Gayety Theatre
322 N. Summit Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
322 N. Summit Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previous Names: Strand Theatre, Guild Theatre, Gayety Burlesk Theatre
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The Strand Theatre was opened in late-1920. By 1950, it was operating as the Guild Theatre.
Later renamed Gayety Burlesk Theatre, presenting live burlesque shows, in 1960 it was advertising “Hollywood Burlesk”. It later became what was termed an adult movie theatre. Hardly running what future adult theatres would show.
Still operating in 1976, when it was attracting a gay male audience.
Contributed by
MikeRogers, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
There are some pictures of the Gayety here: View link. Other web pages indicate that in the years immediately after its life as a cinema, the Gayety functioned as more classic burlesque house (Gypsy Rose Lee performed there, for example) before becoming what is commonly thought of today as an adult theater. Looking at the last picture, there was obviously a fire in the building before it was demolished.
This house was also known as the Strand Theatre. The Toledo City Journal for October 30, 1920, says that on October 18 the Toledo City Council adopted a resolution allowing the Strand Theatre Company to erect an electric sign atop the canopy over the entrance to the theater at 322 Summit Street.
The house operated as the Strand until 1950, when it was remodeled and renamed the Guild Theatre. An illustrated article about the Guild appeared in Boxoffice of April 1, 1950. The Guild Theatre operated as an art house.
December 20th, 1957 reopening ad as Gayety uploaded in the photo section for this theatre.
November 2nd, 1949 grand opening ad as The Guild can also be found in the photo section. Listings stopped by 1951.
This house opened as the Strand Theatre, probably in late 1920, and was never called the Priscilla. A 1921 Toledo directory lists both the Strand, at 322 Summit Street, and the Priscilla Theatre, at 330 Summit. A list of Toledo theaters published in 1919 also has the Priscilla at 330 Summit, but no theater listed at 322 Summit.
The Strand and the Priscilla are both listed in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook. The Priscilla, which was closed, had 300 seats, and the Strand, open, had 390.