Plaza Theatre
617 State Street,
Schenectady,
NY
12305
617 State Street,
Schenectady,
NY
12305
3 people
favorited this theater
The RKO Plaza Theatre was opened on August 28, 1931, with Maurice Chevalier in “The Smiling Lieutenant. Designed in an Atmospheric style by theatre architect John Eberson, the theatre took three years to build. There was an enormous lobby, complete with ornate chandeliers. Seating in the auditorium was provided for 2,500 in orchestra and two balcony levels. As well as movies, the RKO Plaza Theatre hosted stage shows and performances by the likes of the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra and many more.
It was demolished in 1964.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
I believe this is the theater my dad, who was born in 1924, often spoke about. He said when you looked up at the ceiling, it looked like stars were shining and that it was air conditioned (which was apparently a novelty).
Grand opening article and ads is at View link
Not only were the stars shining the clouds also moved over the entire ceiling. It was so fascinating to watched that
As I spent my childhood years in Schenectady, I saw movies at the Plaza Theater many, many times. When I was 12 years old, the manager gave me a tour of the projection booth. Very exciting, since I wanted to be a projectionist when I grew up. A goal which was realized in 1969 after a 8 year hitch in the Navy. Too my eyes,the Plaza was a huge palace from the long hallway that lead from the enterance to the concession stand and the auditorium. It was heart breaking to see an empty lot where this beautiful theater once stood.
The Plaza demo photo is hard to view though glad to see this once great theatre is included on CT. I have recently learned that the site is now home to an insurance company’s headquarters. Do hope an historical plaque is placed at the location so nobody will ever forget what was once there for theatre and movie goers. And I sincerely hope that there were some residents of Schenectady who opposed the demolition and fought to keep this theatre standing for future generations. Sadly, someone with pen in hand presented the RKO with its final blow and existence.
And I wonder who the 2 men are in the photo as they look at the destroyed stage. I hope that at the time they wondered “if” they were doing the right thing! I can anwer that question now in one simple word……NO!
This must have been one of John Eberson’s last large theatres in the atmospheric style, perhaps even the very last.
I’ve raised some questions about the auditorium in the Photos Section. If anyone can answer them, please do. Thanks!
The Plaza Theater did have a balcony as you can see in the photo I posted, but it didn’t over hang as much as most theaters of the day. John Eberson the architect was a master of theater acoustics, overhanging balcony’s could sometimes cause acoustical problems. Regarding the Plaza having 2 balcony’s the answer is yes and no, the top balcony was very very small with seats on both sides, this account came from an usher who worked there many years ago. He told me story’s of the very top balcony and how it was fun to look down at the lower level and the main theater, this area was mostly reserved for ushers, projectionist and managers. Finally the Plaza had a walk way in between seats so the patrons could have easier access to the restrooms and Lobby areas, you can see this in the construction photos, the Palace theater in Albany also employs this same idea"Designed by John Eberson" but only in one area. Most of the information regarding the great RKO Theater comes from sources who actually worked there, my own memory’s and archival
newspapers…Thanks
Thanks for the details. I suspect that there was one over-hanging balcony, with a premium-priced loge section at the front, and then a larger section behind it which was considered “balcony” and priced the same as seats on the ground floor. Here is a photo of one such at another Eberson atmospheric:cinematreasures