Marlowe Theater
257 Virginia Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
257 Virginia Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
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The Marlowe Theater was opened in 1915 by John Oishei as a free-standing, two-story brick structure. In 1929, the theater was taken over by Matthew Konczakowski, and in later years, it was the headquarters for his four-theater chain.
In 1941, a $70,000 remodeling was completed, which included more seating, air conditioning, and a new facade. Konczakowski died in 1959, and about a year later, the Marlowe Theater closed. After being vacant for a period, it became a church. The dilapidated building was demolished in February 2012.
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alan Lapp
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Old Marlowe Theater Comes Down Submitted by Patrick Klinck, Community Web Producer Thursday, February 23rd, 2012, 11:59am Topics: News Print E-mail Old Marlowe Theater Comes Down
BUFFALO, NY – Demolition of the Marlowe Theater at 257 Virginia Street began Thursday morning. Neighbors had been complaining about the abandoned structure for years.
link
The link above is the obituary for the former owner of this theatre.
In his memoir “Dear America – The Odyssey of an American Communist Youth,” (1979), author Thomas Sgovio reflected on his early years in Buffalo. Here he speaks of going to the movies in the city: “On many a Sunday afternoon after a hearty spaghetti or ravioli dinner, our family walked to the Marlowe or the Allendale. For a dime we reveled as we watched two full length silent movies, a couple of thrilling serials, two comedies and a Pathe newsreel. The movie house was always crowded during those Sunday matinees. Half the kids read the titles on the screen aloud, making it possible for those parents who could not read English to follow the gist of the movie. In the pit below the screen,the feeble glow of an electric light silhouetted the head and shoulders of the piano player. He kept on pounding the musical accompaniment despite the din which at times surely should have torn the ceiling off the theatre, especially during the exciting parts.”