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Memories
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April 18, 2005
URGENT - LOOKING FOR “THE GRADUATE” MARQUEES
I’m a producer working on a documentary about 1967’s “The Graduate”. I’m looking to this community for help. Does anyone have photos related to theatre marquees or lines of people waiting to get into “The Graduate”?
The film played in many (now) historic theatres, and unfortunately, a number have since closed, making contacting the theatres directly difficult, if not impossible.
Thanks so much.
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April 7, 2005
Ellis Theatre Chain?
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Does anyone have info on the Ellis Theatre circuit (family-owned) from the Phila., Pa. area? They operated mostly neighborhood houses.
Thanks, rg.
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March 8, 2005
What Cinema Was In “An American Werewolf in London”?
In the John Landis film An American Werewolf in London, there was scene set in a cinema showing a spoof porno movie – also directed by Lohn Landis.
I’ve read that the cinema was meant to have been just off Piccadilly Circus in London, and the entrance is now a fast food/pizza joint.
Looking at Picadilly Circus, this means the cinema must have been in the north corner and on the north side of the start of Shaftesbury Avenue. I was a regular cinema goer in the centre of London at this time and I don’t remember a cinema there — and I remember several others nearby that have sadly closed.
Did it ever really exist?
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March 4, 2005
Santa Rosa Theatre Information Wanted
HOUSTON, TX — When I was a little kid back in the early 1960s, my parents and I went to the Santa Rosa theatre in Houston, Texas, which is now closed. Does anyone out there have any information on it?
Cordially, Chet Cuccia
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February 23, 2005
Memories of the Robins Theater
The Robins Theater in Warren has played a key role in my family for three generations. My grandmother’s brother, Daniel Robins, who was a pioneer in the movie industry, opened the Robins Theater in 1921 or 1922. In 1902 Dan had opened the first theater in New Castle, PA, with Abe Warner, one of the Warner Brothers. One of the Warners married my grandmother’s sister, Anna.
Dan’s obituaries detail his life and the chain of theaters he operated. After pioneering the first theaters in Youngstown, Ohio, Dan purchased the Warner Theater in Youngstown from Sam Warner, the father of the Warner Brothers.
I have a lot of memorabilia involving Dan and his brothers, Harry and Ben, who partnered in the theater business with him. My grandfather, I.J. Goldston, was the architect for the Robins Theater (and the Trianon Ballroom on Euclid Ave. in Cleveland). My mother at age 3 ½ presented the mayor of Warren with a big gold key to the theater at its grand opening. All 1500 seats were filled.
There were two operating companies: The Robins Theater Company and the Robins Amusement Company. The first ran the movies; the second ran the popcorn and candy stands. The theaters never made any money; the real profits came from the popcorn, candy, and pop. Dan’s nephew, Eli Goldston, used to argue that the customers should be admitted to the movies free, just so that they could buy the popcorn!
There is a project to renovate the Robins. The State and the City have supported the effort, and a formal architectural budge estimate is still underway.
Robin Lake
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February 18, 2005
Seeking Name of Highlands, NJ Movie Theater
Does anyone recall the name of the small movie theater in “downtown” Highlands, New Jersey. Not Atlantic Highlands….Highlands. I don’t see it listed but have vivid memories vacationing there in the early 60s. Thanks. Jerry Kovar 42nd Street Memories
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February 11, 2005
Grand Theater 3D Renderings
BALTIMORE, MD — Ed Dobbins has sent us these wonderful three-dimensional renderings of the now demolished Grand Theater.
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February 1, 2005
42nd Street Theaters - Searching for Images/Booking Info - 50s-60s
Hi Gang,
I’m reliving my childhood and attempting to find images from the 1950s & 1960s of the 10 theaters that lined 42nd Street. I’d also like to know if there is any way to obtain booking information for the theaters in that time period. Most of them did not advertise in the local NYC newspapers.
Thanks,
Jerry K 42nd Street Memories -
January 10, 2005
Photos of Park Slope’s 16th Street Theater?
BROOKLYN, NY — I grew up across the street, looking directly at the marquee of the 16th Street Theater in Park Slope. It closed when I was around 10 years old. I am now 59 and I would love to have a picture of it.
Is there anyone out there that can help me find one? My email is . Thank You, Joe G.
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January 4, 2005
Avalon Theater - Chicago
Remembering the glorious Avalon Theater (New Regal) on Chicago’s south side in the 1950s and ‘60s from my childhood, I included a lot about it in my new true family, true crime book, The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago. The story is set around my parent’s toy store, Wee Folks, across the street from the Avalon.
My parent’s held many toy giveaway promotions on the stage of that theater. I thought you would all enjoy an excerpt from the book about the Avalon. For more information on the book with an artistic rendering of the Avalon on the cover contact me at or visit www.chicagospiedpiper.com to see it LIVE.