Back to Damerosehay: Valentine Theater, Downtown

Monday, November 26, 2007

I'll edit in some comments later.

uncle jim said...: I worked in the Valentine as an usher back in 1960 or so. I haven't been in it since the remake. Your pix suggest they did a good job ... you think so?; November 28, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Jeffrey Smith said...: That's a tricky point. The exterior and the lobbies are very well done. The redone auditorium, however is still just fake Victorian. The 1940's Chinese moderne interior that they tore out was a seriously interesting design, and I think they made a big mistake in getting rid of it.
My main worry there, at the moment is the fact that there was a bad explosion in the basement this weekend that blew out the front wall of the back section ( the old Willard Hotel. ) The most important part of the theater, from a strict design standpoint, is a perfectly preserved, architectural glass and etched crystal restroom. It's in the basement and I haven't been able to find out how it fared. The building's sound, but they have a hell of a mess to clean up.; November 28, 2007 at 1:05 PM
Jeffrey Smith said...: To our anonymous commenter: This blog is not a forum for innuendo; for accusations, without evidence, against people I haven't even met; or for Chicken Little routines. Please don't bother. Call Fred LeFebvre. That's his schtick, not mine.; December 20, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Jeffrey Smith said...: If we've had two anonymous commenters, that goes for both of you.; December 20, 2007 at 9:11 AM