The American Theater has “small” and “large” screening rooms now. There are 360-degree images of each screening room and the lobby on their official web site. This is the only downtown Charleston movie theater now. The Riviera is a conference center, the Gloria (now the Sottile Theatre) is used for live entertainments by the College of Charleston, and the Garden Theater is being converted to retail space. The Lincoln Theater was demolished in 2000. The Arcade Theater was demolished in 2003. Charles and Celeste Patrick have not received the acknowledgement or appreciation they deserve for reopening and improving the American Theater. Those who made the huge investment in money, time, and labor have given Charleston a great gift.
We recently traveled to Bowling Green, Ohio and saw this wonderful old theater. Then, we were surprised to see it again this week in the background as John Kerry campaigned in Bowling Green. The most remarkable thing to me is it’s appearance seems more “preserved” than “restored.” It is a cinema treasure. I sent a photograph to Cinema Treasures. Hopefully, they will post it eventually. Cheers to those responsible for keeping this theater going.
Mark Tiedje and I visited this gem of a theater recently. It is beautifully and brilliantly restored. Through the lobby are entrances to the auditorium and a small cafe and gallery. Those involved with restoring and operating the Palace Theater of Crossville have or admiration and gratitude for doing it right. This is an excellent model for anyone trying to save a local theater.
For those who are interested, there are photos of the Garden Theater taken last week showing the removal of the seats, curtain, rigging, etc. There is also an interesting shot of one of the old RCA projectors. The photos are at http://www.cofc.edu/~tiedjem/lowcountry_05.htm
Personally, I hate funeral photos, but it’s better than having no record of this sad event.
Todd refers to a movie theater in Charleston that became Leon’s. I believe he refers to the Princess Theater which opened in 1913 at 304 King Street. This was a small narrow theater that had a five peice orchestra accompanying the films and entertaining between shows. It later became Leroy’s Jewelery store. Since my book was published, the jewelry store closed and much of the interior details of the Princess Theater were discovered above a drop ceiling. These details were beautifully restored and can now be seen again. The location is a now a restaurant.
Have you tried the Theater Historical Society of America http://www.historictheaters.org They have an extensive archives of theater related documents and photographs. The University of Missouri has a collection of the Boller Brothers architectural drawings. Maybe they have a photo. Good luck.
The paintings are beautiful. Good luck with the exhibition opening. I was very struck by the similarity of George Rothacker’s Riviera Theater with the Riviera Theater in Charleston, South Carolina /theaters/284/
I am so sorry to hear that the Macon Drive-In has closed. But, I understand the need to retire when it is time. As Bop Hope said so many time, and probably right there on the big Macon Drive-In screen, “Thanks for the Memories.” What a wonderful thing to make money doing something you love while giving pleasure to so many other people.
Some support has been found to save the Garden Theater as a theater. There will be a public meeting on the current status of the plan in the conference room of the Charleston County Public Library, Monday, May 24, 2004, at 7 p.m. We are very close to losing this theater. Even though we have received encouraging comments from city officials, preservationists, arts organizations, and local citizens, we have very little time left. Attend if you can. Wish us well whether you can attend the meeting or not.
Thank you Andy for posting the photos. I also appreciate the photos you posted at geocities. It is heartbreaking to see these old ladies pass on. They will never be replaced. We have a little 700 seat combination theater, movies and vaudeville, that will probably soon meet the same fate. Keeping up on such losses here at cinematreasures.org I am sad to witness the constant destruction of these unique treasures. Soon, the whole world will be shopping strips and apartment buildings. All alike. The developers are the undevelopers.
That wonderful series was presented by Roger McNiven who did an Orson Wells series the following year at the Garden Theater. Roger, who taught film history at NYU, also presented films at the Grange Hall on Martha’s vineyard. He would have been thrilled to know people still recall the Rossellini series.
No one person is likely to have the best idea. Ralph and I are planning to advertise in the local newspaper to hold a meeting at the library for anyone interested in trying to save the Garden Theater. If you want to talk, we would value your ideas. This may very well be the last chance to save the Garden Theater. Unlike the Arcade Theater, which was demolished last year, the Garden has architectural and historical significance to Charleston. I’ve spoken briefly with a local architectural historian here at the College of Charleston. Please email or call (843) 953-7510 for me, or (843) 571-2672 for Ralph, if you want to communicate directly.
What is really happening? The doctor who purchased the Garden Theater on March 11, has incidated he would not use the theater for condos but would be willing to sell the theater to anyone for $1.6 million. It is difficult to follow what is actually going on with this property. If anyone, including Todd, would like to share information, please feel free to contact me at
I still think there is hope for saving the theater as a theater. The diverse “interested parties” involved don’t seem to be communicating with each other. We’ve talked to city planners, the Preservation Society and the doctor who says he now owns the theater. The only way to save this historically valuable theater is for everyone to pull on the same rope. The only way to keep Charleston from becoming another shopping mall is by working together to steer the city in a better direction.
Three sources that might be worth contacting are the owners of the Tryon Theater in Tryon, NC; the owner of the Capri Theater in Gaffney, SC and Kendall Messick, an independent film producer. The owner of the Tryon Theater once told me about “bicycling” the film reels between the Tryon Theater and a black movie theater in the town. The films came on several reels. As one reel ended, a boy on a bicycle would pick it up and take it to the other theater where it would be shown. This continued until the entire film had been seen in both theaters. The owners of the Capri Theater in Gaffney told me how they raised their children in the theater. The youngsters learned to walk in the aisles and their crib was kept next to the projectors in the booth.
Kendall Messick has just completed a film called “The Projectionist” about a fellow who ran the projectors in a small town and now, in retirement, enjoys his very accurate model theater in the basement of his home. A Google search will find him. Good luck with your book.
Thank you RedDawg, you’re absolutely right. Mrs. Margaret Dengate played the American Fotoplayer at the Gardent Theater until she began playing organ at the Gloria Theater when it opened in 1927. She said her worst day at the Garden was Saturday. While she watched the screen and played, children would hit her in the back of her head with “spit wads.”
The closing on the sale of the Garden Theater is Thursday, March 11. The new owner said he would consider ideas about use of the theater for live entertainment or movies if anyone can show him an achievalbe plan. Otherwise he still plans to develop the property as condominiums. No one has come forward with such a plan.
According to Roger Detzler, President of IOKA Entertainment Inc., Club Ioka has recently reopened and expanded to include a cigar/pipe room, a party suite and live jazz every Thursday. At one time there was an American Fotoplayer in the theater. According to a web site that no longer exists (Google had it cached), the American Fotoplayer was the only one still available for the public to see and hear. This combination theater organ, player piano, and special sound effects device was the only one not in a private collection. It was the personal property of the prior owner of the Ioka Theater and went with him when Detzler recently purchased the theater. Their new web site should be on-line again soon.
I know this isn’t the “Strand” you’re looking for. But, I couldn’t help but notice how similar they look. This is the Strand in Georgetown, South Carolina and it’s still in use as a community theater.
This weekend, I ran across a reference to an employee of the Uptown Theatre who was killed in action in WWII. It was in the 1945 issue of Film Daily Yearbook. It was on a full page of others who had died during the year 1944. This is a great reference tool. I got a 1945 and a 1965 issue off of Ebay. But, I’m sure you could locate any issue through your local library. They would probably have to acquire it for you through inter-library loan. But, that’s not difficult.. Ask your reference librarian. Good luck with your film.
Thank you so much for a wonderful read. I enjoyed reading the history of the Minor. I especially enjoyed the interview with Bill the projectionist that I found also on their website. Sharing such stories may be the only way those stories can survive the passing of time.
Everything is collectable to someone. The greatest value is not monetary however, it historic. Consider donating them to the Roanoke Library’s Special Collections where researches can find them. To a researcher or writer it is great to know that Miss Davidson was an organist at the Rialto. That she attended a movie at the Park Theater where S. G. Richardson was manager. It shows that, at a point in time, one management company operated the Park, Rialto, American, Jefferson and Roanoke Theaters. I’m only sorry to notice that Miss Davidson attended the movie alone. A good writer could get a 500 word story just out of this one pass.
Eureka! Thanks to http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ammemhome.html I was able to locate a record of the Victor Theater in Anderson, SC. It was built in 1922 to house the theater. The LOC source was the Anderson City Directory of 1922. The building was vacant from 1925 to 1929. From 1929 to 1976 it housed various furniture companies. From 1976 to 2001 it housed the Ideal Pawn Shop. It is now abandoned. It does not meet current building codes. There are five photographs of the Victor Theater on this site. This is a great source with an excellent search feature. I recommend it highly.
A brief update on the Garden Theater. Cynthia Jenkins, Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, informed me that the Garden Theater has been purchased. The new owner plans to convert the interior to condominiums. LHAT member, Ralph Hicks, was seeking ways to preserve the Garden as a theater but it seems time, money and local support are not on his side. Perhaps those who purchase condos in the Garden will hear the distant sounds of shooting pistols, slamming doors and creaks from the long absent American Footplayer theater organ. The more of these theatrical treasures we lose, the more precious are the remaining gardens of our dreams.
Thank you Jim. Mark is a memember of THS so I’ll ask him to follow up with them. This is a good example of the value of the Theatre Historical Society of America. Their archives are truly priceless.
The interior is grim. Neglect is the biggest contributor. The balcony has been used only for lighting instruments in recent years. The stage is shallow and the rigging is hemp. I would say it’s in typical condition for a theater that has not been maintained for thirty years. Restoration would probably cost more than the asking price. Beneath the dirt and dust, it’s interior is very close to it’s original appearance. A good cleaning and painting would bring back the fine old visual quality. I’d be more concerned about structural intergrity, HVAC, roofing, electrical and water services.
The American Theater has “small” and “large” screening rooms now. There are 360-degree images of each screening room and the lobby on their official web site. This is the only downtown Charleston movie theater now. The Riviera is a conference center, the Gloria (now the Sottile Theatre) is used for live entertainments by the College of Charleston, and the Garden Theater is being converted to retail space. The Lincoln Theater was demolished in 2000. The Arcade Theater was demolished in 2003. Charles and Celeste Patrick have not received the acknowledgement or appreciation they deserve for reopening and improving the American Theater. Those who made the huge investment in money, time, and labor have given Charleston a great gift.
We recently traveled to Bowling Green, Ohio and saw this wonderful old theater. Then, we were surprised to see it again this week in the background as John Kerry campaigned in Bowling Green. The most remarkable thing to me is it’s appearance seems more “preserved” than “restored.” It is a cinema treasure. I sent a photograph to Cinema Treasures. Hopefully, they will post it eventually. Cheers to those responsible for keeping this theater going.
Mark Tiedje and I visited this gem of a theater recently. It is beautifully and brilliantly restored. Through the lobby are entrances to the auditorium and a small cafe and gallery. Those involved with restoring and operating the Palace Theater of Crossville have or admiration and gratitude for doing it right. This is an excellent model for anyone trying to save a local theater.
For those who are interested, there are photos of the Garden Theater taken last week showing the removal of the seats, curtain, rigging, etc. There is also an interesting shot of one of the old RCA projectors. The photos are at http://www.cofc.edu/~tiedjem/lowcountry_05.htm
Personally, I hate funeral photos, but it’s better than having no record of this sad event.
Todd refers to a movie theater in Charleston that became Leon’s. I believe he refers to the Princess Theater which opened in 1913 at 304 King Street. This was a small narrow theater that had a five peice orchestra accompanying the films and entertaining between shows. It later became Leroy’s Jewelery store. Since my book was published, the jewelry store closed and much of the interior details of the Princess Theater were discovered above a drop ceiling. These details were beautifully restored and can now be seen again. The location is a now a restaurant.
You might check out View link
Have you tried the Theater Historical Society of America http://www.historictheaters.org They have an extensive archives of theater related documents and photographs. The University of Missouri has a collection of the Boller Brothers architectural drawings. Maybe they have a photo. Good luck.
The paintings are beautiful. Good luck with the exhibition opening. I was very struck by the similarity of George Rothacker’s Riviera Theater with the Riviera Theater in Charleston, South Carolina /theaters/284/
I am so sorry to hear that the Macon Drive-In has closed. But, I understand the need to retire when it is time. As Bop Hope said so many time, and probably right there on the big Macon Drive-In screen, “Thanks for the Memories.” What a wonderful thing to make money doing something you love while giving pleasure to so many other people.
Some support has been found to save the Garden Theater as a theater. There will be a public meeting on the current status of the plan in the conference room of the Charleston County Public Library, Monday, May 24, 2004, at 7 p.m. We are very close to losing this theater. Even though we have received encouraging comments from city officials, preservationists, arts organizations, and local citizens, we have very little time left. Attend if you can. Wish us well whether you can attend the meeting or not.
Thank you Andy for posting the photos. I also appreciate the photos you posted at geocities. It is heartbreaking to see these old ladies pass on. They will never be replaced. We have a little 700 seat combination theater, movies and vaudeville, that will probably soon meet the same fate. Keeping up on such losses here at cinematreasures.org I am sad to witness the constant destruction of these unique treasures. Soon, the whole world will be shopping strips and apartment buildings. All alike. The developers are the undevelopers.
That wonderful series was presented by Roger McNiven who did an Orson Wells series the following year at the Garden Theater. Roger, who taught film history at NYU, also presented films at the Grange Hall on Martha’s vineyard. He would have been thrilled to know people still recall the Rossellini series.
No one person is likely to have the best idea. Ralph and I are planning to advertise in the local newspaper to hold a meeting at the library for anyone interested in trying to save the Garden Theater. If you want to talk, we would value your ideas. This may very well be the last chance to save the Garden Theater. Unlike the Arcade Theater, which was demolished last year, the Garden has architectural and historical significance to Charleston. I’ve spoken briefly with a local architectural historian here at the College of Charleston. Please email or call (843) 953-7510 for me, or (843) 571-2672 for Ralph, if you want to communicate directly.
What is really happening? The doctor who purchased the Garden Theater on March 11, has incidated he would not use the theater for condos but would be willing to sell the theater to anyone for $1.6 million. It is difficult to follow what is actually going on with this property. If anyone, including Todd, would like to share information, please feel free to contact me at
I still think there is hope for saving the theater as a theater. The diverse “interested parties” involved don’t seem to be communicating with each other. We’ve talked to city planners, the Preservation Society and the doctor who says he now owns the theater. The only way to save this historically valuable theater is for everyone to pull on the same rope. The only way to keep Charleston from becoming another shopping mall is by working together to steer the city in a better direction.
Three sources that might be worth contacting are the owners of the Tryon Theater in Tryon, NC; the owner of the Capri Theater in Gaffney, SC and Kendall Messick, an independent film producer. The owner of the Tryon Theater once told me about “bicycling” the film reels between the Tryon Theater and a black movie theater in the town. The films came on several reels. As one reel ended, a boy on a bicycle would pick it up and take it to the other theater where it would be shown. This continued until the entire film had been seen in both theaters. The owners of the Capri Theater in Gaffney told me how they raised their children in the theater. The youngsters learned to walk in the aisles and their crib was kept next to the projectors in the booth.
Kendall Messick has just completed a film called “The Projectionist” about a fellow who ran the projectors in a small town and now, in retirement, enjoys his very accurate model theater in the basement of his home. A Google search will find him. Good luck with your book.
Thank you RedDawg, you’re absolutely right. Mrs. Margaret Dengate played the American Fotoplayer at the Gardent Theater until she began playing organ at the Gloria Theater when it opened in 1927. She said her worst day at the Garden was Saturday. While she watched the screen and played, children would hit her in the back of her head with “spit wads.”
The closing on the sale of the Garden Theater is Thursday, March 11. The new owner said he would consider ideas about use of the theater for live entertainment or movies if anyone can show him an achievalbe plan. Otherwise he still plans to develop the property as condominiums. No one has come forward with such a plan.
According to Roger Detzler, President of IOKA Entertainment Inc., Club Ioka has recently reopened and expanded to include a cigar/pipe room, a party suite and live jazz every Thursday. At one time there was an American Fotoplayer in the theater. According to a web site that no longer exists (Google had it cached), the American Fotoplayer was the only one still available for the public to see and hear. This combination theater organ, player piano, and special sound effects device was the only one not in a private collection. It was the personal property of the prior owner of the Ioka Theater and went with him when Detzler recently purchased the theater. Their new web site should be on-line again soon.
I know this isn’t the “Strand” you’re looking for. But, I couldn’t help but notice how similar they look. This is the Strand in Georgetown, South Carolina and it’s still in use as a community theater.
http://www.georgetown-sc.com/attractn/strand.htm
This weekend, I ran across a reference to an employee of the Uptown Theatre who was killed in action in WWII. It was in the 1945 issue of Film Daily Yearbook. It was on a full page of others who had died during the year 1944. This is a great reference tool. I got a 1945 and a 1965 issue off of Ebay. But, I’m sure you could locate any issue through your local library. They would probably have to acquire it for you through inter-library loan. But, that’s not difficult.. Ask your reference librarian. Good luck with your film.
Thank you so much for a wonderful read. I enjoyed reading the history of the Minor. I especially enjoyed the interview with Bill the projectionist that I found also on their website. Sharing such stories may be the only way those stories can survive the passing of time.
Everything is collectable to someone. The greatest value is not monetary however, it historic. Consider donating them to the Roanoke Library’s Special Collections where researches can find them. To a researcher or writer it is great to know that Miss Davidson was an organist at the Rialto. That she attended a movie at the Park Theater where S. G. Richardson was manager. It shows that, at a point in time, one management company operated the Park, Rialto, American, Jefferson and Roanoke Theaters. I’m only sorry to notice that Miss Davidson attended the movie alone. A good writer could get a 500 word story just out of this one pass.
Eureka! Thanks to http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ammemhome.html I was able to locate a record of the Victor Theater in Anderson, SC. It was built in 1922 to house the theater. The LOC source was the Anderson City Directory of 1922. The building was vacant from 1925 to 1929. From 1929 to 1976 it housed various furniture companies. From 1976 to 2001 it housed the Ideal Pawn Shop. It is now abandoned. It does not meet current building codes. There are five photographs of the Victor Theater on this site. This is a great source with an excellent search feature. I recommend it highly.
A brief update on the Garden Theater. Cynthia Jenkins, Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, informed me that the Garden Theater has been purchased. The new owner plans to convert the interior to condominiums. LHAT member, Ralph Hicks, was seeking ways to preserve the Garden as a theater but it seems time, money and local support are not on his side. Perhaps those who purchase condos in the Garden will hear the distant sounds of shooting pistols, slamming doors and creaks from the long absent American Footplayer theater organ. The more of these theatrical treasures we lose, the more precious are the remaining gardens of our dreams.
Thank you Jim. Mark is a memember of THS so I’ll ask him to follow up with them. This is a good example of the value of the Theatre Historical Society of America. Their archives are truly priceless.
The interior is grim. Neglect is the biggest contributor. The balcony has been used only for lighting instruments in recent years. The stage is shallow and the rigging is hemp. I would say it’s in typical condition for a theater that has not been maintained for thirty years. Restoration would probably cost more than the asking price. Beneath the dirt and dust, it’s interior is very close to it’s original appearance. A good cleaning and painting would bring back the fine old visual quality. I’d be more concerned about structural intergrity, HVAC, roofing, electrical and water services.