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Plaza Theatre

Schenectady, New York, USA

First Opened: 28th August 1931 (94 years ago)

Demolished: 1964

Atmospheric Style: Spanish Garden

Architect: John Eberson

Status: Demolished

Former Name: RKO Plaza Theatre

Address: 617 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305

Overview

The 2,400-seat RKO Plaza Theatre opened in late August 1931 with The Smiling Lieutenant (1931) starring Maurice Chevalier. Joseph Plunkett, vice-president and general manager of RKO Theatres, was master of ceremonies.

Architect John Eberson described the theatre: “The Plaza constitutes a style designed to create the perfect mood for enjoyment of motion pictures. With the stars twinkling overhead, soft banks of clouds drifting by and a moon-drenched garden as the auditorium, the cares of the day vanish and the mind is free to abandon itself completely to the pleasures of the entertainment”.

The theatre was demolished in 1964, to be replaced by a hotel, however those plans never came to fruition. It ultimately became the site of a multi-level parking structure.

Further Reading

Online

The Plaza Theatre on Cinema Treasures.

Historic Photos & Documents

News of architect John Eberson’s travels in planning the theatre, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (160KB PDF)

News of architect John Eberson’s travels in planning the theatre, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (160KB PDF)

The theatre under construction, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (JPG)

The theatre under construction, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (JPG)

Opening Ad, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>rivest266</i> (JPG)

Opening Ad, courtesy Cinema Treasures user rivest266 (JPG)

Report on John Eberson’s design for the theatre, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (760KB PDF)

Report on John Eberson’s design for the theatre, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (760KB PDF)

Report of the theatre’s opening in late August 1931, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (470KB PDF)

Report of the theatre’s opening in late August 1931, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (470KB PDF)

Newspaper reproductions from the theatre’s opening night, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (JPG)

Newspaper reproductions from the theatre’s opening night, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (JPG)

Auditorium, date unknown but likely to be 1931, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (JPG)

Auditorium, date unknown but likely to be 1931, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (JPG)

Exterior in the early 1930s, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (JPG)

Exterior in the early 1930s, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (JPG)

Report of the theatre’s acoustics, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (320KB PDF)

Report of the theatre’s acoustics, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (320KB PDF)

News of the theatre’s demolition in 1964, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>Derrick Paul</i> (380KB PDF)

News of the theatre’s demolition in 1964, courtesy Cinema Treasures user Derrick Paul (380KB PDF)

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Photographs copyright © 2002-2025 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2025 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

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