Grand Theatre
2 N. Portage Street,
Westfield,
NY
14787
2 N. Portage Street,
Westfield,
NY
14787
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 151 - 170 of 170 comments
I did read your post on some other theatre ‘page’ and recall you giving me the Dietner name and other bits of information. Could you elaborate on the ‘Grand’ tour you took? The when, who, what, where and how of it? :–)
Hi Patsy, I wrote a much longer piece yesterday about the Grand but I guess I pressed the preview selection instead of the submitting. Anyway, the theatre was owned by Dietner (sp?) who resides in Angola, N.Y. He was not the last owner but owned the theatre for many years. He also owned theatres in Angola, Silver Creek, and, I believe also owned the Motel Drive-In theatre. His son still owns the Angola Drive-In theatre which is operational so if everything else fails you’ll be able to reach him in the spring. I’m sure he’ll be able to help you with the Grand’s history.
My friend’s information shows that the theatre closed June 23, 1964 but I do recall going to a movie with my husband in the 1980’s. It also goes on to say that the theatre changed hands in 1962 and that construction began February 26, 1941 and that it opened July 16th, 1941. Demolition is shown as being August 13, 1992.
Warren: Where did you find the information you have posted as I am trying to collect as much information as I can before meeting with the Grands last manager and another local man who was involved with the demolition committee in 1992. Thanks.
I’ve been in contact with a friend who went to the Patterson Library and was able to locate a few b/w photos and some written material
about the Grand. It seems that it was demolished in August of 1992 and that the town raised $60,000 to purchase the theatre from its owner at the time, Theodore Blakley of Erie PA. The town wanted to rid themselves of an “eyesore” and replace the theatre with a corner park which eventually is known today as being the site of a President Lincoln and Grace Bedell statue along with memorial bricks, trees and benches. The photos I rec’d are dark, but they do show the lighted art deco marquee featuring The Great O'Malley with Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason and Humphrey Bogart. Also, the front doors with slanted brass door handles can be seen in the photos.
Does anyone know the architect or architects who were involved in buildng the Grand Theatre in Westfield NY? I have sent a letter to the last theatre manager and so I hope to hear back from him later this month. I may contact the local historical society for their help, as well.
I will be receiving a Grand Theater photo in the coming days thanks to a western NYS source along with contacting the local town newspaper so keep checking back for more information on ‘our’ beloved Grand Theater which only remains in all of our memories now!
I’ve been in touch with a site that deals with Roadside Attractions and the site is www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html It covers many attractions and movie theaters is one of them!
Warren: Still trying to find the 1957 Film Daily Year Book and yes, Westfield has an historical society so they should be of help, too.
Patsy : Peter Bills is my uncle and I grew up in Westfield as well.
Thanks Warren for this information concerning seat number! How does one find the 1957 Film Daily Year Book that you have mentioned as I’m still trying to find a photo(s)as there are none on the cinema treasures website, but I do have several contacts that may produce something in the coming days? When it was demolished I’m not sure how much was saved or sold off, but I’m fairly sure that much of the structure was buried in the ground and just covered over which is mind boggling to hear so I hope that that fact is incorrect, but will find out through my research sources. Maybe someday someone will unearth it all, but highly unlikely. The location of the theater was on a corner and about 2 miles from the shores of Lake Erie.
I have contacted the Patterson Library in Westfield NY with hopes of finding old Grand Theater photos. I also plan to contact the last theater manager who still lives in the town and meet with him next year so keep your fingers crossed (thanks) that we come up with exterior and interior photos and much more general information. I do recall that a truck was trying to turn at the intersection one winter and hit the marquee on one end and it was never fixed after that incident so I guess that was the beginning of the end for ‘our’ art deco and special Westfield treaure that certain town politicans thought should be demolished for whatever reason! So very sad!
And are either you, Ziggy and/or dfbills originally from the Westfield NY area as I know of a Peter Bills. Ziggy, you mentioned Chautauqua so you are familiar with that wonderful piece of property….have been to many a concert in the great outdoors amphiTHEATER over the years!
Who is David Stear? How does one contact him to offer addtional information for any given theater as I know the most about the Grand Theater since Westfield NY was my hometown area for many years. How don’t know how many seats, but I could probably get this information along with other stats after speaking with the last theater manager.
Thanks, Ziggy for your replies to my ‘Grand’ posts. I have been researching other theaters and find that many of them across the country don’t have their pipe organs anymore which is such a shame. My research is most interesting and fulfilling, but with it comes sadness and frustration! I have been inside the Fox Theater in Atlanta which is a must-see for any theater buff!
Patsy, if you go to the local history section of the library, or look up back issues of the newspaper, you may be able to find photos. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to submit the photo because the “add a photo” feature has been offling for months, with no signs of returning.
I remember seeing the statue when driving through Westfield. What a beautiful little town! I was on my way to Chatauqua from Buffalo.
The theater was demolished in the month of April, but not sure of the exact year. I was not around when the decision was made to demolish this wonderful art deco building, but did get to buy a curved piece from the front facade. I recall the ticket window by the front doors and the posters behind the display case to let those passing by know what movie was playing and the lighted curved marquee. I recall the candy counter and the art deco ladies lounge and bathroom. And yes, I do recall sitting in the back row with one particular boyfriend named David in my high school years! I only wish someone would submit a photo of The Grand! :–)
This theater was in my hometown and is sadly missed to this day. I know the last manager of the theater, Tom Tetrault so I plan to ask him about the theater as it had a bowling alley in the basement though I never saw it. The first movie I saw with my longtime girlfriend was Pillow Talk with Doris Day and Rock Hudson. A local gal makes small wood block area buildings and does the theater with any movie marquee name you wish to have on it so my girlfriend and I each have one. Her theater reads Pillow Talk starring Day and Hudson and mine reads The Long Long Trailer starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. A statue of Abe Lincoln and Grace Bedell now stand where the theater once stood as Grace lived in Westfield NY at the time President Lincoln was in the White House. She wrote him a letter to ask him to grow a beard and he later stopped by train in Westfield enroute to the Nation’s Capitol to meet Ms. Bedell and the rest is history, but all of us still miss the Grand Theater on the corner of Main and N. Portage Streets! :–(
This theater was active in the up until the mid-80’s. I remember seeing Return of the Jedi there as well as Bambi!
Style was art deco and I could add more details if I was at home..