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.