Socal09, I am shocked by your comment! When I had the opportunity to visit the Westlake I was amazed at the condition of the interior of the building, the murals, the box office, facade, and rooftop neon. Consider the building empty, the vendors and temporary walls removed, those bright flood lights in the auditorium replaced by soft house lights. Regardless of one’s definition of “worthiness”, the Westlake gives no indication that it is not an ideal contender for restoration. If the fire riddled, rotted away by the elements for decades New Granada theatre in Pittsburgh can be slated for restoration, surely the Westlake “deserves” it.
Please do not read this passionate comment as aggressive, I simply did not expect a comment like yours in regard to a theatre with such life left in it as the Westlake.
The plaster penguin is not permanent. Say that five times fast….
Your assumptions of the Lido are correct! It is an amazing place. There’s nothing like glow in the dark sharks painted on the auditorium walls to add that extra little something to your movie going experience!
My husband and I went to the local AMC multiplex to see “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. I carried in two Dasani waters in my purse (having worked at theatres for a decade, I believe I’ve earned the right to do this!). He wanted popcorn, so we looked at the “combo” menu at the concession stand…. #1 was a large drink and large popcorn, for $11!!!! I understand that concessions is where theatres make their money, but really! Simply unbelievable.
That’s great! I am so pleased to hear that new life will be brought into that wonderful place. Here is a link to a page from a book (“Ticket To Paradise”, out of print but available at half.com for a decent price) that featured the Grandview: http://www.achangeinscenery.com/grandview1.jpg
Perhaps Cinema Treasures can remove the “Drexel” from this page, as it is not the name of the theatre, “Grandview” is.
Funny you say that, when I was there I had that “I feel like I’ve been here before…” feeling. Likely because I had the Star hanging around in the back of my head.
We hope you will visit us at the Drexel Theatre in Bexley, even though it may not be the movie theatre closest to your home. We need lots of support and help to thrive at our business in this very difficult economic time.
Perhaps if the Grandview was given a first run opening every once in a while and not getting the Drexel East’s seconds like it has notoriously, there wouldn’t be a problem keeping the theatre open.
Perfect examples of this would be both “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Sideways” being first run there, and both films keeping the place packed during their respective summers. I understand that much of booking is decided by the studios, but with how much the Grandview pulled in for Fox Searchlight it seems likely that they would eagerly book there again.
Haines: Those are pretty awesome pictures! Not only does the theatre look so different, the entire street does.
I was in Hollywood last week (9/17/08) and saw that the Vogue is being cleaned out and that the rightmost side of the marquee has been removed from the building. The photo I took is on a film camera, will scan and post here after processing.
If you’ve been to the Grandview, you may have seen “Beauregard”, the parrot (or some other kind of tropical bird) painted on the wall between the box office door and the door that leads to the projection booth ladder. Apparently the lobby was painted with elaborate murals with a tropical setting, and was painted over sometime, leaving only Beauregard as a reminder of once was.
Unfortunately I do not have more specific details or any good photographs… I may have one somewhere with Beauregard in the background, I’ll share if I come across one.
I do not believe that the “preview” sign was there originally. I recall seeing an old photograph without it. Let me see if I can find that photo and I’ll get back to you.
There actually is a stage, and space behind the screen. I think that it could host live theatre, with a little creativity and some changes to the current design.
I agree with Mark L, the idea of twinning it seems unbelievable, especially with the acoustics… That area of Grandview Heights is so special to people, and the residents so involved, I am sure the theatre will be reincarnated somehow.
Cardiffrfc, perhaps you may recognize the title here, if they happen to have it:
View link
I’ll continue to look for the name.
Two photos from 1/2009 of the Fontana can be seen on my Flickr page:
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Here is a 1/2009 photograph and description of my experience at the Harper Theatre:
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Socal09, I am shocked by your comment! When I had the opportunity to visit the Westlake I was amazed at the condition of the interior of the building, the murals, the box office, facade, and rooftop neon. Consider the building empty, the vendors and temporary walls removed, those bright flood lights in the auditorium replaced by soft house lights. Regardless of one’s definition of “worthiness”, the Westlake gives no indication that it is not an ideal contender for restoration. If the fire riddled, rotted away by the elements for decades New Granada theatre in Pittsburgh can be slated for restoration, surely the Westlake “deserves” it.
Please do not read this passionate comment as aggressive, I simply did not expect a comment like yours in regard to a theatre with such life left in it as the Westlake.
The plaster penguin is not permanent. Say that five times fast….
Your assumptions of the Lido are correct! It is an amazing place. There’s nothing like glow in the dark sharks painted on the auditorium walls to add that extra little something to your movie going experience!
This was also where the drive-in scenes from “Grease” were filmed, as well as the aforementioned “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”.
Four photographs of the Alex from October 2008 at my Flickr page:
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Here’s a link to a site detailing the Rialto’s haunted past and legends thereof:
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Here is a 1963 photo of the Cove, before the lobby was extended:
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The Alex is where the live “finals” episodes of several seasons of the NBC show “Last Comic Standing” were filmed.
Here is a 9/08 shot of the Fox:
View link
My husband and I went to the local AMC multiplex to see “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. I carried in two Dasani waters in my purse (having worked at theatres for a decade, I believe I’ve earned the right to do this!). He wanted popcorn, so we looked at the “combo” menu at the concession stand…. #1 was a large drink and large popcorn, for $11!!!! I understand that concessions is where theatres make their money, but really! Simply unbelievable.
David,
That’s great! I am so pleased to hear that new life will be brought into that wonderful place. Here is a link to a page from a book (“Ticket To Paradise”, out of print but available at half.com for a decent price) that featured the Grandview: http://www.achangeinscenery.com/grandview1.jpg
Perhaps Cinema Treasures can remove the “Drexel” from this page, as it is not the name of the theatre, “Grandview” is.
Here is the photograph I mentioned in my 9/23/08 post:
View link
Funny you say that, when I was there I had that “I feel like I’ve been here before…” feeling. Likely because I had the Star hanging around in the back of my head.
Two photos from September 2008 here:
View link
View link
It looks like “temporarily” ends tonight….
“It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that tonight, September 30, 2008, will be the last night of movies at the Drexel Grandview Theatre.
After the windstorm that closed the Drexel East and Radio Café for most of five days, we tried hard; but unsuccessfully, to reach agreement with the Grandview property owner so that we could keep the theatre open for a closing night party. Jeff and I will be at the Grandview tonight to say goodbye to any who come in, gather a few things, and secure the building until we can pack up the bulk of the theatre equipment and move it out in the next few days. We express our deep gratitude to all of you who have shared your Drexel Grandview stories, sent sad but good wishes, and even made offers of services in behalf of possibly keeping the theatre open.
Let us look on the brighter side. We have heard from so many of you and benefited so much personally from your good will. Our Drexel 3-screen theatre and Radio Café are alive and well. We have lots of programming and operational goals to accomplish in the very next few weeks so that we may continue to bring independent film and events to Columbus. We can certainly use all of your help.
We hope you will visit us at the Drexel Theatre in Bexley, even though it may not be the movie theatre closest to your home. We need lots of support and help to thrive at our business in this very difficult economic time.
Accept our heartfelt thanks and please, please continue to visit the Drexel Theatre and Radio Café. Feel free to share your ideas and thoughts with us directly through response to
Warm Regards,
Jeff and Kathy Frank" (from the Drexel Theatres email newsletter)
Perhaps if the Grandview was given a first run opening every once in a while and not getting the Drexel East’s seconds like it has notoriously, there wouldn’t be a problem keeping the theatre open.
Perfect examples of this would be both “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Sideways” being first run there, and both films keeping the place packed during their respective summers. I understand that much of booking is decided by the studios, but with how much the Grandview pulled in for Fox Searchlight it seems likely that they would eagerly book there again.
Haines: Those are pretty awesome pictures! Not only does the theatre look so different, the entire street does.
I was in Hollywood last week (9/17/08) and saw that the Vogue is being cleaned out and that the rightmost side of the marquee has been removed from the building. The photo I took is on a film camera, will scan and post here after processing.
If you’ve been to the Grandview, you may have seen “Beauregard”, the parrot (or some other kind of tropical bird) painted on the wall between the box office door and the door that leads to the projection booth ladder. Apparently the lobby was painted with elaborate murals with a tropical setting, and was painted over sometime, leaving only Beauregard as a reminder of once was.
Unfortunately I do not have more specific details or any good photographs… I may have one somewhere with Beauregard in the background, I’ll share if I come across one.
In fact, the photo at the top of this page does not have the “preview ” sign in it.
I do not believe that the “preview” sign was there originally. I recall seeing an old photograph without it. Let me see if I can find that photo and I’ll get back to you.
The owner may have another plan for it. I know that local live performance groups have shown interest in the theatre in the past. Just an idea.
Meheuck is probably right in thinking that the storefronts would be converted. That is the only expansion option that makes any sense.
There actually is a stage, and space behind the screen. I think that it could host live theatre, with a little creativity and some changes to the current design.
I agree with Mark L, the idea of twinning it seems unbelievable, especially with the acoustics… That area of Grandview Heights is so special to people, and the residents so involved, I am sure the theatre will be reincarnated somehow.