On the Forum Theatre site I read…“both (Strand and Riviera) have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. CT member, Roger Katz writes that the lobby of the Strand is now a cafe, but I wonder what the former Strand auditorium looks like now?
Joe Masher: Interesting to read your 2005 post concerning the Strand and the Riviera….“both have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. Is this still the case?
MikeR: I just wrote the Forum to obtain an entertainment schedule as the town has a philharmonic orchestra which performs at the Forum. I also listed all of the Cinema Treasures theatres (closed and demolished) so it should be interesting to read their theatre response!
I never got my answer to the closed or demolished question posted Dec 28, 2007 as my friend recently moved from Raleigh. Perhaps a CT member can fill in the theatre blanks.
I would venture to say that the RMC business is mostly young kids so they don’t understand nor grasp the idea of a hometown, downtown historic art deco theatre. I would also venture to say that those kids wouldn’t even know what the term “art deco” means.
Effingham Resident: Your comments about making sure the theatre “stays in good hands” was music to my ears! I commend you and wish you all the best. And to think the town was wanting to “wreck it” is not music to my ears! The art deco Heart needs to be saved and appreciated now and for future generations. Just curious: Does the town have one of those multi-plexes in a nearby mall? If so, this may be why the town thinks it doesn’t need this quaint theatre from their past….all the more reason to “treasure” it. I’m glad that it has been added to Cinema Treasures by a Paul Salley and a Colby Higgs. Thank you CT members.
Effingham Resident: Thanks for the informative post. I only mentioned Mr. Yeager as I know he is a longtime resident and one who could pursue this project for his fellow citizens and make it work! My husband will see him later this month so I will have him put a “bug” in Mike’s ear about this and just see where it goes as this theatre should be saved, imo!
I wish I had the name of that nice attorney whom I met while at the courthouse (Somerset is the county seat), but I didn’t get it nor his business card as I figured I wouldn’t need it…until now! Somerset is along the PA Turnpike and is a fairly large community so when I asked if the town had a theatre and was told they didn’t I was shocked and saddened. They do have a lovely inn by the name of Georgian Inn which was onced owned by a Mr. Zimmerman.
Lost: And I should have located the address of this former theatre at 10 E. Main just to see what is there now….probably another parking lot. I wonder why under Status it gives “closed” and I was told of it being demolished…20 years ago? And if the 945 seats is correct it was larger than most small to medium populated towns.
I was recently in Somerset PA and was told by a local attorney that I met in the county courthouse that there was a theatre, but it had been torn down 20 years ago.
Lost: Good idea!
TheaterBuff1: Thanks for the information and email address. Gosh, now we’re getting posts addressed to both of us, Lost!
I see it…it’s the roof that is triangle shaped!
I just viewed the photos and can’t find one showing a “triangle shaped building”.
“sealed off and abandoned” sounds so depressing, to me!
On the Forum Theatre site I read…“both (Strand and Riviera) have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. CT member, Roger Katz writes that the lobby of the Strand is now a cafe, but I wonder what the former Strand auditorium looks like now?
Joe Masher: Interesting to read your 2005 post concerning the Strand and the Riviera….“both have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. Is this still the case?
MikeR: I just wrote the Forum to obtain an entertainment schedule as the town has a philharmonic orchestra which performs at the Forum. I also listed all of the Cinema Treasures theatres (closed and demolished) so it should be interesting to read their theatre response!
Plus I went to college nearby in Adrian MI and recall going through Tecumseh with the old boyfriend and his ‘60 Buick.
Lost: Thanks as I knew you’d lend your help to me, once again!
Thanks for the downtown photos. Is this theatre still standing, etc.?
I hope to visit Binghamton in August and see what is going on in that town, theatre-wise.
Photos anyone?
I never got my answer to the closed or demolished question posted Dec 28, 2007 as my friend recently moved from Raleigh. Perhaps a CT member can fill in the theatre blanks.
I would venture to say that the RMC business is mostly young kids so they don’t understand nor grasp the idea of a hometown, downtown historic art deco theatre. I would also venture to say that those kids wouldn’t even know what the term “art deco” means.
Effingham Resident: Your comments about making sure the theatre “stays in good hands” was music to my ears! I commend you and wish you all the best. And to think the town was wanting to “wreck it” is not music to my ears! The art deco Heart needs to be saved and appreciated now and for future generations. Just curious: Does the town have one of those multi-plexes in a nearby mall? If so, this may be why the town thinks it doesn’t need this quaint theatre from their past….all the more reason to “treasure” it. I’m glad that it has been added to Cinema Treasures by a Paul Salley and a Colby Higgs. Thank you CT members.
Effingham Resident: Thanks for the informative post. I only mentioned Mr. Yeager as I know he is a longtime resident and one who could pursue this project for his fellow citizens and make it work! My husband will see him later this month so I will have him put a “bug” in Mike’s ear about this and just see where it goes as this theatre should be saved, imo!
ken mc: What is the exact map link address to view this “interesting looking building”?
I wish I had the name of that nice attorney whom I met while at the courthouse (Somerset is the county seat), but I didn’t get it nor his business card as I figured I wouldn’t need it…until now! Somerset is along the PA Turnpike and is a fairly large community so when I asked if the town had a theatre and was told they didn’t I was shocked and saddened. They do have a lovely inn by the name of Georgian Inn which was onced owned by a Mr. Zimmerman.
Lost: And I should have located the address of this former theatre at 10 E. Main just to see what is there now….probably another parking lot. I wonder why under Status it gives “closed” and I was told of it being demolished…20 years ago? And if the 945 seats is correct it was larger than most small to medium populated towns.
Lost: And at one time the Blatt Bros. owned and operated my hometown theatre, the Grand in Westfield NY.
Lost: Ah, you remembered…how sweet and I shall save the calendar by printing it out.
“despite attempts to save”…famous last words.
Lost: In fact, the July 1946 program calendar was my birth month and year!
I was recently in Somerset PA and was told by a local attorney that I met in the county courthouse that there was a theatre, but it had been torn down 20 years ago.