Oriental Theater

The only info that I could find on this theater so far is, it was located on Hinds Street near Brighton Avenue.

The Film Daily Yearbook 1941 gives a seating capacity of 1,000. The F.D.Y. 1950 gives a seating capacity of 1,280.

The Oriental was located on Hind Street in Rochester and was designed by Michael DeAngelus, the same architect who did the Granada in Beaver Falls, PA. He was still living until a few years ago, at least. The theatre was built circa 1930 and closed about 1973; I was at the auction where everything in the place was sold off including urns atop the facade, marquee pieces, plasterwork, and even the asbestos (to a nice lady who planned to make drapes for her living room!!!). It was a fabulous oriental atmospheric in not-too-bad condition, and was lighted up as best it could be for us that day. It put on quite a show in spite of having sustained some significant water damage. The Graule photo studios right down the street still have at least two beautiful auditorium photos from early days, and the theatre was quite incredible; not awkward or clunky, but very, very well developed. It still had that "smoky" feel to it at the end. It definitely sat at least 1200, and I remember that it had fairly extensive lobby areas, as well. When it was finally torn down around three years ago, they uncovered much of the destroyed plaster work still under the false floor that was erected for the building's disco period. Numerous pieces and parts of the theatre are still in private hands around the area and I have a couple of bricks from the stagehouse. It was a real beauty and was a terrible shame to be lost as it was. The 6-rank Morton organ, which was played almost to the end, is now in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

The Oriental Theater was built and managed by my grandfather, Emil Winograd, his brother Mike, and relative Sam Oklin. As my late father, Leonard Winograd, told the story, it was built in a town of seven thousand people, during the Depression, when Sunday movies were against the law. The theater was done in a combined Chinese and Hindu motif. The sky was the model for the ceiling, with not only constellations of twinkling lights, but also a moon and moving clouds projected onto the blue sky-like ceiling. There were large Buddhas and palm trees everywhere. The architect designed special carpeting and seats. It was one of the first theaters designed with air conditioning in mind. The wall fixtures were black bronze imported from Spain, and the lounge furniture was imported Italian walnut. As my father put it, "in addition to the sky-blue ceiling with stars, moon, and clouds, there was a big mortgage over the entire building."

A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/6 was installed in the Oriental Theater in 1930.

Interesting to note that at least this DeAngelis had an organ. My hometown theatre did not. Also interesting to read in an earlier post on this link are the following words....."He was still living until a few years ago, at least." I wonder if he is still living as of this date? I'd sure like to talk to him, if possible!

Any photos, anyone?

I'm back reading about this theatre after recently learning of another DeAngelis designed theatre that is to be demolished soon...the Granada Theatre in Beaver Falls PA. The only one that I know that is still open is the Strand in Brockport NY. I plan to see it in 2010!

clarkw: "He was still living until a few years ago, at least." How did you learn this information about Michael DeAngelis? If anyone knows if Mr. DeAngelis is still living, please advise! Thank you.

Address:
121 Hinds St.
Rochester, PA. 15074

Patsy, Michael DeAngelis was designing theaters in the 1920s. A 1927 newspaper item I came across said that he had then been in business at Rochester (New York) for eight years, so he must have been born before 1900. The most recent newspaper reference to him that I've found is from 1975. If he was still living a few years ago he must have been ancient, and if he were alive today he'd surely be getting his name in the papers every year on his birthday.

Joe: Thanks for the DeAngelis information!!

The Oriental is on the left and the Family on the right in this 1982 photo. Following that is a more recent photo. The Family building remains, while the Oriental is empty land.
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