Spotted this theater on the news tonight (some escaped convicts on the loose…)
It seems this house opened in 1937, closed decades later, re-opened as the Colony Club, showing movies and serving food, and then eventually closed again…
Here’s a brief video about the theater’s history, and here’s an excerpt from their website:
Nestled in the hills of Southeast Ohio is the 1895 opera house known as The Ariel Opera House. Located in the historic district of the French town of Gallipolis on the Ohio River, the Ariel was built during the age of gas light elegance.
During her heyday, she hosted such luminaries as Will Rogers, Sarah Bernhard and Daniel Emmett. Ensembles such as the Chicago Opera and the Ziegfield Follies graced the Ariel’s stage.
Vaudeville led to movies and the Ariel’s eventual closing. Neglected and forgotten, she began the steady march of decay.
Joe, why don’t you use your phone to photograph and then post some of your favorite roadshow program covers on the different theater pages, I’m sure everyone would be interested in seeing them and it is not hard to do…
Spotted this theater on the news tonight (some escaped convicts on the loose…)
It seems this house opened in 1937, closed decades later, re-opened as the Colony Club, showing movies and serving food, and then eventually closed again…
Lots of photos added.
Here’s a brief video about the theater’s history, and here’s an excerpt from their website:
Nestled in the hills of Southeast Ohio is the 1895 opera house known as The Ariel Opera House. Located in the historic district of the French town of Gallipolis on the Ohio River, the Ariel was built during the age of gas light elegance.
During her heyday, she hosted such luminaries as Will Rogers, Sarah Bernhard and Daniel Emmett. Ensembles such as the Chicago Opera and the Ziegfield Follies graced the Ariel’s stage.
Vaudeville led to movies and the Ariel’s eventual closing. Neglected and forgotten, she began the steady march of decay.
Spotted this theater on the news tonight (some escaped convicts on the loose the area…)
Maybe they were in the DiCaprio version, which I never got to see
I don’t remember the great Gatsby mentioning the pussycat and the ramrod
Joe, why don’t you use your phone to photograph and then post some of your favorite roadshow program covers on the different theater pages, I’m sure everyone would be interested in seeing them and it is not hard to do…
Hold that Hypnotist was released on March 10, 1957, but I’m not sure when it played here.
WTF. PLSWATGI. TAU-FWTAS…
(What the f-ck. Please let’s stop with all the goddamn initials. There are user-friendlier ways to abbreviate something…)
On its website, Regal lists this house as “Regal UA Midway”
Are there any photos of this place circa 2019?
The Central’s life ended in 1989 under its final name, Movieland…
if anyone has a clear picture of the oval and downstairs lounge, now might be a good time to post it.
Maybe the introduction should be updated to mention that those basement theaters we damp little hellholes…
I see the editor has been in here sweeping away some of the cruddier comments…
Too bad those basement theaters were damp little hellholes…
Joe, why don’t you photograph and post excerpts from some of your roadshow programs…
I just looked in the photo section and see that adult admission is $25.
Unbelievable! Who in the world would pay such a steep admission price when there are so many other options…?
The Life magazine article about the cuts is also included in the Photos section
Those Variety scribes sure knew how to write a socko review…
I just happen to have that issue lying around… wait, it was here a minute ago, let me check…
Hey Bloop, welcome back. Where the hell you been…?
Since this page and introduction are about the original Lyric Theatre, then Joe’s comments are perfectly apt.
Perhaps the introduction should stop at the end of the second paragraph, and omit the new Lyric’s information and history as a legitimate play house.
Photo from March 2019 added to photos
I have to wonder how many of 42nd Street’s denizens were interested in a musical about Gertrude Lawrence…! (And I wonder what the second feature was.)
I think he also operates the Grand Avenue Cinemas in Baldwin, (Long Island) NY but I couldn’t swear to it…
The Harris and the Selwyn were my two favorite houses on the block, although I did have a soft spot for the faded opulence of the New Amsterdam.
I’m grateful that two out of the three are up and running and in magnificent shape.