The Monster Demands a Mate in Chicago!

 Universal Weekly, May 4, 1935:

"Portions of the huge crowd that lined up early on opening day for Bride of Frankenstein at the [RKO] Palace, Chicago." 

"Opposite the booth a thrill chart, which also followed the pressbook suggestion, was given a two week advance display.
 It was equipped with flasher lights, giving the display the added advantage of animation."

"Emergency booth used as lobby ballyhoo in advance and during the run."

"Giant advance display in lobby."

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Theatre Talks will be celebrating classic horror during the month of Halloween. Visit us (if you) at:

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Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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This is a Theatre!

 Motion Picture Herald, December 9, 1939:

Tumbleweed Theatre

...yes, and a fetching one to the city-farmers of Five Points [California], who gather here for mental and emotional subsistence-plus. 

He Operates It

James Edwards, Jr.

The theatre operator's problem was to build a low-cost theatre, as the size of the community would not justify a large expenditure.  

He Designed It

S. Charles Lee

Analysis of the budget and the and the area to be covered by the building left the architect--S. Charles Lee of Los Angeles--with funds to build a shell which appeared to be nothing more than a barn. A barn? 

The idea crystallized. Why not build a barn project that would be 'artistic,' and clever, and would afford more entertainment by reason of its novelty than a cheap 'modernistic' or similar type of building, where the price would reflects itself in weak substitution of materials? Thus came the idea of the Tumbleweed Theatre.

And here is the town for which it was built (theatre in right foreground).

The wishing well in the 'barnyard.'

The foyer-lounge, done in the farmhouse style.

General view of the auditorium. 

Los Angeles Theatres

Richard's History of El Monte 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

How Motion Pictures Were Made

Theatre Magazine, July 1912

"How moving pictures were made twelve years ago. Actors in the open air on a roof top."

"This operator [Siegmund Lubin] was one of the first in this country to make cinematograph films." 

Lubin Studios 1912: 

"Where the players pose for moving pictures. A busy day at the Lubin Studio, Philadelphia."

 "Seven plays may be rehearsed at one time."

Lubin Studio

Crowdfund Research

The Cinema Theatre Association (CTA) have asked me to speak at their monthly meeting in London. March 28th, 2020. 

This is my first overseas talk, and will add to my reputation as a theatre historian.
I have started a GoFundMe campaign to extend my stay, conducting research and visiting historic theatres.
Research will be used for future talks, essays, articles, etc. The theatres visited recorded and shared on social media.
Funds collected will go directly to travel within the UK, accommodations, food and everyday expenses.

 

Adieu Bijou

Cinema and underground cruising spot has closed.

Bijou, 82 East 4th Street, New York

"Shows old movies to gay patrons who aren't watching them"

--New York Songlines

From the very beginning this subterranean space has served as an entertainment venue.

Certificate of Occupancy, October 22, 1927:

Cellar-- Persons Accommodated 150-- Restaurant, cabaret, and storage    

Originally the Rainbow Inn, it became Club 82 in 1954 (some accounts list 1958), famous for spectacular drag reviews.

Business partner Vito Genovese. like many mobsters, "financed Village gay bars, which were prevented from obtaining legitimate funding due to homophobic laws and social stigmas."

Photo: Queer Music Heritage

Various sources credit the New York Dolls, in 1973 or 74,  as the first rock group to play there.

Marty Thau:

"I was manager of the Dolls and I was approached by the club because they were switching over to glam rock bands. The drag crowd had moved on and the Club 82 never returned to the original format." 

A comment on the blog "It's All Streets You Crossed" differs:
"So many [sic] of the information regarding Club 82, in the glam period, are [sic] incorrect. Club 82 started having bands in '72, not '74. The Dolls were not the first band to play there. Another Pretty Face was the already house band there in '73." 

 An indie-film theatre took over the space in 1978, followed by an all-male strip club. Ron Wood opened the music venue Woody's in 1990, a dismal failure closing after only a few months.

Since  about 1992, the basement has been an on-again-off-again unmarked gay porn theater called the Bijou, featuring second-run Hollywood films in the main theatre with a separate row of private booths.

The Bijou closed for the final time in April 2019, the space has been gutted. According to the New York City Department of Buildings a "stop work order exists on this building."

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

Regal Essex 14 & RPX

The Lower East Side has a new 14-screen multiplex. Opened April 6, 2019, at 129 Delancey Street, the Regal Essex 14 &  RPX is part of Essex Crossings, a mix-use development in the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area

Website

And from the windows of the new a glimpse of the old--remains of the Loew's Delancey (1912-1976):

Bedford + Bowery

6sqft

Since 1997 theatre historian, Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of theatre talks and walks, available for historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.


Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.


The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.


Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index.


AboutMe


Goodreads

Medotcom 

Vesuvius Erupts Over Flatbush

Motion Picture News, April 15, 1922:

"Miniature volcano used in the lobby of the Albemarle theatre, Brooklyn"

"The Albemarle theatre, Brooklyn, exploited 'Vesuvius Conquered,' a feature of a recent issue of Fox News, in the most interesting manner."

"In the lobby a miniature volcano belched smoke, and in the cloud above a tiny model of an airplane whirled. Beside it stood a large specially printed poster featuring the short subject. The volcano was about six feet in height and made of paper mache, The smoke was effected by the buring of punk within the 'crater.'"

Vesuvius Conquered

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Walks also available at Local Expeditions

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Waiting on a Sunday Afternoon in Pharr

Texas Theatre, Pharr, Texas

"Waiting for the movie to open, Sunday afternoon, Pharr, Texas"
Photographer: Russell Lee, February 1939 United States Farm Security Administration

The Citadel

Exhibitors Herald, July 18, 1925:

"The Pharr theatre, owned by George Holdridge which was recently opened at Pharr, Texas.

It has a seating capacity of 500 and cost $30,000."

Code of the West

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Walks also available at Local Expeditions

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

El Nacional Theatre, San Antonio, Texas

El Nacional Theatre

West Commerce Street and North Santa Rosa Avenue in San Antonio. 

Photographer: Russell Lee, March 1939 United States Farm Security Administration

Boxoffice, March 3, 1945:

"In this progressive southern city, El Nacional Theatre was designed by architect N. Straus Nayfach and erected in 1940 to fit a unique locale and patronage.

"El Nacional is distinctly Latin-American in flavor yet outstandingly modern in conception, a combination of qualities designed to appeal to and win the patronage of San Antonio's large Latin-American population.

"It is a large house, seating approximately 2,000, showing Mexican and other Spanish language pictures as well as American product."

The above photograph, taken in 1939 would dispute Boxoffice's opening date of 1940.

City Streets
Castillos en el aire

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Walks also available at Local Expeditions

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

  

Down East Chills at the Acme

Moving Picture World, February 19, 1910:

"Acme Theater, Eastport ME."

"The above photograph is enough to give one the chills, and we would imagine that the audience would have to huddle close together to keep from freezing.

"But the manager tells us that the place is not such a 'frost' as it looks and his playing to good business. It is of interest to mention that this is the most eastern theater in the United States."

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Walks also available at Local Expeditions

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom