Center Theatre
580 Main Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14202
580 Main Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14202
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It reopened on December 27th, 1974, and closed again in late January 1975. another ad posted
Closed in late december, 1973
We find it impossible to continue business in the climate of a police state”
Closed or the newspaper listings pulled in 1973 by Martina theatres.
The Backstage theatre at the Center opened on February 7th, 1969 by Martina theatres showing adult movies and the Penthouse opened on April 2nd with the roadshow presentation of “Oliver”. Grand opening ads posted.
1949 grand opening ad posted.
Hippodrome grand opening ad posted.
1960 photo added courtesy of Mark MacDougal.
My great-grandparents were entertainers at this theatre and many more from what my great Uncle Johnny Bouchard put in writing for us. I see Sharon M., stated he was her grandfather and an orchestra leader. George Albert and Mary Elizabeth Bouchard performed all over the states according to the writing. They were friends with the police commissioner, mayor as well as many residents of Buffalo. Mom has pictures of them in performances and we will scan and add at a later date. They left a long legacy of children, grand and great and great-great grandchildren to remember them. Please if anyone is interested please write to us or call. Bonnie White at or 909-583-3017. We have been doing ancestry.com which has led me here. Thanks
Some later Hippodrome history starting in 1938, when air conditioning was added. The last live
entertainment was in 1941 (Major Bowes), and during the war years admission went from 25 cents
to 40 cents. Also during this period, the “Hipp” and the Buffalo were sold by the Shea Estate to
Loews Chain and Vincent Mc Faul, for $2M. After this big movies that opened at the Buffalo, then
went to the Hippodrome. In 1949, as stated the name changed to Center and a redo took place. Also live entertainment returned for a period, including Nat Cole and Peggy Lee. In 1952, a closed
circuit opera was shown, and in 1952 “The Greatest Show on Earth” attracted 60, 000 patrons
in 3 weeks. A Marciano fight at $3 a head was also shown in this period. Buffalo’s first 3-D
movie “Bwana Devil” also shown here. The late 50s and 60s brought decline, and the division
into 3 theaters in 1967. Closed in 1975, demolished in 1983,
When they made the theater into 3, you could buy a pass to wander from theater to theater. You didnt have to stay in just one show.
After they carved up this house into 3 theaters, I think the last moment of its glory was their booking, first run, of “Woodstock”. They ran it in the largest theater, and charged what was a truly exorbitant price — I think it was $6.00 — which I finally coughed up since I didn’t get to go to the festival. This film should have been run at the Granada — the sound was poor and the facility was cramped — but the haze in the theater was amazing!
In it’s prior incarnation as a single screen theater, I always marveled at their continued usage of multiple curtains – as did many houses for years in the area. Projection would start off on the solid house curtain which opened to reveal a see-through light curtain which was held in place until the main feature started up. Then it too opened to a clear picture, with all side travelers in place for perfect framing. At film end, the light curtain closed on the credits, then the main curtain as the lights came up. Try finding that today……………
Phone number 1960: MAdison 5131
The “REAL” Mighty WurliTzer Theater Pipe Organ for this theater was Opus 585, a 3 Manual/15 Rank organ, shipped on September 29, 1922, a whole 17.9 miles, from the WurliTzer Headquarters in North Tonawanda, New York. The last anyone knows, in May of 1957, the organ went to a residence in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and was still playable.
“Gee Dad, it’s a WurliTzer!”
When the Center became a triplex,each theater had a name. There was the Center, Backstage,and Penthouse.
I visite the projection booth in this theatre in May 1967. They were showing “Hombre” with Paul Newman. The booth was tiny,built up on stilts with a steep steel ladder for access. They had two Century JJ-2’s and a third Simplex XL with an RCA 9030 soundhead. All 3 machines had Strong lamps burning 11mm positives. At that time the Buffalo local still had a two man booth in the downtown theatres. It was cozy up there.
Bob Throop
My Grandfather was the first orchestra director at the Shea’s Hippodrome,according to his obituary in the Arts Journal. His name was George A. Bouchard,(organist), my Grandmother Mary Bouchard also sang there.(Opera) Do you have any musical information about the theatre or about the performances. I would appreciate it.
Sharon M.
It’s interesting to read about the theatres in Buffalo. Unfortunately the word ‘former’ has to be written when talking about the Center and many other theatres in western NYS which also includes the Regent in nearby Dunkirk NY and the Geitner in nearby Silver Creek NY. The Geitner was a proud family run theatre for many years, but now is a teen center with the interior basically gutted except for the lobby ‘with a fireplace’! Incidentally, the present owner grew up in that town so he and his wife recall going to the Geitner when they were dating. They recall the balcony and unique decor, but it is all gone now.
The “Hippodrome”, designed by Leon H. Lempert,Jr., opened on Aug.31, 1914 with 2,800 seating capacity. The lobby was designed by Green & Wicks. On Aug.31, 1949 it became the “Center” Theatre. The Interior Designer was G.Brandt. In Dec.1968, it was turned into a Triplex theatre and was finally razed March 27, 1983.
Thanks for the corrections. The theater was demolished during the construction of the ill-famed “subway” down Main Street.
Thanks to lostmemory, for the name change info. I was flying blind here thinking that Mr. Summer had it correct. I’ll repost the organ info on the Buffalo Paramount page.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Center Theatre was originally Shea’s Hippodrome. Anyone know when it was demolished?
I have the organ that was originally installed the theater and would like to have a picture and more information about the theater.
The organ is a Wurlitzer style 235SP, opus #1616 shipped 4/16/1927 to the Great Lakes Theater. Fortunately the organ is complete in almost original condition except for the console. The Console was unusual in that the cabinet was built during the transition period, representing a combination of the two basic styles. In addition, five of the eleven ranks extended to 16'. It was shipped with a pressure (expressive) Piano, and all the standard percussions except for the Tuned Sleigh Bells.
Restoration of the instrument, which includes the addition of several ranks, is in process.