Main Theatre

In 2006, Ron Newman asked about the International Star Palace. It WAS located in the Main Theater building in the 1970 time frame.

Additional information on the Todd-AO conversion:

From the Columbus Dispatch, 10/15/1960:

“Frank Yassenoff has taken over the Main Theatre from the Roland’s management and is converting its screen, projection and sound equipment for the display of films made in the Todd-AO process. The theater is now closed for remodeling, but will re-open early in November. "Can-Can” is expected to be the first attraction and it will be shown on reserved seat basis. The details will be announced later. The Main, 1336 E. Main, will be the second Todd-AO house in COlumbus. Hunt’s Cinestage is the other."

In going through the Columbus Dispatch archives from that time, I have only found records of CAN-CAN and KING OF KINGS playing at this theatre in 70mm.

Internet says that Henkels & McCoy is a Pennsylvania-based engineering and construction firm specializing in projects for the energy, water, and communications industries. There’s no indication of what they are using the Main Theatre building for. It might be anything from branch offices to an equipment storage facility.

Referring back to a comment from Ron Newman in 2006:

“During at least some time in the late 60s or early 70s, I remember either this or the nearby Eastern Theatre (now demolished) being used as a nightclub or live stage. I vaguely recall it using the name ‘International Star Palace’. I hope someone else from Columbus can supply more information”

If I am recalling correctly, the International Star Palace nightclub was in the old Big Bear Grocery store a few blocks east of the Eastern theatre. This club was directly next to the grain elevator. That building was torn down and replaced by a Kidney Center.

This became the New Main Theatre on 11/10/1960, with the opening of CAN-CAN in TODD-AO. All seats were reserved.

Did the theater have a balcony?

The July 17, 1937, issue of Boxoffice said “F. W. Rolands is about to build a 1,500-seat house at 1336 E. Main St., Columbus. General contract has been let to N. J. Mulligan, Columbus.” An August 3, 1946, Boxoffice item mentioned that “Contractors… Mulligan & Case… designed and built the Main Theatre.”

The December 25, 1937, issue of Boxoffice said that Fred Rowlands was opening his new Main Theatre in Columbus on Christmas Day. Rowlands also operated the Parsons Theatre in Columbus.

On April 3, 1954, Boxoffice said “Fred Rowlands' Main neighborhood was the first subsequent-run house here to install CinemaScope equipment.”

On January 16, 1961, Boxoffice said “Frank Yassenoff purchased the Main from Fred Rowlands and installed a reserved-seat policy for ‘Can-Can.’”

The outside of the building sure doesn’t give any indication that any business (such as a pharmacy) is operating inside. How do people know to go to these offices or businesses if they are not advertised on signs?

This building is NOT empty. For the last several years, the E. Main St Pharmacy has operated in this location. Though there has been a “revolving door” of physicians and/or medical clinics that have occupied the medical office section, the pharmacy has been in this location for at least five years. If you see the picture on Google Maps, mentioned by “ZookieFreddie” (he’s correct that the marquee says “For Lease” – but there are several available rooms/offices available for lease), you’ll also see a “sandwich board” style sign near the road. This is a sign for the dentist in the building. Unfortunately, it seems to be difficult to support most of the medical clinics that have occupied the medical space from the surrounding neighborhood.

However, I can assure you the building is NOT empty, and a local pharmacist has occupied the building for several years, and still does!

WOW. To think they showed 70mm in this place. You’d never know it now. The theater has been closed since the late 60’s I think. Was vacant for a long time after. Sad. The surrounding area is in really bad shape. Wish I could’ve seen it in its glory days. It’s quite imposing still from the outside…….

Here is an update on this theater: I used to go to a doctor who was in this building and well remember the lobby area way back inside. I don’t believe the interior layout ever had stadium seating or the kind that slopes down toward the screen. Anyway, the owner of the building kicked the midical clinic out totally in either late 2005 or early 2006 and it has been closed with a “for lease” sign on the marquee ever since — proving that Google maps is definitely wrong. Currently it is empty but does not appear to suffer any vandalism or disrepair. The surrounding area is still really bad.

For a short time in the early ‘60’s, this theatre had a few roadshow runs. CAN-CAN and KING OF KING were presented in 70mm (KING OF KINGS was a move-over from the Cinestage). This was the first non-downtown location to run 70mm.