Orpheum Theatre
19-21 Seventh Street West,
St. Paul,
MN
55102
19-21 Seventh Street West,
St. Paul,
MN
55102
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 12 comments
does anyone know who is the current owners of the palace and how to get a hold of them?
The photos referenced in TC’s 2005 link above appear to have been done right after the 1940s renovation. They are all dated 1943, and everything looks all freshened up. The good news is the original decor is almost completely intact – just a few minor art deco touches here and there (movie poster cases in the lobby, etc.)
The auditorium photo is intriguing – it looks like there are about 1,800 seats there (the description says 1,400 after the renovation). I can’t figure how the auditorium could have originally held 3,000 – unless there was a 2nd balcony that was completely removed during the renovation.
Cool pictures, not many downtown theatres left anywhere.
1982 photo of the Orpheum Theatre.
View link
Another 1982 photo of the Orpheum Theatre.
View link
1982 Night photo of the Orpheum Theatre.
View link
Another 1982 night photo of the Orpheum Theate.
View link
Bringing ANY theatre left in a downtown area would bring life back to these ares.
Whilst it would great to see the house fully restored to its 1916 glory, I expect that due to the cost it will (if ever) be re-done back to the 1940s style. Nevertheless, bringing it back to life will be great for downtown St. Paul.
The intro says that this theater was remodeled in the 1940’s (auditorium and lobby) but there is no mention of the style or quality of the work. Would a renovation take the theater back to the way it was on opening day or from the 1940’s? I would assume it would be cheaper to get it back to the condition at it’s “modernization”.
It seems the mayor is behind a move to convert this house into a rock venue along the lines of First Ave in Minneapolis.
I toured the Palace-Orpheum about a year ago. There is some talk in St. Paul of bringing it back to life. In the early 2000s, the new owners fixed up the lobby, where a play was present “Finan’s Wake” I believe. The auditorium remains locked up. But the new owner has put up and lit a flag with the name “Palace” bringing the house back to it’s beginings in 1916.
As always it’s a question of money. It’ll cost a few million just to bring it up to usable state. A full restoration would be a mim of $10 million I would think. The big question can St. Paul support another large theatre?
Numerous old photos at this link:
View link
One of the greatest cinema experiences of my life ocurred here. During the early 1980’s this wonderful theater would show double features of classic films. I saw “Rebecca” and “Noth by Northwest ” there. What an amazing afternoon!!! I also saw a “Goldfinger”–“Thunderball” double feature at the Orpheum and a memorable “Vixen” “Supervixen” and “Beyond the Vally of the Ultravixens” triple feature!!!
The marquee shown here is just like the one RKO had on The Palace on Broadway when they ran movies there.