First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre: Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown
Dublin Core
Title
First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre: Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown
Alternative Title
First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre
Subject
Sanford (Fla.)
Theaters--Florida
Film
Movies
Description
Newspaper article on the showing of a film at the Milane Theatre that would depict scenes in Sanford, Florida. Such scenes include the construction of new buildings, images of Sanford High School and South Side Primary School, and pictures of local residents such as Edward F. Lane and J. E. Pace.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans for the Milane. The name of the new theater was derived from the combination of the presidents of the Milane Amusement Company president and vice president: Frank L. Miller and Edward F. Lane. The Milane opened in July of 1923 and seated 823 patrons. In 1933, the Milane was sold to Frank and Stella Evans, investors from Lake Mary, Florida. The new owners renamed their business the Ritz Theater and held the property until the 1990s. However, the Ritz struggled financially in the 1960s and closed in 1978 due to failure to compete with the new multiplex theaters. The building remained vacant until 1984, when it reopened as the Showtime Cantina. The Showtime Cantina closed in 1988 and remained vacant and in decay. In the mid-1990s, Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. acquired the property and began rehabilitation in 1998. On May 6, 2000, the theater reopened as the Helen Stairs Theatre in honor of the citizen who led the restoration project, Helen Stairs. The following year, the location was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008, additional renovations were completed at the theater was renamed the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in honor of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust Fund for contributing to the renovations fund.
The Milane Theatre was built at 203 South Magnolia Avenue in Sanford, the former location of the Star Theatre, an abandoned movie house. Scroggs and Ewing, architects from Georgia, prepared the plans for the Milane. The name of the new theater was derived from the combination of the presidents of the Milane Amusement Company president and vice president: Frank L. Miller and Edward F. Lane. The Milane opened in July of 1923 and seated 823 patrons. In 1933, the Milane was sold to Frank and Stella Evans, investors from Lake Mary, Florida. The new owners renamed their business the Ritz Theater and held the property until the 1990s. However, the Ritz struggled financially in the 1960s and closed in 1978 due to failure to compete with the new multiplex theaters. The building remained vacant until 1984, when it reopened as the Showtime Cantina. The Showtime Cantina closed in 1988 and remained vacant and in decay. In the mid-1990s, Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. acquired the property and began rehabilitation in 1998. On May 6, 2000, the theater reopened as the Helen Stairs Theatre in honor of the citizen who led the restoration project, Helen Stairs. The following year, the location was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008, additional renovations were completed at the theater was renamed the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in honor of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust Fund for contributing to the renovations fund.
Source
Photocopy of original newspaper article: The Sanford Herald, August 15, 1923: Milane Theater Collection, Sanford Museum, Sanford, Florida.
Publisher
Date Created
ca. 1923-08-15
Date Copyrighted
1923-08-15
Date Issued
1923-08-15
Has Format
Original newspaper article: The Sanford Herald, August 15, 1923.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of photocopied newspaper article: The Sanford Herald, August 15, 1923.
Is Part Of
The Sanford Herald, August 15, 1923.
Milane Theater Collection, Sanford Museum, Sanford, Florida.
Milane Theatre Collection, Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
724 KB
Medium
1 newspaper article
Language
eng
Type
Text
Coverage
Sanford, Florida
Spatial Coverage
28.810527, -81.266859
28.804472, -81.265913
Temporal Coverage
1923-08-15/1923-08-15
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Economics Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by The Sanford Herald.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by The Sanford Herald and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
External Reference
"Helen Stairs Theatre." StageClick. http://www.stageclick.com/venue/457.aspx.
"Theater History." Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. http://www.wdpac.com/footer-menu/theater-history/.
"Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center." Seminole County: Florida's Natural Choice. http://www.visitseminole.com/things-to-do/general/wayne-densch-performing-arts-center.
External Reference Title
Transcript
First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre
______________
Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown
_____________
the writer was privileged to witness the first showing of the film depicting Sanford scenes this morning at the Milane Theatre and can truthfully say that it is one of the brightest and clearest pictures ever shown here.
The new buildings are shown in the course of construction, as well as nearly all the larger buildings of the city, street scenes and pictures of the High School and South Side primary schools are so clear that each scholar is easily recognized, and the pictures of Connelly and Pearman are as homely as lifelike. Ed. Lane is easily recognized, as are the pictures of J. E. Pace, recently deceased, who is shown overseeing his celery farm. The different clubs of the city and many other interesting views are clearly shown, and the value of the film as an advertising medium will be great. The date for the public showing has not been announced, but the Herald wants every resident of the city to see it and will let you know when the opportunity comes and earnestly entreats you not to miss it.
______________
Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown
_____________
the writer was privileged to witness the first showing of the film depicting Sanford scenes this morning at the Milane Theatre and can truthfully say that it is one of the brightest and clearest pictures ever shown here.
The new buildings are shown in the course of construction, as well as nearly all the larger buildings of the city, street scenes and pictures of the High School and South Side primary schools are so clear that each scholar is easily recognized, and the pictures of Connelly and Pearman are as homely as lifelike. Ed. Lane is easily recognized, as are the pictures of J. E. Pace, recently deceased, who is shown overseeing his celery farm. The different clubs of the city and many other interesting views are clearly shown, and the value of the film as an advertising medium will be great. The date for the public showing has not been announced, but the Herald wants every resident of the city to see it and will let you know when the opportunity comes and earnestly entreats you not to miss it.
Document Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 newspaper article
Collection
Citation
“First Showing of Sanford Picture at Milane Theatre: Is a Bright, Clear Picture and Sure to Draw Large Crowd When Shown,” RICHES, accessed April 27, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/1085.