Troy W: Sure was nice to read your lengthy and informative reply to my Polar comments. So now if anyone is considering whether to see Polar in 3D or a regular version they now know which to choose! The faces and ‘realness’ was superb! One question: If one were to sit closer to an IMAX screen would it be the same as sitting half way back or further? We weren’t able to sit in the very center as that fills up first usually and the day we went it was mostly senior citizens rather than children. Two things happened…..a man was sitting in the row next to us and his seat was fell between me and my husband’s seat the way they lined up and he was wearing a baseball type cap. I eventually moved over and then my husband HAD to ask him to remove his hat which he did so as a suggestion to others please be considerate and remove your hat before the start of a wonderful movie or any movie, for that matter. Thanks. And the second thing that happened was this…….2 ladies and a man were behind us and when the first snow scene appeared before our faces and the snowflakes seemed like they were falling within arms reach I overheard the man say “that’s the closest I want to be to snow”. I waited patiently until the movie was over and as I was leaving I turned to the 2 ladies and the man and said “do you know what the best thing was about that movie? and before they could reply to me I said…."The Snow” as I pointed my finger at the man who made that snow remark in the first place!
Wow, this atmospheric theatre is located on Burdick Street in Kalamazoo….that’s my maiden name! And it still has its ORIGINAL Barton organ installation! Congratulations!
I recently saw Polar Express in 3D and if you have a chance to see this movie in 3D over seeing it in a regular theatre go for the 3D version as it is well-worth it! It’s a beautiful movie and with the 3D aspect it really brings the movie to life even more!
I now plan to go to Asheville to see the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore Avenue and while there will check out the 2004 Gingerbread Competition winners at the Grove Park Inn now until January 17th.
The remains of the Palmetto Theater looks about like the Carolina Theatre’s lobby area which is gone. I know that Myrtle Beach has the Palace Theatre, but wondered why it isn’t listed for theatres in South Carolna. Many years ago the RCMH Christmas Spectacular was at the Palace.
The exact quote from the Carolina Theatre Timeline (Oct 1988) is “City Fair opens but work is halted due to escalating cost. City Fair has already gutted the building removing almost all the decorative and ornate objects from the theatre. The stage area is rebuilt to accommodate the planned seating area for the restaurant. Carly Capital Co. who owns City Fair talks city into de-listing theatre from local historic register. The steel beams that were needed for the restaurant would not fit through the old lobby so it had to be torn down.” Now this is truly unbelieveable and almost made me faint when I read it! In Sept 1982 the Carolina was placed on the local Historic Register only to be “de-listed” in 1988 so it was on the list for a short 6 years!
The photo on this page unfortunately doesn’t show the portion of the theatre with it’s wonderful green Spanish tile slanted roof as trees are in the way so if you are in the Charlotte area and haven’t really looked at the original front roof facade of the Carolina that still exists, I urge you to stop and take a good long look. Thanks to Charlie C. he has shared with me some of the important Carolina history and now I know, in part, why the lobby section is gone……when City Fair was involved and going to go proceed with their plans for the theatre they needed to bring in some steel beams and in the process realized they couldn’t get them inside so they removed the lobby section! I can’t find the exact quote, but that comes close to what I read.
Thomas: I can’t bring up the site you mentioned on June 2002 about the article that appeared in the Independent Tribune concerning the fund raiser for the Carolina. Perhaps you or Charlie C. can enlighten me about this and why there hasn’t been other fund raisers since then…..it’s time! I suppose the site isn’t available now because that fundraiser is old news, but a new fundraiser needs to be present news!
I read that The Sound of Music was at this theatre. It was also at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte (read about that one if you haven’t yet). TSOM ran for many weeks and broke record attendances!
“Probably most notably were the Blatt brothers who during their prime owned approximately 25 theatres in the Western New York area.” This quote interests me and if anyone can tell me if they owned the demolished Grand Theatre in Westfield NY at one time I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I see that this theatre history mentions the Blatt Brothers and I was wondering if anyone could help with additional information concerning the Blatt name in connection to other theatres around the country? Thank you.
My friend’s information shows that the theatre closed June 23, 1964 but I do recall going to a movie with my husband in the 1980’s. It also goes on to say that the theatre changed hands in 1962 and that construction began February 26, 1941 and that it opened July 16th, 1941. Demolition is shown as being August 13, 1992.
Warren: Where did you find the information you have posted as I am trying to collect as much information as I can before meeting with the Grands last manager and another local man who was involved with the demolition committee in 1992. Thanks.
I’ve been in contact with a friend who went to the Patterson Library and was able to locate a few b/w photos and some written material
about the Grand. It seems that it was demolished in August of 1992 and that the town raised $60,000 to purchase the theatre from its owner at the time, Theodore Blakley of Erie PA. The town wanted to rid themselves of an “eyesore” and replace the theatre with a corner park which eventually is known today as being the site of a President Lincoln and Grace Bedell statue along with memorial bricks, trees and benches. The photos I rec’d are dark, but they do show the lighted art deco marquee featuring The Great O'Malley with Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason and Humphrey Bogart. Also, the front doors with slanted brass door handles can be seen in the photos.
I was recently in Raleigh for the annual State Tree Lighting Ceremony and visited the Museum of History’s gift shop. I found a book on Charlotte with mention of the Carolina Theatre, but no photos. I’m hoping that Santa will bring this book on Christmas morning! HO HO HO!
The fact that this theatre was built by architect Louis Sullivan and the firm, Adler and Sullivan makes this a very special theatre thought they all are in their own right, but the name Sullivan is as prominent as the well-known name, Frank Lloyd Wright. I was looking through the list of architects and found the Sullivan name and one theatre connected with that prominent name. To read that the City of Chicago closed and demolished it is a real Chicago ‘crime’! It was interesting to read that Rapp & Rapp came onto the scene during the 30’s to remodel the theatre in the art deco style. And then to read that the theatre was replaced with a parking garage only to be torn down in the late 90’s was unbelievable! I found it most interesting to read the when the Garrick was to be demolished “there was one of the earliest organized public outcries in Chicago to save an historic building, but to no avail”….so very sad! If you want to see a beautiful building that Sullivan left his mark on and one that is still standing travel to Buffalo NY and visit the Guaranty Building.
Troy W: Sure was nice to read your lengthy and informative reply to my Polar comments. So now if anyone is considering whether to see Polar in 3D or a regular version they now know which to choose! The faces and ‘realness’ was superb! One question: If one were to sit closer to an IMAX screen would it be the same as sitting half way back or further? We weren’t able to sit in the very center as that fills up first usually and the day we went it was mostly senior citizens rather than children. Two things happened…..a man was sitting in the row next to us and his seat was fell between me and my husband’s seat the way they lined up and he was wearing a baseball type cap. I eventually moved over and then my husband HAD to ask him to remove his hat which he did so as a suggestion to others please be considerate and remove your hat before the start of a wonderful movie or any movie, for that matter. Thanks. And the second thing that happened was this…….2 ladies and a man were behind us and when the first snow scene appeared before our faces and the snowflakes seemed like they were falling within arms reach I overheard the man say “that’s the closest I want to be to snow”. I waited patiently until the movie was over and as I was leaving I turned to the 2 ladies and the man and said “do you know what the best thing was about that movie? and before they could reply to me I said…."The Snow” as I pointed my finger at the man who made that snow remark in the first place!
Wow, this atmospheric theatre is located on Burdick Street in Kalamazoo….that’s my maiden name! And it still has its ORIGINAL Barton organ installation! Congratulations!
If anyone is concerning the purchase of Cinema Treasures I’m here to tell you that I just rec’d my copy and am very pleased!
I recently saw Polar Express in 3D and if you have a chance to see this movie in 3D over seeing it in a regular theatre go for the 3D version as it is well-worth it! It’s a beautiful movie and with the 3D aspect it really brings the movie to life even more!
Did realize this was considered an “atmospheric” theatre.
I have read that Joseph (seen it as Josef) Urban was also involved in the Paramount Theatre in Palm Beach FL.
Sorry, but the other cinema website is www.cinematour.com
If you go to www.cinematours.com you can read additional information on the Palace Theatre in Waterbury CT and others. KenRoe told me about this site.
I now plan to go to Asheville to see the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore Avenue and while there will check out the 2004 Gingerbread Competition winners at the Grove Park Inn now until January 17th.
The remains of the Palmetto Theater looks about like the Carolina Theatre’s lobby area which is gone. I know that Myrtle Beach has the Palace Theatre, but wondered why it isn’t listed for theatres in South Carolna. Many years ago the RCMH Christmas Spectacular was at the Palace.
The exact quote from the Carolina Theatre Timeline (Oct 1988) is “City Fair opens but work is halted due to escalating cost. City Fair has already gutted the building removing almost all the decorative and ornate objects from the theatre. The stage area is rebuilt to accommodate the planned seating area for the restaurant. Carly Capital Co. who owns City Fair talks city into de-listing theatre from local historic register. The steel beams that were needed for the restaurant would not fit through the old lobby so it had to be torn down.” Now this is truly unbelieveable and almost made me faint when I read it! In Sept 1982 the Carolina was placed on the local Historic Register only to be “de-listed” in 1988 so it was on the list for a short 6 years!
The photo on this page unfortunately doesn’t show the portion of the theatre with it’s wonderful green Spanish tile slanted roof as trees are in the way so if you are in the Charlotte area and haven’t really looked at the original front roof facade of the Carolina that still exists, I urge you to stop and take a good long look. Thanks to Charlie C. he has shared with me some of the important Carolina history and now I know, in part, why the lobby section is gone……when City Fair was involved and going to go proceed with their plans for the theatre they needed to bring in some steel beams and in the process realized they couldn’t get them inside so they removed the lobby section! I can’t find the exact quote, but that comes close to what I read.
Thomas: I can’t bring up the site you mentioned on June 2002 about the article that appeared in the Independent Tribune concerning the fund raiser for the Carolina. Perhaps you or Charlie C. can enlighten me about this and why there hasn’t been other fund raisers since then…..it’s time! I suppose the site isn’t available now because that fundraiser is old news, but a new fundraiser needs to be present news!
I read that The Sound of Music was at this theatre. It was also at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte (read about that one if you haven’t yet). TSOM ran for many weeks and broke record attendances!
We have friends in the Houston area so if our travels takes us back to “NASA World” we’ll stop by this bookstore and look around!
“Probably most notably were the Blatt brothers who during their prime owned approximately 25 theatres in the Western New York area.” This quote interests me and if anyone can tell me if they owned the demolished Grand Theatre in Westfield NY at one time I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I see that this theatre history mentions the Blatt Brothers and I was wondering if anyone could help with additional information concerning the Blatt name in connection to other theatres around the country? Thank you.
I just clicked on the website for this theatre and viewed the ceiling above the seats! WOW!
My friend’s information shows that the theatre closed June 23, 1964 but I do recall going to a movie with my husband in the 1980’s. It also goes on to say that the theatre changed hands in 1962 and that construction began February 26, 1941 and that it opened July 16th, 1941. Demolition is shown as being August 13, 1992.
Warren: Where did you find the information you have posted as I am trying to collect as much information as I can before meeting with the Grands last manager and another local man who was involved with the demolition committee in 1992. Thanks.
I’ve been in contact with a friend who went to the Patterson Library and was able to locate a few b/w photos and some written material
about the Grand. It seems that it was demolished in August of 1992 and that the town raised $60,000 to purchase the theatre from its owner at the time, Theodore Blakley of Erie PA. The town wanted to rid themselves of an “eyesore” and replace the theatre with a corner park which eventually is known today as being the site of a President Lincoln and Grace Bedell statue along with memorial bricks, trees and benches. The photos I rec’d are dark, but they do show the lighted art deco marquee featuring The Great O'Malley with Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason and Humphrey Bogart. Also, the front doors with slanted brass door handles can be seen in the photos.
Gina: Thanks for the FRT information!
I was recently in Raleigh for the annual State Tree Lighting Ceremony and visited the Museum of History’s gift shop. I found a book on Charlotte with mention of the Carolina Theatre, but no photos. I’m hoping that Santa will bring this book on Christmas morning! HO HO HO!
The fact that this theatre was built by architect Louis Sullivan and the firm, Adler and Sullivan makes this a very special theatre thought they all are in their own right, but the name Sullivan is as prominent as the well-known name, Frank Lloyd Wright. I was looking through the list of architects and found the Sullivan name and one theatre connected with that prominent name. To read that the City of Chicago closed and demolished it is a real Chicago ‘crime’! It was interesting to read that Rapp & Rapp came onto the scene during the 30’s to remodel the theatre in the art deco style. And then to read that the theatre was replaced with a parking garage only to be torn down in the late 90’s was unbelievable! I found it most interesting to read the when the Garrick was to be demolished “there was one of the earliest organized public outcries in Chicago to save an historic building, but to no avail”….so very sad! If you want to see a beautiful building that Sullivan left his mark on and one that is still standing travel to Buffalo NY and visit the Guaranty Building.
Gary Flinn: The wagnersign.com site is wonderful. Thanks.