Comments from Norm Lindway

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Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Cadillac Palace Theatre on May 9, 2020 at 12:07 pm

I was surprised that RKO operated theaters in Chicago. I thought B&K, always controlled the Chicago market. Does anyone know when and why major companies like RKO, Loews, Warners, Fox and Paramount didn’t have operations in Chicago?

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Five Points Theatre on Dec 28, 2017 at 9:42 am

Called Five Point because the intersection Of St. Clair and E. 152nd street had another road cutting off it at a 45 degree angle. See google maps for a visual.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Why Movie Theaters Originally Banned Popcorn on Jul 11, 2017 at 12:00 pm

When soda pop was first served in theaters, it was via a dispensing machine. You put your money in a slot and a paper cup dropped into place and was filled with your choice. You had to stand by the machine and consume your drink. No taking your drink to your seat. The area around the machine was tiled so you would not spill your drink on the carpet.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Why Movie Theaters Originally Banned Popcorn on Jul 7, 2017 at 7:12 am

The first theaters in the Cleveland area to sell popcorn were the neighborhood theaters. The downtown first run theaters did not. When downtown theaters decided to sell snacks they only sold boxed candy. Later on they finally decided to sell popcorn but they did not pop their own corn. they brought in bags of pre-popped corn. Neighborhood theaters popped their own allowing the aroma of the popping corn to entice customers to purchase the popcorn.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about George Burns Theatre on Nov 16, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Why aren’t there pictures of the inside of many Detroit area suburban theaters like there are of those in other cities. Detroiters must not be as interested in Cinema Treasures as the rest of us are. Also both names of theaters should be listed on Cinema Treasures website when a theater name has been changed. Some of us only know theaters by one name.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Jan 25, 2013 at 8:09 am

There are two pictures of the inside of the Hipp(Inside lobby and auditorium) in the book “Euclid Avenue, Cleveland’s Sophisticated Lady, 1920-1970” by Karberg and Toman, published by Cleveland Landmarks Press. Pictures of other downtown theaters are also in the book. Maybe someone can get permission to have these pictures scanned for inclusion in Cinema Treasures.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Fairmount Theatre on Jan 25, 2013 at 8:00 am

The article in Box Office Magazine dated Sept.12,1942 stated that the Fairmount did not have a balcony but was built so a 300 seat balcony could be added later. It was never added. Newer theaters such as the Vogue, Richmond and Mayland built after the Fairmount, probably meant that the balcony was not needed since the 1600 seats were enough to accommodate the audiences. The Fairmount closed before these other theaters did. I wonder if a decrease in attendance caused its demise? They seemed to have large crowds on Saturday evenings in the mid and late 50’s.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Richmond Theatre auditorium on Aug 23, 2011 at 5:31 pm

A great theater for a Saturday night date. You had your choice of three showings usually at 7,9 and 11pm. Going to the late show meant you could stay out late.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Loew's State Cleveland 04 on Aug 19, 2011 at 8:56 am

The State has been completely restored with a new backstage and is now one of four restored old theaters in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square district. They are part of one of the Country’s largest performing arts complexes.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Mapletown Theatre on Aug 16, 2011 at 11:33 am

The Google picture at the top shows the location of the old Maple Hts. Theater. The Mapletown was located across the street in the shopping center. Just move the cursor until you get to the other side of the street.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Avalon Theatre on May 31, 2011 at 5:19 pm

The Avalon showed double features with show dates being Sun,Mon. Tues and a single date of Wed, only and then Thurs, Fri, Sat, The Wed, show usually included Bank Night where a cash prize was awarded to atendees between the two features. The manager mounted the stage and picked the winning ticket. Needless to say I never won a prize.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Mapletown Theatre on Feb 11, 2010 at 8:56 am

The Mapletown was located in a strip shopping center on Broadway. The center set back from the street and had four rows of parking in front of the building and the parking rows were parallel to the building. The center had approximately 20 stores including a Pick n Pay grocery store, a Kresge five and ten cent store and a drug store. There was a large parking lot in the rear of the center and a long arcade provided access for theater goers. I believe there was a bowling alley of the rear of the arcade. The theater seated about 1600 which was similar in size to the Yorktown, Vogue, Fairview and Richmond theaters.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Fairview Theatre on Jul 11, 2009 at 10:22 am

I question the first-auditorium photo-submitted by ken mc in March 2007 above, because the Fairview did not have a balcony. The other photo is correct . It did have the circular couch shown in that photo.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Willow Theatre on Apr 28, 2009 at 8:53 am

The willow was one of our theaters to show single features right after their downtown first run. The other theaters were Stillwell in Bedford, Berea and Vine in Willoughby. These theaters had three Saturday night showings with the last feature after 11 pm.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Shaker Square Cinemas on Apr 21, 2009 at 5:13 pm

The Colony theater had about 1500 seats on the main floor and the balcony. On Saturday afternoons in the 1940’s, 50’s and early 60’s they had kids matinees with a feature, usually a western, a serial, five cartoons and a Three Stooges, Leon Erroll, Laurel and Hardy or Vera Vague comedy. There were two shows at 2 and at 4 pm. After six o'clock there was a single adult feature showing three times with the last showing about 11pm. News real, cartoon and trailers were also shown. The theater was operated by Warner Bros, then Stanley-Warner Theaters

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Berea Theatre on Apr 16, 2009 at 11:39 am

In the 1950’s and 60’s It was one of four suburban theaters to show single features right after their first run in downtown Cleveland. The others were its twin in Willoughby-the Vine and also the Stillwell in Bedford and the Willow in Independence. These theaters had late shows on Saturday nights with the last showing about 11:30 pm.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Avalon Theatre on Nov 12, 2008 at 5:34 pm

The Avalon is located on the west side of E. 131 st. Just south of Marston Avenue. It is only about four or five storefronts from Marston. The parking lot in the rear of the theater was entered from a driveway on Marston.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Auburn Schine Theater on Sep 5, 2008 at 3:10 pm

It reminds me of the Eberson designed Colony Theater, now know as Shaker Square Cinemas in Cleveland on Shaker Square, one of the first preplanned shopping centers in the country. It was built in 1937 and had a balcony and 1500 or so seats.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Vine Theatre on Jul 7, 2008 at 6:51 am

Two other theaters in far out suburbs also showed the same features just after their downtown runs. They were the Stillwell in Bedford and the Willow in Independence. That way all four corners of the Cleveland metro area had theaters showing films just after downtown but a few weeks before they hit the next single feature runs in neighborhood “A” theaters like the Colony, Vogue, Shaker, Fairview, Fairmont, Richmond, Lake, Mayland and Yorktown. Then the “B” neighborhood theaters got the films and played double bills.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Jul 5, 2008 at 12:20 pm

The Hippodrome was the first in Ohio to show The Robe in Cinemascope, other Cinemascope pictures followed. There are two photos and some info on the Hipp in a book called “Euclid Avenue, Cleveland’s Sophisticated Lady-1920-1970 by by Karberg and Toman, published by Cleveland Landmarks Press 2002 website www.clevelandbook.com Barnes and Noble, Borders, Jobeth and other bookstores should have copies.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Vogue Theatre on Jun 30, 2008 at 3:05 pm

The reason the address for the Vogue theater being listed as South Moreland Blvd. is that the the original name of that street was South Moreland but was changed to honor the memory of the late mayor of Shaker Hts. Mr. Van Aken. The older section in Cleveland retained the name of South Moreland Blvd. The Vogue, as well as the Colony at Shaker Square about 3 miles west of the Vogue was operated by Warner Bros. Theaters.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway commented about Uptown Theatre on Jun 30, 2008 at 2:03 pm

The Uptown Theater was operated by Warner Bros. theaters as well as the smaller Doan theater across the street on St. Clair Avenue in the Glenville section of Cleveland, the Variety on the west side, the Colony at Shaker Square and the Vogue in Shaker Heights. Warners, then known as Stanley Warner Theaters built the Great Northern Theater in North Olmsted in the early 1960s.