This was my favorite theater when I was growing up in Endicott, back in the 50’s.
My brother found a back way in, thru the old hallways and down to the fire exit, located on the right hand side of the screen. Someone had to be inside to open the door and let us in!!
I only did this once, cause it was too scary for me to go thru the dark, old, spooky hallways to get into the theater.
Besides, I was afraid of being caught!!!
They had matinees every Saturday for us kids. $.25 to get in. Popcorn was $.10 and $.25. They would have a few shorts, which were mostly old Our Gang episodes. 3 or 4 cartoons and at least one movie and many times two. Lots of the old William Castle movies, starring Vincent Price. Saw The Tingler there and House on Haunted Hill.
Those were carefree, fun times, during those summers, a long, long time ago.
There is a book available at Amazon.com, titled “BINGHAMTON (NY) (IMAGES OF AMERICA), by Ed Aswad and Suzanne M. Meredith.
The website allows you to search for specific items concerning this book. Search for the small box on the left hand side of the page
Type in “STONE OPERA HOUSE” It’s on Page 92 of the book.
There are 2 photos of the Theater. One shows it back in the 1890’s. Notice that there is NO building to it’s left, where the Strand Theater is now.
The second photo will take your breath away!!!
It’s shows one of the most beautiful, opulent stages that I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! Must be from the 1890’s or very early 1900’s?
I could cry when I see how it looks now and how grand and luxurious it once was.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments?
I’m a former resident of Broome County. The old Riviera and Capitol
Theaters were ruined by greed and total, useless neglect.
I went there as a little boy, when I lived in Endicott.
It was not a big movie palace, but it was still nice.
We usually went up the street to the Lyric, which is now the Endicott Performing Arts Center.
I know that many Vaudeville acts used to perform there.
Also, Liberace played that theatre on more than one occasion.
It was such a beautiful, old theatre. The bank that tore it down used to be called The Binghamton Savings Bank————-I used to have a bank savings account there back in the 50’s and 60’s
Now, it’s just a vacant, lost memory of a by-gone day!
I saw DIRTY HARRY in that Theatre back in the 70's
It was the only time I ever went there. The reason I remember it????? I got a parking ticket for parking near the fire station in a NO PARKING ZONE!!!! Didn’t even see the darn sign!
I’m so glad that it wasn’t torn down. It is truly a Village treasure!
I used to live in Endicott in the 50’s and 60’s.
I believe that Ben Hur opened there to great fanfare in the late 50’s. They had spotlights and all the Marques proclaiming it’s opening.
There also was another theatre nearby???
I can’t remember the name?
Brad, those photos taken in the 1930’s are great!!!
So glad to have seen them.
This was my favorite theater when I was growing up in Endicott, back in the 50’s.
My brother found a back way in, thru the old hallways and down to the fire exit, located on the right hand side of the screen. Someone had to be inside to open the door and let us in!!
I only did this once, cause it was too scary for me to go thru the dark, old, spooky hallways to get into the theater.
Besides, I was afraid of being caught!!!
They had matinees every Saturday for us kids. $.25 to get in. Popcorn was $.10 and $.25. They would have a few shorts, which were mostly old Our Gang episodes. 3 or 4 cartoons and at least one movie and many times two. Lots of the old William Castle movies, starring Vincent Price. Saw The Tingler there and House on Haunted Hill.
Those were carefree, fun times, during those summers, a long, long time ago.
Jim, that sure is great news!
See my post on the Riviera/Stone Opera House. The photo of the inside is incredible. It’s from the book I mentioned.
Spectrum, those are great photos!!!
So glad it’s still there. I hope to visit it soon.
Any chance of it being incorporated with the famous Cleveland Film Festival in March???
There is a book available at Amazon.com, titled “BINGHAMTON (NY) (IMAGES OF AMERICA), by Ed Aswad and Suzanne M. Meredith.
The website allows you to search for specific items concerning this book. Search for the small box on the left hand side of the page
Type in “STONE OPERA HOUSE” It’s on Page 92 of the book.
There are 2 photos of the Theater. One shows it back in the 1890’s. Notice that there is NO building to it’s left, where the Strand Theater is now.
The second photo will take your breath away!!!
It’s shows one of the most beautiful, opulent stages that I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! Must be from the 1890’s or very early 1900’s?
I could cry when I see how it looks now and how grand and luxurious it once was.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments?
I’m a former resident of Broome County. The old Riviera and Capitol
Theaters were ruined by greed and total, useless neglect.
I went there as a little boy, when I lived in Endicott.
It was not a big movie palace, but it was still nice.
We usually went up the street to the Lyric, which is now the Endicott Performing Arts Center.
Are there ANY plans to save this once great theatre??!!!
C'mon Johnson City, site of my High School Graduation—————-LET’S GET ON THE BALL AND TRY TO SAVE THIS STRUCTURE!!
Once it’s gone, you will lose YET another piece of your once proud history!!!!!!!!
I know that many Vaudeville acts used to perform there.
Also, Liberace played that theatre on more than one occasion.
It was such a beautiful, old theatre. The bank that tore it down used to be called The Binghamton Savings Bank————-I used to have a bank savings account there back in the 50’s and 60’s
Now, it’s just a vacant, lost memory of a by-gone day!
I saw DAVEY CROCKETT there back in the 50’s with my parents!!
I was terrified of the Indian REDSTICK!
Bill Ross
I saw DIRTY HARRY in that Theatre back in the 70's
It was the only time I ever went there. The reason I remember it????? I got a parking ticket for parking near the fire station in a NO PARKING ZONE!!!! Didn’t even see the darn sign!
I’m so glad that it wasn’t torn down. It is truly a Village treasure!
I used to live in Endicott in the 50’s and 60’s.
I believe that Ben Hur opened there to great fanfare in the late 50’s. They had spotlights and all the Marques proclaiming it’s opening.
There also was another theatre nearby???
I can’t remember the name?