Cattaraugus County Center For the Performing Arts

10 Main Street,
Salamanca, NY 14779

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muviebuf
muviebuf on December 13, 2016 at 5:53 pm

The Seneca Theatre opened on Thursday August 27, 1942 with “Take A Letter Darling” starring Rosalind Russell and Fred McMurray. One of several opening articles with photo has been uploaded to the photo section.

RSM3853
RSM3853 on November 24, 2016 at 2:22 am

The Bradford, PA Era has a photo of the main street of Salamanca during the flooding from Hurricane Agnes on the front page of its June 24,1972issue. The marquee of the Seneca Theater is visible and was showing “Diamonds are Forever” and “Hang ‘Em High.” If it is true that the theater never reopened after the flood (as stated above in the overview), this was the last booking there.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 21, 2014 at 9:02 pm

The October 10, 1941, issue of The Film Daily says that John and Drew Eberson designed the new theater being built at Salamanca for the Schine circuit:

“Schine Realty Corp. has awarded contract for erection of new fireproof theater, seating 1,142 persons, in Salamanca, N. Y., to the Benz Engineering Corp. of that city. Work has already been started. John and Drew Eberson are the architects for the house.”
I still don’t know why this project is missing from the Wolfsonian’s Eberson Archive.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 24, 2014 at 1:28 am

While the John and Drew Eberson Architectural Records from the Wolfsonian Library lists five theaters that John Eberson designed for the Schine circuit, the Seneca Theatre is not among them. In fact, Salamanca is not mentioned in the records at all. I wonder if the theater is just missing from the Wolfsonian’s archive, or if it has been mis-attributed to the Ebersons?

Patsy
Patsy on May 14, 2012 at 2:40 pm

Any interior photos?

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on October 15, 2010 at 5:01 am

Now thats quite a long name for a theatre.

Karen Colizzi Noonan
Karen Colizzi Noonan on November 12, 2006 at 11:41 pm

Patsy: Later in his life and practice, father and son often joined forces to work on projects. There are quite a few theaters that list both John and Drew as the architects of record.

I have visited it as it was part of the Schine Theater Chain and it really is a lovely little place. It has been quite altered inside due to a couple of floodings and to create more servicable areas to meet the theaters needs. But the facade and marquee are still quite nice and they have started a “Walk of Fame” in front of the theater. Of course Ray Evans is the first and biggest star!

Patsy
Patsy on November 12, 2006 at 12:39 am

Ray Evans, the songwriter of such enduring standards as “Mona Lisa”, “Silver Bells”, “Que Sera, Sera” and “Buttons and Bows,” was born in Salamanca, New York on February 4, 1915.

View link

Patsy
Patsy on November 12, 2006 at 12:35 am

This theatre was also known as the Ray Evans Theatre as he was Salamanca and wrote Silver Bells.

Patsy
Patsy on November 12, 2006 at 12:32 am

On Cinema Tour this theatre is listed and the architects are mentioned as being John Eberson AND Drew Eberson. Can anyone verify this? Also on Cinema Tour it lists the theatre as seating 1150 and built in 1942. Also on Cinema Tour a Cattaraugus Theatre in listed in Cattaraugus NY (14 Washington) that is now closed.

DavidChapman
DavidChapman on March 9, 2006 at 4:52 am

Patsy: I’ve only been to Cattaraugus a couple of times in my life so I dont know when they ended. Sorry

Patsy
Patsy on March 7, 2006 at 12:25 pm

David Chapman: Thanks for your memories. Do you know when the theatre days ended in Cattaraugus?

DavidChapman
DavidChapman on March 7, 2006 at 5:31 am

My grandfather Alden Lundergan was the projectionist until I believe 1969. I remember him taking me upstairs to the booth sometimes when he worked. Dolores Rettburg was the lady in the ticket window inside. Those days seem so far away.

Patsy
Patsy on November 10, 2005 at 7:19 pm

I’ve just been told that in Cattaraugus New York there was a Cattaraugus Theatre. This theatre is listed on Cinema Tour as being closed. Does anyone have any additional information?

Patsy
Patsy on December 15, 2004 at 2:04 am

This theatre is less than 50 miles from the Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown NY and the Reg is listed on this theatre website.

muviebuf
muviebuf on January 16, 2004 at 6:01 pm

The correct spelling is Cattaraugus County, not Cattaragus County. The theatre is also now sometimes known as the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Center.

William
William on January 16, 2004 at 4:57 pm

The Seneca Theatre is located at 10 Main Street and it seated 1272 people when it was a movie theatre.