Greetings from a World Premiere

Postally Unused, 1956

From back of postcard:
“The Chinese Theatre has been the scene of many gala world premieres. Thousands of cheering fans line the streets and gather outside the theatre, to enthusiastically greet the hundreds of illustrious stars and celebrities that attend.”

TLC Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Forecourt of Stars

 

Postally Unused:

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

Carthay Circle Theatre

Carthay Circle Theatre-Little Known Facts

 

Postally Unused:

 From back of postcard:

“The only theatre of it’s kind in the world. Located in the Cinerama Center, Sunset and Ivar, Hollywood, it is the first geodesic dome in concrete anywhere in the world. It is the first major theatre built in Hollywood in 35 years.

It is an endless network of electronic marvels.  Gold is the dominant color in the richly fabricated carpet and drapes. Striking innovations in lighting and luxurious seating provide unbelievable comfort and beauty.” 

Cinerama Dome

Save the Cinerama Dome 

 

 

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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My Kind of Town

“My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of razzmatazz
And it has all that jazz”

composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn

 

Postally Unused

From back of postcard:
“Chicago’s State Street features the famous Chicago Theatre among many hot spots.”

 

Chicago Theatre

 

Postally Unused (circa 1947):

State Lake Theatre

Telenews Theatre

History of State Street: How it Remained a Great Street

League of Chicago Theatres

 

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.

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

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco April 18, 1906

The Museum of the City of San Francisco:
“ April 18, 1906
San Francisco was wrecked by a Great Earthquake at 5:13 a.m., and then destroyed by the seventh Great Fire that burned for four days. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of trapped persons died when South-of-Market tenements collapsed as the ground liquefied beneath them. Most of those buildings immediately caught fire, and trapped victims could not be rescued. Reevaluation of the 1906 data, during the 1980s, placed the total earthquake death toll at more than 3,000 from all causes. Damage was estimated at $500,000,000 in 1906 dollars.”

Postally Unused

Majestic Theatre

SMU Libraries

Postmarked July 15, 1907

Written on front of card: “This theatre burned down during the fire after the quake.”

New Chinese Theatre

The San Francisco Chinese Community and Earthquake Damage

 

When the Earth Trembled, what may be the first fictional movie account of the San Francisco earthquake

 

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.

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

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Medotcom

Draped Presidential Box

Postally Unused

From back of postcard:
“The restored interior of Ford’s Theatre, showing the flag draped Presidential Box, as it was the night of Lincoln’s assassination, April 14, 1865.”

Ford’s Theatre

Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination

 

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.

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 Motor City

Postally Unused Card

On back of postcard:
“Woodward Avenue–the world’s finest and busiest highway.”

Fox Theatre Detroit

Fox Theatre-Historic Detroit

Postmarked September 30, 1938

From back of postcard:
“In the heart of Detroit’s activities is one of the busiest sections.”

The Family Theatre, bottom left, became the Follies in its final “XXX” days. On July 26, 1973, the building was destroyed in a five–alarm fire during a screening of “Deep Throat.”

Fire Photos

Family Theatre

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.

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

The Pride of the South

Tampa Theatre
711 Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida

Postally unused card, circa 1926:

Exhibitors Herald, January 22, 1927:
“The Tampa theatre is a splendid example of the delightful Mediterranean type so appropriate climatically and historically in Florida.”

Tampa Theatre

Tampa Bay–Tampa Theatre

Haunted Tampa By Theatre

More on the Tampa Theatre at our Theatre Talks website.

“Conveniently located just northeast of downtown [Tampa], Ybor City is the only neighborhood on Florida’s west coast to be designated a National Historic Landmark District.”

Postally unused card

Opening in 1917, the Rivoli Theatre was expanded and renamed the Ritz in the 1930s. “Most of the attendees were Cubans and Italians who worked in the cigar factories.”

After being closed for nearly two years the Ritz reopened June 26, 2008 as a four-room “event venue” catering to weddings, concerts, galas and more.

The Ritz Ybor

Tampa Historical–Ritz Theatre

University of North Florida–Ritz Theatre

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

From a Changing Main Street

Postmarked 1948

Ritz:
Saboteur (1942)

A double feature at the Cameo:
Song of the Islands (1942)
Riders of the Timberline(1941)

Postmarked 1965

Carousel (1956)

Ritz Theatre

Ritz Theatre, Renovation

The Ritz and Hotel Newburgh are now part of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, ” a mixed-use, non-profit housing and arts redevelopment project.”

Newburgh  “is considered the most dangerous [city] in New York and one of the most dangerous in the nation.”

 

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 “the Crossroads of the World”

Postmarked 1950

Excerpts from back of postcard:

“This is Times Square which is the heart of New York’s theatrical district with the New York Times Building marking the division of 7th Ave. from Broadway.”

“The tall building with the clock house is the Paramount Theatre, one of the leading motion picture palaces. Next to it is the Hotel Astor.”

 

Postally Unused (circa 1940)

From back of postcard:

“Times Square, known throughout the world as “The Great White Way” is the magnet and high spot of New York. Here millions of people seek entertainment in the many theatres, night clubs, restaurants, etc.”

 

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 Radio City

Two postally unused postcards.

From back of postcard:
“Seating 6,000, this is the largest auditorium in the world. Moving pictures and lavish stage shows are presented daily.”

 

From back of postcard:
“Showing the largest stage in the world with one of the weekly spectacular footlight productions. The stage is framed by the great proscenium arch, built to resemble a sunburst.”

 

Radio City Music Hall-Official Site

History of Radio City Music Hall

 

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

 

 

From the Gaiety in London

Gaiety Theatre
Aldwych, London, Westminster, WC2, England

The Daily News Wallet Series, circa 1925 (postally unused):

From Theatres Trust:
Built 1903
Dates of Use: 1903-1939
Current State: Demolished’

“The successor to Gaiety (i) (q.v.) was built on a corner site between the new cut of the Aldwych and the newly widened Strand. It opened in 1903 under George Edwardes’s management, continuing the musical comedy policy of the old house and presenting its established stars, including Gertie Miller, Connie Ediss, Ada Reeve and George Grossmith Junior, ensuring that the new house would be a success from the start.”

 

Crowdfunding 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. It 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.

gofundme