Fun restoration.

SDA1C

Just sitting there going to squat. I heard the original seats have been removed.

There are two apartments upstairs and an office built into the front.

Systems

Thats sad really.
Although I think the internet is probably a positive, it has sure put the hurt on the mom & pop industry.
There might be some good stuff in there Dan.
May want to find out!

Those doors alone would probably fetch a pretty penny if refinished!:cheesygrin:

zingo

I'd buy it just to live there, and convert it into a single residence with your own built-in movie theater!

pdxfj

Lots of potential there. "The Majestic" comes to mind.

Get ready to see a lot of the smaller theaters like that disappear starting this year. Most studios will no longer ship film since everything is moving to digital. Smaller theaters are likely unable to afford the cost of upgrading to a new digital projector.

SDA1C

It is just 5 minutes from my home. I thought about revitalizing it for Friday/Saturday matinee.v The little white window to the lower left is an original Dairy Queen.

hochpt21

The local theater in a town close by has turned into a bar. And not the kind of bar you want to hang out at.

zingo

We have a local, small town theater where the town raised the required money to convert the projector system to digital, and saved the theater. Cool story, but I hope ticket sales will be enough to keep the theater going.

codyc1ark

http://www.newstrand.com/History/index.html

I helped in this restoration when I was a kid. :cheesygrin: I can remember stripping seats with IA's governor at the time. Best part about that week, the party was held at my Grandma's house after everything was done and I can remember the gov's wife getting a LITTLE tipsy! Ah, I hadn't thought about that in awhile. Great little theater in Iowa though, I know they now serve wine/beer and unlimited refills on popcorn. I've been meaning to make it back and catch an Iowa football game there, as they also show those for free on the weekends live.

sucks2beme

Here's a classic- still looks the same for the most part on the inside as well- pure 1930's.
A relic that's still running in Charles city , IA.

michaeljhsda2

Makes you wonder if the sound system is still in there, and if so, what kind. Voice of the Theater speakers by Altec? Might even have some old tube amps. Sure would be fun to have a look.

SDA1C

My thoughts exactly! I have offered to donate what I can in audio/video equipment if a local contractor will supply the building materials. If nothing else a good shot of paint/curtins and new seats would get the ball rolling. My neighbor is the alderman and might be able to pull a few strings. Sure would be fun! Can you imagine watching The Blob on a foggy night in a 100 year old theater. lol.

dee1949

....here is a beautiful restoration. brings back memories of childhood in every small town

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chenamber/10344891/

dee1949

...favorite old places for nostalgia.

Old Movie theaters
Diners
Drive Ins

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1530433688/the-american-drive-in-movie-theater

http://www.pbase.com/drjaysel/a_classic_american_diner

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=NUR&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=classic%20american%20diners&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.dmQ&biw=1440&bih=719&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=JmgBUZrAEubp0gH58oHgAw

markmarc

sucks2beme wrote: »

Here's a classic- still looks the same for the most part on the inside as well- pure 1930's.
A relic that's still running in Charles city , IA.

Had cousins in Charles City and visited them a handful of times as a kid, remember going to that theater...cool! Actually amazing that the theater survived the 1968 F5 tornado that tore thru the downtown area.

pdxfj

michaeljhsda2 wrote: »

Makes you wonder if the sound system is still in there, and if so, what kind. Voice of the Theater speakers by Altec? Might even have some old tube amps. Sure would be fun to have a look.

Here's a CL listing for some 1930's vintage movie theater equipment.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/3534596984.html

Gives the model number for the sound system amp. No mention of speakers.

Old theater equipment removed during a renovation. Misc. Motiograph equipment- 2-Arc lamp rectifiers, 1- SE-7520 Audio amplifier power supply(www.audioanthology.com/audio5.htm) and an unknown piece of equipment.

kuntasensei

pdxfj wrote: »

Lots of potential there. "The Majestic" comes to mind.

Get ready to see a lot of the smaller theaters like that disappear starting this year. Most studios will no longer ship film since everything is moving to digital. Smaller theaters are likely unable to afford the cost of upgrading to a new digital projector.

We have a local theater called The Crescent that ran into that problem. They did Kickstarter and ended up getting the funds they needed to go digital. Kinda' glad they're gonna stick around. The guy who runs it sells beer and snacks on the honor system - you get what you want and pay before you leave - and also has a small library of DVDs available to check out, also on the honor system. Pretty cool that it's working for him.