American Theatre: Difference between revisions
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=Introduction= | ==Introduction== | ||
The American Theater at 289 River St. was a movie theater that opened up in Troy sometime in the early 1920’s. It was opened alongside another movie theater, the State Theater, on 4th street, which was eventually demolished to make way for a parking lot in the 1960s. | |||
==History== | |||
The American Theatre was owned by many different chains and operated as a standard movie theater until the 1960’s. Towards the end of the 1960’s pornographic movie theaters were making their way across the country. This surge combined with the waning state of downtown Troy made the American Theatre a prime spot for conversion. In the late 60’s ownership was given over to a local man who converted the theater into one that showed adult films. The theater has also gone by many names during its operation, including the Cinema Art Theater and Cinema Art Show World. The movie theater remained in operation until its doors were closed in March 2006, following a police raid. | |||
==Closing== | |||
In 2006, a police investigation on the theater was started after a woman wrote an anonymous letter to the mayor, Harry Tutunjian. The woman was concerned that her boyfriend was prostituting himself inside the establishment. Adult movie theaters are already not the most upstanding business, but it seems even seedier activities were going on behind the doors of the theater. | |||
The theater had installed booths where people could watch a movie in private, but some people were using these booths for a place to engage in sexual acts. Investigators went undercover in chat rooms people were using to make plans to meet up at the theater and engage in these acts. In addition to that, investigators went into the theater on several occasions. The inside was very unkempt, and found to be in violation of many building and health regulations. After a several month investigation, the Troy Police Department, in conjunction with the New York State Police, conducted a raid on the building, ceasing its operation. | |||
==Revival== | |||
The original building of the American Theatre is still up on River street, and it may in fact be opening its doors again. Through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and New York State’s Downtown Revival Initiative Grant, the Proctor's Theatre Collective will be getting 1.5 million dollars to renovate the theater. Including all streams of funding, the theater will have 3.4 million dollars at its disposal to get people back in seats. It is projected that the theater will see 30,000 visitors annually after its revival. Plans are for the venue to not only show films after its reopening, but also have live music events alongside other artistic showings. | |||
==References== | |||
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6336 | |||
https://www.troyrecord.com/2006/03/04/partys-over-cops-close-down-cinema-art/ | |||
https://www.troyrecord.com/2006/03/03/last-picture-show-cinema-art-raided/ | |||
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/NYS-approves-9-7-million-for-Troy-downtown-17654674.php | |||
https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2021/12/28/troy-commits-1-million-former-american-theater.html | |||
Revision as of 18:03, 2 February 2023
Introduction
The American Theater at 289 River St. was a movie theater that opened up in Troy sometime in the early 1920’s. It was opened alongside another movie theater, the State Theater, on 4th street, which was eventually demolished to make way for a parking lot in the 1960s.
History
The American Theatre was owned by many different chains and operated as a standard movie theater until the 1960’s. Towards the end of the 1960’s pornographic movie theaters were making their way across the country. This surge combined with the waning state of downtown Troy made the American Theatre a prime spot for conversion. In the late 60’s ownership was given over to a local man who converted the theater into one that showed adult films. The theater has also gone by many names during its operation, including the Cinema Art Theater and Cinema Art Show World. The movie theater remained in operation until its doors were closed in March 2006, following a police raid.
Closing
In 2006, a police investigation on the theater was started after a woman wrote an anonymous letter to the mayor, Harry Tutunjian. The woman was concerned that her boyfriend was prostituting himself inside the establishment. Adult movie theaters are already not the most upstanding business, but it seems even seedier activities were going on behind the doors of the theater.
The theater had installed booths where people could watch a movie in private, but some people were using these booths for a place to engage in sexual acts. Investigators went undercover in chat rooms people were using to make plans to meet up at the theater and engage in these acts. In addition to that, investigators went into the theater on several occasions. The inside was very unkempt, and found to be in violation of many building and health regulations. After a several month investigation, the Troy Police Department, in conjunction with the New York State Police, conducted a raid on the building, ceasing its operation.
Revival
The original building of the American Theatre is still up on River street, and it may in fact be opening its doors again. Through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and New York State’s Downtown Revival Initiative Grant, the Proctor's Theatre Collective will be getting 1.5 million dollars to renovate the theater. Including all streams of funding, the theater will have 3.4 million dollars at its disposal to get people back in seats. It is projected that the theater will see 30,000 visitors annually after its revival. Plans are for the venue to not only show films after its reopening, but also have live music events alongside other artistic showings.
References
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6336
https://www.troyrecord.com/2006/03/04/partys-over-cops-close-down-cinema-art/
https://www.troyrecord.com/2006/03/03/last-picture-show-cinema-art-raided/
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/NYS-approves-9-7-million-for-Troy-downtown-17654674.php