Esquire Theatre
3016 E. Broad Street,
Columbus,
OH
43209
3016 E. Broad Street,
Columbus,
OH
43209
3 people
favorited this theater
Located in the Eastmoor neighborhood of Columbus, this building was designed by F & Y Building Service for the Samson Operating Company in 1946. The facade features vaguely Art Deco style terra-cotta, random ashlar masonry and a handsome triagle marquee in an unusual asymetrical design.
The interior was richly articulated with cove lights, serpantine walls, polychrome painting, and moderne furniture. The seats were arranged in three sections (no center aisle) in a somewhat low, but none-the-less elegant one-story auditorium.
Contributed by
William Dunklin
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
ChasSmith, I think there is a possibility that the SLEEPING BEAUTY screening was at the Drexel on Main Street. I went to at least one special Disney screenings there for a Disney movie about Antarctica and the short PAUL BUNYON. I also remember they gave everyone a free Mars bar!
Interesting! I’ve also wondered if the Bexley might have been the one to have had it in that part of town. I think that about covers the possibilities.
I worked at the Esquire from 1956 to 1960 then moved to manage the Drexel on Main across from Capital U in 1960-61. At the Esquire I did all the jobs except projectionist (union). Bicyled films for Ben Hur, South Pacific, Sleeping Beauty, Oklahoma, etc. Worked as janitor, concession, ticket sales, usher, ticket taker, and managed the theater for late shows. The manager at the time was Professor Arthur Grossman from Capital University. I met my wife at the Esquire in 1959. We are celebrating our 50th this year. Any photos of the theater would be appreciated.
If you want more info about the theater contact me. Gulf Station next door. A lot of kids from Eastmoor High School.
Congratulations on your 50th.
I remember a time in the early ‘60s when I went to a film at the Livingston Theatre and the film had not arrived. They had to get the film with the Esquire. There were a couple of delays, but, eventually, we saw the whole film.
Could you explain exactly what you mean by “bicycling”?
Sure. The term came from New York City where there were numerous theaters in row. As you probably know, the film came in cans-4 reels to a can if I remember correctly. On long and expensive films
(Ben Hur/South Pacific, etc) there were usually 3 cans. The first theater would start the film and run 2 reels (40 minutes) The person responsible to get those to the next theater would put the can in his bicyle basket and pedal to the next theater and so on. The reels were cyled through up to as many as 4 theaters. You could actually see the bikes with the cans. That way the owners would only have to pay for 1 film instead of 3 or 4. In the case of the Esquire I used my car not bike and took the film back and forth. Sometimes, in the winter it became a challange and on a couple of occasions the theater went blank until I got there. Noted above from Mark L. I delivered to either the Drexel/Livingston theaters and occasionally to the theater across from Ohio State U. Can’t remember the name.
occasionally to the theater across
from Ohio State (cant remember the name).
Re: The note from ChasSmith? The Bexeley was an art theater and I doubt very seriously that they showed Sleeping Beauty.
Jeff Frank owner of the Drexel has some memories to share in this weeks e-mail newsletter.
The Sci-Fi Marathon, now in its 27th year, is the closest thing to my memories of Saturday matinee’s at the Esquire Theatre on East Broad St. in the late 50’s. We lived minutes away and collect pop bottles on the way to the cinema, cashing them in for 2 cents each to pay for admission and snacks. I remember getting a choice of cubes or crushed ice in your drink (the Esquire had a pop machine in the lobby). . On Saturday matinees you’d come early and stay all day to view at least three feature films, (sometimes five!), cartoons and combinations of such film serial favorites as Superman, the Blackhawks, Flash Gordon and many many more â€" all for 50 cents. You’d see three Japanese monster films (Gozilla was always the headliner) or a horror triple-bill of The Mummy, Frankenstein and The Wolfman, and the theatre was always filled with young thrill-seekers ready to have their hair stand on end.
Jeff, can you tell me the name of the person your bought the Drexel from or the owner in 1960-61. He treated my wife and me so very well espcially when our child was born. Quite a guy. Thanks
Jeff Frank acquired the Drexel from Jerry Knight. A very interesting interview about Mr. Knight:
View link
Wow, thanks so much for the link on Jerry. He is the gentleman I worked for while attending Capital U across the street. Without his help in giving me and my wife a job; probably no way I could have completed my education at Capital. A wonderful gentleman.
Second comment. Attended my 50th graduation from Capital U class reunion on April 22, 2010. Was great to see Professor Arthur Grossman had been inducted into the Professsor’s Hall of Fame.
He managed the Esquire theater for quite some time—he was there from 1956 to 1959 for sure. I don’t know when he started workng there.