Lost Memory: These photo comparisons especially the present day one is fascinating to look at. I, for one, would rather see the old scene still in existence and NOT that condo building, etc. I noticed the church steeple in the background of both photos so at least they didn’t tear down that church in the name of progress!
Vincent: If you really want to see a beauty that is no longer with us, check out the Palace in Youngstown OH. I was almost brought to tears when I saw that theatre’s interior and read it’s history.
And the best part of all of this Paramount discussion is that there wasn’t an unkind word written about anything or anyone which is very much appreciated as I wouldn’t want to ever lose ‘our’ wonderful Cinema Treasures website/forum.
For the past several days all of my CT notices have basically been #3701 so I know that interest in the Paramount has really been created over the past several days. And on behalf of myself and the many CT members I will thank my friend, Jerry for his great help and research.
Vincent: A very good question and one I hope we can ‘get our hands on’ as I especially would like to see interior photos of this one that once stood…as Lost Memory posted earlier….“somewhere on Main”. I know that Chuck and Lost Memory have provided photos in regards to other theatres across the country so maybe with a little more ‘sleuthing’ we can find a photo(s)! I also belong to a true crime website so I guess the term, sleuthing, is appropriate for me. And now I need to see if I can talk Jerry into becoming a CT member as I think after all of this Paramount Theatre sleuthing he may have caught the incurable theatre ‘bug’!
I think that we all know by now that “620” is the wrong address. However, being one who never gives up, I went back to my 1936 Buffalo City Directory, and found out that the reason why I couldn’t find a listing for the Great Lakes Theater was because the name of the theater was the “Shea’s Great Lakes Theater” and it was listed under “S” rather than “G” in the Motion Picture section of the directory. So…… with that said, is everybody ready for the address of record? (drum roll, please): 612-614 Main Street.
The building that is now City Centre is the building that the Paramount was in. It was gutted and several stories were added to it. As Doug mentioned, the first two stories of City Centre retain the facade of the theater. I have no idea what could have been on the upper floors of this building when it was a theater.
Perhaps a post to the Buffalo History Yahoo Group may bring out some memories.
I never noticed the seat capacity of this former theatre and was surprised to see the number over 3,000! Good question about an address that would be attached to any of the items in storage. Perhaps I can find out, but keep your fingers crossed as it might be harder to get that question answered.
Lost Memory: I just received this information….The first two floors of the Main Street façade are original to the building. The ticket booth was given to Theater Place. Also 6 of the 8' marble columns are still in storage in a local warehouse. The capitals and bases were plaster and did not survive. The original auditorium was demolished long before and what was left was mostly stripped before the buyer bought it.
old theater lover: “Even then I was in awe of the historic look, the orchestra pit, stage, large red curtains, lights on the wall, everything.” It’s a shame that this Warner is gone though your Warner interior memories remain. Good luck with your research/book as your community should have these theatres written about in a book for future generations. I’m sure you know about Images of America who has done at least one book about theatres of San Francisco so you might contact them to help you with a book. Their website is www.arcadiapublishing.com
old theatre lover: I know a man in Erie PA who was in the theatre/drive-in movie business. He HAD many old theatre posters and now they are, as you say….“worth a fortune”. This man has several theatre albums that cover the history of theatres over the many years in Erie PA. Fortunately, Erie still has their beautiful Warner Theatre on State Street (listed on CT), but there was a Shea’s Theatre nearby that is now the Avalon Hotel. Many of the former theatres in Erie are listed on CT.
“It was demolished in 1976 to make way for a bank building.” It had the WARNER name on it…such a shame to lose that theatre name for a bank, but at least the site isn’t another unused parking lot!
“The last of the single screen theatres in Lawrence, MA.” And yes, is this theatre still standing? It would be nice to think that the folks of Lawrence have saved this one after losing all of the many theatres in their community.
THE PALACE: In the recent issue of Reminisce Extra magazine there is an article about the once many theatres of Lawrence on “theatre row”. In the Lost Memory post the b/w etching of the Palace is beautiful So sad that the ones mentioned in your post have been demolished with the exception of one, but even that one didn’t remain a theatre. After reading the magazine article and the Palace posts I have come to sadly realize that Lawrence MA has lost so much theatre history.
What a lovely theatre in Holland MI, home of the Tulip Festival and Hope College. I happened upon this link as I was researching another Knickerbocker that was in Columbus Ohio. In a recent magazine called Reminisce Extra there is a page entitled When Movies Were Magic and it mentions that the Knickerbocker in Columbus Ohio was owned by the Pancake Brothers. They offered the kids “The Free Show” and sometimes a free bottle of Pepsi or Royal Crown cola. In another article it says that during the 40’s in Lawrence, MA was the only city in the country that had 5 theatres in a one-block area, the Modern, the Broadway and the Palace with the Victoria across the street. Around the corner from “theatre row” was the Premier Theatre on Essex Street. About a quarter mile off Essex on Lawrence Street was the Warner, where Dorothy Lamour once led a war-bond rally. About a mile north of “theatre row” on Broadway was the Star Theatre, where free dishware was given out during Saturday matinees featuring the Buck Rogers serials starring Buster Crabbe. There were also the Capital Theatre on Common Street and the Central Theatre on Haverhill Street. Movies were the main attraction for most of us in those days, and there certainly were many theatres to choose from. These memories were contributed by Bill Guay of Salem, NH and Dale Stone of West Jefferson, OH.
I don’t know downtown Buffalo like my friend who grew up in that city does so can’t say with any certainty about any of the Paramount research. It sure has been interesting to see and read the Paramount interest that has been stirred up lately though.
“Mystery solved. I looked in my 1936 Directory, and the "Great Lakes Theater Building” is listed at 9 West Chippewa St. This would be right on the corner of Main Street and Chippewa. According to a listing of theaters you sent me a while ago, I have listing of Great Lakes at 620 Main St. from 1930 to 1955. It was called the Paramount from 1950 to 1955. I can only recall the corner as being a parking lot next to the old Nemmer Brothers Furniture store,which was converted to the City Center Condominiums by City View Properties (Doug Swift and his partners). The corner lot is now an office building that Doug and his company built a couple years ago."
“I was relaxing after dinner with the new issue of WNY Heritage Magazine,and lo and behold, it has a photo of Main Street showing the Paramount.Yes, the building that was last Nemmer furniture, and was gutted by Doug Swift and his company, CityView Properties and converted to the City Centre Condominium, was indeed the theater. I know that it was pretty much a shell when it was converted and stories were added to it, but I will e-mail Doug to see if any remnants of the theater were incorporated into the building.”
The post provided by CT member, “ken mc” on Feb. 1, 2006 is a Chuck LaChiusa historical site and the Chuck that my Buffalo friend referred to in my July 19 post.
“OK – I just saw Chuck’s site, and there never was a theater at that address. The name Paramount doesn’t mean anything to me, and I just looked in my 1936 and my 1977 city directories, and there is no listing under theaters for Paramount.” These are the comments sent to me via a Buffalo friend.
Lost Memory: I just posted on the Center Theatre link that you provided and mentioned 2 other former theatres in western NYS….Regent in Dunkirk and Geitner in Silver Creek.
It’s interesting to read about the theatres in Buffalo. Unfortunately the word ‘former’ has to be written when talking about the Center and many other theatres in western NYS which also includes the Regent in nearby Dunkirk NY and the Geitner in nearby Silver Creek NY. The Geitner was a proud family run theatre for many years, but now is a teen center with the interior basically gutted except for the lobby ‘with a fireplace’! Incidentally, the present owner grew up in that town so he and his wife recall going to the Geitner when they were dating. They recall the balcony and unique decor, but it is all gone now.
Lost Memory: My Buffalo friend couldn’t shed any additional light on the Paramount address, etc. mystery so keep digging and we’ll get this all sifted through for the sake of the Paramount name in western NYS.
Lost Memory: These photo comparisons especially the present day one is fascinating to look at. I, for one, would rather see the old scene still in existence and NOT that condo building, etc. I noticed the church steeple in the background of both photos so at least they didn’t tear down that church in the name of progress!
Vincent: If you really want to see a beauty that is no longer with us, check out the Palace in Youngstown OH. I was almost brought to tears when I saw that theatre’s interior and read it’s history.
And the best part of all of this Paramount discussion is that there wasn’t an unkind word written about anything or anyone which is very much appreciated as I wouldn’t want to ever lose ‘our’ wonderful Cinema Treasures website/forum.
For the past several days all of my CT notices have basically been #3701 so I know that interest in the Paramount has really been created over the past several days. And on behalf of myself and the many CT members I will thank my friend, Jerry for his great help and research.
Vincent: A very good question and one I hope we can ‘get our hands on’ as I especially would like to see interior photos of this one that once stood…as Lost Memory posted earlier….“somewhere on Main”. I know that Chuck and Lost Memory have provided photos in regards to other theatres across the country so maybe with a little more ‘sleuthing’ we can find a photo(s)! I also belong to a true crime website so I guess the term, sleuthing, is appropriate for me. And now I need to see if I can talk Jerry into becoming a CT member as I think after all of this Paramount Theatre sleuthing he may have caught the incurable theatre ‘bug’!
I think that we all know by now that “620” is the wrong address. However, being one who never gives up, I went back to my 1936 Buffalo City Directory, and found out that the reason why I couldn’t find a listing for the Great Lakes Theater was because the name of the theater was the “Shea’s Great Lakes Theater” and it was listed under “S” rather than “G” in the Motion Picture section of the directory. So…… with that said, is everybody ready for the address of record? (drum roll, please): 612-614 Main Street.
The building that is now City Centre is the building that the Paramount was in. It was gutted and several stories were added to it. As Doug mentioned, the first two stories of City Centre retain the facade of the theater. I have no idea what could have been on the upper floors of this building when it was a theater.
Perhaps a post to the Buffalo History Yahoo Group may bring out some memories.
Jerry
I never noticed the seat capacity of this former theatre and was surprised to see the number over 3,000! Good question about an address that would be attached to any of the items in storage. Perhaps I can find out, but keep your fingers crossed as it might be harder to get that question answered.
Lost Memory: I just received this information….The first two floors of the Main Street façade are original to the building. The ticket booth was given to Theater Place. Also 6 of the 8' marble columns are still in storage in a local warehouse. The capitals and bases were plaster and did not survive. The original auditorium was demolished long before and what was left was mostly stripped before the buyer bought it.
Lost Memory: Great idea! LOL!
old theater lover: “Even then I was in awe of the historic look, the orchestra pit, stage, large red curtains, lights on the wall, everything.” It’s a shame that this Warner is gone though your Warner interior memories remain. Good luck with your research/book as your community should have these theatres written about in a book for future generations. I’m sure you know about Images of America who has done at least one book about theatres of San Francisco so you might contact them to help you with a book. Their website is www.arcadiapublishing.com
old theatre lover: I know a man in Erie PA who was in the theatre/drive-in movie business. He HAD many old theatre posters and now they are, as you say….“worth a fortune”. This man has several theatre albums that cover the history of theatres over the many years in Erie PA. Fortunately, Erie still has their beautiful Warner Theatre on State Street (listed on CT), but there was a Shea’s Theatre nearby that is now the Avalon Hotel. Many of the former theatres in Erie are listed on CT.
“It was demolished in 1976 to make way for a bank building.” It had the WARNER name on it…such a shame to lose that theatre name for a bank, but at least the site isn’t another unused parking lot!
“The last of the single screen theatres in Lawrence, MA.” And yes, is this theatre still standing? It would be nice to think that the folks of Lawrence have saved this one after losing all of the many theatres in their community.
THE PALACE: In the recent issue of Reminisce Extra magazine there is an article about the once many theatres of Lawrence on “theatre row”. In the Lost Memory post the b/w etching of the Palace is beautiful So sad that the ones mentioned in your post have been demolished with the exception of one, but even that one didn’t remain a theatre. After reading the magazine article and the Palace posts I have come to sadly realize that Lawrence MA has lost so much theatre history.
What a lovely theatre in Holland MI, home of the Tulip Festival and Hope College. I happened upon this link as I was researching another Knickerbocker that was in Columbus Ohio. In a recent magazine called Reminisce Extra there is a page entitled When Movies Were Magic and it mentions that the Knickerbocker in Columbus Ohio was owned by the Pancake Brothers. They offered the kids “The Free Show” and sometimes a free bottle of Pepsi or Royal Crown cola. In another article it says that during the 40’s in Lawrence, MA was the only city in the country that had 5 theatres in a one-block area, the Modern, the Broadway and the Palace with the Victoria across the street. Around the corner from “theatre row” was the Premier Theatre on Essex Street. About a quarter mile off Essex on Lawrence Street was the Warner, where Dorothy Lamour once led a war-bond rally. About a mile north of “theatre row” on Broadway was the Star Theatre, where free dishware was given out during Saturday matinees featuring the Buck Rogers serials starring Buster Crabbe. There were also the Capital Theatre on Common Street and the Central Theatre on Haverhill Street. Movies were the main attraction for most of us in those days, and there certainly were many theatres to choose from. These memories were contributed by Bill Guay of Salem, NH and Dale Stone of West Jefferson, OH.
I don’t know downtown Buffalo like my friend who grew up in that city does so can’t say with any certainty about any of the Paramount research. It sure has been interesting to see and read the Paramount interest that has been stirred up lately though.
“Mystery solved. I looked in my 1936 Directory, and the "Great Lakes Theater Building” is listed at 9 West Chippewa St. This would be right on the corner of Main Street and Chippewa. According to a listing of theaters you sent me a while ago, I have listing of Great Lakes at 620 Main St. from 1930 to 1955. It was called the Paramount from 1950 to 1955. I can only recall the corner as being a parking lot next to the old Nemmer Brothers Furniture store,which was converted to the City Center Condominiums by City View Properties (Doug Swift and his partners). The corner lot is now an office building that Doug and his company built a couple years ago."
Another email from my Buffalo friend.
“I was relaxing after dinner with the new issue of WNY Heritage Magazine,and lo and behold, it has a photo of Main Street showing the Paramount.Yes, the building that was last Nemmer furniture, and was gutted by Doug Swift and his company, CityView Properties and converted to the City Centre Condominium, was indeed the theater. I know that it was pretty much a shell when it was converted and stories were added to it, but I will e-mail Doug to see if any remnants of the theater were incorporated into the building.”
The above quote is from my Buffalo friend.
Do you only do pen and ink? And do you have a studio that I could visit in Kannapolis?
The post provided by CT member, “ken mc” on Feb. 1, 2006 is a Chuck LaChiusa historical site and the Chuck that my Buffalo friend referred to in my July 19 post.
“OK – I just saw Chuck’s site, and there never was a theater at that address. The name Paramount doesn’t mean anything to me, and I just looked in my 1936 and my 1977 city directories, and there is no listing under theaters for Paramount.” These are the comments sent to me via a Buffalo friend.
Lost Memory: I just posted on the Center Theatre link that you provided and mentioned 2 other former theatres in western NYS….Regent in Dunkirk and Geitner in Silver Creek.
It’s interesting to read about the theatres in Buffalo. Unfortunately the word ‘former’ has to be written when talking about the Center and many other theatres in western NYS which also includes the Regent in nearby Dunkirk NY and the Geitner in nearby Silver Creek NY. The Geitner was a proud family run theatre for many years, but now is a teen center with the interior basically gutted except for the lobby ‘with a fireplace’! Incidentally, the present owner grew up in that town so he and his wife recall going to the Geitner when they were dating. They recall the balcony and unique decor, but it is all gone now.
Lost Memory: My Buffalo friend couldn’t shed any additional light on the Paramount address, etc. mystery so keep digging and we’ll get this all sifted through for the sake of the Paramount name in western NYS.
This theatre is listed as having over 3,000 seats so this was no theatre to sneeze at, size-wise.