Friday, February 28, 2014

San Francisco: Fox Theatre

The San Francisco Fox was considered by some to be the "last word" of picture theatre design when it opened on June 28, 1929. The 4.651 seat theatre was one of the larger houses designed by Thomas Lamb, and was decorated personally by Mrs. Fox, who was later criticized for her extravagance. The Fox had a rather short life, closing on February 16, 1963, and subsequently demolished.
Above, 1963 photo from Cinema Treasures.
Above, from Motion Picture News, August 3, 1929.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Lackawanna County Courthouse

The Lackawanna County Courthouse on Saturday morning.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Scranton Iron Furnace

A view of the Scranton Iron Furnace from last Saturday morning.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Potholes

Potholes seem especially dangerous this year. These ones on the Harrison Avenue bridge are especially dangerous as people swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid them.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Board of Trade Building

The Board of Trade building, built in 1895. The building was purchased by the Scranton Electric Company in 1923.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Nay Aug Falls

Nay Aug Falls this morning.

Nay Aug Park

A few views of the park today.
The city spends money to upgrade the trail through the park, then blocks it with a giant mound of snow.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Washington's Birthday

The cover of Literary Digest, February 22, 1930 for Washington's Birthday. Years ago today was a national holiday.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Scranton Ghost Sign

A sign for Clarke Brothers store is still visible on the side of what is now Garcia's Market, 901 Pittston Avenue. This building at one time housed an Acme grocery store.
A 1909 postcard view of the interior.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Chicago: Sheridan Theatre

The Sheridan Theatre at 4036 N. Sheridan Road was designed by J.E.O. Pridmore and had a seating capacity of 2,649. The Sheridan closed in 1951 and later became a synagogue. After the congregation moved in the 1970's the Sheridan used for Spanish films under the name Teatro El Palacio. This operation ended in the early 1990's and the theatre was razed. The following are from the Showmen section of Motion Picture News, April 7, 1928.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Scranton Button Company

The Scranton Button Company building on Cedar Avenue. This was once part of the Capitol Records complex.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Sacred Heart Church

Sacred Heart Church, 1221 Prospect Avenue.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Delaware-Lackawanna 2461

Delaware - Lackawanna 2461 crossing Cedar Avenue during Saturday morning's snowstorm.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Scranton Snowstorm

Another five inch snowstorm yesterday.
View from Starbucks on Lackawanna Avenue around noon.
Looking north on Jefferson Avenue from Lackawanna Station.
Side view of Lackawanna Station.
Lackawanna Avenue looking west from Adams.
Looking west along the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue.
Martz bus on the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue, passing a non working clock.
100 block of Wyoming Avenue, looking north.
100 block, Penn Avenue, looking north.
Looking east from the 200 block of Lackawanna Avenue.
Looking west across the Lackawanna Avenue bridge, towards the Jersey Central freight house.
Departing Greyhound Bus, Martz Bus station, 23 Lackawanna Avenue.
Pittson Avenue looking south from Orchard Street.
Hickory Street, looking west from near South Irving.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Ohio Theatre, February 14, 1921

Today is the 93rd anniversary of the opening of the Ohio Theatre on Playhouse Square.
From Club Life, September 1982.
Variety, February 18, 1921.
From Club Life, September 1982.
Variety, June 3, 1925.
The first Ben Hur film at the Ohio, from Motion Picture News, November 6, 1926.
After a stint as a nightclub, the Mayfair Casino, and a Coast Guard recruiting station the Ohio reopened as a film house in September 1943.
Gertrude Tracy was one of the first girl theatre managers in Cleveland. From Box Office, September 4, 1943.
Box Office, September 11, 1943.
From Box Office, March 4, 1944.
In the 1950's and 60's Loew's Ohio became home to many long run roadshow pictures.
Around the World in 80 Days was the first 70mm Todd-AO film to run in Cleveland. From Box Office, May 18, 1957.
The grand lobby was destroyed by a fire on Tuesday, July 7, 1964. It was rebuilt and reopened on December 25, 1964 with Mary Poppins. From Box Office, July 13, 1964.
The Sound of Music, Cleveland's longest running film.
Box Office, March 28, 1966.
After The Sound of Music many of the long run epics went bust.
Cleveland Press, February 2, 1968.
Cleveland Plain Dealer,October 12, 1968.
The Ohio and neighboring Loew's State closed on Sunday February 9, 1969. In 1972 both Loew houses were slated for demolition. This was averted by the Playhouse Square Association. After years of disuse, the Ohio reopened in 1982.
A late 1970's view of the once grand stairs. Plain Dealer file photo. This is how I remember it looking.