Venetian Theatre
3629 W. Center Street,
Milwaukee,
WI
53210
3629 W. Center Street,
Milwaukee,
WI
53210
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 117 of 117 comments
Keith,
I am not an expert on theaters like Jim is, but I can tell you some experience things that, sadly, tell me that this building may be beyond salvage.
This photo:
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Is of the roof of the building on the south west corner. As you can see, it is wide open. When I looked at this building in May of 2004, there was some patching materials covering this spot. When I returned in June it was as you see it in the photo. This would be over the stage area.
When I was a kid and the building was in use as a retail store (Venetian Sales) there were a number of water leaks in the false ceiling that was built over the seating area. I doubt they were ever really repaired. In the mean time, this year alone we have had several inches of snow which I would imagine went right into the building.
I am not an expert in structures, but I would doubt that this can be saved, or is of value to save. Much of the detailed plaster items were painted over or destroyed during its' retail life. Who knows what is still around now.
I received the article printed in the Exhibitor’s Herald from Georgetown. The pictures in the article is the best I have seen of the inside of theatre. It was a great theatre. My next step is to somehow view the inside of the theatre in the upcoming months hopefully before the city decides to take possession of the property.
Jim,
In your expert opinion, do you think the Venetian is worth saving? Better yet, is there a theatre you would like to see saved, here in Milwaukee (other than the Avalon)?
Greg Filardo got the gaines out years ago. Now the legal status of the rapidly deteriorating place is open to question. Reportely, the place is in tax arrears, so the city could take posetion of the place, so just whom to contact is open to question, since the place obviously abandoned. Entering it without the legal owners' obvious assistance, leaves one opne to arrest and prosecution, even he does manage to enter and exit in that neighborhood without injury. Fred Hermes of Hermes Insurance in Racine supposedly led a flashlight tour in September, but you would have to ask him about that.
Currently I am a student at Marquette. We are going through the development process as it relates commercial property. Well, growing up in Sherman Park all my life I have always had an interest in the magnificent history of this great neighborhood. My parents told me about the Egyptian (what a lost), the Oasis and many others however, the Venetian somehow has missed the history books. I drive past it everyday and decided to use it as a project in class. However, there is not much in the way of documentation on the Venetian. The Wisconsin Historical society has several pictures of the outside and a picture of the front box office which is documented in the book Historical Theatres of Milwaukee. The City Records only has the seating layout. The Central library only has the book. I am contacting Georgetown University for the article Jim mentioned with a few pictures in the Exhibitor’s Herald. They are sending a copy of the article. I have also contacted the THSA and they will have a report on any other documentation out there. Peacock and Frank (the architects) have no documentation of there own however, on the University of Minnesota has a web site with a picture of the Venetian and others with work done from the American Terra Cotta Company. See below. I would love to see any pictures of the lobby and the actual theatre itself, before the 1980 renovation.
(http://snuffy.lib.umn.edu/image/srch/bin/Dispatcher)
Nice to see some activity on this page.
I am wondering if there is anyway to get into the building, knowing that it may be of some hazard to do so. I would want to do this in a legal manner. Any suggestions given that ownership is unknown (I think) Gregory Filardo must have had a way to get in to retrieve the ‘gaines,’ I’ll bring a hardhat.
Regards, Tim
Thank you Keith, glad I could be of help, but you don’t tell us what your connection or interest in the VENETIAN is, and what you hope to do with the information. By the way, the EXHIBITORS HERALD article may very well be in volumes at THSA since it was their former editor, John “Andrew Corsini” Fowler, who sent it to me. Best Wishes. Jim
Jim,
You have been really helpful. I went to Central Library and found the articles you talked about. I found the Real Estate article with just a sentence undernealth the picture in the Setinel. The advertisement for the grand opening was actually in the Journal both pictures were pretty ugly have printing them out. However, there was a book on Milwaukee theatres with two (2) descent pictures of the Venetian. The first on page 60 similar to the one posted here without the snow (Milwaukee I tell ya…) and another of the front with a young lady in the ticket both. I am checking the Georgetown University Library (Special Collections) for the Exhibitors Herald article. I have calls into Milwaukee Historical Society and plans to make it to their library this Saturday. I plan to visit the UWM collections soon and sent a letter to THSA requesting a report. I have also contacted the Wisconsin Architectural Archives. You have been really helpful.
AS to contacting Steve Faytis, he does list any contact information under his “Havana Cinemas” link at the bottom of his message, but the People Pages
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list him thus:
Stephen Faytis
1255I Sabal St
Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472 – 0225
Sorry to say, but there are no ‘good’ photos of the VENETIAN known to exist, if one means 8x10 glossies, but there are three small, black and white images of the auditorium in the “Exhibitor’s Herald” magazine of April 16, 1927. One could request this on microfilm via Inter-Library Loan at one’s local library. They are in an article titled: “Elaborate New VENETIAN THEATRE; Wisconsin’s First Atmospheric Theatre is Opened in Milwaukee.” The article is two pages, but the photocopy that was sent to me does not show the page numbers.
A sketchy rendering of the proposed auditorium is in the “Milwaukee Journal (or possibly Sentinel”) of Sunday, March 6, 1927, front page of the Real Estate section. It is available as the above magazine, which are photos, not drawings. There was the same rendering plus a photo of the exterior in the opening day ad in the March 18th issue, 1927, though they are small and poor resolution. I have only xeroxes of these which would not photocopy well, but if that would satisfy you, click on my name in blue below for my E-mail address and send me your mailing address for the photocopies to be sent.
A view of the 1940s marquee, as well as four views of the concession stand through the years are held by the Theatre Historical Society’s Archive in Elmhurst, Ill 15 miles west of Chicago. They may well have obtained other views I am unaware of since I contacted them about this theater in 1980. Go to their web site: www.HistoricTheatres.org as to how to contact them and for directions to their Archive.
Milwaukee usually keeps the blueprints of buildings on microfilm, but in this case all that survives is the seating plan. It is available in a large printout via the Milw. Records Center, Municipal Bldg., 841 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53233; 414-286-3393. It is also possible that the Central Library’s Local History Room (www.mpl.org) (414-286-3061) may have acquired something new, and in the same building is the Wis. Architectural Archive, 414-286-3897 which occasionally has something, and also the Milw. County Historical Society’s library, Third St. at Kilbourn, Milwaukee WI 53233; 414-273-8288.
One might also inquire of the Urban Archives of the Meir Library, University of Wis.-Milw., 414-229-5402. Ask what they have and how best to get copies.
Best Wishes, Jim Rankin
Are there any photos available of the Venetian Theatre? Also is there anyway that I may contact Steve Faytis for more information on the theatre and his uncle?
Keith S.
My Great Grandpa was Mystic Marlo—Crystal Gazer. He apparently preformed at the theater June 10-17 in the 1930’s!
The little “mighty Wurlitzer” from the Venetian was installed at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Bayfield, Wisconsin around 1954. The organ is currently dis-used and non-operating though mostly intact. Sadly, it doesn’t look like the Venetian will survive to see its organ returned as has happened in a handful of other locations.
The organ is listed for sale as of this posting.
Building Update… The roof on the west side has now deteriated to the point where you can see the beam work that makes up the structure. I noticed that several of the ‘vases’ at the corner of the building are also missing. Is it known if these were salvaged by Mr. Filardo?
Two more items that came to mind as I walked around the structure today (6/22/2004). In front of the house to the east of the building there was (at least in the 1970’s) a small building which acted as a popcorn stand. It was open most weekends. At that time the Venetian was a store and not a theater. They would pack the popcorn in small white bags which were very greasy by the time you got them home. The area is still noticeble as the walls at the base still exist.
The other memory was that during the time it was a store, and perhaps sometime before that. The front area between the two front doors of the store was faced in Brown and tan tile. These were small tiles, perhaps 1" square. I suspect they were added as part of the convertion to a store.
Tim R. gives some fine memories for the once lovely VENETIAN, but just to clarify his mention of “several face and body sculptures” lest one think they were mannequins, it might be best to label them as what they are formally called: ‘gaines,’ the classical forms done in terra cotta or plaster of a human figure from the waist up, with a large scroll-shaped ornament called a ‘console’ forming the lower half, and this was mounted on a plinth with multiple moulds forming the profile. Most if not all of these were removed by local salvager of architectural items, Gregory Filardo, author of the 1988 book “Old Milwaukee: A Historic Tour In Picture Postcards,” available via Inter-Library Loan through any public library. His vast collection in his ‘castle’ on Kilbourn Ave. is an education in itself!
Warren’s comment is perhaps too generous to the VENETIAN in Racine, since that lesser design was done by the Universal Studios of Chicago, and not by the more talented Peacock & Frank of Milwaukee, which did, however, almost reproduce the VENETIAN in Milw. when they designed and built their PARAMOUNT in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. That theatre is long gone, sad to say.
I grew up a few blocks from the Venetian when ‘Charlie’ ran Venetian Sales there. I also remember Steve in his (and my) younger years. I’m glad to hear Charlie is still alive and I hope well.
I always wanted to walk around the rest of the building. I recall the concession stand was the display for watches and the lobby was the main sales point. A curved staircase went from the lobby to what I presume was the balcony, but at that point, it was blocked off.
There were many visual points of the old theather still around back then. There were several face and body ‘sculptures’ in the corner of the lobby. 4 Large, heavy doors were the entrance points to the lobby from the street. When it was Venetian Sales, only the most western ones were usable. Between them in what my have been an update, there was a wall of 1" square tiles.
The cash register area was in front of the other one. Steve, I recall your uncle having a mechanical register which was more adding machine than register.
We purchased many items from “Charlies”, as we called Venetian Sales. My first camera and first watch for example. We used to by the daily paper there as well.
I too recall the marque that was there. The word Venetian was at the top and then the word “Sales” was added on the movable letter portion.
On the corner of 37th and center, in the building there was a printing shop which had a sign above it for “Sparkle Dog Shampoo”. I would stop and watch the presses work on my way into ‘Charlies’ to buy the newspaper. I have to say it was a great influence in my life path to work in printing/ graphics.
I remember mowing my parents lawn and seeing Steve and Charlie standing at the roof corner of the buildling one day.
To this day, I want to go into the building and look around. I understand it is not in great shape, which is sad. The history will be lost when it is gone, as well as a part of my life. But, still, to touch and see what is there would be a great gift, as this building is part of my history.
A few weeks ago, I stood across the street from this building – inspired to go there after seeing the movie “The Majestic”, thinking about The Venetain, and finding this site from a search for informaton on it – and was awed by the size, and how after all these years of neglect, The Venetian still stands and still looks good from the outside. The cross-hatch pattern on the fascade can still be seen. The colors in the corners are still there along with the ‘urns’ at each part of the corner decorations. Riots and time have not diminshed her beauty.
Even with the building not in use as a theather, it was still a vital part of the neighborhood and my life.
I am happy to see that the Venetian will live on at least in some form of history – if only electronic. I am sad that I will never be able to experience sitting in it seeing a movie, the light dim, the movie starts and the stars twinkle in the sky.. that must have been something to see…
Timothy R.
Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
Please let me know if you learn anything more about this theatre. Thank You. Jim Rankin =
Dear Mr. Rankin
My Uncle Charles Karabetsos owned the Theater from about 1960 to his retirement in the 80’s, I worked at the theater from the early 60’s while in High School and later through my college years at Marquette University.
While showing him My son’s wireless laptop, I entered Venetian Theater Milwaukee, and he was quiet pleased (he’s close to 90 now) to see the old building in its better years, the Marquee which had the large Venetian name was not on the Theater as I recall in the early 60’s, there was a marquee that projected over the sidewalk, this is where you could list the coming and current attractions, it was removed in the late 70’s or early 80’s as I remember under a program that Milwaukee had for such hanging signs.
My uncle never operated a furniture company, the first business was a catalogue sales company (popular in the late 1950’s and into the 60’s. This was a general merchandise company, the interior was quiet difficult to work around, the slanting floors and high ceiling, in 1960 he put a suspended ceiling in the auditorium, this held up for about 10 years more or less as the roof always leaked.
He sold a variety of items, almost like a general store, during the Holiday season he had a very large toy department, this was prior to Toy’s R Us. The decline in toy sales and the impact of competition always presented new challenges, he used the stage area for warehousing of Proctor And Gamble soap items for the Coin Op. laundry business, the upper area was rented for several years to a person who sold sewing machines and developed a brush stroke technique to show how the “masters” painted on canvas, he attempted suicide after a partner embellished money from the company, for 20 years time stood still with all his stuff, occasionally we would salvage something to use for a sign or a part. In the 70’s we were able to obtain a liquor license, the seating area was left un-heated and used to warehouse large quantities of soda, beer and soap. The front or lobby became a neighborhood grocery and liquor store. My uncle sold the building and liquor business in either the late 80’s or early 90’s and since then I believe it has been closed entirely. In all the years that I worked there I don’t think I ever took a picture.
What’s quiet interesting is that I travel to Cuba under a Treasury license, in Cuba there are many old Movie theaters still operating, I will occasionally go to a movie, just to experience the grandeur of a 1000 set movie theater, the over-stuffed seats, no leg room rows.
Thanks for making this post possible.
Steve Faytis
Sanibel Florida