Oscar S. Oldknow of Atlanta’s Empire started the Carroll with 758 seats at opening. Bathed in coral, gold and green, the Carroll was only the second theatre in Georgia to be designed and constructed for talking pictures.
The picture in the photo is actually the second home to the Pastime Vaudeville Theatre which would transform to full-time films as the Imperial Theatre in the silent era and then the Palmetto Theatre in the sound era. The first home was just across the street.
Lawrence T. Lester was accused, tried, and not found guilty of arson when the silent-era Rivoli Theatre at this address was torched in 1925. Photos of the pre-torched Rivoli here. Rebuilt as the Rex Theatre in the sound era becoming the Strand.
1201-1205 S. Main St. was also home to the Columbia Theatre, an African American cinema in the silent era. So an ad of the Columbia Theatre is also parked here in photos.
Grand opening was January 29, 1930 showing “Disraeli”. At $5 a ticket for the opening, the theater made a statement about its clientele: high end in a high end environment. Costing almost $1,000 a seat to construct – incredibly high for a neighborhood theatre – Detroit’s wealth wanted a showplace in their ‘hood and it delivered. It even had widescreen film projection ability at the opening despite the lack of films shot in widescreen. Grand opening ad in photos and some interior shots, as well.
Final film was a premiere of “Big Meat Eater” on August 29, 1984 under the Class Film Theatre (CFT) operation.
Grand opening June 15, 1944. Coloma had four theatres. Coloma Theatre number one burned down in November 28, 1912. Coloma Theatre #2 launched in 1918 and was deemed to small by operator Louis Clinton “C.C.” Alguire in 1935 moving to a retrofitted Ford Garage for Loma Theatre #3. Loma Theatre #3 was bombed and destroyed April 25, 1943 and razed two months later. The new Loma Theatre #4 would commence with a permit from the Government to rebuild during WW2 launching June 15, 1944 and was still going in the 21st Century.
Chilton didn’t have the best of luck with theaters prior to this theater. The Liberty Theatre (formerly the Royal Theatre) burned to the ground in 1924. The Auditorium Theatre took over as the town’s primary movie house and — just after installing sound projection — burned in a tragic fire in 1930. The Chilton was constructed in a much more fireproof manner launching May 20, 1931 and continuing into the 21st Century.
Some quick facts about the attractor across the street from the Cohan: It weighed 12 tons, was 200' high, had 4,600 lamps, the Moses figure at right is 28' high and both the left and right figurines were painted by artist Ezra Williams.
Technically, the theater’s grand opening was July 1, 1915. It was given a major facelift closing for period from November 15, 1921 relaunching as the remodeled Queen Theatre on July 3, 1922. The Queen’s name continued over at the Rialto on those dates with that theater changing back to the Rialto on July 3, 1922. The Rialto started Saturday only operation in September and closed prior to year’s end. Grand opening ad for the Queen in photos, as well as ads for the Rialto Theatre, as well as the precursors to those theaters in Hendersonville: the Grand Theatre and the Opera House.
J.N. Benderly and H.O. Brown formed the B&B Theatre at 1722-1724 Beaver Avenue in 1909 in a former dry good location. There appears to be a legal battle in 1919 which ends the theater’s life. However, that also is the end of a ten-year lease which may also be why the theater closed. A massive urban development project announced in 1960 decimated the Manchester retail district leading to the demolition of 900 buildings including the what once was the B&B.
Opened as a burly house on April 6, 1914 with moving pictures following Mademoiselle De Leon’s “Catch a Garter” that day. The theater’s claim to fame in a marathon dance contest that ran 303 consecutive hours only stopped because of police intervention. And the vaudeville shows continued during the marathon. The theater also had live boxing. A film catches on fire there in 1927 and that seems to be about it for film activities while live activities appear to move elsewhere closer to downtown.
Opened in 1914 as the Imperial Theater managed by Thomas Eichholz. It’s a quick casulaty and is purchased in 1915 and remodeled by Thomas Gilbert. That doesn’t do much better and in 1917, Louis Handel acquires the property and it becomes the Hippodrome under Louis Hendel with more mixing in of live vaudeveille. In 1924, Hendel sells the theater to the Browarsky Brothers Circuit which ran the theater much of its successful life.
In the TV age, the theater and area begin to slide. September 9, 1960 was the end of the line for the Hippodrome with “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” and “Warlock.” A massive urban development project announced in 1960 decimated the Manchester retail district leading to the demolition of 900 buildings including the Hippodrome as well as the uprooting of its streetcar line in the creation of new roadways.
Grand opening was April 1, 1938. Commonwealth closed the theatre for the third time on November 16, 1947 citing lack of patronage and letting a ten year lease lapse. As a weekend-only and closing in the summer months operation due to lack of air conditioning, the theater’s last cinematic offering was appropriately enough, “Ridin' Down the Trail.” It was used for live events by a variety of interests mostly for church services thereafter. In 1959, the theater was converted to apartments and retail usage.
Grand opening day was June 12, 1914 with the film, “Home Sweet Home.” Architect was Myron B. Vorce. Wurlitzer orchestra organ at the open. Manager Joseph Grossman hosted 50 veterans of the Spanish American War of which was one.
It was still going with first-run films in 1989 – which I believe was its last year. The first-run features were often the low budget action films, comedies, and horror films that usually got a week there before heading to home video (e.g. Lyle Alzado in “Destroyer” or Rod Steiger/Yvonne DeCarlo in “American Gothic). It always looked out of business throughout the late 80s finally closing to an indifferent marketplace and was demolished in 1995. We always figured the operator simply wanted to reach the 75th Anniversary and stop as audiences pretty much gave up going.
E. Russell Hardwick of the Lyceum, State and Mesa theaters went with a 450-seat theater in the 200 block of South Main. Long gone and unsuccessful, the Plains launched March 12, 1937 with “The Plainsman.“ It closed throughout World War II due to personnel shortages. It reopened on December 29, 1945 just two days a week. It didn’t work out.
Jack Corgan architected the third Mesa Theatre in Clovis launching December 29, 1948 with “Deep Waters.” In October of 1960, the theatre which was only open two days a week at that point switched to all Spanish films. Its last screening was on November 20, 1960 with “Dos Maridos Baratos.” It was then that Norman Petty bought the 784-seat theatre and converted for non-theatrical purposes.
E.C. Parker architected the second Mesa Theatre in the same spot for Griffith Theatres opening to two full houses on August 26, 1931 with “I’ll Take This Woman.” It held 1,000 patrons. The silent era Mesa Theater launched in 1918 and competed with the Lyceum until purchased by Lyceum owners in the 1920s.
Architected by F.M. Anderson of Galena and Iola, KS in 1903 with a New Year’s Eve planned launch. The disastrous Iroquois Theatre in Chicago fire happened on December 30, 1903 and people were so nervous about the Grand’s planned opening that plans were scrapped so that two last minute exits could be added to the Grand second tier. The theatre opened January 8, 1904.
Oscar S. Oldknow of Atlanta’s Empire started the Carroll with 758 seats at opening. Bathed in coral, gold and green, the Carroll was only the second theatre in Georgia to be designed and constructed for talking pictures.
Tucker & Howell architectural sketch is in Photos.
The picture in the photo is actually the second home to the Pastime Vaudeville Theatre which would transform to full-time films as the Imperial Theatre in the silent era and then the Palmetto Theatre in the sound era. The first home was just across the street.
Lawrence T. Lester was accused, tried, and not found guilty of arson when the silent-era Rivoli Theatre at this address was torched in 1925. Photos of the pre-torched Rivoli here. Rebuilt as the Rex Theatre in the sound era becoming the Strand.
1201-1205 S. Main St. was also home to the Columbia Theatre, an African American cinema in the silent era. So an ad of the Columbia Theatre is also parked here in photos.
Grand opening was January 29, 1930 showing “Disraeli”. At $5 a ticket for the opening, the theater made a statement about its clientele: high end in a high end environment. Costing almost $1,000 a seat to construct – incredibly high for a neighborhood theatre – Detroit’s wealth wanted a showplace in their ‘hood and it delivered. It even had widescreen film projection ability at the opening despite the lack of films shot in widescreen. Grand opening ad in photos and some interior shots, as well.
Final film was a premiere of “Big Meat Eater” on August 29, 1984 under the Class Film Theatre (CFT) operation.
Grand opening June 15, 1944. Coloma had four theatres. Coloma Theatre number one burned down in November 28, 1912. Coloma Theatre #2 launched in 1918 and was deemed to small by operator Louis Clinton “C.C.” Alguire in 1935 moving to a retrofitted Ford Garage for Loma Theatre #3. Loma Theatre #3 was bombed and destroyed April 25, 1943 and razed two months later. The new Loma Theatre #4 would commence with a permit from the Government to rebuild during WW2 launching June 15, 1944 and was still going in the 21st Century.
Chilton didn’t have the best of luck with theaters prior to this theater. The Liberty Theatre (formerly the Royal Theatre) burned to the ground in 1924. The Auditorium Theatre took over as the town’s primary movie house and — just after installing sound projection — burned in a tragic fire in 1930. The Chilton was constructed in a much more fireproof manner launching May 20, 1931 and continuing into the 21st Century.
Some quick facts about the attractor across the street from the Cohan: It weighed 12 tons, was 200' high, had 4,600 lamps, the Moses figure at right is 28' high and both the left and right figurines were painted by artist Ezra Williams.
Technically, the theater’s grand opening was July 1, 1915. It was given a major facelift closing for period from November 15, 1921 relaunching as the remodeled Queen Theatre on July 3, 1922. The Queen’s name continued over at the Rialto on those dates with that theater changing back to the Rialto on July 3, 1922. The Rialto started Saturday only operation in September and closed prior to year’s end. Grand opening ad for the Queen in photos, as well as ads for the Rialto Theatre, as well as the precursors to those theaters in Hendersonville: the Grand Theatre and the Opera House.
November 23, 1908 grand opening ad and two early exterior architectural drawings posted in photos.
J.N. Benderly and H.O. Brown formed the B&B Theatre at 1722-1724 Beaver Avenue in 1909 in a former dry good location. There appears to be a legal battle in 1919 which ends the theater’s life. However, that also is the end of a ten-year lease which may also be why the theater closed. A massive urban development project announced in 1960 decimated the Manchester retail district leading to the demolition of 900 buildings including the what once was the B&B.
Opened as a burly house on April 6, 1914 with moving pictures following Mademoiselle De Leon’s “Catch a Garter” that day. The theater’s claim to fame in a marathon dance contest that ran 303 consecutive hours only stopped because of police intervention. And the vaudeville shows continued during the marathon. The theater also had live boxing. A film catches on fire there in 1927 and that seems to be about it for film activities while live activities appear to move elsewhere closer to downtown.
Opened in 1914 as the Imperial Theater managed by Thomas Eichholz. It’s a quick casulaty and is purchased in 1915 and remodeled by Thomas Gilbert. That doesn’t do much better and in 1917, Louis Handel acquires the property and it becomes the Hippodrome under Louis Hendel with more mixing in of live vaudeveille. In 1924, Hendel sells the theater to the Browarsky Brothers Circuit which ran the theater much of its successful life.
In the TV age, the theater and area begin to slide. September 9, 1960 was the end of the line for the Hippodrome with “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” and “Warlock.” A massive urban development project announced in 1960 decimated the Manchester retail district leading to the demolition of 900 buildings including the Hippodrome as well as the uprooting of its streetcar line in the creation of new roadways.
1916 ad posted in photos
Closing ad from October 14, 1952 is posted in photos.
Launched on December 17, 1975 with benefit screenings of “Young Frankenstein,” “Benji,” and “Walking Tall 2”.
Grand opening was April 1, 1938. Commonwealth closed the theatre for the third time on November 16, 1947 citing lack of patronage and letting a ten year lease lapse. As a weekend-only and closing in the summer months operation due to lack of air conditioning, the theater’s last cinematic offering was appropriately enough, “Ridin' Down the Trail.” It was used for live events by a variety of interests mostly for church services thereafter. In 1959, the theater was converted to apartments and retail usage.
Myron B. Vorce was the original architect prior to the remodeling.
Grand opening day was June 12, 1914 with the film, “Home Sweet Home.” Architect was Myron B. Vorce. Wurlitzer orchestra organ at the open. Manager Joseph Grossman hosted 50 veterans of the Spanish American War of which was one.
It was still going with first-run films in 1989 – which I believe was its last year. The first-run features were often the low budget action films, comedies, and horror films that usually got a week there before heading to home video (e.g. Lyle Alzado in “Destroyer” or Rod Steiger/Yvonne DeCarlo in “American Gothic). It always looked out of business throughout the late 80s finally closing to an indifferent marketplace and was demolished in 1995. We always figured the operator simply wanted to reach the 75th Anniversary and stop as audiences pretty much gave up going.
Launched with “Green Hell” on May 30, 1941, the Sunshine set for good in 1954.
E. Russell Hardwick of the Lyceum, State and Mesa theaters went with a 450-seat theater in the 200 block of South Main. Long gone and unsuccessful, the Plains launched March 12, 1937 with “The Plainsman.“ It closed throughout World War II due to personnel shortages. It reopened on December 29, 1945 just two days a week. It didn’t work out.
Jack Corgan architected the third Mesa Theatre in Clovis launching December 29, 1948 with “Deep Waters.” In October of 1960, the theatre which was only open two days a week at that point switched to all Spanish films. Its last screening was on November 20, 1960 with “Dos Maridos Baratos.” It was then that Norman Petty bought the 784-seat theatre and converted for non-theatrical purposes.
E.C. Parker architected the second Mesa Theatre in the same spot for Griffith Theatres opening to two full houses on August 26, 1931 with “I’ll Take This Woman.” It held 1,000 patrons. The silent era Mesa Theater launched in 1918 and competed with the Lyceum until purchased by Lyceum owners in the 1920s.
November 29, 1922 grand opening with the great “Blood and Sand” ad posted in photos.
Architected by F.M. Anderson of Galena and Iola, KS in 1903 with a New Year’s Eve planned launch. The disastrous Iroquois Theatre in Chicago fire happened on December 30, 1903 and people were so nervous about the Grand’s planned opening that plans were scrapped so that two last minute exits could be added to the Grand second tier. The theatre opened January 8, 1904.