Chuck..Look at the postcard picture of the Garby that Lost Memory posted. Then go to cinematour and look at that picture. You will notice that the facade has been changed, but you can still see parts of the building and the neighboring building to the left. The Orpheum has got to be another theater in town. And is that ever an ugly facade!!
Kristin since you live in Jersey, you may want to pay a visit to the Roxy theater in Northampton Pa. and speak to Richard Wolfe the owner. He has well over 25 years in the movie theater business. He would be a great “go to guy” for any questions that you would have. Although I have never met him, I have read articles on him and the Roxy and even received an email from him. Plan a roadtrip from Jersey to Northampton. You won’t be disappointed in what you will see.
Kristin…may I suggest you subscribe to BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE. Or go online to www.boxoffice.com . Many great articles. I look for mine in the mail every month.
I need to clarify one thing in my above statement. When I said taxes were a deductable I meant the real estate taxes on the place were deductable from the business taxes the owner pays
Ok gentlemen, let me set you straight one a few things. First off the West Shore theatre has been in business since 1940. It has had 2 owners to date. Second it has always been run as a 2nd run house, which is why ticket prices are only 3 bucks. Third I have been there on weeknights that the place is packed, and the people are lined up to get their goodies. Fourth, Taxes are a part of business which means they are tax deductable. Because its a part of doing business. Fifth, the second owner has had it since 1985 or 86 so if it wasn’t doing any business, why would he buy it? Sixth, The area in which the theatre lies takes in several towns, so there is a lot to draw from customer wise. Remember more people will see movies at 3 bucks then they can at 8 bucks. I should know this because I live in the area.
Meredith Rule…read your post date Aug 8 2005. I am interested in how you ever made out. Did he sue the union? Did anything ever happen to you, over you walking out? Am interested in knowing what happen.
TheaterBuff1: nice pictures of the Holmes/Pennypack. Very much ashame the way it looks and the care its been given. Probably was a beautiful place in its time.
I think Roger Katz is wrong with his assessment “It is struggling to stay in business as are most sub run theatres nowadays”. This place is a dump. Go to the website cinematour.com and you will see more pictures of this place. Tell me would you really want to see a movie in this place? Does it look inviting to you? This is why it is or I should say was struggling.
Thats cool, sounds like you guys really enjoyed doing what you did. I enjoy reading both your posts on cinema treasures. You both have a lot of insight. Thank you for sharing it.
I think the Devon could still be in business today if it were run properly. You can’t just open the doors and expect people to come. If the Devon were run as a second run movie house, I do believe it would make it. First off you as the owner/manager would have to be a “showman” and provide showmanship. You want to give the people who come to your theater something that they don’t get at other theaters. Second , a great postive aditude one should have. Customers can tell that right off the bat. And if your an idiot, they can tell and they will vote with their feet and never return. Third, one should take a page out of Richard Wolfe’s book (the owner of the Roxy theater in Northampton Pa.)and follow what he does. Then you will be a sucess. Four, remember people can see a lot more movies at 3 bucks a ticket then at 8 or 10 bucks a ticket. Sorry I am not the best writer when it comes to organizing my thoughts into sentences by I am sure you get my drift.
I remember calling the Devon Theatre to hear whats playing and I remember at the end of the message. “Remember it pays to wait, the best movies at the best price come to the Devon. Thank you for calling the Devon Theatre”
In Central Pennsylvania, Great Escape Theatres is building two mutiplexes. One being a 10 screen the other being a 14 screen. Now if movies are going to be released in theatres, DVDs, on TV and in stores at the same time. Why would theatre chains keep building more theatres? Would someone please explain in depth about this.
Rick…besides the public library. You may want to check and see if the county in which Brentwood is located in might have a Historical Society.
Rick..I like the drawing. Hope you can find a better picture of it.
Great to hear Max..thanks for the update.
Have you looked into the Malek theater in Indepence,IA. From the picture in CT it looks really cool.
Max Einhorn…Have you heard anything new about the Elks? How is the restoration coming? I haven’t been past it lately so I am not in the know.
So what is happening with this theater?
Thanks Lost…..very nice pic and also a nice looking theater too.
Lost Memory..When I click on the link for the “current website” it tells me it can’t find it. Do you have the correct website?
Chuck..Look at the postcard picture of the Garby that Lost Memory posted. Then go to cinematour and look at that picture. You will notice that the facade has been changed, but you can still see parts of the building and the neighboring building to the left. The Orpheum has got to be another theater in town. And is that ever an ugly facade!!
Kristin since you live in Jersey, you may want to pay a visit to the Roxy theater in Northampton Pa. and speak to Richard Wolfe the owner. He has well over 25 years in the movie theater business. He would be a great “go to guy” for any questions that you would have. Although I have never met him, I have read articles on him and the Roxy and even received an email from him. Plan a roadtrip from Jersey to Northampton. You won’t be disappointed in what you will see.
Kristin…may I suggest you subscribe to BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE. Or go online to www.boxoffice.com . Many great articles. I look for mine in the mail every month.
I need to clarify one thing in my above statement. When I said taxes were a deductable I meant the real estate taxes on the place were deductable from the business taxes the owner pays
Ok gentlemen, let me set you straight one a few things. First off the West Shore theatre has been in business since 1940. It has had 2 owners to date. Second it has always been run as a 2nd run house, which is why ticket prices are only 3 bucks. Third I have been there on weeknights that the place is packed, and the people are lined up to get their goodies. Fourth, Taxes are a part of business which means they are tax deductable. Because its a part of doing business. Fifth, the second owner has had it since 1985 or 86 so if it wasn’t doing any business, why would he buy it? Sixth, The area in which the theatre lies takes in several towns, so there is a lot to draw from customer wise. Remember more people will see movies at 3 bucks then they can at 8 bucks. I should know this because I live in the area.
I enjoy the saga and will stay tune.
I enjoy the saga and will stay tune.
Meredith Rule…read your post date Aug 8 2005. I am interested in how you ever made out. Did he sue the union? Did anything ever happen to you, over you walking out? Am interested in knowing what happen.
TheaterBuff1: nice pictures of the Holmes/Pennypack. Very much ashame the way it looks and the care its been given. Probably was a beautiful place in its time.
TheaterBuff1: Any photos of the Devon. Would like to see what it looked like.
Tell me what the Art Holiday is like. I know its an X-rated theater. Does anyone know anything about it…when it was built, prior names, etc. etc.?
I think Roger Katz is wrong with his assessment “It is struggling to stay in business as are most sub run theatres nowadays”. This place is a dump. Go to the website cinematour.com and you will see more pictures of this place. Tell me would you really want to see a movie in this place? Does it look inviting to you? This is why it is or I should say was struggling.
Thats cool, sounds like you guys really enjoyed doing what you did. I enjoy reading both your posts on cinema treasures. You both have a lot of insight. Thank you for sharing it.
Jack Ferry and RG, how old are you?
I think the Devon could still be in business today if it were run properly. You can’t just open the doors and expect people to come. If the Devon were run as a second run movie house, I do believe it would make it. First off you as the owner/manager would have to be a “showman” and provide showmanship. You want to give the people who come to your theater something that they don’t get at other theaters. Second , a great postive aditude one should have. Customers can tell that right off the bat. And if your an idiot, they can tell and they will vote with their feet and never return. Third, one should take a page out of Richard Wolfe’s book (the owner of the Roxy theater in Northampton Pa.)and follow what he does. Then you will be a sucess. Four, remember people can see a lot more movies at 3 bucks a ticket then at 8 or 10 bucks a ticket. Sorry I am not the best writer when it comes to organizing my thoughts into sentences by I am sure you get my drift.
I remember calling the Devon Theatre to hear whats playing and I remember at the end of the message. “Remember it pays to wait, the best movies at the best price come to the Devon. Thank you for calling the Devon Theatre”
In Central Pennsylvania, Great Escape Theatres is building two mutiplexes. One being a 10 screen the other being a 14 screen. Now if movies are going to be released in theatres, DVDs, on TV and in stores at the same time. Why would theatre chains keep building more theatres? Would someone please explain in depth about this.