Westwood Theatre of the Arts

1602 W. Sylvania Avenue,
Toledo, OH 43612

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W Frisk
W Frisk on December 6, 2020 at 2:48 pm
 Overseer of Westwood Cathedral of Word and Worship is shown as the owner as of Oct 27,2020 for a purchase price of $220,000 down from asking price of $600K. 
                
Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 5, 2020 at 9:22 pm

Here is an item from the January 22, 1927 issue of The Moving Picture World Concerning the theater to be built at Sylvania and Belmar avenues in Toledo:

“WEST TOLEDO, O. — Barbare Ferris has plans by Albert [sic] Hahn for two-story moving picture theatre and store building, to be located at northwest corner Sylvania and Belmar avenues. Site contains 130 feet on Sylvania avenue and extends 185 feet on Belmar avenue. Estimated cost $100,000.”
Note that the architect’s first name is in error. The correct name is Alfred A. Hahn.

Dr Emilio Lizardo
Dr Emilio Lizardo on November 19, 2014 at 12:53 pm

Doc here from The Journal of Adult Theaters website. I have added three new photos of the Westwood Theatre to the photos section, with more new photos to come.

The new website for the Westwood is now online: www.westwoodadult.com

Thanks,
Doc

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on February 14, 2014 at 6:14 am

Now called Westwood Theatre of the Arts.

http://www.westwoodtheatreofthearts.com

Matthew Prigge
Matthew Prigge on November 18, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Actually, upon further inspection, it seems the place has reopened as an adult theatre/ arcade. And it looks pretty nice to boot – http://dremiliolizardo.blogspot.com/2012/11/house-call-good-doctor-westwood-theatre.html

Matthew Prigge
Matthew Prigge on November 18, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Article on the theatre’s closing in 2011. http://tinyurl.com/3jsao6s

andmsmi
andmsmi on May 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm

For many years until probably the mid 50’s the Westwood was operated by the East Side Amusement Company. The East Side Amusement Company was owned by Martin G. Smith and James Beidler, Sr. The Westwood gained notoriety in the early 50’s when Mr. Smith intentionally showed a benign film without first submitting it to the State of Ohio for approval. The law requiring submission was found to be in violation of constitutional guarntee of free speech (108 N.E. 2d 582, 63 Ohio Law Abs. 452,48 O.O. 310). Mr. Smith was the President of the Ohio Association of Independent Theater Owners for a long period of time.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on April 5, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Is the theater closed? Any interior photos available?

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on December 1, 2010 at 2:35 pm

back in the 60’s it ran some great films according to the old ads i spotted.

EvanJChase
EvanJChase on May 25, 2010 at 7:04 pm

Truly the last historic theatre still operating in Toledo, the Westwood has very nice original decor from the 1920s, but in very rough condition—but certainly worth restoring.

The two large organ chambers await another theatre pipe organ to bring a soul to the restored theatre hopefully someday!

buckguy
buckguy on May 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm

The Westwood presumably was owned by the same owners as the Westwood, Heights and Continental in Cleveland during the 60s and 70s—same logo and films as the Heights & Westwood (the Continental went toward blaxploitation fare in its later days). Whereas the Cleveland theaters quit showing X-rated films in the 70s, the Westwood continued to do so. The theater anchored what used to be the shopping district for what was known as “West Toledo”.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 31, 2007 at 8:29 am

Here is a photo from the Toledo Public Library
http://tinyurl.com/29xgnz