Neither this theater page, nor this website, has a focus on Warren, Lost Memory, or any other member “as a member.” When there is controversy, the webmasters deal with it.
Please remember this is a public forum about movie theaters, not a soap opera.
I urge everybody to return to an appreciation of “cinema treasures” rather than the subject of a particular member.
Chuck,
Sorry. I saw only the photo caption. I didn’t see your comparision. Where are the other photos of the Boyd in Easton? Well, please post any such links on that theater’s page. For obvious reasons, I’m interested in any theaters that Alexander Boyd operated.
1969 photo of the Boyd Theatre via American Classics. View link
This photo is incorrectly labeled Allentown. Mr. Wolfe sets us straight as below (his comment elsewhere copied & pasted here)
The photo that you posted above is not the Boyd in Allentown, Pa., but rather the Boyd Theatre in EASTON, Pa.
I had posted this info once before, and notice now that it has been removed. This photo had been attached to the Easton posting, but is now gone from there and has for some reason returned here.
Not all listings on americanclassicimages are correct.
I know the theatre in that photo only too well, as I had my first theatre job there as an usher, and latter leased the theatre. I was the final operator, having closed it in May of 1972 when I lost my lease when it had been purchased by E-Park to be demolished for a parking lot.
posted by RickWolfe on Jul 31, 2009 at 5:15pm
This is from the official website, as History:
Originally built in 1924, The Hollywood building was gutted and rebuilt by Warner Bros. Theaters in the late 1940’s. Its seating capacity was about 914. The Hollywood was a deluxe second run venue, playing Warner, Universal, RKO, Disney and United Artists product. The Harris SouthHills, a mile or two away (capacity about 1300) ran the Fox, MGM, Columbia and Paramount films.
The decor of the Hollywood was art deco and featured a small balcony (seating about 100). A lower level lounge beneath the lobby included overstuffed couches and easy chairs â€" and as the popularity of television increased back in the ’50’s â€" a large screen black and white tv. The rear wall of the lobby (actually the back wall of the main auditorium) was mostly glass (usually covered with a drape that could be opened to accommodate standing room crowds who could watch the film and hear the soundtrack from speakers in the lobby ceiling).
The marquee, containing literally thousands of bulbs and two glass attraction panels, was removed when the city widened the street and the glass tile facade was replaced with stucco.
After the consent decree, the Hollywood was transferred to the Stanley-Warner circuit and was eventually sold (along with the remaining SW properties) to Cinemette Theaters. Ownership was later transferred to the Neighborhood Theaters circuit that closed the building after several years on a dollar policy. Property owner Richard Stern and his CineMagic reopened the theatre prior to its final closing.
For many years in the 1950’s and 1960’s the Hollywood Theatre, with its seating capacity of 980, was one of Stanley Warner’s main second-run neighborhood houses in Pittsburgh, and even enjoyed a spell as a first-run house in the late 1960’s. Later on, Associated Theatres bought S-W’s holdings in the area, which were then sold to Cinema World.
There were several failed attempts to bring this grand old theatre back to life.
In 2009 Motion Picture Heritage committed to re-opening The Hollywood and restoring it to her former glory.
MPH is Mid West group that rehabilitates and operates classic cinemas nationwide in conjunction with community activists. It will be subleasing the space for two years, with the option for an additional six, from the Bradley Center, which leases the building from Hollywood Partners LLP.
The Hollywood was last operated as a second-run theater by the Bradley Center between 2007 and 2008.
“We don’t want the Hollywood to be just a movie theater; we want it to be a complete experience,†says Dever. “Potomac Avenue has a huge potential for restaurants and shops, so we want to help create foot traffic for our neighbors. People get a meal before or movie, or grab a beer afterward. We’ve seen situations like this where revitalized theaters have really improved local economies.â€
Redevelopment officials also agreed to provide CIM with a $4.35-million loan to refurbish the Reseda Theater into a dinner theater. Although work was supposed to begin last year, the construction has been pushed back to spring 2010, officials said. Once the project is completed, the city would turn ownership of the theater over to CIM Group, city officials said.
Redevelopment officials also agreed to provide CIM with a $4.35-million loan to refurbish the Reseda Theater into a dinner theater. Although work was supposed to begin last year, the construction has been pushed back to spring 2010, officials said. Once the project is completed, the city would turn ownership of the theater over to CIM Group, city officials said.
What minority? It would be great for the Montauk to be saved. I would disagree if someone said it would be viable to run classic movies daily in its huge auditorium! but as a mixed use venue, it would be great. The government officials intent on demolition probably aren’t fans of historic cinemas.
We are all aware of that. There is money in 35 mm movie rentals, as there are many theaters in the US that rent them & show them as classics. In my area, the Colonial in Phoenixville actually sent to England to rent a movie, paying for the shipping! so, a US facility that leases them out could easily pay to have a copy shipped here in order to rent out to many theaters.
Before people start to volunteer theaters, realize that drugstores, shoe stores, health clubs and so forth also look for theaters to turn into those operations!
Photos show original decor at Proscenium Arch (movie screen). Where are the other 2 auditoriums? the former side seats to left and right of main middle section? the former rear part of the auditorium? balcony?
There’s no better theater (east of California)to see a movie than the Uptown! 1st run movies, movie premieres, classics (though no classics since AMC tookover).
The downtown Metropolitan referred to above by Ken, is listed herein as the Paramount, /theaters/495/
and perhaps after the Carthay Circle, might be considered the worst demolition loss of historic Los Angeles cinemas.
ok, enjoyed 3:30 PM Saturday show today. Both curtains closed & opened after the pre-show. Projection & sound were excellent. Auditorium about half filled with enthusiastic audience, just as LuisV experienced. Staff was exceptionally nice, as always. Huge graphics on exterior & inside, for this Harry Potter movie. A cinema flagship experience!
Last year, a different volunteer editor was in charge of US cinemas. As you say, many military families enjoyed the cinema, so they can now look it up on this website and add their recollections.
Dear fellow members of Cinema Treasures,
Neither this theater page, nor this website, has a focus on Warren, Lost Memory, or any other member “as a member.” When there is controversy, the webmasters deal with it.
Please remember this is a public forum about movie theaters, not a soap opera.
I urge everybody to return to an appreciation of “cinema treasures” rather than the subject of a particular member.
Chuck,
Sorry. I saw only the photo caption. I didn’t see your comparision. Where are the other photos of the Boyd in Easton? Well, please post any such links on that theater’s page. For obvious reasons, I’m interested in any theaters that Alexander Boyd operated.
oops! I noticed it said Allentown. Have now posted it at Easton. Thanks, Richard.
So gorgeous on its exterior.
1969 photo of the Boyd Theatre via American Classics.
View link
This photo is incorrectly labeled Allentown. Mr. Wolfe sets us straight as below (his comment elsewhere copied & pasted here)
The photo that you posted above is not the Boyd in Allentown, Pa., but rather the Boyd Theatre in EASTON, Pa.
I had posted this info once before, and notice now that it has been removed. This photo had been attached to the Easton posting, but is now gone from there and has for some reason returned here.
Not all listings on americanclassicimages are correct.
I know the theatre in that photo only too well, as I had my first theatre job there as an usher, and latter leased the theatre. I was the final operator, having closed it in May of 1972 when I lost my lease when it had been purchased by E-Park to be demolished for a parking lot.
posted by RickWolfe on Jul 31, 2009 at 5:15pm
Thanks to your comment, Ace, adjusted above to reflect Open, with website link, too.
Yesterday, I emailed the NY Times article to homepage for news, after seeing William’s comment.
This is from the official website, as History:
Originally built in 1924, The Hollywood building was gutted and rebuilt by Warner Bros. Theaters in the late 1940’s. Its seating capacity was about 914. The Hollywood was a deluxe second run venue, playing Warner, Universal, RKO, Disney and United Artists product. The Harris SouthHills, a mile or two away (capacity about 1300) ran the Fox, MGM, Columbia and Paramount films.
The decor of the Hollywood was art deco and featured a small balcony (seating about 100). A lower level lounge beneath the lobby included overstuffed couches and easy chairs â€" and as the popularity of television increased back in the ’50’s â€" a large screen black and white tv. The rear wall of the lobby (actually the back wall of the main auditorium) was mostly glass (usually covered with a drape that could be opened to accommodate standing room crowds who could watch the film and hear the soundtrack from speakers in the lobby ceiling).
The marquee, containing literally thousands of bulbs and two glass attraction panels, was removed when the city widened the street and the glass tile facade was replaced with stucco.
After the consent decree, the Hollywood was transferred to the Stanley-Warner circuit and was eventually sold (along with the remaining SW properties) to Cinemette Theaters. Ownership was later transferred to the Neighborhood Theaters circuit that closed the building after several years on a dollar policy. Property owner Richard Stern and his CineMagic reopened the theatre prior to its final closing.
For many years in the 1950’s and 1960’s the Hollywood Theatre, with its seating capacity of 980, was one of Stanley Warner’s main second-run neighborhood houses in Pittsburgh, and even enjoyed a spell as a first-run house in the late 1960’s. Later on, Associated Theatres bought S-W’s holdings in the area, which were then sold to Cinema World.
There were several failed attempts to bring this grand old theatre back to life.
In 2009 Motion Picture Heritage committed to re-opening The Hollywood and restoring it to her former glory.
MPH is Mid West group that rehabilitates and operates classic cinemas nationwide in conjunction with community activists. It will be subleasing the space for two years, with the option for an additional six, from the Bradley Center, which leases the building from Hollywood Partners LLP.
The Hollywood was last operated as a second-run theater by the Bradley Center between 2007 and 2008.
Plans for the 298-seat venue, which underwent more than $300,000 in renovations in 2007, include a café, an eventual liquor license and live music performances. Films will range from classics to cutting-edge indies to contemporary major studio fare, says Bill Dever with MPH.
“We don’t want the Hollywood to be just a movie theater; we want it to be a complete experience,†says Dever. “Potomac Avenue has a huge potential for restaurants and shops, so we want to help create foot traffic for our neighbors. People get a meal before or movie, or grab a beer afterward. We’ve seen situations like this where revitalized theaters have really improved local economies.â€
The last Daily Press article linked above, in March, states the exterior is legally protected. No? is there a more recent article to link here?
View link
Redevelopment officials also agreed to provide CIM with a $4.35-million loan to refurbish the Reseda Theater into a dinner theater. Although work was supposed to begin last year, the construction has been pushed back to spring 2010, officials said. Once the project is completed, the city would turn ownership of the theater over to CIM Group, city officials said.
Redevelopment officials also agreed to provide CIM with a $4.35-million loan to refurbish the Reseda Theater into a dinner theater. Although work was supposed to begin last year, the construction has been pushed back to spring 2010, officials said. Once the project is completed, the city would turn ownership of the theater over to CIM Group, city officials said.
What minority? It would be great for the Montauk to be saved. I would disagree if someone said it would be viable to run classic movies daily in its huge auditorium! but as a mixed use venue, it would be great. The government officials intent on demolition probably aren’t fans of historic cinemas.
interior photos including upstairs, main screen:
View link
/theaters/4308/
(Montauk, Passaic)
The Montauk is going to be demolished and is not mid-sized but is large.
We are all aware of that. There is money in 35 mm movie rentals, as there are many theaters in the US that rent them & show them as classics. In my area, the Colonial in Phoenixville actually sent to England to rent a movie, paying for the shipping! so, a US facility that leases them out could easily pay to have a copy shipped here in order to rent out to many theaters.
Before people start to volunteer theaters, realize that drugstores, shoe stores, health clubs and so forth also look for theaters to turn into those operations!
Photos show original decor at Proscenium Arch (movie screen). Where are the other 2 auditoriums? the former side seats to left and right of main middle section? the former rear part of the auditorium? balcony?
A few years ago, this theater was threatened with possible demolition. What’s the current status?
I’m confused because it seems as if Thalhimers was demolished!
View link
why don’t the Brits make a 35mm copy of “The Lion in Winter” for the US? I’d love to see it on the big screen.
There’s no better theater (east of California)to see a movie than the Uptown! 1st run movies, movie premieres, classics (though no classics since AMC tookover).
The downtown Metropolitan referred to above by Ken, is listed herein as the Paramount, /theaters/495/
and perhaps after the Carthay Circle, might be considered the worst demolition loss of historic Los Angeles cinemas.
April 2009 auditorium photo facing screen & showing ornate sides
View link
close up of statue on stage:
View link
Rich, the Intro typo will be corrected. I can share photos & stuff with you. Email me, click on my name and profile to find my email address.
ok, enjoyed 3:30 PM Saturday show today. Both curtains closed & opened after the pre-show. Projection & sound were excellent. Auditorium about half filled with enthusiastic audience, just as LuisV experienced. Staff was exceptionally nice, as always. Huge graphics on exterior & inside, for this Harry Potter movie. A cinema flagship experience!
Last year, a different volunteer editor was in charge of US cinemas. As you say, many military families enjoyed the cinema, so they can now look it up on this website and add their recollections.