A Trip to the Badger State

“On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Grand old badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters,
Hail thee, good and great.”

State song written by J. S. Hubbard and Charles D. Rosa
Composed by William T. Purdy

Al Ringling Theatre
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Postally Unused

Excerpts from back of postcard:
“Interior view of the Al Ringling Theater, designed from the Grand Opera Hall, built 1753-70 by Louis XV, as a unit of the Famous Palace of Versailles, near Paris.”

“This Red, Plush, Gold Lined Jewel Box is the Greatest Masterpiece of European Architecture ever used in an American Theater.”

Al Ringling Theatre
Evergreene Architectural Arts
Haunted Baraboo
Isthmus Architecture

Oriental Theatre
2230 North Farwell Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Postally Unused

From back of postcard:
“The Oriental Theatre was designed by local architects Dick and Bauer, and opened in July, 1927. With an exotic blend of Far East stylings, the spectacular lobby and auditorium feature an array of guardian lions, a trio of chandeliers and over 100 elephants.”

Oriental Theatre  
Historic Milwaukee
Instagram
OnMilwaukee

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.

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.

Private walks also available.

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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Greetings from “The City of Goodwill”

Postally Unused (circa 1955)

On back of postcard:
“Spectacular view of Third Street looking south in the central business district.”

Double feature at the Garden (formerly the Winter Garden) Theatre:

Johnny Dark (1954)

The Man Without a Star (1955)

Winter Garden Theatre

Seattle Historical Sites

Postally Unused (circa 1962)

Printed on back of postcard:
“Interior of Seattle’s beautiful Opera House with a seating capacity of 3077. Its near perfect acoustic and completely unobstructed seating make this concert hall one of the finest kn the world. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.”

Written on back:
“This opera house [?] built in time to open for last year’s World Fair. It is one of the fine permanent iconic center buildings and used by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, local opera groups and outstanding attractions.” 
Unable to make out signature. Card addressed but apparently never sent.

Seattle Opera House

Tripadvisor

On a Budget

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.

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.

Private walks also available.

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

Medotcom

“Follow Me to Tennessee”

“Follow me to Tennessee

It’s where all the action is.

Follow me to Tennessee.”
–from the song by Michael Stegner

 

 

Postally Unused:

 

Visit Clarksville:
The present Roxy Theatre opened in 1947, showing first-run movies until 1980. In 1983, the Roxy Regional Theatre opened for live theatre and in 1995, a professional company was created to supply the great demand for Shakespeare, other classics, school curriculum-based productions and holiday shows.”

Roxy Regional Theatre

City Moves Forward on new Roxy building.

 

Postally Unused:

 

From back of postcard:
“Memphis is the greatest inland cotton market in the world, the world’s largest hardwood lumber producing market, located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, about midway between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.”

Bette Davis in Marked Woman (1937) at the Warner.

Lost Memphis:
“I’ve written before about the grand old Warner Theater. Erected on Main Street in 1921, and originally called the Pantages Theatre, this 1,900-seat showplace was one of the largest and most popular movie palaces in town.”

Memphis Magazine:
“One of Memphis’ grandest theatres was demolished to make way for Commerce Square.”

Historic Memphis

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.

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.

Private walks also available.

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

Medotcom

Welcome to Vienna

“Wiener Staatsoper is one of the leading opera houses in the world. Its past is steeped in tradition. Its present is alive with richly varied performances and events. Each season, the schedule features 350 performances of more than 60 different operas and ballets.”

From their website

 

Three postally unused cards

 

 

Panorama Tour

 

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.

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.

Private walks also available.

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

Medotcom

 

Greetings from Hollywood

Two large size postcards of the Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, California.

Grauman’s, contemporary  postcard, postally unused:

Back of postcard:
“Construction of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre nears completion as shown here in 1927.”
“Published and Distributed by Olde Tyme Photo Cards, Los Angeles”

 

Ted Mann purchased the theater in 1973 , postally unused:

Back of postcard:
“Inspired by a trip to China, showmen Sid Grauman built the Chinese Theatre to host extravagant premieres for his pictures, The courtyard is the world’s largest autograph book, boasting the signatures and foot prints of Hollywood legends both past and present.”
“Designed and printed by The Postcard Factory”

On January 11, 2013, Chinese electronics manufacturer TCL Corporation purchased the facility’s naming rights, under which it is officially known as TCL Chinese Theatre.

TLC Chinese Theatres

Hollywood Footprints

 

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.

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.

Private walks also available.

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

Medotcom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relax and See A Good Movie

Postmarked Mar 13, 1922
Written on the back:
“How’s this for a theatre? It really is very nice.”

American Theatre

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle is celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

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.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

 

 

 

 

Greetings from the Jersey Shore

Julie at the Moorlyn (1967)

From back of postcard:
“Ocean City, New Jersey Famous Boardwalk

Moorlyn Family Theatre

To be a rich man at the Ocean Theatre, Wildwood (1971)

A glimpse of the Ocean Theatre in reel six of “Touched” (1983)

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  and Amazon.

Premiere Night at the Carthay Circle

Carthay Circle Theatre, 6316 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Opened  May 18, 1926 with Cecil B. DeMille’s Pictures “The Volga Boatman”.
.

On back of postcard:
“Carthay Circle Theatre, scene of many a gala Premiere, where throngs of movie fans collect to see the celebrities attending.”

Final film: The Shoes of the Fisherman
Demolished in 1969

 

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  and Amazon.

Happy and Prosperous 1914 from the Gem

Postally unused promotional postcard from the Gem Theatre, announcing its “annual calendar.”

 

 

 

Postcard 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.

5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

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.”

The 5th Avenue Theatre

360 Degree Tour

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.