A great vintage shot of this theatre circa 1954-55 appears in the William Klein book ‘New York’ (p.162). The photo features the beautiful streamline ticket booth with the ticket lady staring at the camera. The films ‘The Man Behind the Gun’, ‘Wings of the Hawk’, ‘Broken Arrow’ and ‘The Brave Bulls’ are featured on the marquee. Signage on the facade reads: ‘Smoking in the mezzanine’ and ‘Midnight Show Every Night’. There’s a partial view of another marquee to the right of the Liberty’s.
The Selwyn’s marquee appears on p.163 featuring ‘The Racers’ and ‘The Green Scarf’.
The restoration project is a commendable but the new theatre design is pretty unimpressive. It looks like a balcony cinema left over from a bad multiplexing job. The lighting grid obscures most of the dome. I suppose it’s better than no renovation at all, but barely at 250 seats.
This insane comment from the property owner, Tim Clark of Zirkelbach Home Appliance, on the demolition of theatres in Clinton, Iowa:
“I think when we get done, people are going to be pleased with the appearance of it,†he said. “We want to make it an example of how nice parking lots can look with landscaping.â€
I hope Mr. Clark isn’t planning anymore downtown beautification projects in other cities. Someone seems to still be living in the 1960’s.
For a couple of years in the late 80’s, Cineplex Odeon renovated the largest theatre of the multiplex (former balcony) and its elaborate orchestra level oval shaped lobby. A secondary ‘main" entrance and neon marquee were erected at the back of the building renaming it 'Pantages’. A lease dispute between Cineplex and Famous Players kept the rest of the theatre and its main entrance/lobby dark. The decor of the renovated areas was a rather garrish green and salmon scheme (popular at the time) attempting to recall the grandeur of the past. I saw “Wall Street” here in the huge balcony theatre. When the dispute ended, Cineplex was forbidden from using the building as a cinema ever again. In response, the recent renovations were stripped as the entire building was restored and updated into a live theatre venue. (much of the original decoration and the original entrance lobby were destroyed when multiplexed).
Since the 10 year run of Phantom of the Opera ended under Livent Management, the complex was sold to SFX/ClearChannel Entertainment, to be managed by Mirvish Productions and renamed the Canon (from a corporate donation by Canon Canada). The theatre is now used infrequently and often sits empty.
One of Toronto’s most grisly crimes “The Shoeshine Boy Murder” occured a few doors away at 245 Yonge St., above the Charlie’s Angels Body Rub Parlor in 1977. Following the murder, the area drastically improved in response to public outcry over the deterioration of Yonge St.
The correct address of the Canon Theatre is 263 Yonge St. (the address above denotes it’s rear entrance) http://www.theatrechannel.com/Producers_CT.htm
Their website is: http://www.capitoltheatre.com/index.htm
The address is 20 Queen Street, Port Hope, Ontario. This small theatre has 335 seats and still shows first run films on certain nights. Canada’s last operating atmospheric cinema with a Medieval town interior. (Others were Cornwall Capitol – demolished, Toronto Runnymede – Chapters Bookstore).
The balcony scenes in the film ‘54’, set in New York’s Studio 54 nightclub, were shot in the balcony of this theatre. The dancefloor and stage were a set built on a soundstage.
The theatre has operated as a cinema and live theater venue. The building is in poor condition.
The Fox Venice continues as an indoor swap meet. Very little of the original theatre remains although the ceiling dome is there and the vertical sign remains without the name and neon. The closest cinemas are now in Marina del Rey or Santa Monica.
Crossroads is located in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. The historic building, once the RKO Castle-Hill Theatre, has been transformed into a 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art house of worship. The restoration also includes new administrative facilities, a children’s educational wing, and Studio on the Hill which has already been featured in various trade publications. The project was completed by the renowned Walters-Storyk Design Group and CHBO (Chris Bowman Contractors) Inc.
Recent update from Julie Lugo Cerra, Honorary Culver City Historian:
After the approvals were given, work began and is ongoing in The Culver Theatre to make it the Kirk Douglas Theatre, (operated by the Center Theatre Group). The Culver script has
been removed, documented and in storage, and there is work being done daily
inside.
It is my understanding that CTG is on track and will be opening the theatre
in the fall. In the meantime the Ivy Substation is CTG’s venue
temporarily.
For an interior view dated 1973 before its conversion: View link
A whorthwile theater to restore in Los Angeles located near old landmarks like the Ambassador Hotel, the original Brown Derby Restaurant and Bullocks Wilshire (all closed).
Best of luck to Alliance: MacArthur Park with their efforts.
Vincent – You would have to extend your displeasure to urban planners, city councillors, studio executives, film distributors, rising land values and television in general; to account for the demise of the much loved single screen movie palace. As to Mr. Taylor, his Elgin and Uptown theatres were both excellent theatres. The Ottawa Elgin was a nice Art Deco twin theatre until Famous Players closed it in 1994. http://www.magma.ca/~hra/travia.htm
The Uptown was a great venue, Cinema 1 was huge (former balcony ) of a movie palace heavily damaged by fire in the 60’s. Although stripped of much of it’s decor, it was still a grand place. It became another casualty of Famous Players' abandoning older functioning theatres such as the Eglinton and Capitol. The Uptown was a multi-screen treasure that is a huge loss to the city of Toronto, as is the Elgin to Ottawa.
I was lucky to attend the premiere of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive during the Toronto Film Festival at the restored former Loew’s Elgin Theatre, Toronto. It was exciting to experience viewing a film in a former single screen movie palace with a full house. When is the last time anyone sat in a full balcony for a movie? There is no comparison between this and the modern movieplex.
Unfortunately, the business of exhibiting films is now more concerned with sales from concessions than the overall EXPERIENCE of attending a film. Perhaps the coming digital age and the slow rejuvenation of many downtowns will bring a new interpretation of the movie palace as did the introduction of sound and widescreen.
The Runnymede’s sister theatre, The Capitol, in Cornwall, Ontario was demolished several years ago. Still retained its original atmospheric interior in its final years. Photos of both theatres (interior and exterior) can be seen in the book ‘Palaces of the Night, Canada’s Grand Theatres" by John Lindsay.
A great vintage shot of this theatre circa 1954-55 appears in the William Klein book ‘New York’ (p.162). The photo features the beautiful streamline ticket booth with the ticket lady staring at the camera. The films ‘The Man Behind the Gun’, ‘Wings of the Hawk’, ‘Broken Arrow’ and ‘The Brave Bulls’ are featured on the marquee. Signage on the facade reads: ‘Smoking in the mezzanine’ and ‘Midnight Show Every Night’. There’s a partial view of another marquee to the right of the Liberty’s.
The Selwyn’s marquee appears on p.163 featuring ‘The Racers’ and ‘The Green Scarf’.
The restoration project is a commendable but the new theatre design is pretty unimpressive. It looks like a balcony cinema left over from a bad multiplexing job. The lighting grid obscures most of the dome. I suppose it’s better than no renovation at all, but barely at 250 seats.
This insane comment from the property owner, Tim Clark of Zirkelbach Home Appliance, on the demolition of theatres in Clinton, Iowa:
“I think when we get done, people are going to be pleased with the appearance of it,†he said. “We want to make it an example of how nice parking lots can look with landscaping.â€
I hope Mr. Clark isn’t planning anymore downtown beautification projects in other cities. Someone seems to still be living in the 1960’s.
The Warfield can be seen in the filmed version of Margaret’s Cho’s 2000 one-woman comedy show ‘I’m the One that I Want-Live in Concert".
For a couple of years in the late 80’s, Cineplex Odeon renovated the largest theatre of the multiplex (former balcony) and its elaborate orchestra level oval shaped lobby. A secondary ‘main" entrance and neon marquee were erected at the back of the building renaming it 'Pantages’. A lease dispute between Cineplex and Famous Players kept the rest of the theatre and its main entrance/lobby dark. The decor of the renovated areas was a rather garrish green and salmon scheme (popular at the time) attempting to recall the grandeur of the past. I saw “Wall Street” here in the huge balcony theatre. When the dispute ended, Cineplex was forbidden from using the building as a cinema ever again. In response, the recent renovations were stripped as the entire building was restored and updated into a live theatre venue. (much of the original decoration and the original entrance lobby were destroyed when multiplexed).
Since the 10 year run of Phantom of the Opera ended under Livent Management, the complex was sold to SFX/ClearChannel Entertainment, to be managed by Mirvish Productions and renamed the Canon (from a corporate donation by Canon Canada). The theatre is now used infrequently and often sits empty.
One of Toronto’s most grisly crimes “The Shoeshine Boy Murder” occured a few doors away at 245 Yonge St., above the Charlie’s Angels Body Rub Parlor in 1977. Following the murder, the area drastically improved in response to public outcry over the deterioration of Yonge St.
The correct address of the Canon Theatre is 263 Yonge St. (the address above denotes it’s rear entrance)
http://www.theatrechannel.com/Producers_CT.htm
Hopefully someone can post some new photos of this theater.
Website for Mann’s Premiere Theatres:
View link
Website for Mann’s Premiere Theatres:
View link
Website for Mann’s Premiere Theatres:
View link
Their website is:
http://www.capitoltheatre.com/index.htm
The address is 20 Queen Street, Port Hope, Ontario. This small theatre has 335 seats and still shows first run films on certain nights. Canada’s last operating atmospheric cinema with a Medieval town interior. (Others were Cornwall Capitol – demolished, Toronto Runnymede – Chapters Bookstore).
UA Lynbrook 6, 321 Merrick Rd., Lynbrook, NY 11563, 516-593-1050:
http://www.uatc.com/
The balcony scenes in the film ‘54’, set in New York’s Studio 54 nightclub, were shot in the balcony of this theatre. The dancefloor and stage were a set built on a soundstage.
The theatre has operated as a cinema and live theater venue. The building is in poor condition.
There seems to be very little info on this theater, however another reliable site has this listing for the Welland Capitol:
Opened about 1935 and closed about 1965
Famous Players owned the Capitol, which had 1303 seats.
You may try contacting the Chamber of Commerce or the Historical Museum in the area to see what has happened to the theatre.
http://www.wellandpelhamchamber.com/index2.htm
http://aao.fis.utoronto.ca/Directory/Wdir.html
Good luck!
A link for the Fox Discount Store (former Fox Venice Theatre):
View link
The Fox Venice continues as an indoor swap meet. Very little of the original theatre remains although the ceiling dome is there and the vertical sign remains without the name and neon. The closest cinemas are now in Marina del Rey or Santa Monica.
Link to this former cinema:
http://www.crossroadstabernacle.com/home.htm
Crossroads is located in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. The historic building, once the RKO Castle-Hill Theatre, has been transformed into a 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art house of worship. The restoration also includes new administrative facilities, a children’s educational wing, and Studio on the Hill which has already been featured in various trade publications. The project was completed by the renowned Walters-Storyk Design Group and CHBO (Chris Bowman Contractors) Inc.
Pats, wrong site to find this type of info but here’s a link to this theater’s listings (theatre now known as Regal Hudson Mall 7):
View link
Recent update from Julie Lugo Cerra, Honorary Culver City Historian:
After the approvals were given, work began and is ongoing in The Culver Theatre to make it the Kirk Douglas Theatre, (operated by the Center Theatre Group). The Culver script has
been removed, documented and in storage, and there is work being done daily
inside.
It is my understanding that CTG is on track and will be opening the theatre
in the fall. In the meantime the Ivy Substation is CTG’s venue
temporarily.
Alternate link for 1973 interior view of Westlake Theatre (later known as Teatro Westlake showing Spanish movies):
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015508.jpg
For an interior view dated 1973 before its conversion:
View link
A whorthwile theater to restore in Los Angeles located near old landmarks like the Ambassador Hotel, the original Brown Derby Restaurant and Bullocks Wilshire (all closed).
Best of luck to Alliance: MacArthur Park with their efforts.
Vincent – You would have to extend your displeasure to urban planners, city councillors, studio executives, film distributors, rising land values and television in general; to account for the demise of the much loved single screen movie palace. As to Mr. Taylor, his Elgin and Uptown theatres were both excellent theatres. The Ottawa Elgin was a nice Art Deco twin theatre until Famous Players closed it in 1994.
http://www.magma.ca/~hra/travia.htm
The Uptown was a great venue, Cinema 1 was huge (former balcony ) of a movie palace heavily damaged by fire in the 60’s. Although stripped of much of it’s decor, it was still a grand place. It became another casualty of Famous Players' abandoning older functioning theatres such as the Eglinton and Capitol. The Uptown was a multi-screen treasure that is a huge loss to the city of Toronto, as is the Elgin to Ottawa.
I was lucky to attend the premiere of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive during the Toronto Film Festival at the restored former Loew’s Elgin Theatre, Toronto. It was exciting to experience viewing a film in a former single screen movie palace with a full house. When is the last time anyone sat in a full balcony for a movie? There is no comparison between this and the modern movieplex.
Unfortunately, the business of exhibiting films is now more concerned with sales from concessions than the overall EXPERIENCE of attending a film. Perhaps the coming digital age and the slow rejuvenation of many downtowns will bring a new interpretation of the movie palace as did the introduction of sound and widescreen.
Present day view of the unique circular marquee of the former Warner Theatre:
View link
Original ad for Yorkdale opening lists the theatre as a twin:
http://rivest266.tripod.com/toronto/u.html
Link to photo of Runnymede theatre before conversion into a bookstore:
http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/runnymede.jpg
Link to photographs of the Runnymede’s now demolished sister theatre, The Capitol in Cornwall, Ontario:
View link
The Runnymede’s sister theatre, The Capitol, in Cornwall, Ontario was demolished several years ago. Still retained its original atmospheric interior in its final years. Photos of both theatres (interior and exterior) can be seen in the book ‘Palaces of the Night, Canada’s Grand Theatres" by John Lindsay.