1936: E. STATE AT MONTGOMERY

There's a strange emotional reaction that I get as I view these incredible Duke University Library Maxwell photos of yesteryear. This photo was taken when I was only 3 years old and I never got to see that Orpheum sign. By the time I was old enough to go "downtown with my Mom," it had changed to the Mayfair. Thanks to the extraordinary features of Photoshop, I was able to lighten all those buildings in the left foreground from the Orpheum sign the edge of the photo. This is a zoomed in extract of the original photo which appears in an earlier post.

1934: THE ORPHEUM AND STACY THEATERS, E. STATE STREET

How I love this photo! The clarity is remarkable. Years ago, many professional photographers used the classic "Graflex" camera, and I would be that these Maxwell photos were produced by that camera. I have an intense interest in photos of old Trenton, and when theaters appear in the photos, I am completely fascinated. For those too young to know, the old Orpheum theater was replaced by the Mayfair; one of Trenton's first run theaters. I remember going there as a boy with my father to see "Destroyer" with Glenn Ford and Edward G. Robinson. I was completely overwhelmed with the blue mirrors that lined the walls as you entered that beautiful theater.

1936: EAST STATE AND MONTGOMERY STREET

A REMINDER TO NEWCOMERS: RIGHT CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC, CHOOSE "OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW," LEFT CLICK ON THE MAGNIFYING GLASS.

Remember Sam's Shoe Shop?" Here's another visit to the Trenton during her golden years. The clarity of these R.C. Maxwell/Duke University Archives photos is absolutely incredible. For those who are in the younger generation, the "Orpheum" theater in the photo, was ultimately the location of the "Mayfair;" one of my favorite downtown theaters. I still remember those blue mirror tiles they had at the entrance. The Mayfair was an upscale Trenton theater.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...YOU REALLY HIT THE JACK POT TODAY FOR MEMORIES OF MY DELIVERING MAIL DURING THE 50'S TO ALL THE SECTION YOU'RE DISPLAYING TODAY. WHO CAN FORGET THE COMFORT STATION ON THE CORNER OF STATE AND MONTGOMERY AND THE OLD POST OFFICE AND FEDERAL BUILDING ON THE SAME CORNER. THE ORPHEUM WAS ONE OF GEORGE B. TEN EYCK'S THEATRES ALONG WITH THE GAIETY ON SOUTH OLDEN AVENUE WHERE HE LET THE KIDS IN FREE ON SAT. MORNINGS DURING THE DEPRESSION.

Once again, Ralph, an interesting insight from a guy who was there!

Tom Glover

Blake Bolinger said...

Tom - These R.C. Maxwell photos are terrific, and you enhancements make them so vivid. Thanks so much for posting (and thereby preserving) these.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

1941: THE NEW STACY THEATER (MAYFAIR?)

OK my dear visitors, I will need help with this confusing graphic. First off, there is a tear in the graphic. All that I could find from the date was the truncated letters, "ary. Thus the dated is obviously January of February, 1941. I must admit that I wondered why in the world the H&H Amusement Company chose the name of the Stacy Theater which was also on the opposite side of E. State Street. I can only assume that the theater shown in the graphic above became the Mayfair. I do know that the Mayfair took the place of the old Orpheum Theater.

FROM RALPH LUCARELLA:
Hi Tom: I believe the Hildinger family also owned the Strand, Greenwood and Center Theatres in addition to the Stacy and Orpheum. I remember when this happened and always thought the new name would be Mayfair and the Stacy would stay the same. Regards.

Thanks, Ralph.