The last movie I saw at the Senate was Tommy, a Rock Opera. It wasn’t even packed, but there were at least a couple hundred people in attendance. A few minutes after intermission, the electricity went out and the theater had to be evacuated.
I seem to recall that one time the Tivoli Thearer, around the corner on 5th Street, was being remodeled and they piled stuff on top of the Senate roof and it collapsed.
When I look at this picture I remember the Senate It was demolished when I was a kid. I also seem to recall Tom & Sally’s..didnt they have a store entrance on 5th street and that building burned down in the early 80’s. Also what was the name of the store at that same corner- I just remember when is was going out of business. It would be great to see pics of the corner building and also along 5th street- where the Tivoli was once.
This was the Senate after they turned it into a two screen theater. I remember the walls being thin and being distracted bythe screams from a horror movie on the other screen. I think the last time I was in there it was for the fantastic animation festival and I was one of about 10 people.
The last movie I saw there was in about 1977 King Kong with Jessica Lange! I would skip school and go to the movies! haha Man I Loved those downtown theaters!
What was in the building with the white awning about two doors down from the Senate Theater? I recently moved to the Lincoln Square Apartments and I think I’m sitting right over that spot now
Every time I see an old movie on TV now (pre-1980s) I think about all the people who probably saw it for the first time almost right over this exact spot.
I remember going to a rerun at the Senate Theater about 1977. They were showing Raquel Welch and Mae West in Myra Breckenridge (1970). At that time many of the downtown theaters were taking their last breath.
Seeing the Senate from then is giving me “Rocky Horror” flashbacks…
Todd L. Gilbert | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
I have a good Senate story I’ll have to share with you sometime.
Dan at BFS | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
The last movie I saw at the Senate was Tommy, a Rock Opera. It wasn’t even packed, but there were at least a couple hundred people in attendance. A few minutes after intermission, the electricity went out and the theater had to be evacuated.
Marie | Dec 23, 2007 | Reply
I seem to recall that one time the Tivoli Thearer, around the corner on 5th Street, was being remodeled and they piled stuff on top of the Senate roof and it collapsed.
David Robinson | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
When I look at this picture I remember the Senate It was demolished when I was a kid. I also seem to recall Tom & Sally’s..didnt they have a store entrance on 5th street and that building burned down in the early 80’s. Also what was the name of the store at that same corner- I just remember when is was going out of business. It would be great to see pics of the corner building and also along 5th street- where the Tivoli was once.
Jay | Jan 20, 2008 | Reply
This was the Senate after they turned it into a two screen theater. I remember the walls being thin and being distracted bythe screams from a horror movie on the other screen. I think the last time I was in there it was for the fantastic animation festival and I was one of about 10 people.
Paul H | May 22, 2008 | Reply
The last movie I saw there was in about 1977 King Kong with Jessica Lange! I would skip school and go to the movies! haha Man I Loved those downtown theaters!
Giuseppe | May 24, 2008 | Reply
What was in the building with the white awning about two doors down from the Senate Theater? I recently moved to the Lincoln Square Apartments and I think I’m sitting right over that spot now
Every time I see an old movie on TV now (pre-1980s) I think about all the people who probably saw it for the first time almost right over this exact spot.
Elaine | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
Hi Elaine,
The business with the white awning was Fox Photo. You can see a better view of it in this shot…
http://www.springfieldrewind.com/500-block-of-monroe-1983
Russ | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
I remember going to a rerun at the Senate Theater about 1977. They were showing Raquel Welch and Mae West in Myra Breckenridge (1970). At that time many of the downtown theaters were taking their last breath.
Mike | Jul 1, 2010 | Reply