Hellman Theatre
1365 Washington Avenue,
Albany,
NY
12206
1365 Washington Avenue,
Albany,
NY
12206
4 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1960 on Washington Avenue, across the street from SUNY Albany. Originally designed with a large, very lavish lobby and lounge, and gold draperies throughout the auditorium. The two center sections had gold seats, while the two aisles flanking the walls had blue seats.
United Artists took over in the 70’s, and twinned it in the 80’s. It was the last of the Hellman Theatres in the Albany area to close—around 1989. It sat empty for a few years. A politician used the lobby for his campaign headquarters for a few months. The theatre was eventually demolished.
Contributed by
Joe Masher
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
The Owl and the Pussycat was playing here in January of 1971:
http://gravediggervideo.com/ads/owl7101.jpg
Here is a 1970 ad for John and Mary:
http://gravediggervideo.com/ads/johnmary7001.jpg
Architects were Leon E. Einhorn of Albany, NY and Sidney Schenker of Paterson, NJ. Photos can be seen here.
The blue and gold seats are also the colors of the University’s mascot.
See some ads here:
http://plantweed.blogspot.com/search?q=hellman
This is from Boxoffice magazine in April 1960:
ALBANY-The new 1,060-seat Hellman Theater on Upper Washington Avenue which Neil Hellman is building at a cost estimated at $500,000, will open April 27 with the first upstate New York showing of “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”.
The Hellman, constructed as a memorial to Neil’s father, the late Harry Hellman, a pioneer Albany exhibitor, will have a 52-foot wall-to-wall screen, eight stage and 12 wall speakers and the most modern design and deluxe equipment. Designed by Sidney Schenker, Paterson NJ architect, the house will “represent the new concept of a motion picture theater’s functions”, according to general manager Alan Iselin. Mannie Friedman, whose exhibition experience covers 23 years, will be the house manager.
Here is some more information about the theater and its eventual demolition:
http://theprimarycareinstitute.com/History.htm
This theatre was twinned in the 70’s, not 80’s as reported above. I ran a house in the market and moved to Albany in early 1980. The house was already a twin at that time.
April 27th grand opening ad is at View link
Saw the “The Longest Day” at the Hellman after required reading in English class at Albany College of Pharmacy of Cornelius Ryan’s book about the D-Day invasion.The black and white film version was a great experience to view . Both projection and sound was splendidly displayed. For me this was my best movie viewing experience to that time. The trailer that day was for “Lawrence of Arabia”. Breathtaking on both ! Too bad we lose these theaters. Ray, Charlotte,NC