Comments from onni

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onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on Jun 1, 2006 at 8:10 pm

Our happy times revolved around the movies. There was the Warwick (closed) the Embassy (closed) & the Adelphi-Gem (closed).For a big time out we would go to Jamaica: The Valencia (?)or the Alden (a dump).Then there was the Brooklyn Paramount (before Sinatra). Finally the Roxy or THe Radio City City Music Hall.robbie; do you know if the Highland Park YMCA is still there.The Y I doubt it but the bldg yes.

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on Jun 1, 2006 at 8:09 pm

Our happy times revolved around the movies. There was the Warwick (closed) the Embassy (closed) & the Adelphi-Gem (closed).For a big time out we would go to Jamaica: The Valencia (?)or the Alden (a dump).Then there was the Brooklyn Paramount (before Sinatra). Finally the Roxy or THe Radio City City Music Hall.robbie; do you know if the Highland Park YMCA is still there.The Y I doubt it but the bldg yes.

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on Jun 1, 2006 at 10:55 am

robbie; This was during the 1930’s probably before your time but uncle Alfred had a black & gold lettered sign on his house saying “Alfred Freckelton Piano Instruction” He lived one house in from the corner of Ashford ST & Arlington Ave.

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on May 31, 2006 at 3:09 pm

At one time there was a great Carnegie Library on the corner of Ashford St & Arlington Ave. It was a beautiful building!I checked out books there when I was 9 or 10 yrs old. The place was quiet with no nonsense. I later was told that it was closed with all the windows boarded up.My uncle Alfred lived across the St & gave piano lessons to young people in the neighborhood.Ive wanted to go back for a look but was told “Dont go there its not safe” Sad! Whats there now?

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on May 31, 2006 at 3:09 pm

At one time there was a great Carnegie Library on the corner of Ashford St & Arlington Ave. It was a beautiful building!I checked out books there when I was 9 or 10 yrs old. The place was quiet with no nonsense. I later was told that it was closed with all the windows boarded up.My uncle Alfred lived across the St & gave piano lessons to young people in the neighborhood.Ive wanted to go back for a look but was told “Dont go there its not safe” Sad! Whats there now?

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on May 29, 2006 at 9:13 pm

Sometimes we would go to the Valencia a real treat. I loved to stop & look at the fountains in the lobby then the moving stars over the audience.We would walk by Weismantels Showboat never went there I was too young & my folks couldnt afford it. There was the Norwood Palace a shot & beer place on the SW corner of Norwood & Fulton.One night my Dad got off the el after the 4 to 12 shift at Norwood Ave looked across Fulton & saw the whole crowd out on the sidewalk looking up at an apt across the st A young lady was getting ready for bed with the blinds turned the WRONG way!! That story was good for a thigh slapper for years to come.Onni

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on May 29, 2006 at 11:56 am

Chastom; Thank you for the neighborhood update! I would like to walk around the old place but not alone as I would be a mark.We lived on Chestnut St,Logan St & Highland PL. I can imagine the horror show that FK Lane is now.BTW John Gotti went there.Does anyone remember Schwartzapfels Baby carriage store on Logan & Fulton Sts? Or was that just too long ago? Im 77 now!!I would love to see that big old pile that we lived in near the corner of Warwick & Arlington Av. Onni

onni
onni commented about Gem Theatre on May 17, 2006 at 7:57 pm

I can tell you that the Gem was an upgrade of the old Adelphi. The Adelphi had fallen into disrepair so the facade and interior was replaced. The building itself was not replaced but it was an extensive job.It was near to maybe next to the Hamburg Savings Bank. How do I know? Because I am 77 yrs old & walked by the Adelphi-Gem many times in the 1930’s.But I can also add that the Gem never was much of a compeditor (spelling?) to the Embassy.

onni
onni commented about Embassy Theatre on May 17, 2006 at 4:03 pm

I went to the Embassy during the 1930’s also the Warwick and the Gem formally the Adelphi. The Warwick had a nickname “The Garlic Opera House”.The 2 features plus newsreel & coming attractions were continous giving rise to the announcement “ This is where we came in”.The theaters gave away chinaware sets, a piece at a time. Then you would hear a crash as a dinner plate would slide off some ladys lap.My 80 year old Grandmother would go to the evening show, walk home alone not at all worried about being mugged robbed or murdered!I went to PS65 and St Peters Lutheran Church (services in English & German)A great neighborhood !!!