Waldorf Theatre 116 W. 50th Street, New York, NY 10020
A 1939 postcard mailer for the Waldorf, an unsuccessful 970-seat theatre designed by noted architect Herbert J. Krapp.
The Brooklyn Eagle, October 21, 1926:
“Still another was added to New York’s ever increasing chain of theaters last night. The latest is called the Waldorf and it is located on 50th st., Manhattan, just east of 7th Avenue. It is a cozy little theater, rather ornate in decoration and a welcome addition to the many that have been built in the Frisky Fifties during the past few years.”
The opening production, Sure Fire by Ralph Murphy, was generally panned by the critics, helping to set the pattern for the theatre’s brief history.
Switching to movies in 1933 did not prevent the Waldorf from being sold at foreclosure to the Greenwich Savings Bank two years later.
However the Waldorf did pull off one coup before closing its doors, “the first attempt at showing the foreign version of an American picture to American audiences.”
New York Post, April 15, 1939:
“Walt Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ in French, after completing a successful week at the Waldorf Theatre is now continuing its engagement. Audiences, either with or without an understanding of the French language, indicate their enjoyment of this Gallic version.”
The New York Times, February 7, 1941:
“A business building will be erected in the Rockefeller Center area as the result of an all-cash deal yesterday involving the Waldorf Theatre property at 116 West Fiftieth Street. The site, which is 100 by 100 feet, in the block just west of the RCA Building, was sold by the Grenwich Savings Bank to an investor.”
Converted to store use, the Waldorf building was not demolished until 1967. The theatre’s close proximity to the Roxy and Radio City generally credited with its failure. However there were numerous small theatres in the Times Square area that managed to survive among the behemoths. The Waldorf was not one of them.
In case you are wondering—
From the New York Post, March 25, 1939:
“their names are Grincheux (Grumpy), Atchoum (Sneezy), Prof. (Doc), Timida (Bashful), Joyeux (Happy), Dormeur (Sleepy) and Simplet (Dopey)”
Postcard: Theatre Talks LLC collection
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Elsmere Theatre, 1924 Crotona Parkway, Bronx, NY 10460
Shampan & Shampan, Architects
The New York Clipper, October 10, 1914:
“The Elsmere Theatre, on Southern Boulevard, corner Elsmere Place, near Tremont Avenue, New York City, was given a most auspicious opening Wednesday night, September 30, when an audience of Bronx and Harlem residents tested the capacity of this latest of modern photo-playhouses to be erected in the Bronx.
“The Elsmere is an especially well constructed house for the comfort and safety of its patrons. It is unusually commodious in its seating arrangement, while its exits are particularly accessible. The management has supplied a pleasing feature in a symphony orchestra of nine pieces, which presented a program of selections quite in keeping with each photoplay. At the Elsmere will be presented a different program every day, exhibiting a big feature consisting of from four to six reels.
“Prices ranging from ten, fifteen, twenty-five cents in the evening, and matinee daily at ten cents.
”[?] Irving Cohn has been given the management of the theatre.”
The Elsmere, in 2005, shortly before being demolished (Photo Ken Roe):
Black & white photograph from Theatres and Picture Houses by Arthur S. Meloy (1916). Part of the Theatre Talks collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Astor Theatre, 38 Market Street, Attica, New York
Excerpts from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, April 25, 1939:
“[Joseph] Martina also announced yesterday that construction has started on the Astor Theater in Market Street, Attica, to seat 500 persons, at a cost of $50,000 and this theatre will open Sept. 1
“It also will be fireproof, of cement block, and steel construction and will have a glass front. George H. Ketcham of Syracuse is the architect and Carl Espersen of Batavia the contractor.”
“With the completion of the Astor Theater in Attica, the Martina Circuit will have 12 theaters. Besides Mt. Morris and Attica, locations are Dansville, Albion, Naples, Clyde, Nunda, Cuba, Wiiliamson, Arcade, and Phelps.”
Genesee Country Express, August 31, 1939:
“James Martina, manager of the Star Theatre in this village, has announced that the Martina Circuit has been enlarged to include the New Astor Theatre at Attica, which will be formally opened on Friday evening, September 1, with Vincent Marina, of this village, in charge of management.
“In connection with the theatre opening the Martina Theatre Circuit has issued invitations to a banquet to be held at Liberty Hall, Attica, at ten o’clock, Friday Evening.”
Mutiny on the Blackhawk released September 2, 1939
Postcard: Theatre Talks LLC collection
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Gay White Way, York Beach, Maine
Moving Pictures advertised above the columns on the right in this card postdated August 18, 1908.
On the back:
“Mr. Leonard. How is this for a moving picture. Come down & take your telephone girl.”
The name is smudged and unreadable.
Owner Frank Ellis moved the building from St. Aspinquid Park to this location in 1908, the white columns found at the entrance to Revere Beach.
Above the doorway Stores and Amusements, with the first room featuring a variety of concessions as well as a lunch counter. Ellis added a theatre wing.
The building became the Gay White Way Ball Room in the 1910s and when that form of entertainment faded in popularity the space was converted to a roller skating rink.
Later, with the columns replaced by an aluminum sign, it became Frieda’s Arcade. The structure destroyed by an arson attack in 1951.
Old York Beach by John D, Bardwell
Post card: Theatre Talks collection
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Chinese Theatre, 623 Jackson Street. San Francisco, California
A “new” Chinese theatre is listed at this address in the City Directories of 1875, 76 and 78. As stated on the front of the postcard, the theatre was destroyed in the fire that followed the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906. The card is postdated July 15, 1907.
The site of the Chinese Theatre:
Postcard: Theatre Talks LLC collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Mandarin Theatre, 1021 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA
From back of postcard:
“Famous Chinese actors and actresses cross the Pacific making periodical visits here and Chinese plays are produced in the most fantastic settings, while actors adorn themselves in gowns of exquisite Oriental richness.”
Opening in 1925, the Mandarin was one of Chinatown’s most popular opera and movie houses. It is reputedly the theatre in Orson Wells’ 1947 film Sailor from Shanghai. Some believe, however, that only the exterior was used with the interior shot in Hollywood.
Becoming the Sun Sing in 1950, it closed as a movie house in 1986.
Wishing our readers a happy and prosperous year of the dragon.
Postcard: Theatre Talks LLC collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
January 8, 2012 Walking Tour for GVSHP
Photographs of my January 8 walking tour for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation .
The beginning of the walk at the Sunshine Cinema:
Giving a history of the Orpheum Theatre, currently presenting Stomp:
Explaining the theatrical history of St Marks Church in the Bowery:
The Village East Cinema, originally the Yiddish Art Theatre:
The walk was recorded by Ken Bloom, of the Theatre Historical Society of America, for a future issue of Marquee magazine.
Photographs by Betty Sword
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Footsteps of Yiddish Theater
Historian Cezar Del Valle will lead a theater walk for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation on Sunday, January 8, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Discover the colorful history of Second Avenue with theatre historian Cezar Del Valle.
Once the Manhattan center of Yiddish American culture and the U.S. center of Yiddish theatre, Second Avenue below 14th Street was home to the stage, vaudeville, burlesque and early movie houses of this culture. As the Yiddish stage began to fade, Off-Off Broadway started to appear in old union halls and storefronts.
We will visit sites associated not only with Molly Picon, Jacob Adler, Maurice Schwartz and Boris Thomashefsky, but also Henry Fonda, Jimi Hendrix, Mile Dravis, and Weber & Fields.
Free—Reservations Required.
RSVP to rsvp@gvshp.org
or (212) 475-9585 ext. 35
Meeting location available upon registration
Above photo of the National Theatre, on Houston Street, is part of the Theatre Talks LLC collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Victoria Theatre, 48-56 Victoria Road, Devonport, Auckland
Built in 1912, the Victoria is one of the earliest surviving purpose-built cinemas still in operation. The theatre was constructed by American John Leon Benwell who operated it for the first two years. He returned to the States after selling the Victoria in 1914.
From back of postcard:
“Am sending you a picture of Benwell’s Model Picture Palace-finest in N.Z.-(according to the mayor). Wish you could see inside. We opened a month ago & are living back & was the 1st shop. Lovely views of bay from the veranda.-Mary”
No postdate but stamped across the back at the top:
“Exhibition opens Auckland Dec. 1913”
The card was sent to B.A. Barnard in Muscatine, Iowa.
Update:
Shortly after posting, received an email from Lynn Smart, Secretary, Victoria Theatre Trust (excerpt):
”Next year it is our 100 year anniversary and we are about to start planning for this important occasion. For our 99th anniversary this year we had a visit from Jason and Adam Benwell (from America), the great great grandsons of the original Mr John Leon Benwell - that was exciting! Mr Benwell owned and operated three movie theatres in New Zealand but returned to California in 1916 and found oil on Signal Hill - lucky him”
Lynn also provided a link to the following You Tube video:
Thanks Lynn!
Postcard part of the Theatre Talks LLC collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
Idle Hour Theatre, Hyannis, Massachusetts
The Idle Hour was a fairly common name for an early movie house. The one located on Main Street, in Hyannis, opened circa 1911.
The Barnstable Patriot, October 21, 1911: “Manager Cushing of the Idle-hour movie theatre in Hyannis, had the result of the world series ball game in New York telephoned to him Saturday evening and announced it to a large audience present: New York 2; Philadelphia 1. There was a crowded house present at each of the Saturday evening shows.”
Excerpts from Moving Picture World, October 18, 1913: ”The Idle Hour, Hyannis, Mass, tries to get three programs with two or three titles, each and all in large type on a bill 5 by 14 1/2. It is a list that shows three good programs, but the bill is so crowded that no one but a fan would take the trouble to read it through.”
“There is just one line that stands out and that is because it is in a much heavier face than the others. For the rest it looks as though some small office had emptied all of the job faces on the stone.”
In his autobiography of John F. Kennedy, Michael O’Brien states that Jack and sister Kathleen “showed up together at all the activities on the Cape-the barn dances and the Saturday matinees at the Idle Hour movie theater in Hyannis Port.”
According to other sources, the Idle Hour was the drop off point for motion pictures bound for the Kennedy Compound (with its own theatre).
The Idle Hour became the Center Theatre in the the 1930s. From the Hyannis Fire Department History: “December 23, 1971-A mid day fire heavily damaged the Center Theater on Main Street” “July 2, 1972-A general alarm fire destroyed the Center Theatre on Main Street”
Excerpts from the Barnstable Patriot, March 13, 2009: “This summer, miniature golf will return to Main Street, Hyannis and in the process clean up a blighted lot, fill the coffers of the Barnstable Education Foundation, and show off the creative ideas of local artists.”
“Here’s hoping at least one hole honors the entertainment history of the site, which held the Idle Hour and later Center Theater until the building burned down.”
Advertisement in Cape Cod Magazine, October 1915:
Postcard part of the Theatre Talks LLC collection.
Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.
