Babcock Theater Preservation Society Chair Barry Glickstein has mastered the task of hanging letters on the theater marquee
Messages can be placed on both sides of the marquee at the same time by different renters
By Kathryn Ross, pictured is Glickstein hanging out
WELLSVILLE – “Happy Birthday,” “Congratulations on your Wedding,” “Happy 50th Anniversary” and “Happy Holidays” are just a few of the messages that have been displayed on the Babcock movie theater marquee since it was offered for rent nearly a year ago.
The Babcock Theatre Preservation Society is working to get the movie marquee updated as one of its first priorities because the marquee is one way the group has of raising money for the renovation. Funds from the marquee rental help to defray the cost of grant applications and minor repairs.
Since offering the marquee to the public last spring, more than $1600 in marquee rentals have been raised. BTPS offers the marquee for rent at a rate of three days for $100 on one side. Longer messages can be displayed on the north side and shorter messages are displayed on the south side. One panel on the south side was destroyed in a windstorm last year and the BTPS has been looking into replacing it.
The marquee is a mid to early 20th Century addition to the theater which opened in 1919. It was a very popular way to advertise upcoming features. Movie marquee designs in the 1930s prompted theater historian Ben M. Hall to call them “electric tiaras.” In the 1950s, such blockbusters as “Old Yeller,” “A Summer Place” and “Ben Hur,” lit up the Babcock marquee.
The process of putting the letters in place is manual and involves a long metal pole with a clamp on one end to grip the letters and an adjuster on the other end and some expertise and finesse. The original metal letters and now plastic letters are hung on three crossbars stretching horizontally across the marquee. BTPS found a business in Maine from which to purchase new letters for the marquee.
BTPS Chairman Barry Glickstein has learned to place the letters on the marquee and with the help of BTPS Co Chair and Village Trustee Tim Colligan, they have become very proficient at the chore over the last several months. Prior to their tenure, the Village Public Works Department employees placed letters on the marquee utilizing a bucket truck.
To place a message on the marquee, go to the Babcock Movie Theater Preservation Society website, or call 1-315-663-5864 or e-mail bnglicks@gmail.com or go to-www.babcocktheater.org or follow the effort on Facebook. Here is the current volunteer team!
