Cameo Theatre
234 Robinson Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13904
234 Robinson Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13904
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Showing 1 - 25 of 44 comments
July 2016 photos in below link.
http://nyslandmarks.com/cameo/?fbclid=IwAR2NlSXZaGU2Ku37k4R0YcAvuGP4mArBfcvtYWR6MKFKARsSHaD77J_6ZqM
I remember when “The Shining” played there in the summer of 1980, and “Friday the 13th” was “held over” there for 5 weeks, a record of some kind (“5th & Final Wk!” the Press ad ran). Could someone explain how something was “held over,” etc.? I’ve always wondered about the movie business….
Things were different in the ‘80s as there were not 500+ TV channels, no cell phones, etc., & movie theaters provided the fun. The Cameo had “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” & would later book movies that really were not that good as movies declined and VHS came out. I drove by The Cameo over the summer & it was all boarded up w/peeling paint and I just wanted to cry as I remembered its marque lights all lit up on summer nights….but now ppl think nothing of driving elsewhere to see a movie or else stay home or watch it on their phones. Technology isn’t always progress…./Glenn
This opened on April 21st, 1928
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Grand opening ad in the photo section.
I was 7 when I had my first visit to the Cameo was to see Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979. The next film I saw was Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country in 1991. My mother grew up on that side of town and the used to call the place “Kenny’s Cow Palace” in reference to the large barn hall feel.
A chapter devoted to the Cameo Theatre in volume 2 of Jack Edward Shay’s Bygone Binghamton: Remembering People and Places of the Past (Google Books preview– chapter begins on page 35) says that the house opened in April, 1928. Its best-remembered proprietors, Ken and Frances Robinson, took over operation in 1954, and bought the house in 1957.
From the 1930s a photograph of the Cameo in Binghampton.
I just read the obituary in this morning’s Press & Sun-Bulletin. I want to express my sympathies to her family on her loss. She was a very nice lady & she, with her husband Kenneth, provided many years of happiness to the Triple Cities movie-going public. After Kenneth passed away, she continued that effort alone for many years. One her many accomplishments, which I complimented her on several times, was her successful bidding on “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979. As an independent theatre operator, she “beat out” the mighty Cinema National chain (which owned almost every other theatre in the Triple Cities!) for the exclusive right to show the film locally! I had the pleasure of speaking with her a couple of times over the past 3 years. After telling me each time that she didn’t know what she could tell me about the “old days” of the Triple Cities' theatre history, she spent better than half an hour bubbling over with her fond remembrances of her years in the movie business with Kenneth & later carrying on alone. She still went next door into the theatre regularly to be sure “everything was OK”. I also had the pleasure of stopping over to her house this past March to present her with pictures of Binghamton Classic Film’s (of which I am a member) annual display at the Broome County Library which featured several wonderful 8x10 color photos of The Cameo (including one night shot showing the lighted marquee of which Kenneth & she were so proud) & a huge newspaper article about her & The Cameo from 2000. I know her family, as well as many of us in the Triple Cities, will miss her. I hope her theatre will end up being acquired & hopefully reopened someday. Sincerely, Jim Macumber
Sadly Fran Robinson passed away yesterday 8/6/1011.For those of us who grew up with the Cameo we won’t soon forget her.Eastender
Use this link to see some current photos of the Cameo:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcMnLNo3Zt21q
If the link isn’t “clickable” you will need to copy and paste it to see the photos.
My earlier posting should read 1974. Movies didn’t cost $1 in 1074!
I remember going to the Cameo to see “Blazing Saddles”. I think it was 1074. It was $1 to get in and the place was packed!
hello,
As my friend and I have passed the cameo many times and always wondered about it we both are very interested in the cameo building. I would greatly consider helping re-opening the cameo or would help with repairs needed. maybe doing some minor altercations to help bring back that feelings from years past, maybe as well as making it into a art theatre just because there are so many actual movie theatres around this area. As well as not to many art theaters which may bring in a few more people than just a normal movie theater.
Hello…can anyone tell me if Mrs. Robinson is still interested in selling the Cameo? Thank you!
I went back to Binghamton this summer to visit my family and friends and while there was able to meet Fran Robinson.She’s delightful and is full of a lot of knowledge about history of Binghamton and it’s many theatres. She took me over to the Cameo. Boy did that bring back a lot of great memories. I really wish there could be a future for the Cameo…
my family was very involved in the Cameo. my sisters and I worked the candy counter, and my brothers cleaned the theatre and changed the signs.
the Robinson were lovely people who were very generous to the community. The pictures are great reminders for all the hours spent there. I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid there well over 50 times.
This is a ridiculous thread, common posting courtesy everywhere is to not use caps, and stop harassing each other. I hope Mrs. Robinson continues to have good health and I hope the theatre sells and gets to become useful again.
I met Fran Robinson about a year ago and talked to her about the Cameo’s history. I asked her if there was an organ installed in this theater originally. She told me that the owners did plan on purchasing an organ, but by the time the theater was completed and opened, sound movies were already starting to become more popular, so they decided not to buy one. The pipe chambers were used for storage space instead.
DOESNT SEEM ANY ONE INTERESTED HAS ANY MONEY. SHE IS NOW GOING THROUGH A REALTOR. IM SORRY TO SOUND SO MEAN, ITS JUST YOU STATE A FACT ON HERE AND NO ONE LISTENS. IF IT DOESNT SOUND INTERESTING TO YOU DONT BOTHER READING OR CALLING. THANKS
I SENT OUT A MESSAGE LETTING PEOPLE KNOW MY AUNT WAS PUTTING THE CAMEO THEATRE UP FOR SALE. I ALSO STATED SHE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN LEASING OR NON PROFIT ORG. YET PEOPLE ARE WASTING HER TIME MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO LOOK AT THE THEATRE THEN GOING ON TO SAY THEY NEED TO GET GRANTS. GET THE GRANTS THEN CALL HER. ONLY SERIOUS BUYERS PLEASE APPLY TO HER. SHE IS NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING A SOB STORY SHE WANTS TO SELL HER PROPERTY. THANK YOU
SHES HAD A COUPLE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS. SHES HAVING HEART PROBLEMS, MY COUSIN TAKES HER TO ALL HER APPOINTMENTS. YES, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SHE IS OK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN GIOSGIRL218
Giosigirl,
Just wanted to ask you if your aunt was ok..i’ve tried to call the last several weekends and there i just get her answering machine.
i just want to make sure she’s ok. I really enjoy talking to her and hope she’s ok..Thank you…… eastender
SHE IS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME TO POST THE LISTING. FEEL FREE TO CALL THE NUMBER. AS I SAID LEAVE A MESSAGE SHE SCREENS HER CALLS. HER HEALTH IS NOT GOOD AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO SELL ASAP. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE CALLS BEFORE IS THAT PEOPLE WERE CALLING TO ASK TO LEASE, OR RENT. SHES NOT INTERESTED IN LEASING OR RENTING, SHE WANTS TO SELL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ABOUT IT. SHE NEEDS THIS TIME IN HER LIFE TO RELAX. SHE ALSO MENTIONED TO ME ABOUT SELLING HER HOUSE NEXT DOOR ALSO IF YOUR AT ALL INTERESTED. I SEND HER COPIES OF THESE POSTS. I WILL CALL HER NOW AND LET HER KNOW YOU WILL BE CALLING. THANK YOU
Giosigirl,
I am interested in your last post, but I will say I am treading lightly because I do not want to bother your Aunt after you said she would be upset at the Prospect of selling? We will persue it again only if you feel it would be appropriate. We met with Fran this time last year, we are SRO productions, a community Theater company, she gave us a tour and the same asking price, We did have a contract and a realtor your aunt was talking with . Please let us know how we should proceed at this time for we do not want to upset you or your
Aunt. Thank You, Little Anne
ANY ONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE CAMEO THEATRE, MY AUNT IS INTERESTED IN SELLING. SHE IS ASKING $50,000.00 WHICH IS A STEAL. SHE HAS JUST HAD A NEW ROOF PUT ON. YOU CAN REACH HER AT (607)724-5273 PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE SHE SCREENS HER CALLS. HER NAME IS FRANCES ROBINSON.YOUR WELCOME TO CALL FOR APPOINTMENT TO SEE THEATRE. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONCERNS.
DEAR XBARTONXX, AT THIS TIME MY AUNTS HEALTH IS NOT GOOD. SHE HAS BEEN GOING FOR TESTS. I WILL LET HER KNOW OF YOUR INTEREST AND GET BACK TO YOU. I PRINT THESE PAGES OUT AND SEND THEM TO HER. SO SHE WILL GET A CHANCE TO READ YOUR MESSAGE HERSELF. AS SOON AS SHE LETS ME KNOW I WILL GET BACK TO YOU.