Shuffle Off to Buffalo

Postally unused, circa 1916:

“Washington Street, seen here looking north from Lafayette Square in 1916, was second only to Main Street in urban intensity. At the left is the Olympic Theatre, a motion picture and vaudeville house opened in 1914. Next door is Seames & Zeitler’s Park Hof, a German restaurant, beer hall, and cabaret built in 1908. At the right, the New Family Theatre advertises five cent ‘photoplays,’ an antiquated term for motion picture.”

From The Public , “Western New York’s true alternative media source” 

In the background is the New Lyric offering movies and vaudeville.

Postally Unused:

On the marquee at Shea’s Buffalo: “Sol Hurok Presents Sadler Wells Theatre Ballet”.

“When Shea’s Buffalo Theatre was made a National Historic Site in 1975, restoration began in earnest to return the theater to its original appearance as it was when “The Wonder Theatre” opened in January 1926. From hand-stenciling over 7,000 square feet of walls to repairing the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, we continue with our restoration efforts to this day.”

From their website

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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Temple Theatre, 413 Exchange Street, Geneva, NY

Opened January 20, 1912:

A stage, for vaudeville, was added in 1913, with Leon Lempert Jr., as architect.

Excerpts Moving Picture World, March 11, 1916:
“Mr. Pierce’s*  prices of admission are 10, 15 and 20 cents. He says his patrons want 80 per cent moving pictures and 20 per cent vaudeville.”

“Receiving  hints from the Strand theater, New York, Mr. Pierce has arranged his stage in an elaborate fashion and has built a $5,000 lobby. He has an orchestra of five pieces.”

“He is meeting with success in serving his high-class patrons. He will probably dispense with vaudeville entirely.”

*Frank C. Pierce, of Pierce & Nagle, proprietors of the 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.

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.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index.

AboutMe

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Medotcom

Juneau Theatre, Milwaukee

Interior Circa 1910:

UMN Libraries, University of Wisconsin:
“Juneau Theater at 609 Mitchell Street opened in 1910 as a vaudeville stage. Several years later, the Saxe brothers leased the theater and showed movies there. The Juneau closed in 1965 and the building was converted into office and retail space.”

 

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.

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.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Rockland Theatre, Rockland, Maine

“Keith’s Vaudeville” and “refined photo plays” at the Rockland Theatre.

Postmarked August 24, 1915

Rockland Historical Society:
“The Rockland Theatre was located at 12 Park Street. It became the Park Theatre in 1921 and the Knox Theatre in 1952. The building was torn down in 1962.”

 

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, legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle has been conducting a popular series of  theatre talks and walks. Currently accepting bookings for 2017:  historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.

He has also joined with Local Expeditions to present a series of walking tours.

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.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

 

Greetings from Coney Island

 Sunday July 12, 2015, 11am
Cezar Del Valle, author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index Volume III, hosts the
cHURCH OF MONICA (Open Source Gallery) and discusses his new book about the history of Coney Island theatre.

The Bowery, Postmarked June 25, 1910:

Written on the back of postcard:
“I did not get in the crowd it was to hot”–Ea[K or R?]

Henderson’s is in the background, on the left, of the above postcard.

 Postmarked: July 29, 1909:

Excerpt from back of postcard:
“I signed with Grace Van Studdiford*”–Hilda

* Grace Van Studdiford, actress and co-producer (with Charles Bradley) of the Grace Van Studdiford Amusement Company, which specialized in comedy and opera.

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 theTheatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015-2016: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Now selling “vintage” on Etsy.

Greetings from Atlantic City, New Jersey

From back of postcard:
“Strolling on the famous Ten Mile Boardwalk. In the background is the entrance to Steel Pier which extends a half mile out to sea.”

From the back of the postcard:
“View of Center City Boardwalk. Visitors enjoy miles of this relaxing promenade, lined with colorful and attractive stores.”

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 theTheatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Now selling “vintage” on Etsy.