WarnerChatham, thank you so much for sharing your photos of the Chatham. So many memories came flooding back. They are great shots.
Another memory of mine, driving just about all night from Beckly,WVA and then catching a matinee of THATS ENTERTAINMENT in 1974.
I really do wish that the Chatham could be restored and re-opened, there is a built in audience from the Apt tower and hotel.
Not sure how many dressing rooms there were.My key is for dressing room 11. If I recall correctly there was nothing under the stage, They were backstage(behind the screen) upstairs, 2 or 3 levels?
Funny you should ask robboehm. While going through a drawer of old stuff last month I came across 2 items from my days at the Grove. My name tag, w/ the Century logo on it,listing me as Chief-of-Staff (pretty heady for someone in high school)and an old key to one of the dressing rooms with a huge key fob saying Grove Theatre and the # of the dressing room. We went on a backstage exploration one day thru the dressing rooms. I also had one of the old 8x10 frames that hung in the lobby where the days show schedule was put up for the audience to see.
robboehm, on my nights off from the Grove was when I would sub, or on a weekend, I would do 1 show at the Grove and the other at another theatre if they needed someone extra
I saw my very first film in Pittsburgh here. “Happy Mothers Day,Love George”, August 1973. My parents drove me from NY to Pgh as I was going to begin college here. We stayed at a hotel in Monroeville, but came downtown for dinner and a movie
Thank you garth. It seems that many bookings were also going to the Fox on Hylan, The Jerry Lewis Cinema, and for a while a theatre run by the Century chain.
Isnt it ironic that some of those multi-plexes that replaced the great palaces are now gone themselves?
According to ads in the Village Voice, December 1976, and January 1977 saw a booking of the film"In Search of Noahs Ark". The Paramount seemed to be getting the prime bookings by then.
Were both theatres not run by Fabian?.Was St George more of a problem than Stapleton by then?
sorry, I should have clarified that I knew that the 1969 X was not on par w/ XXX. But in 1969 X still was something. And this film was in wide release at multiple theatres, including the 42nd St House. Again, my apologies
Seems the Rivoli went X back in 1969. Before the December 1969 premiere of “Hello,Dolly!”,in November a film starring Kier Dullea entitled “de Sade” was playing the theatre. That same film could also be seen at one of the 42nd St grindhouses.
“What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?” “Slaughterhouse Five”,Woody Allens “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex”, all early 70s. A shame that 3 years later the blaxploitation, grindhouse and soft porn would come.
By then Freeport was in decline, there were racial problems, and people were just not coming to Freeport to go to the movies any longer.
Some early 70s bookings, though the choices were large mainstream films, some it appears were move overs from Merrick. But the theatre was still solid, as the Village of Freeports problems had not fully come to light just yet.
Nov 1970- “2001: A Space Odyssey”
Jan 1971-“MAS*H”
Feb 1971-“Joe”
April 1971-“Tora! Tora! Tora!”
This past week the interior of the theatre was being used as a location for the filming of some feature, could not see what the title was. Lots of activity though
WarnerChatham, thank you so much for sharing your photos of the Chatham. So many memories came flooding back. They are great shots.
Another memory of mine, driving just about all night from Beckly,WVA and then catching a matinee of THATS ENTERTAINMENT in 1974. I really do wish that the Chatham could be restored and re-opened, there is a built in audience from the Apt tower and hotel.
NBC television show SMASH filming at theatre again today.Seems this theatre will be used for the filming of musical numbers and some theatre interiors
Not sure how many dressing rooms there were.My key is for dressing room 11. If I recall correctly there was nothing under the stage, They were backstage(behind the screen) upstairs, 2 or 3 levels?
Funny you should ask robboehm. While going through a drawer of old stuff last month I came across 2 items from my days at the Grove. My name tag, w/ the Century logo on it,listing me as Chief-of-Staff (pretty heady for someone in high school)and an old key to one of the dressing rooms with a huge key fob saying Grove Theatre and the # of the dressing room. We went on a backstage exploration one day thru the dressing rooms. I also had one of the old 8x10 frames that hung in the lobby where the days show schedule was put up for the audience to see.
robboehm, on my nights off from the Grove was when I would sub, or on a weekend, I would do 1 show at the Grove and the other at another theatre if they needed someone extra
I saw my very first film in Pittsburgh here. “Happy Mothers Day,Love George”, August 1973. My parents drove me from NY to Pgh as I was going to begin college here. We stayed at a hotel in Monroeville, but came downtown for dinner and a movie
Thank you garth. It seems that many bookings were also going to the Fox on Hylan, The Jerry Lewis Cinema, and for a while a theatre run by the Century chain.
Isnt it ironic that some of those multi-plexes that replaced the great palaces are now gone themselves?
According to ads in the Village Voice, December 1976, and January 1977 saw a booking of the film"In Search of Noahs Ark". The Paramount seemed to be getting the prime bookings by then.
Were both theatres not run by Fabian?.Was St George more of a problem than Stapleton by then?
Found some 1974 bookings
Jan 1974-“Mean Streets”
April 1974-“The Last Detail”
June 1974-“The Lords of Flatbush”
July 1974-“The Exorcist” -in its 3rd big week!
When exactly did this theatre first close? Did the Paramount stay open a bit longer?
sorry, I should have clarified that I knew that the 1969 X was not on par w/ XXX. But in 1969 X still was something. And this film was in wide release at multiple theatres, including the 42nd St House. Again, my apologies
Seems the Rivoli went X back in 1969. Before the December 1969 premiere of “Hello,Dolly!”,in November a film starring Kier Dullea entitled “de Sade” was playing the theatre. That same film could also be seen at one of the 42nd St grindhouses.
garth you can use google news archive search
garth I am going through back issue of the Village Voice online.
These are great history lessons. The old movie and theatre ads,plus reviews. Not to mention just being able toread about the city from back then
“What Do You Say to a Naked Lady?” “Slaughterhouse Five”,Woody Allens “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex”, all early 70s. A shame that 3 years later the blaxploitation, grindhouse and soft porn would come. By then Freeport was in decline, there were racial problems, and people were just not coming to Freeport to go to the movies any longer.
Still on top.
March 1973- “Childs Play” on a double bill w/ “The First Circle”
Nov 1973- “Billy Jack”
A question. During the week was there only one showing per evening, and then on weekends multiple showings?
Talk about your highs and lows. From “Frogs” in July 1972,to “Lady Sings The Blues” in November , 1972
Thank you garth,I appreciate the info. I just came across an engagement in July 1972 for the film “Frogs”.
Seems the St George suffered the same fate as the two theatres in my Long Island hometown. The Grove and The Freeport
June 1971 saw a booking of “Escape From the Planet of the Apes”.
Then in October 1971 20th hauled out “MAS*H” again as the lower half on a double bill with “The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker”
And I have friends in the series, so I will keep an eye out. Thank you
Seems the St. George was still booking rather big in the early 70s.
Jan 1971-“Catch-22”
April- 1971- “Tora! Tora! Tora!”
Some early 70s bookings, though the choices were large mainstream films, some it appears were move overs from Merrick. But the theatre was still solid, as the Village of Freeports problems had not fully come to light just yet.
Nov 1970- “2001: A Space Odyssey” Jan 1971-“MAS*H” Feb 1971-“Joe” April 1971-“Tora! Tora! Tora!”
A December 1969 booking, Russ Meyers “Vixen” rated X
December 1971, MGM releases Ken Russells “The Boyfriend” starring Twiggy at the RKO 59th St Twin
some interesting bookings The Grove had: May 1972- a double bill of “The Stepmother” and “Cindy and Donna”
Feb 1973-“The Train Robbers” March 1973-“Vault of Horror” May 1973- “The French Connection” w/ “MAS*H”
“Women in Love” was a feature presentation here in the early 1970s
This past week the interior of the theatre was being used as a location for the filming of some feature, could not see what the title was. Lots of activity though