I worked with the committee and board renovating the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL. Our 1935 theatre building was in miserable shape—having been used as a warehouse for over 40 years after the movie theatre closed. By applying for grants from the state, county and city, we raised a lot of capital We also received sizeable contributions from individuals. When all was said and done, our renovation cost $3.1 million. We raised about $2.1 million. The City of Winter Garden paid off our balance after we deeded the building back to it. Since the City owns the building now, it does the maintenance and repairs needed. A sweetheart deal! We have been very successful in our city of about 35,000 population. However, bear in mind, most of our fundraising was done in better economic times, and grants are much more difficult to come by now than they were at the time we were renovating. I wish you the best with your worthwhile project.
The Leon Theatre went through several ownerships beginning in the 1960s, and ran soft core porn. At one time, it was named “Randy’s Campus Theatre.” It probably closed in the 1990s; I’m not sure what the use of the building is now.
The Florida Theatre was also Carl Floyd Theatres' home office. Years after the theatre closed, the chain’s offices were still active in the building. My understanding is after closing as a full-time theatre, it was reopened from time to time for special showings. What is the building used for now?
I have a good friend who is involved in historic preservation in Auburndale, and, unfortunately, he doesn’t think there is any interest in reviving the theatre at this time.
This is the second listing for the Princess on CINEMA TREASURES. It’s probably due to “Mt. Dora” on one listing and “Mount Dora” on the other. The two should be combined.
Trish: To see what can be done with a theatre restoration with less to work with than what you have in Mt. Dora, visit the now functioning Garden Theatre in nearby Winter Garden.
My mother graduated from Duval High School in 1927 on the stage of the Temple Theatre. I have the printed program. So, it must have been built before 1935.
Per the book referenced by Jeff D. above (Orlando: More Than a Memory), the photo on page 151 shows the Rialto Theatre with the Orlando High School Band playing in front of it. The similiarity of the windows in the picture and the building currently standing at 27 W. Church Street leads me to believe that this was the location of the Rialto Theatre. The status should be changed to “closed.” I attended the Rialto many times as a child. It was a very plain and cramped theatre, but the kids loved it because it played the double features they wanted to see. The Roxy, a couple of blocks west, was a much nicer and larger house, but class distinctions in place at the time made it unpopular.
The 1944 FILM DAILY YEARBOOK lists the Granada Theatre in St. Cloud with 250 seats (no address listed). The 1954 edition of the same publication lists the Cloud Theatre at 1114 10th Street, with 315 seats. Does anyone know more about these theatres?
I regret to announce that the Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has moved its performance space to a warehouse building in Winter Park. Unfortunately, the Cameo’s status will have to be changed to closed.
I believe the local newspaper now occupies the site of the Lake Theatre in Clermont.
Picture of film being projected on the Garden Theatre’s screen, October 2, 2010 View link
I worked with the committee and board renovating the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL. Our 1935 theatre building was in miserable shape—having been used as a warehouse for over 40 years after the movie theatre closed. By applying for grants from the state, county and city, we raised a lot of capital We also received sizeable contributions from individuals. When all was said and done, our renovation cost $3.1 million. We raised about $2.1 million. The City of Winter Garden paid off our balance after we deeded the building back to it. Since the City owns the building now, it does the maintenance and repairs needed. A sweetheart deal! We have been very successful in our city of about 35,000 population. However, bear in mind, most of our fundraising was done in better economic times, and grants are much more difficult to come by now than they were at the time we were renovating. I wish you the best with your worthwhile project.
A 1949 picture of this theatre, when it was known as the Winter Garden Theatre, is at this link:
View link
This was truly a unique operation. I don’t recall ever hearing of side by side theatres being handled this way anywhere else.
Actually, this theatre was the Parkway Drive In Theatre. The Capitol Drive In was on South Monroe Street at Four Points.
The Leon Theatre went through several ownerships beginning in the 1960s, and ran soft core porn. At one time, it was named “Randy’s Campus Theatre.” It probably closed in the 1990s; I’m not sure what the use of the building is now.
The Florida Theatre was also Carl Floyd Theatres' home office. Years after the theatre closed, the chain’s offices were still active in the building. My understanding is after closing as a full-time theatre, it was reopened from time to time for special showings. What is the building used for now?
I have a good friend who is involved in historic preservation in Auburndale, and, unfortunately, he doesn’t think there is any interest in reviving the theatre at this time.
There are pictures of the exterior and interior here.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/26848.html
About two years ago, I drove by the Washington Theatre and noted that a law firm was now occupying the building.
This is the second listing for the Princess on CINEMA TREASURES. It’s probably due to “Mt. Dora” on one listing and “Mount Dora” on the other. The two should be combined.
Trish: To see what can be done with a theatre restoration with less to work with than what you have in Mt. Dora, visit the now functioning Garden Theatre in nearby Winter Garden.
I noticed this building when I drove through Luverne years ago, thinking it must have been a theatre.
Yes, Patsy.
I saw PORGY AND BESS there in 1960. I remember that the screen had a huge tear in it on the lower left side.
My mother graduated from Duval High School in 1927 on the stage of the Temple Theatre. I have the printed program. So, it must have been built before 1935.
Please change the date of construction and opening in the description for this theatre to 1937.
Per the 1944 FILM DAILY YEARBOOK, the Roxy had 1100 seats, making it the largest movie house in Orlando at that time.
Per the book referenced by Jeff D. above (Orlando: More Than a Memory), the photo on page 151 shows the Rialto Theatre with the Orlando High School Band playing in front of it. The similiarity of the windows in the picture and the building currently standing at 27 W. Church Street leads me to believe that this was the location of the Rialto Theatre. The status should be changed to “closed.” I attended the Rialto many times as a child. It was a very plain and cramped theatre, but the kids loved it because it played the double features they wanted to see. The Roxy, a couple of blocks west, was a much nicer and larger house, but class distinctions in place at the time made it unpopular.
The new website address for the Garden is www.gardentheatre.org
Thank you for digging up some history I hadn’t located, Joe. Does anyone else know additional information about the Cameo?
Per the 1944 edition of the FILM DAILY YEARBOOK, the Gem had 250 seats. Please correct. Thank you.
The 1944 FILM DAILY YEARBOOK lists the Granada Theatre in St. Cloud with 250 seats (no address listed). The 1954 edition of the same publication lists the Cloud Theatre at 1114 10th Street, with 315 seats. Does anyone know more about these theatres?
I regret to announce that the Greater Orlando Actors Theatre has moved its performance space to a warehouse building in Winter Park. Unfortunately, the Cameo’s status will have to be changed to closed.
The status of the Athens should be changed to open.