Lost Memory: Having just returned from Playhouse Square in Cleveland I have now answered my own organ inquiry posted earlier. The only organ left is in the Palace though I didn’t see it during my recent tour. The tour included the Ohio, State, Allen and Palace. They are all located on Euclid Avenue with the Hanna Theatre nearby on 14th? In the 20’s when all of these theatres were built Euclid was known an Millionaire’s Row and the Who’s Who List lived there and frequented these beautiful theatres. And thanks goes to basically one man, Mr. Raymond Shepardton for saving these theatres for future generations!
tim: Interesting to read that you have some of the old posters, etc. If only this theatre in Dunkirk could be brought back as the slanted floor is still there and has not been ‘messed with’. I just read your entire March 15 post and was sad to read about the mold on the walls and that the seats are gone though I did find out about 2 years ago that the nearby Catholic church had purchased the building and was using it as storage. I have made one attempt to see the interior, but to no avail though will keep working on that hope/desire!
The fact that this theatre has it’s original marquees is quite unusual, but very pleasing to the eye…imo. They have now added another marquee on the backside of the theatre which is nice though a modern digital one.
“……was only spared at the last minute from being bulldozed for a parking lot. Workers had already begun dismantling the interior when the word came to halt demolition.” Thank goodness as I will be touring this theatre along with the Ohio, State and Palace in Playhouse Square in the near future.
This a.m. on HGTV’s DYI program a group of volunteers were working on a dressing room at the Tampa. Unfortunately, I only caught the last 5 minutes, but what I saw was interesting. Perhaps if you go to the HGTV site and click on DYI it will tell and show more.
hollywood90038: Those are great photos especially the rooftop marquee ones! It’s amazing that rooftop Orpheum sign is still there! ken mc: Yes, the auditions were for the reality show, So You Think You Can Dance.
I can’t be of much help to you, unfortunately and have no personal memories of these NYC theatres as I didn’t grow up in that part of the Empire State. The theatre that really interests me is the Monroe as I’d love to see/find a photo to show my friend whose late father had the memories and shared them with his son and wife often.
Lost Memory: I would like to see the June 1950 theatre exterior photo enlarged as it showed the curved marquee and curved building with an art deco look. BTW, I wasn’t aware that this PA town had 2 theatres, today.
I sure hope someone posts exterior and interior photos of the former Monroe. CT member, Lost Memory usually comes through for me so hopefully LM will come through for me on this one, too!
Bway: I wondered about that so will forward your comment to my friend and see what he tells me. Unfortunately, my friend’s father passed away so he can only go by his own memories of talking to his father over the years.
Jerry: Thanks for the follow-up information on this person and his efforts though it’s sad that this theatre and the beautiful marquee were demolished.
The projector room was in the upper balcony area where we were cleaning. There wasn’t any light in that room so I didn’t get to see much except the outline of a flood light machine, not a vintage projector. I suppose after we left someone was able to clean that area.
After reading about the chandelier prior to arriving at the Latonia it was a special moment when I entered the former auditorium and….looked up! It would have really been special if it had been lighted when I saw it for the very first time. And since the auditorium was divided by that cement floor the end of the chandelier was closer than it would have been high above the main floor and seats in those ‘glory days’.
When I was there I think Rox and/or Linda mentioned their desire to restore and light the chandelier since most of it is still intact! And no, I don’t do residential cleaning…only theaters! LOL! Indiana: Where was the chandelier switch?
Lost Memory: Having just returned from Playhouse Square in Cleveland I have now answered my own organ inquiry posted earlier. The only organ left is in the Palace though I didn’t see it during my recent tour. The tour included the Ohio, State, Allen and Palace. They are all located on Euclid Avenue with the Hanna Theatre nearby on 14th? In the 20’s when all of these theatres were built Euclid was known an Millionaire’s Row and the Who’s Who List lived there and frequented these beautiful theatres. And thanks goes to basically one man, Mr. Raymond Shepardton for saving these theatres for future generations!
tim: And I hope you find that photo of when the Regent was “brand new”!
tim: Interesting to read that you have some of the old posters, etc. If only this theatre in Dunkirk could be brought back as the slanted floor is still there and has not been ‘messed with’. I just read your entire March 15 post and was sad to read about the mold on the walls and that the seats are gone though I did find out about 2 years ago that the nearby Catholic church had purchased the building and was using it as storage. I have made one attempt to see the interior, but to no avail though will keep working on that hope/desire!
The fact that this theatre has it’s original marquees is quite unusual, but very pleasing to the eye…imo. They have now added another marquee on the backside of the theatre which is nice though a modern digital one.
“……was only spared at the last minute from being bulldozed for a parking lot. Workers had already begun dismantling the interior when the word came to halt demolition.” Thank goodness as I will be touring this theatre along with the Ohio, State and Palace in Playhouse Square in the near future.
View link
Here are the other June broadcast dates and times.
The Tampa Theatre episode will air on other June dates and times so check the DYI broadcast list.
View link
This site tells more about the DIY To The Rescue episode though there doesn’t seem to be any photos.
This a.m. on HGTV’s DYI program a group of volunteers were working on a dressing room at the Tampa. Unfortunately, I only caught the last 5 minutes, but what I saw was interesting. Perhaps if you go to the HGTV site and click on DYI it will tell and show more.
hollywood90038: Those are great photos especially the rooftop marquee ones! It’s amazing that rooftop Orpheum sign is still there! ken mc: Yes, the auditions were for the reality show, So You Think You Can Dance.
PKoch: Yes, I have no doubt that other folks on this site can and will come up with more information and hopefully PHOTOS!
I can’t be of much help to you, unfortunately and have no personal memories of these NYC theatres as I didn’t grow up in that part of the Empire State. The theatre that really interests me is the Monroe as I’d love to see/find a photo to show my friend whose late father had the memories and shared them with his son and wife often.
Lost Memory: I would like to see the June 1950 theatre exterior photo enlarged as it showed the curved marquee and curved building with an art deco look. BTW, I wasn’t aware that this PA town had 2 theatres, today.
Lost Memory: Your April 2, 2006 posts show contrasting photos of this theatre over the years and the subsequent changes.
I sure hope someone posts exterior and interior photos of the former Monroe. CT member, Lost Memory usually comes through for me so hopefully LM will come through for me on this one, too!
The status of Lucy’s appearance is unknown, but according to my friend’s late father Lucy was on the Monroe stage.
Bway: And be sure to check out www.lucy-desi.com for all the latest Lucy Festival news.
Bway: I wondered about that so will forward your comment to my friend and see what he tells me. Unfortunately, my friend’s father passed away so he can only go by his own memories of talking to his father over the years.
Bway: I have emailed my friend whose father worked at the Monroe and will post his additional comments soon.
How could anyone demolish a Rapp & Rapp built theatre?
Jerry: Thanks for the follow-up information on this person and his efforts though it’s sad that this theatre and the beautiful marquee were demolished.
Jerry: I’d try eBay even though you might not be interesting in selling it. Was this organist, Virg Howard connected with the Paramount in Toledo?
The projector room was in the upper balcony area where we were cleaning. There wasn’t any light in that room so I didn’t get to see much except the outline of a flood light machine, not a vintage projector. I suppose after we left someone was able to clean that area.
After reading about the chandelier prior to arriving at the Latonia it was a special moment when I entered the former auditorium and….looked up! It would have really been special if it had been lighted when I saw it for the very first time. And since the auditorium was divided by that cement floor the end of the chandelier was closer than it would have been high above the main floor and seats in those ‘glory days’.
When I was there I think Rox and/or Linda mentioned their desire to restore and light the chandelier since most of it is still intact! And no, I don’t do residential cleaning…only theaters! LOL! Indiana: Where was the chandelier switch?