Dispatch article….Star Cinemas in Grove City, 2384 Stringtown Rd., has closed, a victim of increased competition and the prohibitive cost of converting to digital projection equipment.
“We built the theater 15 years ago, and I think there were 175 screens that opened after we opened,” said Phil Roberts, managing partner. “It seemed like every movie chain thought Columbus was the place to build a movie theater.”
The recent conversion of movie theaters to digital projection from the 35 mm format was the final blow, he said.
“It would have cost $650,000 to roll out digital,” Roberts said, and that was too much.
SAVING THE OHIO THEATER in 1969. from the Vintage Columbus Facebook Page.
Across the nation downtown theaters were closing in the 1960’s. On February 24, 1969 after 40 years as a movie palace, the Loew’s Ohio theater closed and the theater was sold to a local development group called the 55 East State Company with intent to build an office tower.
But there were many people who loved the theater and a committee was organized, The Temporary Committee for Continued Use of the Ohio Theater led by the Columbus chapter of the American Theater Organ Society. This group was able to get delays from Loew’s Theaters in stripping the theater and a stay of demolition from the 55 East State owners. .
A demonstration of the acoustical qualities of the Ohio Theater through a free concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on March 28, 1969 proved the theater’s potential as a performing arts center and the response from critics and the public was ecstatic.
The Temporary Committee attempted to raise $30,000 to keep the building open but despite the concert success, it fell well short of it’s goal.
By May 16, 1969, 55 East State Company was no longer willing to wait any longer for a theater savior.
Jean Whallon, wife of Evan Whallon( who was conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra) called John W Galbreath, a renown community leader, in a last ditch effort to save the Ohio. Mr Galbreath was able to get another delay and a plan was developed that successful in saving the Ohio Theater under ownership of Columbus Association of Performing Arts(CAPA)
One woman of modest means, who has chosen to remain anonymous, gave her life’s savings to pay half the option to secure the Ohio Theater for an extra period of time. Without that donation, which gave CAPA the time to form and create a plan to save the Ohio Theater, the theater would have been demolished.
The Ohio Theater was saved, painstakingly restored and has been under CAPA ownership longer than it’s original tour of duty as a movie palace.
Based on material presented in a book called The Ohio Theater printed in 1978 and conceived by Clive David.
The Lincoln Theatre has launched “Family Fun Movies at the Lincoln Theatre,” a Saturday
morning, summer film series offering double features of popular family films for just $1 per ticket.
For sale for $350,000! I don’t believe it. http://www.mlsfinder.com/oh_cbr/kw_940/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=214025114&searchkey=6990f949-ca87-335f-d6a9-208541cc92b3
They make it seem like number 1 the Grandview has been showing movies since 1926. It was a antique store mid century. They have not switched to digital. I hope they make it.
Ohio Theatre installed a new Orchestra Shell. The new one is lighter, easier to handle and makes the Orchestra sound better. Cost a million dollars.
Dispatch article….Star Cinemas in Grove City, 2384 Stringtown Rd., has closed, a victim of increased competition and the prohibitive cost of converting to digital projection equipment.
“We built the theater 15 years ago, and I think there were 175 screens that opened after we opened,” said Phil Roberts, managing partner. “It seemed like every movie chain thought Columbus was the place to build a movie theater.”
The recent conversion of movie theaters to digital projection from the 35 mm format was the final blow, he said.
“It would have cost $650,000 to roll out digital,” Roberts said, and that was too much.
Star Cinemas’ Hillsboro location will stay open.
Closed. Door says thanks for 15 years.
This is the wrong location. The theater was located where the old library was before moving to this location.
SAVING THE OHIO THEATER in 1969. from the Vintage Columbus Facebook Page. Across the nation downtown theaters were closing in the 1960’s. On February 24, 1969 after 40 years as a movie palace, the Loew’s Ohio theater closed and the theater was sold to a local development group called the 55 East State Company with intent to build an office tower. But there were many people who loved the theater and a committee was organized, The Temporary Committee for Continued Use of the Ohio Theater led by the Columbus chapter of the American Theater Organ Society. This group was able to get delays from Loew’s Theaters in stripping the theater and a stay of demolition from the 55 East State owners. . A demonstration of the acoustical qualities of the Ohio Theater through a free concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on March 28, 1969 proved the theater’s potential as a performing arts center and the response from critics and the public was ecstatic. The Temporary Committee attempted to raise $30,000 to keep the building open but despite the concert success, it fell well short of it’s goal. By May 16, 1969, 55 East State Company was no longer willing to wait any longer for a theater savior. Jean Whallon, wife of Evan Whallon( who was conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra) called John W Galbreath, a renown community leader, in a last ditch effort to save the Ohio. Mr Galbreath was able to get another delay and a plan was developed that successful in saving the Ohio Theater under ownership of Columbus Association of Performing Arts(CAPA) One woman of modest means, who has chosen to remain anonymous, gave her life’s savings to pay half the option to secure the Ohio Theater for an extra period of time. Without that donation, which gave CAPA the time to form and create a plan to save the Ohio Theater, the theater would have been demolished. The Ohio Theater was saved, painstakingly restored and has been under CAPA ownership longer than it’s original tour of duty as a movie palace. Based on material presented in a book called The Ohio Theater printed in 1978 and conceived by Clive David.
Update. First digital movie this weekend!
The grandview has gone digital! First movie this weekend.
The first few rows of the theater have been recovered.
The Lincoln Theatre has launched “Family Fun Movies at the Lincoln Theatre,” a Saturday morning, summer film series offering double features of popular family films for just $1 per ticket.
For sale for $350,000! I don’t believe it. http://www.mlsfinder.com/oh_cbr/kw_940/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=214025114&searchkey=6990f949-ca87-335f-d6a9-208541cc92b3
Looks like a persons profile.
that’s cool.
cool pic.
Cool photo!
nice pics.
This isn’t the right location. The theatre was located north of here where Cleveland ave curves and the site of the old library.
Why does this pic have almost 4 thousand views?
Theatre is for lease.
I hope they as least save the cool curtain.
cool pics. cant see that in a black box theater.
They make it seem like number 1 the Grandview has been showing movies since 1926. It was a antique store mid century. They have not switched to digital. I hope they make it.
1928
wow!
sweet! Keaton!
Pretty!