Give Back When You Give Gifts!

Tis the season – and we need all the holiday helpers we can get, right?  Why not help THS at the same time?

If you plan to buy online, shop through GoodShop and every time you buy from the 2,600 top online retailers a percentage of your purchases will go to THS!   You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to your charity! PLUS the site also has thousands of money-saving coupons!  

Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx and enter Theatre Historical Society as your cause.  

Only orders placed clicking through the GoodShop OR with the GoodSearch toolbar will be credited to THS. For instance, to shop Amazon.com you must click-through from GoodShop. 

In the meantime, don’t forget to use GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com) when you search the web.  About a penny per search will be donated to THS when you use the Yahoo powered search engine.  Enter Theatre Historical Society as your cause for THS to receive credit for the search.

Columbus, OH – Archive Director Kathy McLeister Visits CAPA

Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH / photo by Kathy McLeister

THS Archive Director Kathy McLeister was in the Buckeye state today to meet with staff and volunteers of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA). CAPA, a non-profit arts and theater management organization based in Columbus, Ohio, is exploring creating their own archives.

Kathy was on-site at the Ohio Theatre to lend her expertise to answer basic questions, define general guidelines for what to keep and how to organize their records, sources for archival supplies, and provide suggestions for arrangement and storage of the materials. The discussion also covered preservation advice, equipment and software recommendations, and some thoughts on how and where to get started. She also provided some sample documents and offered to be of assistance in the future if they had further questions.

CAPA was formed in 1969 to raise money to save the Ohio Theatre, a 1928 movie palace, from demolition and revive it for use as a performing arts center.  CAPA is also the owner and operator of downtown Columbus’ historic Palace (1926) and Southern Theatres (1896), and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre (1928), and Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT).  http://www.capa.com/about-capa/

Elmhurst, IL-Cub Scouts Visit the THS Museum

A Cub Scout tour group poses beneath the museum’s interactive exhibit about marquees. / photo by Theatre Historical Society of America

Theatre Historical Society was pleased to host the  Cub Scouts Pack 26  at the American Theatre Architecture Museum this afternoon.  The group of boys paid a visit to learn about theatres before going downstairs to the York Theatre to enjoy Wreck-It Ralph 3D.  The boys were especially interested in the  3D portion of the museum’s current exhibit about the transition from film to digital movies.  They also loved the “atmospheric sky” above the Avalon Theatre model, the Motiograph film projector, and the interactive marquee on the photo enlargement of the Paradise Theatre.

THS is pleased to host group events by prior appointment.  If you would like to schedule a visit, contact the office at 630-782-1800.

Historic theater in Beverly Hills an empty shell [Calif.]

Decorator and longtime THS member Joe Musil mentioned in this article about the Regina/Fine Arts Theatre, Los Angeles.

Regina/Fine Arts Theatre, Los Angeles, CA circa 1998 / photo by Ron Brodie from the Theatre Historical Society archives

The Fine Arts once thrived as a venue for small premieres, drawing A-listers on any given night and plaudits from nearby residents. It closed in 2009 and is on the market for $4 million.

By Corina Knoll, Los Angeles Times

November 13, 2012, 4:06 a.m.

 

The renowned designer had a mission: to “transform this Wilshire Boulevard cracker box into a sumptuous palace.”

So Joseph J. Musil ordered up red velour seats, gold sconces, a sunburst ceiling and a lobby carpeted in crimson for the 1993 renovation of the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills. Shimmery black curtains swept back to reveal the giant screen. The place thrived as a venue for small premieres, drawing A-listers on any given night and plaudits from nearby residents.

But it wasn’t enough. Unable to stay afloat, the Fine Arts closed in 2009. An Indian company’s plan to reopen it to screen Bollywood films fell through. The theater became an empty shell.

And so it remains…

For the complete story, visit http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fine-arts-theater-20121113,0,4089738.story

THS Member in the News: Central NY’s BILL KNOWLTON

A long time member, Bill Knowlton wears many hats.  Historic theaters are one of his passions – Bill was a founding board member of the Landmark Theater (Loew’s State) in Syracuse and continues to be a fierce supporter of that magnificent house today.

Bill is also well known as a bluegrass aficionado and historian of this great form of American music.   We hope you enjoy this enlightening article about a Central New York living legend!

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20121104/CURR04/711049912

 

James Nederlander to be named a NYC Living Landmark

James M. Nedelander

The New York Landmarks Conservancy presents the 19th annual Living Landmarks Celebration Nov. 8 at the Plaza. Liza Minnelli, James M. Nederlander and James L. Nederlander are among the 2012 honorees.

Other 2012 honorees include chef Daniel Boulud, real estate icon Peter L. Malkin and business executive E. John Rosenwald, Jr. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro will receive the Lew Rudin Living Landmark Award for Public Service.

For the full story click here: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/171964-Liza-Minnelli-James-M-and-James-L-Nederlander-Are-Honored-as-Living-Landmarks-at-Nov-8-Gala-in-NYC

THS has been working with the Nederlander Organization to assemble materials relating to their 100th anniversary.  Later this month, they will be launching a new interactive timeline highlighting their many achievements.  THS VP Mike Hauser, Publications Director Ken Bloom and Archive Director Kathy McLeister have played a vital role, working with Nederlander’s Marketing Director Susan Lee.  Look for more information coming to you via Readerboard very soon!

I Found It In The Archives!

Recently staff and volunteers were sorting through a “found” box of photographs.  The box contained images taken by and/or of THS members.  Several photos are labeled as early THS Conclave/Theatre Tours or Board meetings.  The picture below is supposed to be from the very first Conclave/Theatre Tour.  Staff could not identify everyone in the photo.  The identified people are Bro. Andrew Corsini (3rd from left), Ben M. Hall (fourth from left), and Frank Cronican (fifth from left).

Can you name any of those seated at the table? 

UPDATE: Craig Morrison has identified himself and his ex Mary as those seated as first and second from the left.

THS first Conclave/Theatre Tour / photo from Fr. Francis Early

Thank you, Richard!

Richard Sklenar, THS President Karen Noonan, and the late Joe Ducibella

December 1st will close a chapter in the history books of THS as longtime member and employee, Richard Sklenar officially retires.  Richard was an active member long before he became Executive Director in 1993.  For the last 18 years he has admirably maintained the daily operations at headquarters, safeguarding our assets through lean years and positioning THS for growth in the future.

Since June of this year Richard has organized our Community Outreach efforts and worked closely with Publications Director, Ken Bloom to produce Marquee.  He has also been an invaluable asset to our new Executive Director Rick, sharing his extensive knowledge and concise observation on the history and development of THS.  His presence during the leadership transition has facilitated uninterrupted service to our members and advanced our shared mission.

Today marks Richard’s last day in the office as he will be utilizing his accumulated vacation days throughout November.

As we reflect, we recognize and applaud Richard’s achievements and many years of service to THS.  Likewise, we acknowledge that his many accomplishments are rewarded with a well deserved rest.  We wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his life.

Tower, Los Angeles tours “sold out”

The Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times photo.

The Tower Theatre in downtown L.A., long a filming location, will be transformed into a concert venue. Final behind-the-scenes tours of the building were led by THS Board member Ed Kelsey and Hillsman Wright of the Los Angeles Historic Theatres Foundation. Thanks to Ted Gooding for the link. Ted took us to the Tower for a tour during the 1998 Conclave / Theatre Tour in the Los Angeles area:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tower-theater-20121026,0,7443518.story?track=rss

THS members accompany silent horror films for Halloween

Dr. Caligari and friend

Wednesday Oct. 31, 8pm, member Clark Wilson accompanies The Cat and the Canary, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 11 S. Grand, Los Angeles on its concert organ. www.LAPhil.com

Sunday Oct 28, 3pm, member Wayne Zimmerman accompanies Nosferatu at the Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA on the Wurlitzer pipe organ owned by the Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley. Proceeds to benefit the organ. http://tosdv.org/

Wednesday Oct. 31, 7 pm member Mark Herman accompanies Keaton’s The Haunted House plus the full length The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis on the newly restored concert pipe organ.

Sunday Oct. 28 3pm non-member Bernie Anderson, Jr. accompanies The Phantom of the Opera on the original installation 4 manual 26 rank Wurlitzer at Long Island University’s Metcalf Building, Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues, Brooklyn, NY. This is the former Brooklyn Paramount Theatre converted to a gymnasium.