Comments from wsasser

Showing 26 - 50 of 185 comments

wsasser
wsasser commented about Grand Theatre on Feb 19, 2017 at 2:10 pm

Grand Opening was Sept 5, 1914

wsasser
wsasser commented about Comet Theatre on Feb 19, 2017 at 2:01 pm

I have an ad dated Oct 6, 1910

wsasser
wsasser commented about Bartow Drive-In on Feb 3, 2017 at 7:33 pm

I found access to later additions of the Monterey Recorder Newspaper and found ads into 1986 – with the last ad found dated July 4, 1986

wsasser
wsasser commented about Grand Theatre on Jan 22, 2017 at 3:29 pm

From an application for the National Registry for Tangier Island

The J. E. Wallace & Co. Store was established by John Wallace (1855-1926) who came to Tangier in the 1870s. The largest store on the island, according to an old photo, it was a late-nineteenth- or early-twentieth-century, frame, hippedroofedbuilding with a long front porch.

It sold groceries, general merchandise, and coffins as Wallace was also an undertaker and had a “coffin house” as an adjacent building on the property.

After his father’s retirement in 1921, Sidney S. Wallace opened the Wallacedale Theatre, the island’s first movie house, after constructing a stage, seats, and booths and installing a projector at the western end of the store.

The Wallacedale closed shortly after Wallace’s death in 1936 and it was torn down in the 1940s.

Another theatre known as The Grand located across from the
Methodist Church continued to show movies until around 1960; it was demolished shortly thereafter.

wsasser
wsasser commented about New Theatre on Jan 11, 2017 at 7:47 pm

There was a Dec 11, 1936 Highland Recorder News Story stating that Mr. Holsinger and mr. Pattee have leased the Highland Theatre and will be known as the New Theatre. Last ad found was dated Jan. 11, 1937

wsasser
wsasser commented about Paramount Theatre on Jan 2, 2017 at 2:26 pm

I just posted a great shot of the Organ that Gladys Lyle played for so many years. A friend sent it to me. What a find.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Highland Drive-In on Jan 1, 2017 at 4:30 pm

Grand Opening Ad in Highland Recorder Newspaper dated June 6, 1952 for June 12th opening.

Last ad found was dated Aug 4, 1977

wsasser
wsasser commented about Blue Grass Theatre on Jan 1, 2017 at 12:26 pm

I found ads in the Highland Recorder Newspaper from 1922 to 1931. There were ads up to 1937 for the Blue Grass as a venue for stage shows and community events.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Evick's Theater on Dec 31, 2016 at 10:06 am

Mr. A. K. Evick opened this Theatre in McDowell after having operated a Theatre under the same name in nearby Monterey.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Fort Monroe Theatre on Dec 25, 2016 at 1:18 pm

http://www.dailypress.com/features/history/dp-fea-fort-monroe-theatre-1211-20161210-story.html

wsasser
wsasser commented about Smithfield Theatre on Dec 23, 2016 at 7:24 pm

I think that I have put the issue of location to bed.

The first Smithfield Theater – The Jamestown was located in the 100 block of Main Street and closed in April 1931.

In April 1932, Captain Scott opened the Smithfield in a building next to the Delk Department Store located in the 200 Block of Main. He leased the building from Mr. Delk.

In 1937, Jesse Scott, now the owner, purchased the theater building and an adjoining building from Mr. Delk and remodeled the Smithfield into a theater that sat about 60% more.

In May 1940, Pitts-Roth Chain purchased Theatre and in July, the Theatre was remodeled.. Seating of 400 on main floor and 150 in the balcony for the black community.

Added restrooms for both races.

Pitts-Roth owned the Theatre until 1955 when they sold to a local resident, Roy Richardson.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Jamestown Theater on Dec 23, 2016 at 11:24 am

The Jamestown Theater did close in April 1931. It was located in the 100 block of Main Street in the Jamestown Hotel Building.

The Smithfield Theater opened in May 1932 in another building in the 200 block of Main Street.

The Jamestown and the Smithfield did not share a physical location though the Manager of the Smithfield was also the first Manager of the Smithfield.

The Smithfield was built by Captain Scott of Hampton who had operated the Messick Theater in Poquoson, the American in Phoebus, the Rex, The Scott and The Lyric in downtown Hampton.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Smithfield Theatre on Dec 21, 2016 at 11:34 am

I talked to the Editor of the local newspaper this a.m. He grew up in Smithfield. The Smithfield Theater did not open next to the Jamestown Theater which was in the 100 block of Main Street. The Smithfield opened next to Delk’s Department Store at 229 Main Street and was open at that location until it closed. Both the Delk building and the Theatre building remain in place being used for office and retail space.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Smithfield Theatre on Dec 12, 2016 at 7:44 pm

Just added two photos of the theater – one with the fire in 1946

wsasser
wsasser commented about Smithfield Theatre on Dec 12, 2016 at 11:42 am

I do not think that it was built next to the Jamestown based on what I have seen on-line. Just my opinion. The Historical Society said that the address was 229 and is now occupied by a lawyer – would think that they would be in the know

wsasser
wsasser commented about Smithfield Theatre on Dec 11, 2016 at 6:27 pm

The local historical society sent me the following message:

The Smithfield theatre was located at 229 Main Street

wsasser
wsasser commented about Magic Lantern Theatre on Dec 8, 2016 at 11:25 pm

November 24, 1982 – Story in Norfolk Journal and Guide
a.Fire heavily damaged the Magic Lantern Theater in Suffolk November 18, 1982
b.Fire officials have charged three men with arson in the early morning blaze.

Notes Note 1: The men arrested were the owners Note 2: Arson was suspected from the outset due to the fact that the projectors had been removed from the theatre prior to the fire.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Cavalier Theatre on Dec 8, 2016 at 3:43 pm

Just posted a Jan 1928 ad in the photo section

wsasser
wsasser commented about Downtown Theatre on Nov 17, 2016 at 10:18 pm

I just posted a news story in the Daily Press Newspaper showing the Oct. 17, 1910 date. Check it out

wsasser
wsasser commented about Onyx Theatre on Nov 17, 2016 at 10:05 pm

The two movies shown in the display ads in front of the theatre were released in 1921 per IMDB. Thus fire must have been in 1921 and theatre closed.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Nov 9, 2016 at 9:23 pm

per a news article that I just posted, it opened in 1917

wsasser
wsasser commented about Wardley Theatre on Oct 19, 2016 at 9:05 pm

Just found an article in a Nov 7, 1938 news article regarding the “Recently Opened Wardley Theatre”. Have posted it on the photo page.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Palace Theater on Oct 15, 2016 at 6:04 pm

The Palace Theatre opened on November 3, 1917.

The original building was demolished and rebuilt and opened in 1940.

The first Sunday showing at the Palace was June 2, 1940

The Palace played its first X movie, “ILSA”, in January 1976.

The Palace played a lot of Black Exploitation type movies in 1976 and 1977

The last ad for the Palace found appeared in the June 6, 1978 issue of the Daily Press

All of the other Downtown Newport News Theaters – The Warwick, The Paramount and the Downtown – were all playing XXX movies in their last days during the late 70’s

wsasser
wsasser commented about Village Drive-In on Oct 12, 2016 at 5:29 pm

I was able to find ads in the local paper only in 1950 and 1951 other than the 1958 ad about midget races. No information to state that the Drive-In was still operating at that time. Just posted that ad.

wsasser
wsasser commented about Lee Theatre on Oct 5, 2016 at 12:33 pm

The Lee Theatre, a part of the Pitts Circuit, opened on Oct 2, 1947 and closed on Nov 13, 1958 per news articles in the local newspaper