Comments from Jack Theakston

Showing 26 - 44 of 44 comments

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Arcade Theater on Apr 2, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Actually, if you look closely, the keystone says 1916. So it was the “new” Opera House as built by Le Richeux. The original (pictured in this book: http://books.google.com/books?id=X9EwAQAAMAAJ) was constructed in 1892 and was designed by Leon J. Lempert and Son of Rochester, who designed a number of opera houses in the area, including both the Washington Street Opera House and Lyric Theater in Rome. Lempert, Jr. later designed the Capitol in Rome in 1928.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Strand Theatre on Feb 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm

I was referring to the “before” picture. Those poster cases and fixtures are similar to the ones that were installed by Lempert’s crews in all of the Comerford theaters during that period.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about some original lighting on Jan 15, 2014 at 4:25 pm

Any idea on who manufactured these lighting fixtures? They look similar to those I’ve seen by Moe-Bridges, but that style was very generic. These look late ‘30s/early '40s.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Avon Theater on Jun 26, 2013 at 10:03 pm

I believe the Sherwood was original opened around 1914, and was owned by a gentleman by the name of Ralph Balducci, who leased it to Herman Rakov. Rakov owned a number of theaters in the Central New York area. A 1921 New York Supreme Court case shows that Rakov was given the boot for not living up to conditions stated in his lease (and judging from a number of other lawsuits against him, did the same everywhere), and in January 1921, the theater was leased to Mike Kallet.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Lincoln Theater on Apr 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm

Originally built as a Kallet Bros. house.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about James Theater on Apr 5, 2013 at 4:05 pm

The Kallet Bros. bought the James from Sam Slotnick in October 1927.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Capitol Theatre on Feb 25, 2013 at 5:39 pm

Listed as a Comerford-Publix theater in the 1945-46 International Motion Picture Almanac. The architect was likely Leon Lempert, Jr.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Pastime Theater on Feb 25, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Listed as operated by the Comerford-Publix chain in the 1945-46 International Motion Picture Almanac.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Capitol Twin Theatre on Feb 25, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Listed in in the 1945-46 International Motion Picture Almanac as a Comerford-Publix Theater. I suspect the architect was Leon Lempert, Jr. Does anyone have any clear interior photographs?

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Alvina Krause Theatre on Feb 25, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Listed as a Comerford-Publix theater in the 1945-46 International Motion Picture Almanac.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Amusu Theater on Feb 25, 2013 at 2:03 pm

Listed as the Amauzu in the 1945-46 International Motion Picture Almanac. Operated by the Comerford-Publix chain at that point.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Strand Theater on Feb 12, 2013 at 8:17 pm

The Comerford Amusement Co. apparently look control of this in 1928 and did some remodeling work.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Capitol Theatre on Feb 12, 2013 at 8:14 pm

The architect that is listed here is William Harold Lee, but I’m fairly certain he only did the Modernization of the theater later on. I speculate that the original architect was Leon Lempert, Jr., who designed many of the Commerford theaters (of which this was originally).

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Community Arts Center on Feb 12, 2013 at 5:42 pm

I will guarantee you that the architect of this theater was Leon Lempert, Jr. The auditorium is almost an exact clone to the Capitol in Rome, NY, also a Commerford Theater.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Strand Theatre on Feb 12, 2013 at 5:25 pm

I suspect this theater was actually opened around 1928, owned by the Commerford Amusement Co. chain. If that is the case, I also suspect the original architect was Leon Lempert, Jr. The lobby in the BoxOffice magazine article looks a lot like Lempert’s Capitol in Rome.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Uptown Theatre on Oct 10, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Does anyone know if the architectural elements (if there were any) have been salvaged in its being converted back to single-screen?

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Orpheum Theater on Oct 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm

Should be listed as demolished. There still stands an empty lot where it once was.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about State Theatre on Sep 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm

Not sure, but I think this was on Fourth STREET, not AVE. Film Daily lists it as the latter, which I think is a typo.

Jack Theakston
Jack Theakston commented about Arcade Theatre on Sep 10, 2012 at 7:21 pm

The building still exists, but has probably been gutted and is being repurposed as Marco’s Pizza.