My parents may have taken me to see Fantasia as a child. We went to a lot of movies in the city. Finally got to see it many years later on the CinemaScope screen of my local theater.
Uploaded current interior photo of the auditorium and classic image of Guild Hall from the Harvey Ginsberg Postcard Collection of the East Hampton Public Library.
Uploaded an image of the old Post Office Building from the Harvey Ginsberg Postcard Collection at the East Hampton Public Library. Obviously the 70 seat theater only used a little of the space therein.
I tried to find an image of the Almira in the day but couldn’t. Oddly enough I could find pictures of the organ which was sent to England and the theatre into which it was subsequently installed.
Uploaded an advertising photo as the Belasco from the Quincy Public Library collection. Portions of the Princess and Gem ads appear. Don’t belive the Princess in on CT so will have to add it, particularly since I have a photo of the exterior.
The Do You Remember site of the University of Illinois cites June 16, 1914 as the opening date as a vaudeville house with the first film being shown as The Temple of Venus on January 16, 1926 and the first talkie, The Lion and the Mouse on November 4, 1928.
Joe, I found a reference that a Peter Jacobs, former police chief of Springfield, Il opened the Savoy and Gem at 522 and 524 Hampshire. There are also references to both of these properties changing hands a number of times.
Can anyone “swipe” some memorabilia?
My parents may have taken me to see Fantasia as a child. We went to a lot of movies in the city. Finally got to see it many years later on the CinemaScope screen of my local theater.
Still standing? No demolition as yet?
Uploaded current interior photo of the auditorium and classic image of Guild Hall from the Harvey Ginsberg Postcard Collection of the East Hampton Public Library.
Uploaded an image of the old Post Office Building from the Harvey Ginsberg Postcard Collection at the East Hampton Public Library. Obviously the 70 seat theater only used a little of the space therein.
Trying to find a picture of same but, so far, only located an ad which I’ve uploaded.
I tried to find an image of the Almira in the day but couldn’t. Oddly enough I could find pictures of the organ which was sent to England and the theatre into which it was subsequently installed.
Would be nice to know the full history how it morphed from a single screen to 6.
The permit is on the door dated January. Lobby is boarded over so nothing can be seen inside.
As part of a private party which was held in the vast lobby we were also treated to a short organ concert.
Joe Google link not working.
I found contradictory information regarding the Jamaica Rialto which makes no mention of Al Schwartz. See Savoy, Jamaica site.
Additional interior photo, from the Gardner Museum, uploaded.
The Family was unusual in that it’s entrance was at the side of the screen with the screen being at the street side of the building.
Throw in a strobe light or two and everyone will up chuck.
Joe, why would you say Nickelette is the correct spelling when the add says Nickellette?
Must have had a pretty good orchestra in the day since I saw a reference that they played in Hannibal, MO on one occasion.
Uploaded exterior photo from the Quincy Public Library collection.
And not long after its opening as the Colonade, it was purchased in 1911 by Messrs. Nelson and Schwindler and renamed the Star.
Uploaded the ad for the opening of the talkie The Lion and the Mouse from the Quincy Public Library collection.
Uploaded an advertising photo as the Belasco from the Quincy Public Library collection. Portions of the Princess and Gem ads appear. Don’t belive the Princess in on CT so will have to add it, particularly since I have a photo of the exterior.
First talkies purported to be July 7, 1929.
The Do You Remember site of the University of Illinois cites June 16, 1914 as the opening date as a vaudeville house with the first film being shown as The Temple of Venus on January 16, 1926 and the first talkie, The Lion and the Mouse on November 4, 1928.
Joe, I found a reference that a Peter Jacobs, former police chief of Springfield, Il opened the Savoy and Gem at 522 and 524 Hampshire. There are also references to both of these properties changing hands a number of times.
The name was changed to Colonial in 1910 when it was purchased by Colonial Theaters of Joliet, Il.