news article about the Hipp's demolition claims, the famous movies did indeed play at the Hipp. He names one of them: "Goldfinger." I saw two other first run James Bond films there: the very first showing of "You Only Live Twice" on its opening day in June 1967 (the theater was packed) and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" several weeks into its first run (it opened a week before Christmas 1969 and I saw it in mid-January). I also remember seeing a double feature of reissued Bond films, "Thunderball" and "You Only Live Twice" in January 1971. That was the last time I went to the Hipp.

The Hipp may have been somewhat less classy than the theaters in Playhouse Square, but it was more conveniently located near Public Square, and, as a result, probably attracted a more diverse clientele including people who would show up early in the day and sit through multiple showings of the same picture, due less to a love of movies than having nowhere else to go. As someone else said, it was a grind house, but so were the other downtown theaters unless they were showing a roadshow attraction with reserved seating, ala Loew's State's presentation of "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 1968, which was probably the last such attraction at any downtown Cleveland theater.

The closing of the theaters in Playhouse Square probably had a negative impact on the Hipp, and when they reopened for live theater, that didn't help it any. By 1972, and maybe earlier, the black exploitation films took over along with the earliest kung fu potboilers. At that time, the classier first run movies, and even most of the non classy first run movies, opened in the suburban theaters, most of which had been second run movie houses in the early 60s and became first run as people moved to the suburbs and away from the cities.

As for the seating capacity, an ad that appeared in The Plain Dealer when "You Only Live Twice" opened at the Hipp in June 1967 said, "3500 seats. Don't be disappointed."

To Jim Somich: the microfilm machines at the Cleveland Public Library do print out copies in regular, as opposed to negative, form but you have to adjust the settings.

I attended movies at the Hippodrome Theater in summers of 1953 and 1954 while attending college and working summer jobs in Cleveland. They had continuous showings and the house lights were never on. I can attest that it was a really big place. I don't remember the balconies other than looking up and seeing at least one balcony. And, yes, it was very well air-conditioned. Too bad that there are no photographs readily available.
Robert Simpson

There is an interior photo of the Hip auditorium in the 2nd quarter issue of Marquee (Vol. 32 #2) published by the Theater Historical Society of America. Not a good picture, but the only one I've seen. There is an exterior shot and story in Vol. 25 No.4

The Hip did have 2 balconies although I never saw the 2nd one open. The projection room was at the back of the first balcony.

I just recently discovered the Cinema Treasures website. As an ex-Clevelander, and one whose father was a senior publicist for Universal Pictures, I have fond boyhood memories of the Hippodrome; and enjoyed reading all the comments. I had many a visit to Jack Silverthorne's office, and always enjoyed looking at all the pictures. I have a number of interior/exterior photos of the Hipp, commissioned by my father, which I have scanned. I attempted to post some here, but the function is apparently offline. I would be happy to share them with anyone interested.

Pres, I am interested in the photos you mentioned. If you can e-mail them to me I would be most greatful. I'm also looking for any photos of the theaters that used to be on Loraine Ave in the 1940's and 50s.

Pres, if you want, I would be happy to post them on my photobucket page and post a link to them here. I have links on this site for pictures of the Playhouse Square theatres. The add-a-photo feature on this site hasn't worked in ages....

dave,I need you E-mail address to send you the pics.

Say, just in passing, is anyone familier with the small neighborhood theater that was in Rocky River, west of Lakewood. Back in the 50's, I spent many a Saturday there enjoying the kids matinees. Two cartoons, a short and the feature. The good old days. Anyway, for the life of me, I can't remember the name of the theater. Does anybody know it?

Are you thinking of the Beachcliff, on Detroit Rd.?
Click on the blue 'dave-bronx' at the bottom of this post and it will take you to the page with my email - i'd rather not have it appear in the theatre comments - thanks -

oops - its not there anymore - nycguy@voicenet.com

The Hippodrome photos from Pres can be seen here:
http://photobucket.com/albums/b123/dave-bronx/Cleveland%20Theatres/Hippodrome/

Who owned the Hipp (the business, not the property) towards the end? And after all those years there, what did Silverthorn do after it closed - I don't think he was retiring age at the time of the closing. Didn't he pass away fairly recently?

So sad that the Hippodrome in Cleveland is no longer with us and that the site is now a parking garage! So sad. I believe I have in my possession an Exit sign from the Hippodrome that was given to my husband many years ago and before I ever got the theatre 'bug'!

Now that exit sign has a very special meaning for me thanks to the CT knowledge that I have acquired over the past year since becoming a CT member in 11/04.

Also would love to see photos of the Hippodrome!

Here's some of the opening day news from the December 31, 1907 Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The Cleveland Hippodrome has cost $2,000,000. It is the first work of the kind of Knox & Elliot, Cleveland architects, who made a careful study of the chief theaters of the world before undertaking their task.
Two wide foyers with entrances on Euclid and Prospect-avs afford entrance to the Hippodrome. The main foyer, or promenade, is thirty-two feet wide and has two wide entrances to the staircases leading to the mezzanine floor above. This foyer is partitioned off from the main auditorium by a row of steel pillars, which support the balcony like a cantilever bridge.
The auditorium, upon which rest the seats of the main floor, resembles a shallow dish. The placing of each seat has been arranged with great care so that on the main floor and in the balcony there may be an uninterrupted view of the stage from every point.
The stage is the largest of any in the country save that of the New York Hippodrome. Measuring 104 feet from the rear wall to the footlights, it covers an area of 13,528 square feet. It is equipped with the largest electrical devices and can be raised or lowered to any degree desired by the mere touching of a lever. Beneath the stage is a huge tank of water, with a capacity of 455,000 gallons into which the floor can be lowered to a depth of ten feet for aquatic spectacles.
In the basement beneath the stage are stables for all the animals used in the productions, and quarters for forty men attendants. The dressing rooms for the actors are situated on floors above.
Including the fifty-one boxes and loges, the house has a total seating capacity of 4,500.

I may have posted this thought before, but wanted to say that I have a small EXIT sign that I believe came out of this theatre. At the time I received it I wasn't into theatres so it means alot to me now!

Am anxious to see vintage photos of this one!

"Gentleman's Agreement" played at the Hippodrome Theater in February of 1948.

The Beatles were on the screen at the Hippodrome Theater on March 14, 1964.

My grandfather (Sid Dannenberg) was the greneral manager of the Hippodrome for several years in the mid to late 1930's. He personally hired Lew Wasserman as an usher, later to become the President/CEO of MCA then MCA/ Universal who for several decades was known as the most powerfull man in Hollywood.
My mother always had some great stories from her childhood!

I'm trying to find information on the Roxy Burlesque in the 1930's and 1940's. Joe DeRita, the "last" third stooge of the Three Stooges, was featured there, and married a dancer/chorus girl there, Bonnie Brooks. The Three Stooges Fan Club is trying to find out whatever happened to Bonnie Brooks
You can email me direct at: fereighter@aol.com
Thanks,
Frank Reighter

Re: Joe DeRita being married while playing at the Roxy. I have located a Marriage in July 1935, during Joe's 31 week engagement at the Roxy. He was also in the area at the Columbia Theatre (Toledo?) working for Sam Manheim, and at the Cameo Theatre (Akron?) for Dick Ziesler. Does anybody have any information on Burlesque at those theatres, or any additional information on Joe DeRita?
You can email me direct at: fereighter@aol.com
Thanks,
Frank Reighter

The Hippodrome was the first in Ohio to show The Robe in Cinemascope, other Cinemascope pictures followed. There are two photos and some info on the Hipp in a book called "Euclid Avenue, Cleveland's Sophisticated Lady-1920-1970 by by Karberg and Toman, published by Cleveland Landmarks Press 2002 website www.clevelandbook.com Barnes and Noble, Borders, Jobeth and other bookstores should have copies.

From The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.....

The HIPPODROME THEATER was located in an 11-story office building at 720 Euclid Ave. Designed by Cleveland architect John Elliot, the "Hipp" featured exceptionally good acoustics, a lavish interior, grandiose spaciousness, and a second entrance on Prospect Ave. Considered to be among the world's great playhouses, it attracted performers such as Enrico Caruso, Sarah Bernhardt, W. C. Fields, Will Rogers, Al Jolson, and John McCormack. The auditorium had boxes, 2 balconies with elevators, and seating for 3,548. The stage was equipped to handle large-scale productions and spectacles such as operas. The world's 2nd-largest, next to the Hippodrome in New York, it measured 130' wide, 104' deep, 110' high, and could be lifted to 4 different levels by hydraulic jacks. On one level was an 80x40x10-ft. water tank used for water spectacles. The theater was built in 1907 by an operating company headed by Max Faetkenhauer at a cost of $800,000. After several years, theater operations were leased to B. F. Keith. In 1922 Walter Reasoner took over operations, followed by RKO in 1929. Remodeling in 1931 made it the largest American theater devoted entirely to motion pictures. A large portion of the stage was removed, while the main floor was lowered and a new mezzanine added to increase seating to above 4,000. In 1933 the theater went bankrupt, and operations were taken over by Warner Bros. In 1951 it became part of the Telenews chain, and in 1972 the property was purchased by Alvin Krenzler. The last of the major downtown movie houses to close, the Hipp's downfall came when the office space was closed and the theater's revenues proved insufficient to support the building. The Hippodrome was demolished in 1981 to make way for a parking lot.

I saw GOLDFINGER in those big crowds at the Hipp. i was home from college for Christmas i think. It was so packed we sat in the balcony. Also saw BECAUSE THEY"RE YOUNG there (Dick clark, Tuesday Weld, wow!) Big hits at the Hippodrome were IMITATION OF LIFE (World premiere), PILLOW TALK, PORTRAIT IN BLACK, TAMMY AND THE BACHELOR.

some amazing photos on flickr
demolition
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33322111@N00/2760872303/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33322111@N00/3011752404/
great exterior shot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27484989@N08/3205520586/
press ads
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestospeed/569803496/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestospeed/472386070/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestospeed/2102680967/

1968 photo of the Hippodrome Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=29496
1980 photo of the Hippodrome Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=29497

1948 photo of the Hippodrome Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31795
1979 night photo of the Hippodrome Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=14&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31796
1979 photo of the side of the auritorium of the Hipp Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=14&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31797
1981 Demolition of the Hipp Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=14&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31799

Great photos. In a couple of the exterior shots you can see a staircase going down to below the lobby. There was a Chineese restaurant located in the basement.

Ad from 1959:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestospeed/1359544273/

Renewing link.