Lost Memory: Well….you certainly made my day with these 6 b/w photos though I must ask you where you found them. I’ve never seen any interior photos, but remember it as this was my childhood theatre for many years. I recently spoke to the current Mayor and told him that the Grand is the one building that I truly miss being in the town. Had I lived in the community when these photos were taken I would have stepped up “to the plate” and saved this theatre by organizing a Save the Grand campaign. It is truly missed by so many (including Mayor David Carr) in that western NYS community!
I have met Mark G. from Cable 8 and see him from time to time so perhaps I can get word to him about doing a Winter Garden feature this winter. I wish you had posted this Cable 8 News idea a few weeks ago as I did see Mark G. at a local function and could have mentioned it then.
Patsy
commented about
Cinemaon
Nov 23, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Jack: Very well written….thank you!
Patsy
commented about
Cinemaon
Nov 23, 2007 at 4:29 pm
JohnMessick: I’m familiar with the CT name, Norelco though didn’t know or have forgotten that he used to be a projectionist….those are the folks with great theatre memories!
jamestownguy: I read your PJ Winter Garden comments and have to tell you that it was brought to my attention while I was at the Fenton History Center’s Deck the Halls for the holiday season. I was getting information from the FHC Executive Director about the Winter Garden and the other theatres that were in Jamestown over the years……perfect timing! And again, thanks for getting the word out in the Post Journal about “our” Winter Garden that needs to know that we all care and want to see it be a vital part of the downtown Jamestown scene, once again! If the Reg can be restored and saved, so can the Winter Garden though that theatre had the benefit of a million dollar donation by Mr. Reginald Lenna thus the name Reg Lenna Civic Center. I would like to see the name Palace be reinstated and perhaps call it the Lenna Palace.
SchineHistorian: Yes, I really should have asked you, our wonderful Schine expert. A local town near me has a building that says Swetland Opera House at the top, but it is, of all things, an apartment building now so I do appreciate a town keeping their opera house! One time I did speak with a resident of this building and they told me that some of the apartments show signs of the building’s past as an opera house. I’m not sure what they meant and would like to see the interior of the building. If I get inside, I’ll let you know.
Lost Memory: Now that’s a thought, but I have friends in that area who will check out Phil for me while I watch the TV coverage each year anyway. LOL I have gone to the town and seen where Phil appears each year. Many of these small PA towns that had theatres don’t have them anymore and it is such a shame…Dubois, Brookville, Punxy, Titusville and the list goes on!
Lost Memory: And don’t you just love it when after the word owner is says PRIVATE! That is when I really get curious as to the owner’s intentions and if those intentions have any theatre focus.
Lost Memory: I wonder what happened to the Wurlitzer organ that is listed as being in or having been in this theatre? This PA town is near my husband’s hometown of Brookville. Maybe sometime I’ll get to “Punxy” and look around the 230 North Findley Street address.
Lost Memory: Your Oct. 14, 2005 post that shows a b/w photo of the Geneva Theatre now proves to me that it is one in the same with the renamed Smith Opera House. The angle in the above postcard photo didn’t explain it to me until I looked at your previous post which shows the front exterior straight on. I do wonder why the folks of Geneva changed the exterior and also change the name? I would have left well enough alone!
Warren: These interior Ute photos are simply very unique and I sure hope the Old West paintings and decor still exist as that is what made it so unique. But I had to remind myself that the function of this restaurant according to CT is that it’s a restaurant now so it’s anyone’s guess if those Old West paintings are covered up and could be exposed again in the restaurant. Perhaps a CT member who lives near this theatre could tell us….would be nice to know.
I would think that the arts council would advertise this theatre in some trade magazines to get the word out about this theatre. I was in the Winter Garden several summers ago when a realtor was showing the property to I guess interested people, but unfortunately the tour didn’t end in a sale. I totally agree with your comments in regards to the last fire when cost saving decisions were made that resulted in removing the ornamentation which then converted a once grand theater into a very basic and plain movie house. Such a shame. I don’t know if Jamestown has an historical society other than the Fenton Museum, but an organization such as that should have stepped up to the plate and made sure changes were not made to the Winter Garden because in today’s world it will be astronomical to replace the ornamentation and making the repairs needed. The folks who had the theater and didn’t do the theater any favors was DIPSON! After they discontinued operating the Winter Garden they built the new theater complex in Lakewood and never looked back! Someone asked about the marquee….I’m sure that is long gone. It wasn’t part of the original design of the theater’s exterior. My favorite marquee design is squared off or curved rather than the “V” shaped ones which was like the Winter Garden marquee.
jamestownguy/Ishmael528: Thank you both for your recent informative posts. It seems there are more than a few folks in Jamestown who know alot about this theater and most of these folks would like to see the Winter Garden brought back to its original glory as would I. Is it realistically possible? CT member, “Gib” seems to think so which is encouraging.
Gustavelifting: I visited Gettysburg last November for the Remembrance Weekend and will never see Gettysburg in the same way ever again. You must get the soundtrack of the movie Gettysburg as the music is awesome!
When I viewed the photo I read the “rather petite, but lovely” comment. This theatre is not petite as I have been there and was given a complete tour by Rob.
“Some of her Hollywood friends and co-stars included Rudy Vallee, Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe, Al Jolson, Mervyn LeRoy, Lana Turner, Mickey Rooney, Mary Pickford, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Muni, Jimmy Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Ann Sheridan, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Claudette Colbert, Billie Burke, Rock Hudson, Boris Karloff, Jack Warner. and many more. She appeared in such classic films as Little Big Shot, A Dream Comes True, The Great OMalley, The Littlest Diplomat, Comet Over Broadway, The Little Princess, etc.” Please comment on some of these stars and how it was to work with them. I see that Clark Gable is listed! I know a man who worked with Rock Hudson and knew him personally. Also, which Warner brother is on the cover of your book, My Fifteen Minutes? Through my travels and interest in the Warner Brothers I have met Cass Warner. She was in New Castle PA for the Silent Film Festival at the time I spoke with her and had a picture taken. What a delightful lady.
Lost Memory: I don’t know if any interior photos exist, but if anyone can find some…you can! Let me know!
Lost Memory: Well….you certainly made my day with these 6 b/w photos though I must ask you where you found them. I’ve never seen any interior photos, but remember it as this was my childhood theatre for many years. I recently spoke to the current Mayor and told him that the Grand is the one building that I truly miss being in the town. Had I lived in the community when these photos were taken I would have stepped up “to the plate” and saved this theatre by organizing a Save the Grand campaign. It is truly missed by so many (including Mayor David Carr) in that western NYS community!
Yes, you are saving a piece of Oil City history…..congratulations and happy holidays!
I have met Mark G. from Cable 8 and see him from time to time so perhaps I can get word to him about doing a Winter Garden feature this winter. I wish you had posted this Cable 8 News idea a few weeks ago as I did see Mark G. at a local function and could have mentioned it then.
Jack: Very well written….thank you!
JohnMessick: I’m familiar with the CT name, Norelco though didn’t know or have forgotten that he used to be a projectionist….those are the folks with great theatre memories!
jamestownguy: I read your PJ Winter Garden comments and have to tell you that it was brought to my attention while I was at the Fenton History Center’s Deck the Halls for the holiday season. I was getting information from the FHC Executive Director about the Winter Garden and the other theatres that were in Jamestown over the years……perfect timing! And again, thanks for getting the word out in the Post Journal about “our” Winter Garden that needs to know that we all care and want to see it be a vital part of the downtown Jamestown scene, once again! If the Reg can be restored and saved, so can the Winter Garden though that theatre had the benefit of a million dollar donation by Mr. Reginald Lenna thus the name Reg Lenna Civic Center. I would like to see the name Palace be reinstated and perhaps call it the Lenna Palace.
SchineHistorian: Yes, I really should have asked you, our wonderful Schine expert. A local town near me has a building that says Swetland Opera House at the top, but it is, of all things, an apartment building now so I do appreciate a town keeping their opera house! One time I did speak with a resident of this building and they told me that some of the apartments show signs of the building’s past as an opera house. I’m not sure what they meant and would like to see the interior of the building. If I get inside, I’ll let you know.
Lost Memory: Now that’s a thought, but I have friends in that area who will check out Phil for me while I watch the TV coverage each year anyway. LOL I have gone to the town and seen where Phil appears each year. Many of these small PA towns that had theatres don’t have them anymore and it is such a shame…Dubois, Brookville, Punxy, Titusville and the list goes on!
Lost Memory: And don’t you just love it when after the word owner is says PRIVATE! That is when I really get curious as to the owner’s intentions and if those intentions have any theatre focus.
Lost Memory: I wonder what happened to the Wurlitzer organ that is listed as being in or having been in this theatre? This PA town is near my husband’s hometown of Brookville. Maybe sometime I’ll get to “Punxy” and look around the 230 North Findley Street address.
Would love to see some exterior/interior photos of this former theater.
Lost Memory: Your Oct. 14, 2005 post that shows a b/w photo of the Geneva Theatre now proves to me that it is one in the same with the renamed Smith Opera House. The angle in the above postcard photo didn’t explain it to me until I looked at your previous post which shows the front exterior straight on. I do wonder why the folks of Geneva changed the exterior and also change the name? I would have left well enough alone!
I hope to visit this theatre this winter during a trip to the Ocala area and then to the Tampa area to see the atmospheric Tampa Theatre!
Warren: These interior Ute photos are simply very unique and I sure hope the Old West paintings and decor still exist as that is what made it so unique. But I had to remind myself that the function of this restaurant according to CT is that it’s a restaurant now so it’s anyone’s guess if those Old West paintings are covered up and could be exposed again in the restaurant. Perhaps a CT member who lives near this theatre could tell us….would be nice to know.
Homeboy: It would be interesting to get the answers to the questions you have posed.
I would think that the arts council would advertise this theatre in some trade magazines to get the word out about this theatre. I was in the Winter Garden several summers ago when a realtor was showing the property to I guess interested people, but unfortunately the tour didn’t end in a sale. I totally agree with your comments in regards to the last fire when cost saving decisions were made that resulted in removing the ornamentation which then converted a once grand theater into a very basic and plain movie house. Such a shame. I don’t know if Jamestown has an historical society other than the Fenton Museum, but an organization such as that should have stepped up to the plate and made sure changes were not made to the Winter Garden because in today’s world it will be astronomical to replace the ornamentation and making the repairs needed. The folks who had the theater and didn’t do the theater any favors was DIPSON! After they discontinued operating the Winter Garden they built the new theater complex in Lakewood and never looked back! Someone asked about the marquee….I’m sure that is long gone. It wasn’t part of the original design of the theater’s exterior. My favorite marquee design is squared off or curved rather than the “V” shaped ones which was like the Winter Garden marquee.
Great photos, but so sad that the fabulous marquee, the art deco front doors and the ticket kios are all gone!
I didn’t get to Akron OH this summer to see their atmospheric, but do plan to see this atmospheric in March.
I didn’t get to Akron this summer to see this atmospheric, but hopefully next June when the Broadway musical, Jersey Boys comes to the Cleveland area.
jamestownguy/Ishmael528: Thank you both for your recent informative posts. It seems there are more than a few folks in Jamestown who know alot about this theater and most of these folks would like to see the Winter Garden brought back to its original glory as would I. Is it realistically possible? CT member, “Gib” seems to think so which is encouraging.
Paul: Sorry to read that you “have no idea what happened to the clock”. If you ever hear, let me know. Thanks!
Gustavelifting: I visited Gettysburg last November for the Remembrance Weekend and will never see Gettysburg in the same way ever again. You must get the soundtrack of the movie Gettysburg as the music is awesome!
When I viewed the photo I read the “rather petite, but lovely” comment. This theatre is not petite as I have been there and was given a complete tour by Rob.
“Some of her Hollywood friends and co-stars included Rudy Vallee, Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe, Al Jolson, Mervyn LeRoy, Lana Turner, Mickey Rooney, Mary Pickford, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Muni, Jimmy Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Ann Sheridan, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Claudette Colbert, Billie Burke, Rock Hudson, Boris Karloff, Jack Warner. and many more. She appeared in such classic films as Little Big Shot, A Dream Comes True, The Great OMalley, The Littlest Diplomat, Comet Over Broadway, The Little Princess, etc.” Please comment on some of these stars and how it was to work with them. I see that Clark Gable is listed! I know a man who worked with Rock Hudson and knew him personally. Also, which Warner brother is on the cover of your book, My Fifteen Minutes? Through my travels and interest in the Warner Brothers I have met Cass Warner. She was in New Castle PA for the Silent Film Festival at the time I spoke with her and had a picture taken. What a delightful lady.