In the new book by Konrad Schiecke “Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 it states the Orpheum Theatre closed in 1937, operated by Warner Bros.
However it is still listed in the 1941 & 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook under Chicago, but it’s not listed in the Circuit’s section under Warner Bros.
Listed in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 as the New Theatre. The 1926 & 1927 editions of Film Daily Yearbook list it as the 79th Street Theatre with a seating capacity of 666. In the 1930 F.D.Y. it is the Seventy-Ninth Street Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,026.
By the 1941 edition of F.D.Y it has been re-named Colony Theatre and the seating capacity is given as 1,000. In 1943, still the colony, but seating is given as 875. In 1950 it is named as the Colony 79th Street Theatre with seating given as 886. In the 1957 edition of F.D.Y. it is listed, but no seating capacity is given, which usually means it has closed.
Although it is listed with 800 seats in Film Daily Yearbook’s;1926 & 1927 editions, the Oxford Theater is listed in 1930 with a seating capacity of 648. In both the 1941 & 1943 editions of F.D.Y. it is listed with 685 seats and is (Closed) in both these editions.
Details from the new book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke:
Massac Theatre, 119 W. 5th Street.
Opened:1938 Closed:1978 Seats:537
The theatre closed with the movie ‘Superman’. It was then used by a local radio station but now stands empty. The marquee remains, but there is a huge hole in the roof.
The Film Daily Yearbook:1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 600.
The Commodore Cinema, Cippenham (nr Slough) opened in November 1938 was built by Commodore Super Cinema (Slough) Ltd. In 1944 it is listed as being operated by a company known as General Cinema Theatres, 8 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London W1. It had a seating capacity of 1,500, the proscenium was 45ft wide, the stage was 17ft deep and there were 4 dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Lafleur (Hammond) 2Manual organ which was opened by Stanley Miller. There was a Cafe and Dance Hall within the building.
In 1947 seating was given as 1,480, ownership was the same as in 1944.
By 1953 it had been taken over by the Essoldo Circuit of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and re-named Essoldo Cinema. Closed as a cinema by 1965 it went over to bingo hall use. I’m sorry, I don’t know any other details on this building.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 & 1943 editions with a seating capacity given as 800. The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. lists the Volunteer Theatre, but with no seating capacity given, usually indicating it could have possibly closed.
The Liberty Theatre is listed in Film Daily Yearbook; 1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the full address (1104 Wyoming Avenue) is given and the seating capacity has risen to 852.
In the newly published book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke the address is given as 100 N. 2nd Street, Dupo, IL. 300 seats It opened in the 1920’s and closed in 1950. The theatre burned down in 1951.
The Trans-Lux Newsreel Theatre opened in 1934. It had a seating capacity of 487.
Warren;… I believe you are correct in stating it was formed out of retail space.
It became the Fulton Playhouse (possibly around 1936?) and closed in 1938. It reverted back to retail use, which continues today with a Rite-Aid store operating from the building.
The RKO Dyker is a pretty good example or re-use and retention of original detail. Unfortunately here in the former orchestra section all has been lost. I checked out the two most recent Modell’s conversions of former theatre’s at the RKO Kenmore in Flatbush, Brooklyn and the UA Crossbay in Ozone park, Queens and sadly nothing has been saved inside these buildings.
Photographed at night in August 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonca/214891038/
A close-up of the front and sign of the Electric Cinema in August 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonca/214889425/
A recent (August 2006) photograph of the Cineworld Chelsea:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonca/214889424/
Two photographs I took of the Brooklyn Heights Cinemas I & II in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/214330227/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/214343339/
In the new book by Konrad Schiecke “Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 it states the Orpheum Theatre closed in 1937, operated by Warner Bros.
However it is still listed in the 1941 & 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook under Chicago, but it’s not listed in the Circuit’s section under Warner Bros.
Listed in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 as the New Theatre. The 1926 & 1927 editions of Film Daily Yearbook list it as the 79th Street Theatre with a seating capacity of 666. In the 1930 F.D.Y. it is the Seventy-Ninth Street Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,026.
By the 1941 edition of F.D.Y it has been re-named Colony Theatre and the seating capacity is given as 1,000. In 1943, still the colony, but seating is given as 875. In 1950 it is named as the Colony 79th Street Theatre with seating given as 886. In the 1957 edition of F.D.Y. it is listed, but no seating capacity is given, which usually means it has closed.
Although it is listed with 800 seats in Film Daily Yearbook’s;1926 & 1927 editions, the Oxford Theater is listed in 1930 with a seating capacity of 648. In both the 1941 & 1943 editions of F.D.Y. it is listed with 685 seats and is (Closed) in both these editions.
Details from the new book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke:
Massac Theatre, 119 W. 5th Street.
Opened:1938 Closed:1978 Seats:537
The theatre closed with the movie ‘Superman’. It was then used by a local radio station but now stands empty. The marquee remains, but there is a huge hole in the roof.
The Film Daily Yearbook:1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 600.
Located at 4940 Watt Avenue in the northern surburb of North Highlands, Sacramento. It is located close to the McClellan Air Force Base.
There is a new book, just published by Arcadia in the ‘Images of America’ series “The Keswick Theatre” by Judith Katherine Herbst.
It tells the history of the theatre from opening to present day with over 160 historic photographs.
Looks like demolition is now in progress from this photograph dated 4th August 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/sarflondondunc/209029691/
The Film Daily Yearbook;1941, 1943 & 1950 editions give a seating capacity of 1,300.
The Commodore Cinema, Cippenham (nr Slough) opened in November 1938 was built by Commodore Super Cinema (Slough) Ltd. In 1944 it is listed as being operated by a company known as General Cinema Theatres, 8 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London W1. It had a seating capacity of 1,500, the proscenium was 45ft wide, the stage was 17ft deep and there were 4 dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Lafleur (Hammond) 2Manual organ which was opened by Stanley Miller. There was a Cafe and Dance Hall within the building.
In 1947 seating was given as 1,480, ownership was the same as in 1944.
By 1953 it had been taken over by the Essoldo Circuit of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and re-named Essoldo Cinema. Closed as a cinema by 1965 it went over to bingo hall use. I’m sorry, I don’t know any other details on this building.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 & 1943 editions with a seating capacity given as 800. The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. lists the Volunteer Theatre, but with no seating capacity given, usually indicating it could have possibly closed.
The Liberty Theatre is listed in Film Daily Yearbook; 1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the full address (1104 Wyoming Avenue) is given and the seating capacity has risen to 852.
In the newly published book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke the address is given as 100 N. 2nd Street, Dupo, IL. 300 seats It opened in the 1920’s and closed in 1950. The theatre burned down in 1951.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook: 1941 & 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 900. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 712.
The Trans-Lux Newsreel Theatre opened in 1934. It had a seating capacity of 487.
Warren;… I believe you are correct in stating it was formed out of retail space.
It became the Fulton Playhouse (possibly around 1936?) and closed in 1938. It reverted back to retail use, which continues today with a Rite-Aid store operating from the building.
Here is a photograph I took in June 2006 of the Trans-Lux Theatre building:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211219790/
A photograph I took of the RKO Shore Road Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211174721/
Four photographs I took in June 2006 of the New Venus Theater. Unfortunately, due to the time of year, the building (which is currently unused and for lease or sale) is partially obscured by untrimmed trees and bushes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211143349/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211143951/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211144986/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211145549/
The RKO Dyker is a pretty good example or re-use and retention of original detail. Unfortunately here in the former orchestra section all has been lost. I checked out the two most recent Modell’s conversions of former theatre’s at the RKO Kenmore in Flatbush, Brooklyn and the UA Crossbay in Ozone park, Queens and sadly nothing has been saved inside these buildings.
Thanks Mike, I do my best…(blushes)
Three photographs I took of the Harbor Theater in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211072499/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211072944/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211073442/
One More Try…..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211035349/
OOpps, sorry, here is that last photo link again:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/21103549/