Avalon Theater
4134 East 131st Street,
Cleveland,
OH
44105
4134 East 131st Street,
Cleveland,
OH
44105
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My Mother worked the Ticcket booth at the Avalon for several years. The Manager at the tme was Nick Arnstein. General Theater bosses where Leonard mishkind and mr. Helrigel…I don’t remember his first name but I know it was always “treacherous” during their visits or “check-ups” Arnstein used to get nervous as a cat when they showed up. They also had some “Variety” acts between “Double Features” on the weekends such as a “magician” and a few other acts. I also remmember the “Bank Night” that were mentioned by another blogger here. It brings back a lot of fond memories I lived in that neighborhood my entire childhood and I drive by there once in awhile, my Mother is now deceased but I can still see her selling tickets in the “Ticket Booth” that was in front of the theater.
The address should be 4134 E. 131st Street, Cleveland, OH. This address will map properly.
I went there as a child with my mother, then with my girlfriends and boyfriends, just about every Sunday in the late 50’s and early sixties. Saw a live event on stage with Connie Stevens, and various other singers and performers..In late 50’s ?
The Avalon showed double features with show dates being Sun,Mon. Tues and a single date of Wed, only and then Thurs, Fri, Sat, The Wed, show usually included Bank Night where a cash prize was awarded to atendees between the two features. The manager mounted the stage and picked the winning ticket. Needless to say I never won a prize.
This opened on May 28th, 1938. ad: View link
Boxoffice of June 4, 1938, announced that the Avalon Theatre had opened the previous Friday. The new house had been designed by architect Paul Matzinger.
Seating given for 1955 was 1,580 seats.
The Avalon is located on the west side of E. 131 st. Just south of Marston Avenue. It is only about four or five storefronts from Marston. The parking lot in the rear of the theater was entered from a driveway on Marston.
There are a lot of churches on E. 131st north of Miles. I tried to figure out which one could have been the Avalon, but no luck. The church may have done some remodeling.
In 1963, General Theaters was the operator of the Avalon. General president was Leonard Mishkind. Other Cleveland theaters in this chain at the time were the Detroit, LaSalle, Lyceum, Regent, Olympia and Southern.
TO: Jim Basnik and Chuck1231
The Avalon was located exactly where T. Hudak described — on E. 131st Street, north of Miles. (I also have that list of Cleveland theatres you refer to, and I can tell you that there are many, many errors contained in it — especially in the opening and closing dates shown.) Anyway, I worked briefly at the Avalon in about 1956. It was a fairly nice neighborhood theatre, all on one floor, and I’d estimate the seating capacity at 1200-1500.
The address that I found also shows the address 4134 E. 105th St., also that the thetre closed in 1964.
I have a list of theatres showing the Avalon’s address as 4134 East 105th Street. Which address is correct?