Ornate movie palace opening September 24, 1926 with a Fanchon & Marco stage presentation, Lipshultz and His Syncopated Soloist, plus the feature film Young April.
The elaborate interior decorations, by Gustav F. Lijestrom, modeled after three of Imperial China’s most spectacular architectural achievements.
1940 Postcard with Strange Cargo on the marquee:
Contemporary postcard of the interior (photo copyright Dick Busher):
On back:
“Originally built in 1926, the 5th Avenue Theatre was one of Seattle’s leading movie theatres until the mid 1970s. In 1980, after an extensive $2.6 million renovation, The 5th Avenue emerged as Seattle’s newest performing arts facility, and is now home to The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company.”
Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.
Cezar 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 editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.
He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2016: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.
Now selling “vintage” on Etsy.
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