RKO Proctor’s in Mount Vernon did indeed last until 1968 – not during the 50’s. The bingo hall info is also correct. It was a grand theatre, and it was strange going back into it as a bingo hall!
It had a beautiful marquee, with an elaborate (for the time) chase light system on both the marquee and the vertical “Proctor’s” sign above it.
Incorrect, TheaterBuff1. What was the Parkway is strictly a funeral home today. The restaurant on the W. Broad St side of the building was always there, along with the other attached businesses. But I did enjoy the Soylent Green comment! :–)
The photo with the trolley is a view from W. 1st St, which is across the railroad cut that was behind the theatre. The Lowe’s sign in that photo was on the left side of the theatre, facing N. 5th Ave (now aka Sharpe Blvd N). The photo with the marquee is actually the front (and only) entrance to the theatre. (Look closely, you can see the icket booth on the right side of the entrance.) It faced Roosevelt Sq South. Directly across from the theatre is Mount Vernon’s City Hall.
I remember going to a couple of movies there as a very young boy, the most memorable was the local premiere of The Beatles “A Hard Days Night.” Couldn’t hear a thing over the screaming girls! :–)
RKO Proctor’s in Mount Vernon did indeed last until 1968 – not during the 50’s. The bingo hall info is also correct. It was a grand theatre, and it was strange going back into it as a bingo hall!
It had a beautiful marquee, with an elaborate (for the time) chase light system on both the marquee and the vertical “Proctor’s” sign above it.
Incorrect, TheaterBuff1. What was the Parkway is strictly a funeral home today. The restaurant on the W. Broad St side of the building was always there, along with the other attached businesses. But I did enjoy the Soylent Green comment! :–)
The photo with the trolley is a view from W. 1st St, which is across the railroad cut that was behind the theatre. The Lowe’s sign in that photo was on the left side of the theatre, facing N. 5th Ave (now aka Sharpe Blvd N). The photo with the marquee is actually the front (and only) entrance to the theatre. (Look closely, you can see the icket booth on the right side of the entrance.) It faced Roosevelt Sq South. Directly across from the theatre is Mount Vernon’s City Hall.
I remember going to a couple of movies there as a very young boy, the most memorable was the local premiere of The Beatles “A Hard Days Night.” Couldn’t hear a thing over the screaming girls! :–)