North Park Theatre
1428 Hertel Avenue,
Buffalo,
NY
14216
1428 Hertel Avenue,
Buffalo,
NY
14216
7 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 66 of 66 comments
Tiffany Lights: While I have no idea about Tiffany lamps in general (someone might do some research), I am aware that both the Shea’s Buffalo and North Park had actual, Louis Comfort Tiffany lighting. In both cases, the original lighting was sold. The whereabouts of the North Park’s fixtures remains unknown as of this writing. The Sheas Buffalo lights were in the Museum of the City of New York, but (as I recall) returned to Buffalo under some special arrangmeent. Any details regarding this would certainly be interesting!
Ziggy: Just read your Buffalo comments. As everyone knows winters can be tough in Buffalo, but the other seasons are just fine and if one knows where to look one can find out of way great neighborhoods, historical buildings, wonderful restaurants and friendly folks along the shores of Lake Erie! I plan to check out the North Park Theatre and the Riviera this summer. I think Shea’s takes top honors for the City of Buffalo though.
Strangely enough there are Tiffany style hanging fixtures at the rear of the North Park (around the concession area) but these are definite fakes. Unless they have been removed quite recently, they are still there.
E. Summer: Interesting post in regards to the Tiffany lamps as I wonder how many historic theatres had or have Tiffany lighting?
Where, exactly, in Albary, NY is the North Park Theatre organ?
When first opened in 1920, Sheas North Park Theatre was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2Manual/6Rank theatre pipe organ Opus 365. However it was repossed on 27th March 1926 and removed to the Lyric Theatre, Louisville, KY. It is now in Albany. NY.
I believe there were other Shea’s around the country other than in Buffalo as I know there were other Warner Theatres.
br91975: I believe there were other Shea’s, but someone more Shea’s knowledge than myself could help us with this information, I’m sure.
Dipson Theatres' corporate office is located in Williamsville NY (a suburb of Buffalo). In addition to the North Park, they operate several theaters in the Buffalo area as well as a number of other theaters in western NY. According to their website they operate 37 screens in total.
The North Park is, supposedly, currently (12/2004) owned by the Dipson Theatre chain.
They would surely benefit from a restoration of the theatre by increased audience interest and attendance.
Anyone know where they are located and who is in charge?
At one time there were 10 Shea’s theaters in the Buffalo area alone, as well as Shea’s Hippodrome in downtown Toronto. That theater was demolished in the early 60’s to make way for Toronto’s new city hall and civic square. There may have been other theaters elsewhere. Except for the North Park and Shea’s Performing Arts Center, all other Shea’s theaters in Buffalo are gone.
You’re right ziggy, North Buffalo and Hertel Av still is a great area.
I lived in the neighborhood of this theatre for about 2 years. First of all, I loved living in Buffalo (no kidding)! I would move back in a heartbeat. I especially enjoyed the Hertel Avenue area because (back in the 90’s anyway) it seemed like the perfect city neighborhood. Not too rich, not too poor, great old houses, pharmacy’s, bars, grocery stores and anything else you might want, all in walking distance from my front door. One of the highlights was the North Park Theatre. A great old theatre showing movies worth seeing, and I could stroll home or to a restaurant after the flick! As an added plus, my Canadian friends could not get over how friendly Buffalonians are, so you Go Buffalo! As far as I’m concerned, YOU ROCK!
Was the Shea’s circuit of theatres situated solely in upstate N.Y. or were there Shea’s located elsewhere as well?
The North Park is the only Shea’s theater still in existence in the Buffalo area besides Shea’s Performing Arts Center (formerly Shea’s Buffalo theater). Offering a mixed palate of art and foreign films, it has a tough time competing with other theaters who began offering similar fare, including one located not too far from it. Parking can sometimes be difficult even at night and the other theater is located in a plaza with plenty of parking.
Some seating was sacrificed a number of years ago for the addition of a concession area. Even so its still a sizeable house.
The impression I received is that the management has all it can do
to keep afloat and there is little, if any, funds for refurbishment of the theater. I sincerely hope that the North Park will survive.
1) The North Park has the majority of its original lights, but putportedly, it originally had hanging Tiffany Lamps at the rear of the theater. These lamps were removed and sold at one time as were those in the Shea’s Buffalo Theater (those flanked the proscenium). The lamps should be found and replaced.
2) There is a circular oil painting surrounding the “dome” of the theaer. In 2004, the bulbs illuminating it were replaced, revealing more of the detail in the paintings. However, restoration and preservation work should be done on the paintings.
3) The original proscenium around the original (Academy Aperature, 1.33:1) screen is intact, but it is totally obscured by the current screen which stands in front of it on a jerry-rigged wooden stage. This screen should be available for special, classic film screenings.
The North Park Theatre opened Nov.21,1920 with a seating capacity of 1,420. The Architect was Henry L. Spann and the Interior Designer was Raphael Beck.