Copyright Larry Johnston
Loew’s Jersey Theatre
Jersey City, NJ
While researching local landmarks in my home-town of South Bend, Indiana, I recreated the Old Palace theatre, to make it look like it did in its thriving era. I started a series of the old theatres that were built during the 1920’s, which included the Chicago Theatre. Later I discovered the Loew’s Jersey, which, at the time was in disrepair was closed in 1986.
The fascination to me was the animated clock outside the building, which had two statues above the clock, St. George and a Dragon. There were red light bulbs in the dragon’s mouth which, when lit, simulated fire. On the quarter hour, the clock would chime and the statues would perform and the knight would approach the dragon and tip forward with his lance simulating a lunge.
The theatre was remodeled and reopened in 1996.
Other Theatres I have painted are: The Palace in South Bend, IN; The Reese in Plymouth, IN; Fox in Detroit, Atlanta’s Fox, Fox #2 in Atlanta; The Chicago Theatre; The Los Angeles Theatre; Warner Theatre, Elkhart and the Lerner Sign in Elkhart, Indiana.
24” x 36” Original Painting on Canvas Not Available
