Jim, it would be a shame if the completed 4th volume remained unseen. Have you considered applying for a grant to get it published from the Ohio History Center (www.ohiohistory.org), or donating the materials to Vintage Columbus () or the Columbus Landmarks Foundation (columbuslandmarks.org)? Arcadia Publishing might be interested in the rights to the whole series. Alternatively, I could personally assist you in scanning it to PDF format if you would consider releasing it as an e-book.
It had to have been still open in 1991, as I saw Terminator 2 there. The theater still had a very 1960s lobby decor (big white ball lights, chrome and walnut veneer concession stand?) and the seats were upholstered in red, white and blue vinyl. As with many twinned theaters, projection was from an original porthole near a rear corner of the split auditorium, making for a suboptimal presentation.
I would really love to find some pre-1970 interior photos of the Beechwold Theater’s foyer and lobby. (I’m not so sure the interior photos linked to above are of the same theater.) I’ve been searching for years without any luck. I’m wondering if Columbus area theater historian Phil Sheridan might have found some though- he was working on a 4th volume of his book series Those Wonderful Old Downtown Theaters which was to focus more on neighborhood theaters, including the Beechwold. But sadly, Mr. Sheridan’s health declined and he passed away a few years ago before finishing it.
@Keith, where did you find this photo? Do you have a higher-resolution version of it or any other photos from the same point in time?
^^ Vintage Columbus is primarily Facebook-based and may be reached at VintageColumbus (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Jim, it would be a shame if the completed 4th volume remained unseen. Have you considered applying for a grant to get it published from the Ohio History Center (www.ohiohistory.org), or donating the materials to Vintage Columbus () or the Columbus Landmarks Foundation (columbuslandmarks.org)? Arcadia Publishing might be interested in the rights to the whole series. Alternatively, I could personally assist you in scanning it to PDF format if you would consider releasing it as an e-book.
Jeff Frank acquired the Drexel from Jerry Knight. A very interesting interview about Mr. Knight:
View link
It had to have been still open in 1991, as I saw Terminator 2 there. The theater still had a very 1960s lobby decor (big white ball lights, chrome and walnut veneer concession stand?) and the seats were upholstered in red, white and blue vinyl. As with many twinned theaters, projection was from an original porthole near a rear corner of the split auditorium, making for a suboptimal presentation.
This theater now has its own Facebook group: Remembering the Drexel North / Camelot North / Beechwold Theater.
I would really love to find some pre-1970 interior photos of the Beechwold Theater’s foyer and lobby. (I’m not so sure the interior photos linked to above are of the same theater.) I’ve been searching for years without any luck. I’m wondering if Columbus area theater historian Phil Sheridan might have found some though- he was working on a 4th volume of his book series Those Wonderful Old Downtown Theaters which was to focus more on neighborhood theaters, including the Beechwold. But sadly, Mr. Sheridan’s health declined and he passed away a few years ago before finishing it.