Just got the following note from a friend of mine in MA: “I was at Michael’s class reunion on Saturday. It was at the old York theatre in Athol, MA. They are remodeling it and have made part of it a candlepin bowling alley and another part a bar/lounge. The rest is the gutted theatre. They said it is registered as a historical theatre. This was their first special event and the grand opening was the following day. The have done a great job with the remodeling to date. For instance they took 3-4 months to designing the bar. The curve of the bar matches the circular pattern in the original ceilings and they found fixtures in old storage rooms and cleaned them up and installed them.”
The windmill turns slowly, there are soft lights in some windows of the homes. It’s a magical, unique and rare atmospheric treatment. And quietly tucked away in rural Ohio!
I have never understood the asymmetrical design of the building. It just seems like it should have continued on to the right with the same layout. Still – it remains one of my all time favorites!
This guy could use a little history lesson. In bad times, people traditionally flock to the movies to take their minds off their troubles and escape for an hour or two. Why would he want to burden the theater owners and the patrons with this frivilous tax?
In the interest of full disclosure, I am the President of THS. But having just received my own copy of American Theaters of Today (which I paid for) I have to say that this is one gorgeous book! It’s got heavy, high quality paper, rich looking cover color and design and looks like it is worth every penny and more.
If you have not already ordered a copy they are going fast. The run was limmited to 400 numbered copies and almost ¾ of them are gone. Don’t miss out! We don’t want you to have to pay inflated prices when the copies hit eBay – like the previous reprints.
And to answer 3stooge’s question – we now turn our attentions to Great American Movie Theaters – the 1988 David Naylor classic. Stay tuned!!
And many thanks to Ross for his kind comments and for bringing this opportunity to the attention of the Cinema Treasures members! We are very happy to extend a discount to our friends at Cinema Treasures and invite everyone to visit the THS website at www.historictheatres.org Thanks Ross & Company!
Wow! Considering how long this theater has been closed the interior shots seem to be pretty decent. You guys deserve a lot of credit for your foresight and dedication to bring this little gem back to life. Please keep Theatre Historical Society posted on your progress!
Speaking for myself, the reporter asked first about the Senator Theater, then conversationally asked what I would consider to be the 10 best movie theaters in America. Not understanding that this would become the focus of the article, I started talking about more obscure theaters – ones that don’t automatically comes to mind – which is how the Smith Opera House/Schine Geneva theater ended up mentioned. And why Radio City Music Hall was not mentioned.
As i explained to the reporter, everyone automatically thinks of RCMH, or the Pantages, the Chicago, etc. The “10 Best” designation can be broken up into a million sub-categories which is probably why THS has never released an official list.
In my mind each historic theater is special in its own way. Each adds a thread to the great tapestry of American history. Each deserves to be cherished, treasured, preserved and proteted by their community.
I invite everyone reading this to submit their OWN personal favorites! What a debate that would be!!
Karen Colizzi Noonan, President
Theatre Historical Society
Chris, Could you please contact me through my email link? I am looking at theaters which have been purchased by colleges or universities. Thanks. Karen
The two links posted by Lost Memory go to a “private” page. Does anyone have current interior and exterior photos of this theater? THS is looking at a possible future conclave in the Albany/Berkshire area and i’d like to know if this theater merits a stop.
Any new developments? This is a beautiful Eberson designed theater – is anyone giving it the love and respect it deserves today?
Just got the following note from a friend of mine in MA: “I was at Michael’s class reunion on Saturday. It was at the old York theatre in Athol, MA. They are remodeling it and have made part of it a candlepin bowling alley and another part a bar/lounge. The rest is the gutted theatre. They said it is registered as a historical theatre. This was their first special event and the grand opening was the following day. The have done a great job with the remodeling to date. For instance they took 3-4 months to designing the bar. The curve of the bar matches the circular pattern in the original ceilings and they found fixtures in old storage rooms and cleaned them up and installed them.”
I am hoping to find more info on this.
Very interesting photo! Any idea why the NY Times took the photo? Also – any news on the theater? Feel free to email me at
View link
Bad news for a VERY reusable theater!
The windmill turns slowly, there are soft lights in some windows of the homes. It’s a magical, unique and rare atmospheric treatment. And quietly tucked away in rural Ohio!
I have never understood the asymmetrical design of the building. It just seems like it should have continued on to the right with the same layout. Still – it remains one of my all time favorites!
Still one of the sweetest of all the Schine purpose built theaters. A totally unique design – you won’t find another one anywhere!
Any more news from the Glove?
Hope to see everyone at CAPITTOLFEST this weekend! A great film festival and something the folks in Rome can be very proud of!
Tick, tick, tick, tick……
Well neither of these marquees could come close to the stunning original Schine marquees. They knew how to do it right in those days!
I see the next Cinema Treasures book here…. !!
This guy could use a little history lesson. In bad times, people traditionally flock to the movies to take their minds off their troubles and escape for an hour or two. Why would he want to burden the theater owners and the patrons with this frivilous tax?
In the interest of full disclosure, I am the President of THS. But having just received my own copy of American Theaters of Today (which I paid for) I have to say that this is one gorgeous book! It’s got heavy, high quality paper, rich looking cover color and design and looks like it is worth every penny and more.
If you have not already ordered a copy they are going fast. The run was limmited to 400 numbered copies and almost ¾ of them are gone. Don’t miss out! We don’t want you to have to pay inflated prices when the copies hit eBay – like the previous reprints.
And to answer 3stooge’s question – we now turn our attentions to Great American Movie Theaters – the 1988 David Naylor classic. Stay tuned!!
And many thanks to Ross for his kind comments and for bringing this opportunity to the attention of the Cinema Treasures members! We are very happy to extend a discount to our friends at Cinema Treasures and invite everyone to visit the THS website at www.historictheatres.org Thanks Ross & Company!
Karen
Wow! Considering how long this theater has been closed the interior shots seem to be pretty decent. You guys deserve a lot of credit for your foresight and dedication to bring this little gem back to life. Please keep Theatre Historical Society posted on your progress!
Karen Colizzi Noonan,President
Theatre Historical Society
www.historictheatres.org
Speaking for myself, the reporter asked first about the Senator Theater, then conversationally asked what I would consider to be the 10 best movie theaters in America. Not understanding that this would become the focus of the article, I started talking about more obscure theaters – ones that don’t automatically comes to mind – which is how the Smith Opera House/Schine Geneva theater ended up mentioned. And why Radio City Music Hall was not mentioned.
As i explained to the reporter, everyone automatically thinks of RCMH, or the Pantages, the Chicago, etc. The “10 Best” designation can be broken up into a million sub-categories which is probably why THS has never released an official list.
In my mind each historic theater is special in its own way. Each adds a thread to the great tapestry of American history. Each deserves to be cherished, treasured, preserved and proteted by their community.
I invite everyone reading this to submit their OWN personal favorites! What a debate that would be!!
Karen Colizzi Noonan, President
Theatre Historical Society
Jodar – if you google the Senator Theatre you will see tons of articles about the current situation there.
Chris, Could you please contact me through my email link? I am looking at theaters which have been purchased by colleges or universities. Thanks. Karen
Well it certainly is PINK! Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh very cute! Thanks LM – i’d love to see one of the interior if anyone has one.
The two links posted by Lost Memory go to a “private” page. Does anyone have current interior and exterior photos of this theater? THS is looking at a possible future conclave in the Albany/Berkshire area and i’d like to know if this theater merits a stop.
Complete rules are available on the THS website www.historictheatres.org or by emailing Lowell Angell at the address shown above.
Complete rules are available on the THS website www.historictheatres.org or by emailing Lowell Angell at the address shown above.
I vote for a new construction as long as John Eberson can be the lead architect. That seems like a reasonable compromise, hunh?
: D