Here is part of an article about projectionists in the Long Beach Independent, dated 6/15/47:
Everybody knows that someone has to handle has to handle the film to get the pictures on the motion picture screen, but few know what they do or how they go about it. Wayne Swank, who operates at the United Artists theatre, got his start 30 years ago at the old American theatre on the Pike.
“We’ve come a long way since we used to sit on cracker boxes, and rewind film with one hand and crank the projector with the otherâ€, he said. “Our projection booths are clean and fumes from the arc lights are carried off by blowersâ€. Operators work on six hour shifts. Before the theater opens for the day, the machines must be cleaned and oiled and film inspected for bad splices. Responsibility for the projection rests squarely on the operator. Operators are assigned to theaters by the Motion Picture Projectionists Union, Local 521.
Here is part of an article dated 1/31/28 from the Danville Bee:
The Broadway theatre was reopened at the usual hour today after damages, caused by a fire yesterday afternoon in the projection room had forced the movie house to close its doors the remainder of the day. The damage, including the loss of two reels, approximately four thousand feet of film, was estimated at between $200 and $300.
There was no excitement on the part of the audience when it learned that there was a blaze, according to Mr. J.C. Hester, general manager of the Southern Amusement Company. He said that people left the building orderly, some of them stopping just before reaching the outside to watch efforts to extinguish the blaze. Even some of the patrons in the balcony remained there until Mr. Hester announced to them that there had been a blaze, destroying the films, and that there would be no further performances for the day.
On further review, the caption says this particular theater was razed in 1930. A NYT article on the same date says the theater in questions was at Greenwich Avenue and Twelfth Street.
This February 1954 view of the Capitol signage is from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google. Apologies if I missed this photo anywhere in the above posts. http://tinyurl.com/5bbdr8
The RKO Palace can been seen in this 1951 photo from Life magazine. This is a new collection of photos that has been added to Google. http://tinyurl.com/6bkf7g
This is an April 1928 ad from the LA Times. Not much to do with the College, saving that Mr. Bley’s office was a block away, but it’s an interesting snapshot of pre-Depression America.
THEATER
Be a movie theater owner. Big opportunity. Moderate capital required. Houses low as $1500. Easy terms.
MEL BLEY PROPERTIES. THEATERS AND LEASES SINCE 1889. WE WILL FINANCE YOU.
345 So. Hill Street, Ground floor.
Here is an excerpt from an LA Times story dated 9/18/54:
Huntington Park police were alerted to stand by for a possible riot last night after a giant picture tube burned out during the closed circuit telecast of the Marciano-Charles fight at the Stanley Warner Theater.
The theater’s screen went blank at the start of the eighth round, before the knockout. Admission money had to be refunded. Paramount Downtown played to 85% of capacity. Fox Wilshire, Orpheum and Warners Downtown all reported 75% of capacity.
Houston-A theater playing the controversial Swedish film “I am Curious (Yellow)” burned to the ground here Wednesday. Officials of the Houston arson squad said the fire, which destroyed the Heights Theater, was probably set by a person or persons hidden in the theater.
“Someone probably burned the theater down in the name of decency”, said Mrs. John Scott, who along with her husband owns the theater. The film, which includes explicit sex scenes, has caused controversy in the city resulting in picketing by a church group and literature thrown on the Scotts' front porch.
“We ran family movies for nine years and almost went broke”, Mrs. Scott said angrily. She said that the theater has been showing adult movies for the past three years and has done much better financially.
I think LaMotta won that fight.
Here is part of an article about projectionists in the Long Beach Independent, dated 6/15/47:
Everybody knows that someone has to handle has to handle the film to get the pictures on the motion picture screen, but few know what they do or how they go about it. Wayne Swank, who operates at the United Artists theatre, got his start 30 years ago at the old American theatre on the Pike.
“We’ve come a long way since we used to sit on cracker boxes, and rewind film with one hand and crank the projector with the otherâ€, he said. “Our projection booths are clean and fumes from the arc lights are carried off by blowersâ€. Operators work on six hour shifts. Before the theater opens for the day, the machines must be cleaned and oiled and film inspected for bad splices. Responsibility for the projection rests squarely on the operator. Operators are assigned to theaters by the Motion Picture Projectionists Union, Local 521.
Here is part of an article dated 1/31/28 from the Danville Bee:
The Broadway theatre was reopened at the usual hour today after damages, caused by a fire yesterday afternoon in the projection room had forced the movie house to close its doors the remainder of the day. The damage, including the loss of two reels, approximately four thousand feet of film, was estimated at between $200 and $300.
There was no excitement on the part of the audience when it learned that there was a blaze, according to Mr. J.C. Hester, general manager of the Southern Amusement Company. He said that people left the building orderly, some of them stopping just before reaching the outside to watch efforts to extinguish the blaze. Even some of the patrons in the balcony remained there until Mr. Hester announced to them that there had been a blaze, destroying the films, and that there would be no further performances for the day.
On further review, the caption says this particular theater was razed in 1930. A NYT article on the same date says the theater in questions was at Greenwich Avenue and Twelfth Street.
This story was reported in a few different newspapers in July 1937:
http://tinyurl.com/5qf37j
Here is a 1951 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/6fn9ac
Here is a 1939 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5celtq
This February 1954 view of the Capitol signage is from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google. Apologies if I missed this photo anywhere in the above posts.
http://tinyurl.com/5bbdr8
Here is a 1946 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/6bccld
Here is a 1942 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5wh8uf
Here is a 1946 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/6hvznc
Here is a 1951 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5tmmuv
Here is a 1948 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine photos on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/6rpvms
Here is a 1940 photo from a new collection of Life Magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5ww73s
The RKO Palace can been seen in this 1951 photo from Life magazine. This is a new collection of photos that has been added to Google.
http://tinyurl.com/6bkf7g
This is a 1946 photo from a new collection of Life magazine images on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5vf33z
I added the earlier Atlantic, as yesterday I found a 1920’s article about a fire in the theater.
This is an April 1928 ad from the LA Times. Not much to do with the College, saving that Mr. Bley’s office was a block away, but it’s an interesting snapshot of pre-Depression America.
THEATER
Be a movie theater owner. Big opportunity. Moderate capital required. Houses low as $1500. Easy terms.
MEL BLEY PROPERTIES. THEATERS AND LEASES SINCE 1889. WE WILL FINANCE YOU.
345 So. Hill Street, Ground floor.
Here is an excerpt from an LA Times story dated 9/18/54:
Huntington Park police were alerted to stand by for a possible riot last night after a giant picture tube burned out during the closed circuit telecast of the Marciano-Charles fight at the Stanley Warner Theater.
The theater’s screen went blank at the start of the eighth round, before the knockout. Admission money had to be refunded. Paramount Downtown played to 85% of capacity. Fox Wilshire, Orpheum and Warners Downtown all reported 75% of capacity.
Here is a January 19, 1927 article about a fire in the Audubon:
http://tinyurl.com/5dw9gx
I guess they rebuilt it.
Here is more information about the fire. Address was 140 E. Main Street.
http://tinyurl.com/6jtffn
I think so. I don’t know when this theater closed, which makes you wonder if the current building was ever used for films.
Here is part of an LA Times story dated 6/7/69:
Houston-A theater playing the controversial Swedish film “I am Curious (Yellow)” burned to the ground here Wednesday. Officials of the Houston arson squad said the fire, which destroyed the Heights Theater, was probably set by a person or persons hidden in the theater.
“Someone probably burned the theater down in the name of decency”, said Mrs. John Scott, who along with her husband owns the theater. The film, which includes explicit sex scenes, has caused controversy in the city resulting in picketing by a church group and literature thrown on the Scotts' front porch.
“We ran family movies for nine years and almost went broke”, Mrs. Scott said angrily. She said that the theater has been showing adult movies for the past three years and has done much better financially.
OK, it’s Chester, NY. I was close.