I worked the projection booth at the Druid as a teenager in the 1980s. It was operated as a second-run theater by then, showing films that had been out for several weeks and charging less for them.
The theater was still operating with its original 1940s projection equipment at that time: carbon arc lighthouses and twin projectors with manual changeovers. I believe this equipment was still in working order when the theater was gutted.
The theater also had a private viewing box next to the projection booth, and a small apartment above the lobby (neither open to the public).
It was granted historic landmark status, which is why they had to leave the facade intact when they converted it to retail space.
I worked the projection booth at the Druid as a teenager in the 1980s. It was operated as a second-run theater by then, showing films that had been out for several weeks and charging less for them.
The theater was still operating with its original 1940s projection equipment at that time: carbon arc lighthouses and twin projectors with manual changeovers. I believe this equipment was still in working order when the theater was gutted.
The theater also had a private viewing box next to the projection booth, and a small apartment above the lobby (neither open to the public).
It was granted historic landmark status, which is why they had to leave the facade intact when they converted it to retail space.