I tried typing in just www.bigsplat.net and still nothing so hopefully “jamestownguy” will post some photos as there are interior and exterior photos “out there” that I have seen! If I’m not mistaken, some are even on this link.
jamestownguy: Since the above related website doesn’t work and is “under construction” perhaps you could post your photos as folks need to see a photo(s) of this theatre that is for sale. Thanks.
Warren: Thanks for this important update as I hadn’t looked at it in some time. There was a photo of the theatre. Lost Memory added this theatre so he’ll make the correction, if he can.
Ishmael528 and jamestownguy: Good to read your recent posts about this almost forgotten theatre! I would like to see any photos via email either or both of you have in your collection. And yes, the Arts Council “will sell it for a song to the RIGHT person with the RIGHT plan”. I agree, this effort may just “be Winter Gardens last hope”. Let us keep the hope alive! I’m doing all I can via this computer to save “her” in any way we can…the right way!
Keep us posted when you hear back from the DJDC or the Arts Council. Better yet, I wouldn’t wait for them to return your call but would contact them again and speak with someone sooner than later. If you are interested in purchasing this theatre or know someone who is, let them know asap! If you speak with Debbie Luce, Main Street Manager, be sure to tell her that you are a member of Cinema Treasures as she knows about the internet site now through my phone conversation with her last week.
ERD: Your post of May 26, 2006 mentions a George Kansas though their website doesn’t seem to list him now. Who would be the correct person to contact about a possible organ for this theatre?
I will be taking a phone call from Dennis tomorrow, April 7th so please email me at as I couldn’t contact you with no email address on your profile page as happens more times than I care to recall with so many CT members. This Opus 1616 organ saga is like putting together pieces of a puzzle and eventually the pieces will all come together…I hope with the help of D. Unks. BTW, I went on very informative Wurlitzer site that Bob Jensen, who is in Chicago, posted on the Paramount Theatre link and was able to track Opus 1616 from the Paramount to Dennis via a couple of other destinations before it reached its final location in PA. Please title your email to me OPUS 1616.
Bob Jensen: I have contacted D. Unks and will be talking to him via phone on Monday! Am also looking forward to your email about Wurlitzer Opus 1616 history, as you know it!
“The original 4/20 (non Publix) Wurlitzer was removed in the mid 1960s. It was playable when removed.”
Why was this Wurlitzer organ removed when it was playable when removed?? Today it would be such an important part of the theatre and its history if it were still there. And did it come out of the stage floor as some did??
Tom Delay: Do you personally think that the Palace would be interested in installing another organ? If so, I know the whereabouts of an Wurlitzer organ….Opus 1616.
Bob Jenen: Your Feb. 5 2008 post with the Wurlitzer site is interesing in that I tracked the history of Opus 1616 and it seems to have gone from Buffalo to Reading PA to Stowe PA to Erie. Amazing that this site allows you to track a particular organ so I guess Opus 1616 didn’t go directly from Buffalo to Erie, after all!
sam_e: Well, now that’s a thought….I shall look into this! I’ve been to the Palace Theatre in Albany and now that you mention it I do recall that they do NOT have an organ, but whether they could be coaxed into buying and installing one remains to be seen as I don’t know they they would be interested though should be! Before your above post I placed a call to Dennis Unks, former OSI president in Erie PA. I left a message so when I hopefully hear back from him I will mention this organ idea to him.
MVT: Thanks for that explanation about the rear portion and the Main Street section. I would like to think that the original Wurlitzer organ could be placed into another existing theatre, someday though.
LOUB: Send them an email and maybe they’ll offer it again thoug h not sure if they show movies on the big screen anymore.
Lost Memory: I agree. Either way I hope we see them!
Lost Memory: That is a great suggestion for “jamestownguy”!
And I just learned how to enlarge the print when reading text…. while pressing the “ctrl” key use the scroll on your mouse.
I tried typing in just www.bigsplat.net and still nothing so hopefully “jamestownguy” will post some photos as there are interior and exterior photos “out there” that I have seen! If I’m not mistaken, some are even on this link.
jamestownguy: Since the above related website doesn’t work and is “under construction” perhaps you could post your photos as folks need to see a photo(s) of this theatre that is for sale. Thanks.
Lost Memory: Thanks…I think! RIP I sure hope this isn’t “a sign” as to the future of the theatre on Main Street in Jamestown NY.
Warren: Thanks for this important update as I hadn’t looked at it in some time. There was a photo of the theatre. Lost Memory added this theatre so he’ll make the correction, if he can.
Ishmael528 and jamestownguy: Good to read your recent posts about this almost forgotten theatre! I would like to see any photos via email either or both of you have in your collection. And yes, the Arts Council “will sell it for a song to the RIGHT person with the RIGHT plan”. I agree, this effort may just “be Winter Gardens last hope”. Let us keep the hope alive! I’m doing all I can via this computer to save “her” in any way we can…the right way!
Keep us posted when you hear back from the DJDC or the Arts Council. Better yet, I wouldn’t wait for them to return your call but would contact them again and speak with someone sooner than later. If you are interested in purchasing this theatre or know someone who is, let them know asap! If you speak with Debbie Luce, Main Street Manager, be sure to tell her that you are a member of Cinema Treasures as she knows about the internet site now through my phone conversation with her last week.
http://cinematreasures.org/news/18846_0_1_0_C/
Cannonball: Please contact the names and numbers that are provided on the “news” CT section.
Rest in peace, Mr. Charlton Heston. I didn’t agree with the NRA business either, but do have friends who are members.
View link
ERD: Your post of May 26, 2006 mentions a George Kansas though their website doesn’t seem to list him now. Who would be the correct person to contact about a possible organ for this theatre?
LOUB: Your June 26, 2007 mentioned the movie, Ben Hur so I had to pause today and remember a movie legend, Charleton Heston. RIP Mr. Heston.
I will be taking a phone call from Dennis tomorrow, April 7th so please email me at as I couldn’t contact you with no email address on your profile page as happens more times than I care to recall with so many CT members. This Opus 1616 organ saga is like putting together pieces of a puzzle and eventually the pieces will all come together…I hope with the help of D. Unks. BTW, I went on very informative Wurlitzer site that Bob Jensen, who is in Chicago, posted on the Paramount Theatre link and was able to track Opus 1616 from the Paramount to Dennis via a couple of other destinations before it reached its final location in PA. Please title your email to me OPUS 1616.
Bob Jensen: I have contacted D. Unks and will be talking to him via phone on Monday! Am also looking forward to your email about Wurlitzer Opus 1616 history, as you know it!
“The original 4/20 (non Publix) Wurlitzer was removed in the mid 1960s. It was playable when removed.”
Why was this Wurlitzer organ removed when it was playable when removed?? Today it would be such an important part of the theatre and its history if it were still there. And did it come out of the stage floor as some did??
A neat old art deco theatre with a great marquee and facade that needs to be purchased and become part of the community, again!
Tom Delay: Do you personally think that the Palace would be interested in installing another organ? If so, I know the whereabouts of an Wurlitzer organ….Opus 1616.
Bob Jenen: Your Feb. 5 2008 post with the Wurlitzer site is interesing in that I tracked the history of Opus 1616 and it seems to have gone from Buffalo to Reading PA to Stowe PA to Erie. Amazing that this site allows you to track a particular organ so I guess Opus 1616 didn’t go directly from Buffalo to Erie, after all!
Can anyone provide any organ history connected to this theatre? At the present time it does not have an organ.
sam_e: Well, now that’s a thought….I shall look into this! I’ve been to the Palace Theatre in Albany and now that you mention it I do recall that they do NOT have an organ, but whether they could be coaxed into buying and installing one remains to be seen as I don’t know they they would be interested though should be! Before your above post I placed a call to Dennis Unks, former OSI president in Erie PA. I left a message so when I hopefully hear back from him I will mention this organ idea to him.
MVT: Thanks for that explanation about the rear portion and the Main Street section. I would like to think that the original Wurlitzer organ could be placed into another existing theatre, someday though.
longislandmovies: THANKS SO VERY MUCH! I will pass along this information to the appropriate parties involved in a possible sale.