Attended a showing of ‘Dunkirk’ in the IMAX house yesterday (it is #14). Screen seemed to be expanded vertically to extend to floor and ceiling but width was constrained by exit doors. This was my first visit to this newer crop of smaller IMAX theaters with laser projection. I was somewhat concerned as the pre-show presentation quality was pretty awful but that must have been from a separate projection system. Sound was good, bordering on a bit much through the previews. Would like to get the chance to see ‘Dunkirk’ in the full 15-perf IMAX format to compare.
Dolby Cinema appears to be up and running, but couldn’t get a look as it was located down the other hallway.
Someone has posted 3D computer rendered animation of the Palace building here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOeY0a5ytM I would assume this is related to the ‘Little Chicago’ movie which has been filming in the area.
I grew up in Olean and my first memory of seeing a movie in a theater (Star Wars) was at the Palace. The place had definitely seen better days even back in the 70’s. As I recall it was kind of dim and dirty inside but you could tell that it was quite impressive in its day. When the film ended a curtain would close across the screen as the credits rolled. There was a balcony but it was normally closed off – I only remember it being opened once for a movie when a free showing of “Charlotte’s Web” played to a large crowd on a weekend afternoon.
At some point in the ‘80’s a local theater group convinced the owners to allow a play to be staged there. I believe that some level of restoration work was done by volunteers prior to the play. I remember sitting in the balcony for a performance and marveling at the restored chandelier. Hopefully somebody got some interior shots at that time – I never saw it in better condition. The last time I went was to see JFK and the place was back to being dimly lit, unclean and freezing cold.
I still cringe when I go home to visit and see the building that replaced it on Union Street. The Palace sign will always be lit in my mind’s eye.
Attended a showing of ‘Dunkirk’ in the IMAX house yesterday (it is #14). Screen seemed to be expanded vertically to extend to floor and ceiling but width was constrained by exit doors. This was my first visit to this newer crop of smaller IMAX theaters with laser projection. I was somewhat concerned as the pre-show presentation quality was pretty awful but that must have been from a separate projection system. Sound was good, bordering on a bit much through the previews. Would like to get the chance to see ‘Dunkirk’ in the full 15-perf IMAX format to compare.
Dolby Cinema appears to be up and running, but couldn’t get a look as it was located down the other hallway.
I have fond memories of changing those signs with the mechanical arm while people drove by commenting.
This website has a few photos of the Palace and other Olean area theaters: http://northoleanhistory.com/
Someone has posted 3D computer rendered animation of the Palace building here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOeY0a5ytM I would assume this is related to the ‘Little Chicago’ movie which has been filming in the area.
I grew up in Olean and my first memory of seeing a movie in a theater (Star Wars) was at the Palace. The place had definitely seen better days even back in the 70’s. As I recall it was kind of dim and dirty inside but you could tell that it was quite impressive in its day. When the film ended a curtain would close across the screen as the credits rolled. There was a balcony but it was normally closed off – I only remember it being opened once for a movie when a free showing of “Charlotte’s Web” played to a large crowd on a weekend afternoon.
At some point in the ‘80’s a local theater group convinced the owners to allow a play to be staged there. I believe that some level of restoration work was done by volunteers prior to the play. I remember sitting in the balcony for a performance and marveling at the restored chandelier. Hopefully somebody got some interior shots at that time – I never saw it in better condition. The last time I went was to see JFK and the place was back to being dimly lit, unclean and freezing cold.
I still cringe when I go home to visit and see the building that replaced it on Union Street. The Palace sign will always be lit in my mind’s eye.