RKO Keith's Theatre
410 S. Salina Street,
Syracuse,
NY
13202
410 S. Salina Street,
Syracuse,
NY
13202
4 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1920 it was billed as “The Most Magnificent Theatre In All The Universe”. A large painted sign on the north side of the building said “B.F. Keith’s New Theatre Devoted To High Class Vaudeville”. In 1925 the Wurlitzer Co. installed a 3 manual 11 rank theatre pipe organ, opus 1143.
Unfortunately, the theatre was torn down due to urban renewal. Many of the theatre’s furnishings and equipment still survives as part of the Empire State Theatre and Musical Instrument Museum. The Wurlitzer was removed, restored and permanently installed in the Empire Theatre on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York.
Contributed by
Philip A. Edwards
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Recent comments (view all 26 comments)
Yes, during the State Fair, each year, I pump away at the little museum’s player pie-anah (my chosen paino roll is always “Nola,” being, as it is, “of the period”). I believe that this piano, and a nickelodeon there, were originally on loan from the long-gone Deansboro Music Museum (which housed all kinds of nickelodeons, music boxes, you name it).
I wish I could have talked with and known Jim Foley.
But all is not lost : since posting my first letter here, I have been inside another Thomas Lamb theater : Proctor’s in Schenectady, NY. Built in 1926, and beautifully restored and maintained, it’s a VERY close cousin to the Syracuse Keith’s, and, if anything, even more grand. Proctor’s is mostly used for live concerts, and nextdoor is a modern “IMAX”-type facility for current “flickers.”
This photo was posted on a Facebook group dedicated to memories of places in my hometown of NYC, but I believe it depicts the Syracuse Keith’s. I don’t see any movie titles on the marquee… looks like a stage show all the way. Not sure when to date this, but figure it is likely from the late 1940’s or early 1950’s?
Right, right, RIGHT you are Ed! This is Syracuse. Date? Let me ask an expert and I’ll post his reply.
I knew Jim Foley well. He was one of the best friends you could have. I have great memories of him. He took me on a tour of the Landmark when I visited him
RIP Jim
It was a tremendous honor to be one of Jim’s pallbearers. He and his wife Irene truly took me under their wing when I was a young, idealistic and enthusiastic theater lover so very long ago. Today I owe a great deal to Jim’s mentoring.
The stories old Jim used to tell when he worked backstage during vaudevilee were priceless.Who knew Moe of the 3 Stooges like to knit?
In response to Ed Solero’s photo and question on the date of the photo, here is the response from ESTMIM who currently owns the organ: “Easy question! The exact date was June 14 ,1966. The Glimpse of the Past program was one of the last times the Wurlitzer was used in the theatre for a public performance. This program was basically a fundraiser to purchase the instrument and move it out of the theatre, which was demolished in 1967. We have in our archives the “order form†paper for the wording on the Marquee.”
Wow… A lot later than I thought. Glad we were able to get that resolved so quickly! Thanks, Schine!
You know… I wonder how well the program sold? How many of the 2548 seats were filled that evening?
The “Glimpse of the Past” program was sold out, literally. The seats were “reserved only”. On display in the museum is a photograph taken that night from stage right looking out into the audience. In the foreground Luella Wickham is performing on the Wurlitzer. We also have an audio recording of that program featuring master of ceremonies Deacon Doubleday, of the Wired Woodshed program AM 57 WSYR radio. Our museum has plans to have the recording digitally remastered and make it available to the public. Most interesting fact is, Carleton James who was the original organist in 1925-? at this theatre accompanied a silent film for the “Glimpse of the Past” program. Because of that, the program really was a “Glimpse….."
ESTMIM President(2011)
www.jrjunction.com/estmim