The Tioga Theatre is still going as a First Run house with 3 screens. The owners didn’t hack up the original auditorium but instead turned the stage area into a 90 seat house (in the mid ‘80s) and also built a 45 seat stadium theatre (early 2000’s)in the building next door. The Tioga is supposedly one of the oldest operating theatres in New York State. It also was (again supposedly) one of the first theatres built with the cantilever balcony system; therefore having no support poles. The balcony remains closed ; extensive renovations are needed and are planned. The main floor (original auditorium) seating was spaced to allow more comfort and still seats a little over 300. This theatre is still in good shape for being nearly 100 years old with lots of plaster mouldings, old light fixtures,& organ lofts (I’m not sure what type of organ was there)The Tioga is also the last “Old Time” theatres in the Binghamton area that is still open. I will post photos when available.
The Rialto (or the Rathole as lovingly called by the locals) was a Sportservice House until purchased by the American Amusement Corp in 1978. It did show sub-run/1st run until it succumbed to a fire in the late 1970’s and was torn down. The vacant lot was purchased by the Zion Lutheran Church and is used by the church.
Yes, this is a correct address for the whole building. The theatre’s address was 48 N. Main. There were 4 storefronts in this building (3 stores and 1 diner) There was also a small storefront on the south side of the building (tailor shop) which was located between 2 of the 3 Orchestra Exit Doors.
I added to this post a while back and somehow my comments were removed. I was an Operator of this theatre in 1978. We leased the theatre from Greatway Travel of Scranton. Initial renovations were started in the summer of 1977 which included repairing the balcony ceiling which had a partially collapsed section, replacement of the projection & sound equipment, and a complete cleaning of the place as it had been closed for at least 10 years. These renovations were completed in time for a Grand Re-Opening in mid March of ‘78. We ran 2nd Run films booked by the Tri-State Theatre Service of Philadelphia (The Gottliebs) and live concerts. The theatre seated approx. 700 on the main floor / orchestra and 1400 in the balcony which included box seats and a nice loge/mezzanine. The American “supposedly” had the “Largest Movie Screen in N. E. Pennsylvania”. As I posted before, this house was almost a twin to the Irving Theatre in nearby Carbondale, PA. (and designed by the same architect, Leon Lempert Jr. of Rochester, NY) The only
difference was that the main floor/orchestra seating layout was configured differently. I was lucky enough to tour the place again in the mid 80’s before it was scheduled to be gutted and turned into a medical clinic. Some fellow theatre lovers and myself were able to purchase some of the original plaster mouldings, box seats (complete), seats, and the hand painted murals that adorned the ceiling and side walls. It
actually wasn’t demolished until the early 1990’s and yes, there is
a CVS drug store on the site now. I do have photos that I would like to post if anyone is interested.
The roof did cave in over the auditorium years ago.(late 70’s/early 80’s ?) The auditorium was rebuilt and there was a fire and the auditorium was re-built again in the early 90’s
This theatre is very close to the Hall of Fame stadium. There’s a video rental store in the side of the auditorium. It still has “Smalley’s Theatre” on the back/stage wall.
The Ritz Theatre occupied the balcony only after 1978. I toured the building when they were renovating the main floor. I believe it was a mini mall before it was converted into offices.
The Irving’s architect was Leon H. Lempert of Rochester, NY. He also designed the American Theatre in Pittston, PA which was an almost carbon copy of the Irving. I was lucky enough to tour the building in the late 80’s and it was evident what a nice theatre it had once been.
Here’s a couple of pics from the 1960’s
View link
View link
Here’s an outside shot from early 1978 (sorry about the quality)
View link
One more
View link
Here’s a couple of Oldies
View link
View link
Werll, that’s one anyways. Here’s some more:
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
Here is a link to some old and new pictures.
View link
The Tioga Theatre is still going as a First Run house with 3 screens. The owners didn’t hack up the original auditorium but instead turned the stage area into a 90 seat house (in the mid ‘80s) and also built a 45 seat stadium theatre (early 2000’s)in the building next door. The Tioga is supposedly one of the oldest operating theatres in New York State. It also was (again supposedly) one of the first theatres built with the cantilever balcony system; therefore having no support poles. The balcony remains closed ; extensive renovations are needed and are planned. The main floor (original auditorium) seating was spaced to allow more comfort and still seats a little over 300. This theatre is still in good shape for being nearly 100 years old with lots of plaster mouldings, old light fixtures,& organ lofts (I’m not sure what type of organ was there)The Tioga is also the last “Old Time” theatres in the Binghamton area that is still open. I will post photos when available.
The Rialto (or the Rathole as lovingly called by the locals) was a Sportservice House until purchased by the American Amusement Corp in 1978. It did show sub-run/1st run until it succumbed to a fire in the late 1970’s and was torn down. The vacant lot was purchased by the Zion Lutheran Church and is used by the church.
Yes, this is a correct address for the whole building. The theatre’s address was 48 N. Main. There were 4 storefronts in this building (3 stores and 1 diner) There was also a small storefront on the south side of the building (tailor shop) which was located between 2 of the 3 Orchestra Exit Doors.
I added to this post a while back and somehow my comments were removed. I was an Operator of this theatre in 1978. We leased the theatre from Greatway Travel of Scranton. Initial renovations were started in the summer of 1977 which included repairing the balcony ceiling which had a partially collapsed section, replacement of the projection & sound equipment, and a complete cleaning of the place as it had been closed for at least 10 years. These renovations were completed in time for a Grand Re-Opening in mid March of ‘78. We ran 2nd Run films booked by the Tri-State Theatre Service of Philadelphia (The Gottliebs) and live concerts. The theatre seated approx. 700 on the main floor / orchestra and 1400 in the balcony which included box seats and a nice loge/mezzanine. The American “supposedly” had the “Largest Movie Screen in N. E. Pennsylvania”. As I posted before, this house was almost a twin to the Irving Theatre in nearby Carbondale, PA. (and designed by the same architect, Leon Lempert Jr. of Rochester, NY) The only
difference was that the main floor/orchestra seating layout was configured differently. I was lucky enough to tour the place again in the mid 80’s before it was scheduled to be gutted and turned into a medical clinic. Some fellow theatre lovers and myself were able to purchase some of the original plaster mouldings, box seats (complete), seats, and the hand painted murals that adorned the ceiling and side walls. It
actually wasn’t demolished until the early 1990’s and yes, there is
a CVS drug store on the site now. I do have photos that I would like to post if anyone is interested.
Hey Bluecat158- I have a negative of the outside of the Irving with the large marquee still there. Contact me at:
.com
I may be able to send you a copy of the picture
The roof did cave in over the auditorium years ago.(late 70’s/early 80’s ?) The auditorium was rebuilt and there was a fire and the auditorium was re-built again in the early 90’s
This theatre is very close to the Hall of Fame stadium. There’s a video rental store in the side of the auditorium. It still has “Smalley’s Theatre” on the back/stage wall.
The Ritz Theatre occupied the balcony only after 1978. I toured the building when they were renovating the main floor. I believe it was a mini mall before it was converted into offices.
The Irving’s architect was Leon H. Lempert of Rochester, NY. He also designed the American Theatre in Pittston, PA which was an almost carbon copy of the Irving. I was lucky enough to tour the building in the late 80’s and it was evident what a nice theatre it had once been.