Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Incredible pix of historic theatre

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 06-22-2010, 07:49 PM:

The Orpheum in New Bedford, MA. Built n 1912. Dark, supposedly, for 52 years. Money is being raised to restore it.
http://trigphotography.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=12621916&AlbumKey=C6rot

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-22-2010, 08:16 PM:

Why bother restoring it? It is already perfect! After all, it does have a painting on the ceiling. Just put in a Sanyo digital projector and tape a few sheets of notebook paper to the brick wall for a screen and you're done. The sound doesn't need any work because judging by the interior, the acoustics couldn't be better. And the seats still look usable and very comfortable. Patrons will feel as if they have been magically transported to modern day Detroit.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 06-22-2010, 08:46 PM:

Martin!
Wow what a gem!The pictures are amazing also!

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-22-2010, 10:06 PM:

That B+W film looks rather suspect. Do you have anything to do with the restoration, Martin? Check that film's not nitrate if you do.

Posted by Michael Voiland (Member # 5386) on 06-22-2010, 10:54 PM:

Amazing pictures

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 06-23-2010, 08:28 AM:

John: I've got nothing to do with the restoration, wish I did. If I run into the folks from New Bedford at the LHAT conference, I'll warn them about the film.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-23-2010, 08:36 AM:

I believe that this project has been going on for a few years now. I know that they had some sort of tour of the place a while back, but I was busy and couldn't make it.

New Bedford is a former whaling town, but is somewhat depressed right now. They have several historic theatres there, although the Zeiterion is the only one that is currently open (they have a theatre organ and seem to be reasonably successful with music and live performances).

Posted by Scott Jentsch (Member # 1681) on 06-23-2010, 02:11 PM:

Those photos have an odd, HDR-look to them, don't they?

They just look a little artificial, which distracts from being able to see the theater for what it is...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-23-2010, 06:51 PM:

It looks like something unearthed in an archeological dig! They should leave it alone and just install a pair of rebuilt Powers projectors and only run silent movies...

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-23-2010, 07:03 PM:

wonder what brand organ was in it

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 06-24-2010, 04:03 PM:

There doesn't seem to be a location for an organ. It probably didn't open as a cinema and became one in the '20s. Re-opening it as a public venue is going to be expensive with the wooden floor and balcony structure and likely all the interior structure is wood. Today's fire safety codes require an incredible number of sprinklers in wooden theatres.

Posted by Galen Murphy-Fahlgren (Member # 4535) on 06-25-2010, 01:37 PM:

quote: Scott Jentsch
Those photos have an odd, HDR-look to them, don't they?

They just look a little artificial, which distracts from being able to see the theater for what it is...

I agree. I dislike this form of image manipulation generally, but it certainly does not befit this sort of documentary photography.

Joe, I think if you were to go to any of the existing historical theaters or cultural institutions in Detroit, you might be surprised at just how beautiful a city it is under the urban decay. The Redford Theatre is one example of how Detroit has successfully preserved high culture in the face of almost a half century of economic turmoil and depression, and there are easily a dozen others. In other words, make fun of Detroit if you will, but just know that Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 06-25-2010, 02:29 PM:

I guess it depends on if you consider it documentary or art.

Thanks for the link to the Redford. I saw the outside when I visited Detroit, I wish I could have gotten into see the inside. Yes Detroit really has some great architecture, here's hoping it can be saved and revived.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-25-2010, 07:47 PM:

quote: Galen Murphy-Fahlgren
just know that Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry.

Crap!!!! **runs and hides**

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-26-2010, 09:39 AM:

quote: Galen Murphy-Fahlgren
Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry.

Somebody kidnapped Galen Murphy-Fahlgren and replaced him with Lex Luthor.

Posted by Warren Dewey (Member # 3609) on 06-27-2010, 06:29 PM:

Old theater slide shows by Tim Burton, very cool....

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 06-27-2010, 07:39 PM:

Hey Galen- Thanks for the link to the Redford Theatre site. Wow! Norelcos with Ashcraft lamps. Takes me back in time, for sure. Kudos to the folks in Detroit.

Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 06-29-2010, 05:41 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Somebody kidnapped Galen Murphy-Fahlgren and replaced him with Lex Luthor.

Or a bent auto mogul.

JJ