Jake: I totally agree! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and I will never forgive the powers to be who allowed that to happen!
My hat is off to Charles and Celeste Patrick for restoring this special theatre which I hope to see the next time we visit the historic City of Charleston!
Do wish there was a photo of this art deco Asheville movie theatre as it is the only one left in downtown Asheville! The information given by Chuck Van Bidder is so descriptively art deco so anyone interested in this era, like myself, would enjoy seeing it! And if you are ever in this quaint NC city go see the Grove Park Inn besides going to Asheville’s #1 attraction, the Biltmore House which is breathtaking during the Christmas season!
I checked to see where this theatre is located and being that it is in Pasadena CA surprises me. I would think that city so close to Tinseltown and the movie community wouldn’t allow such a cinema treasure as this one to be destroyed or even come close to being demolished! From one who has seen it come to be with my small town cinema, don’t let it happen!
I hope the preservationists win this theatre battle against another Developer and Owner. I’ve been involved with a home in Buffalo who should be saved, but the restaurant owner next door who also owns the house in question wants more parking space therefore he wants the house gone! Such a shame!
Thanks for the film-tech site as I will try to contact the Chapel Hill projectionist and give him the info. I just knew you’d be able to help with this matter. :–)
I wonder if there is an organization for former and present projectionists as they could really relate some interesting theater stories in their combined years. I did tell the Varsity projectionist about this site so hopefully he’ll find us sooner than later!
And I’m so glad that I found this cinema site, but I hardly get anything else done! I recently visited a movie theater built in 1927 called the Varsity. It is in Chapel Hill NC and when we entered the theater the projectionist heard us talking about our great interest in old theaters so he proceeded to take us on a tour of the 2 projection rooms, but I didn’t see or feel any ghosts! Sorry to disappoint anyone! Thank goodness the projectionist overhead us as the young high school aged girls behind the candy counter didn’t seem to interested in the theater’s history…it was just a job to them! ;–)
Now, this is an interesting and intriguing topic concerning ghosts and theaters! Please spread the word about a site called www.agilitynut.com that covers many roadside attractions i.e. theaters, gas stations, train stations, and much much more! Check it out!
I will be receiving a Grand Theater photo in the coming days thanks to a western NYS source along with contacting the local town newspaper so keep checking back for more information on ‘our’ beloved Grand Theater which only remains in all of our memories now!
I’ve been in touch with a site that deals with Roadside Attractions and the site is www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html It covers many attractions and movie theaters is one of them!
I guess if I had to pick where I would really like to see the RCMH Christmas show it would be in NYC, but would certainly go if I were near one of the performance cities! I see the list of cities are all first-timers this year so wondered if the Fox in Detroit will be on the docket for next year as well or will they have all new cities in ‘05? I recall years ago it was in Cincinnati, Cleveland OH and Myrtle Beach SC.
The Shea’s is a wonderful theater and is a amazing that the City of Buffalo didn’t demolish it! I took a tour last summer and it was well worth it. Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular is there now through the end of November. Great grandfather-grandmother story, DuckLips! And you MUST return to Buffalo if it’s been 20 years as the Shea’s not only has a restored marquee, but again has the tall sign reading SHEA’S BUFFALO, vertically along the front of the building. It also has the its top facade ornamentation replaced by a local Buffalo firm. I have seen these photos on the internet!
Congratulations! Someone returned home, bought an old theater, changed the name and it’s up and running once again! Onward and upward! It’s funny that you changed the name to the Grand Theatre as it is art deco in style and so was my hometown theater which was called the Grand Theatre. It was located in western NYS not far from Wellsville NY so I wonder if there was a connection as I’m trying to find out more information on the Grand Theatres.
A mini park and parking lot for a bank?!? So so sad! But there is still hope for the Carolina Theater…..I hope. Read about the Carolina Theater on the following website: (www.theatreorgans.com/nc/metrolina/carolina/Article.TheCarolinaTheaterAwaitsHerFate.1998.html
What a unique feature that the owner/manager had an apt. on the 2nd floor with a ‘window’ that opened out onto the auditorium and that he would invite friends over to sit in th l.r. to watch the show! And now there is an apt. building in place of the theater?!? All in the name of progress! How divine! :–(
I must check out the site of the former Dilworth Theater and have a moment of silence where the current interior design business is now and yes it’s a shame that fire took it down due to arsonists as it would have fit well in the new neighborhood.
I grew up in this part of western NYS and have driven by the Van Buren many times, but never went there as a young girl. ;–) Interestingly, it was built by the Cohen family.
Jake: I totally agree! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and I will never forgive the powers to be who allowed that to happen!
This art deco theatre facade is remarkable and is added to my list of favorites!
I just spoke to a lady today from Salisbury NC and she mentioned this theatre, but I recall her giving me another name other than Center Theatre.
My hat is off to Charles and Celeste Patrick for restoring this special theatre which I hope to see the next time we visit the historic City of Charleston!
Do wish there was a photo of this art deco Asheville movie theatre as it is the only one left in downtown Asheville! The information given by Chuck Van Bidder is so descriptively art deco so anyone interested in this era, like myself, would enjoy seeing it! And if you are ever in this quaint NC city go see the Grove Park Inn besides going to Asheville’s #1 attraction, the Biltmore House which is breathtaking during the Christmas season!
David: You seem to have more knowledge of this theater over many others and I just wondered if you are or were from that area of western PA?
I checked to see where this theatre is located and being that it is in Pasadena CA surprises me. I would think that city so close to Tinseltown and the movie community wouldn’t allow such a cinema treasure as this one to be destroyed or even come close to being demolished! From one who has seen it come to be with my small town cinema, don’t let it happen!
I hope the preservationists win this theatre battle against another Developer and Owner. I’ve been involved with a home in Buffalo who should be saved, but the restaurant owner next door who also owns the house in question wants more parking space therefore he wants the house gone! Such a shame!
Thanks for the film-tech site as I will try to contact the Chapel Hill projectionist and give him the info. I just knew you’d be able to help with this matter. :–)
I wonder if there is an organization for former and present projectionists as they could really relate some interesting theater stories in their combined years. I did tell the Varsity projectionist about this site so hopefully he’ll find us sooner than later!
And I’m so glad that I found this cinema site, but I hardly get anything else done! I recently visited a movie theater built in 1927 called the Varsity. It is in Chapel Hill NC and when we entered the theater the projectionist heard us talking about our great interest in old theaters so he proceeded to take us on a tour of the 2 projection rooms, but I didn’t see or feel any ghosts! Sorry to disappoint anyone! Thank goodness the projectionist overhead us as the young high school aged girls behind the candy counter didn’t seem to interested in the theater’s history…it was just a job to them! ;–)
Now, this is an interesting and intriguing topic concerning ghosts and theaters! Please spread the word about a site called www.agilitynut.com that covers many roadside attractions i.e. theaters, gas stations, train stations, and much much more! Check it out!
I will be receiving a Grand Theater photo in the coming days thanks to a western NYS source along with contacting the local town newspaper so keep checking back for more information on ‘our’ beloved Grand Theater which only remains in all of our memories now!
I’ve been in touch with a site that deals with Roadside Attractions and the site is www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html It covers many attractions and movie theaters is one of them!
I will be visiting this theater and hearing its organ next summer. We have friends in that area so will make it a social and theatrical visit!
I guess if I had to pick where I would really like to see the RCMH Christmas show it would be in NYC, but would certainly go if I were near one of the performance cities! I see the list of cities are all first-timers this year so wondered if the Fox in Detroit will be on the docket for next year as well or will they have all new cities in ‘05? I recall years ago it was in Cincinnati, Cleveland OH and Myrtle Beach SC.
The Shea’s is a wonderful theater and is a amazing that the City of Buffalo didn’t demolish it! I took a tour last summer and it was well worth it. Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular is there now through the end of November. Great grandfather-grandmother story, DuckLips! And you MUST return to Buffalo if it’s been 20 years as the Shea’s not only has a restored marquee, but again has the tall sign reading SHEA’S BUFFALO, vertically along the front of the building. It also has the its top facade ornamentation replaced by a local Buffalo firm. I have seen these photos on the internet!
After checking out www.alringling.com this theatre will be on my MUST-SEE list! What a treasure!
If I ever get to Knoxville during one of the Corvette Expo events, I will definitely check this theater out!
Congratulations! Someone returned home, bought an old theater, changed the name and it’s up and running once again! Onward and upward! It’s funny that you changed the name to the Grand Theatre as it is art deco in style and so was my hometown theater which was called the Grand Theatre. It was located in western NYS not far from Wellsville NY so I wonder if there was a connection as I’m trying to find out more information on the Grand Theatres.
A mini park and parking lot for a bank?!? So so sad! But there is still hope for the Carolina Theater…..I hope. Read about the Carolina Theater on the following website: (www.theatreorgans.com/nc/metrolina/carolina/Article.TheCarolinaTheaterAwaitsHerFate.1998.html
What a unique feature that the owner/manager had an apt. on the 2nd floor with a ‘window’ that opened out onto the auditorium and that he would invite friends over to sit in th l.r. to watch the show! And now there is an apt. building in place of the theater?!? All in the name of progress! How divine! :–(
I must check out the site of the former Dilworth Theater and have a moment of silence where the current interior design business is now and yes it’s a shame that fire took it down due to arsonists as it would have fit well in the new neighborhood.
I grew up in this part of western NYS and have driven by the Van Buren many times, but never went there as a young girl. ;–) Interestingly, it was built by the Cohen family.
We are in NC so will check out this ‘charmingly dated’ art moderne theater!