Interior pictures are posted on the Park Theater website(www.parktheater.net). Auditorium picture is the same interior since the remodel in 1954 for the installation of Cinemascope. Prior to that, there was a stage with a red curtain with gold design trim and footlights. At the rear of the stage was a yellow title curtain and 1.33:1 aspect ratio screen. All had to be sacrificed for the Cinemascope 2.55:1 screen installed in front of the stage and new dark blue curtains added. Why do i know all this? I grew up in that theater. I knew the original owner Frank Weeding and head projectionist Allen Jones who later purchased the theater when Mr. Weeding retired. The current owner installed new projection and sound equipment, new screen,and upgraded the heating system, plus other improvements. When I look at that picture of the auditorium, it brings back so many fond memories. The first movie that gave me nightmares(“The Thing” 1951), the first to make me cry (“Titanic"1953), first 3-D movie("House Of Wax 1953}, first Cinemascope movie(The Robe” 1953). Yes, the Park Theater, Cobleskill, NY will always have a warm spot in my heart.
As I spent my childhood years in Schenectady, I saw movies at the Plaza Theater many, many times. When I was 12 years old, the manager gave me a tour of the projection booth. Very exciting, since I wanted to be a projectionist when I grew up. A goal which was realized in 1969 after a 8 year hitch in the Navy. Too my eyes,the Plaza was a huge palace from the long hallway that lead from the enterance to the concession stand and the auditorium. It was heart breaking to see an empty lot where this beautiful theater once stood.
Interior pictures are posted on the Park Theater website(www.parktheater.net). Auditorium picture is the same interior since the remodel in 1954 for the installation of Cinemascope. Prior to that, there was a stage with a red curtain with gold design trim and footlights. At the rear of the stage was a yellow title curtain and 1.33:1 aspect ratio screen. All had to be sacrificed for the Cinemascope 2.55:1 screen installed in front of the stage and new dark blue curtains added. Why do i know all this? I grew up in that theater. I knew the original owner Frank Weeding and head projectionist Allen Jones who later purchased the theater when Mr. Weeding retired. The current owner installed new projection and sound equipment, new screen,and upgraded the heating system, plus other improvements. When I look at that picture of the auditorium, it brings back so many fond memories. The first movie that gave me nightmares(“The Thing” 1951), the first to make me cry (“Titanic"1953), first 3-D movie("House Of Wax 1953}, first Cinemascope movie(The Robe” 1953). Yes, the Park Theater, Cobleskill, NY will always have a warm spot in my heart.
As I spent my childhood years in Schenectady, I saw movies at the Plaza Theater many, many times. When I was 12 years old, the manager gave me a tour of the projection booth. Very exciting, since I wanted to be a projectionist when I grew up. A goal which was realized in 1969 after a 8 year hitch in the Navy. Too my eyes,the Plaza was a huge palace from the long hallway that lead from the enterance to the concession stand and the auditorium. It was heart breaking to see an empty lot where this beautiful theater once stood.