This theatre is just as nice as it looks in the photo! The citizens of Springville NY are very fortunate to have it. The special polished ceramic exterior tiles are very special and not seen very often.
Yes, it is too bad that it is no longer a theater, but it is nice to see that the owners of the stained glass business have chosen to restore the marquee and incorporate it into their business!
Great theatre story and its wonderful to read about the marquee restoration! Congratulations and thank you for caring about this marquee! So many have been taken down and destroyed, but NOT THIS ONE! Even though the Southtown isn’t a theatre anymore you, as the owner, made the decision to restore the original marquee and incorporate it into your stain glass business! Great idea!
LOUB: While reading your post I couldn’t help notice the one above posted by the late Jim Rankin last June. As you may know, we lost him a few months ago and CT will never be the same without his vast theatre knowledge, but we still have his many posts that he left with us.
If you click on “Current Photos, after looking at the original marquee you will see the present day marquee which just doesn’t compare to what was taken down and removed!
Irv: As we near the month of March, 2008 please post on CT the exact date of the grand opening as I will probably be in FL that month and would like to plan my trip around this date! Thanks so much.
I wish Mr. Rothacker had come to my hometown in the early 90’s…perhaps he could have painted the Grand Theatre and helped save it rather than have it demolished for reasons I will never understand!
George H. Rothacker painted the Media Theater in 1991 to help raise money for a community effort to preserve the 1927 movie house. More than $3500 was raised in print sales, after which the owner of the theater decided to restore the theater for musicals and live stage events. A few months later, on a trip to Doylestown, Mr. Rothacker discovered that the 1938 County Theater was dark. His wife photographed the building with a disposable camera, and he painted the building, and created a print series which eventually helped the community restore the theater.
Since that time, George Rothacker has painted 10 theaters, the latest of which is the Indiana Theater, created and reproduced for the benefit of the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes I paint a theater to help physically preserve it,†said Mr. Rothacker. “And sometimes I simply paint it because of it’s a wonderful building that should remain with us in memory a while longer. When establishing a fundraising effort, I do the painting, and the printing it at my cost and then offer the sponsoring organization 50% of the sale of the prints from the initial sale. By taking all of the risk , I relieve the community or other sponsor of any financial concerns. Its an all win situation for them.â€
Mr. Rothacker is continually searching for movie houses to paint and reproduce. If you know of any theaters in need of preservation, or of an organization who could help benefit the revitalization of a theater or a community, please call 610-566-0334.
This theatre has true “street front presence” thanks to the beautiful lighted marquee, ticket kios and brick facade with the year 1927 above the theatre doors and marquee.
Will: Glad to report that my husband and I will be making a trip to Knoxville in 2007 as we have friends who are relocating there from Atlanta and will be working for HGTV.
Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I’ll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!
longislandmovies: Yes, the Fox is a very special theatre and one that was almost demolished. I was pleased to read your memorable account of your visit to the Fabulous Fox! For any theatre buff, it is a must-see!
This theatre is just as nice as it looks in the photo! The citizens of Springville NY are very fortunate to have it. The special polished ceramic exterior tiles are very special and not seen very often.
Yes, it is too bad that it is no longer a theater, but it is nice to see that the owners of the stained glass business have chosen to restore the marquee and incorporate it into their business!
Great theatre story and its wonderful to read about the marquee restoration! Congratulations and thank you for caring about this marquee! So many have been taken down and destroyed, but NOT THIS ONE! Even though the Southtown isn’t a theatre anymore you, as the owner, made the decision to restore the original marquee and incorporate it into your stain glass business! Great idea!
Many years ago I was in Springfield Illinois, but at the time I wasn’t interested in old theatres so missed seeing this one.
LOUB: While reading your post I couldn’t help notice the one above posted by the late Jim Rankin last June. As you may know, we lost him a few months ago and CT will never be the same without his vast theatre knowledge, but we still have his many posts that he left with us.
What an art deco facade!
If you click on “Current Photos, after looking at the original marquee you will see the present day marquee which just doesn’t compare to what was taken down and removed!
http://www.paducahmainstreet.com/theater.htm
Under “Related Websites” are some wonderful photos of this theatre in years past along with the beautiful marquee of that era!
This theatre has quite an ornate facade.
Irv: Sorry…I didn’t realize that you posted the first day of March for the grand opening. If there is any change in this date, please advise.
Can anyone provide current restoration photos?
Irv: As we near the month of March, 2008 please post on CT the exact date of the grand opening as I will probably be in FL that month and would like to plan my trip around this date! Thanks so much.
Thank you so very much.
I wish Mr. Rothacker had come to my hometown in the early 90’s…perhaps he could have painted the Grand Theatre and helped save it rather than have it demolished for reasons I will never understand!
George H. Rothacker painted the Media Theater in 1991 to help raise money for a community effort to preserve the 1927 movie house. More than $3500 was raised in print sales, after which the owner of the theater decided to restore the theater for musicals and live stage events. A few months later, on a trip to Doylestown, Mr. Rothacker discovered that the 1938 County Theater was dark. His wife photographed the building with a disposable camera, and he painted the building, and created a print series which eventually helped the community restore the theater.
Since that time, George Rothacker has painted 10 theaters, the latest of which is the Indiana Theater, created and reproduced for the benefit of the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes I paint a theater to help physically preserve it,†said Mr. Rothacker. “And sometimes I simply paint it because of it’s a wonderful building that should remain with us in memory a while longer. When establishing a fundraising effort, I do the painting, and the printing it at my cost and then offer the sponsoring organization 50% of the sale of the prints from the initial sale. By taking all of the risk , I relieve the community or other sponsor of any financial concerns. Its an all win situation for them.â€
Mr. Rothacker is continually searching for movie houses to paint and reproduce. If you know of any theaters in need of preservation, or of an organization who could help benefit the revitalization of a theater or a community, please call 610-566-0334.
The www.georgerothacker.com site will give you his entire theatre painting gallery which includes this historial theatre.
This theatre has true “street front presence” thanks to the beautiful lighted marquee, ticket kios and brick facade with the year 1927 above the theatre doors and marquee.
hammerglenn: Interesting piece of theatre memorabila so hang onto that cardboard banner and your memories of the Star.
Will: Glad to report that my husband and I will be making a trip to Knoxville in 2007 as we have friends who are relocating there from Atlanta and will be working for HGTV.
I just heard about this Rapp and Rapp theatre through a friend who lives in Normal Illinois.
I just learned of this restored theatre through friends who live in Normal Illinois. It’s a gem and I hope to see it, in person, some day!
Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I’ll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!
Alan V. Karr: Yes, I just saw the HGTV episode and it was quite interesting. The recent broadcast I watched was June 13.
longislandmovies: Yes, the Fox is a very special theatre and one that was almost demolished. I was pleased to read your memorable account of your visit to the Fabulous Fox! For any theatre buff, it is a must-see!