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started at the Casino as an usher). The building was remodeled in 1907 and 1915. a hathaway went on to own about ten theatres. The Stratton presented many well known entertainers and public figures such as John Philip Sousa and his Band (October 2, 1923), Theodore Roosevelt, the world premier in 1920 of "Way Down East" which included live appearances by legendary movie pioneer D.W. Griffith and star Lillian Gish. Many of the big stage stars of the time played the stratton, including the Barrymores, John Drew, Maude Adams (872-1953), Chauncey Olcott, Charles Richman, Frank Craven. Minstrel shows, Vauderville, George M. Cohan musicals, Victor Herbert operettas, plays, concerts, and movies were seen at the Stratton, as well as being place for civil and fraternal groups to hold presentations.
In the early 1920's, Hathaway sold the Stratton and Show Shop Theatres to Middletown Theatre Co., owners of the new State Theatre. In 1931, hathaway took control of the Stratton, Show Shop, and State until he died in 1934.bn His estate sold the theatres to Stratton Theatres, Inc. a division of Fabian Theatres Corporation of New York. The theatre was closed in the e 1940's and used occasionally for amateur or summer stock productions. The Stratton was last used for theatrical purposes in September, 1949, for a stage production of "No Time For Comedy."
The Stratton was purchased by the city and torn down in March 1953. The site is now a parking lot.
THE ALHAMBRA
Middletown's next important theatre was the Alhambra, built in 1913 for William J. Goetz on the corner of North and John Streets. constructed of brick and stone, the building has a frontage of 58 feet on North Street, and is 136 feet deep on John Street. The ma in entrance to the theatre was on North Street. There was a balcony, but no loge or box seats. About 1000 people could be accommodated in the theatre. Both the orchestra and balcony floor was sloped for good visibility of the stage. Seats were of the "latest approved style of leather upholstered choirs, giving plenty of space between them..."
The theatre ceiling was painted cream, the walls old rose and pale green, and the proscenium arch was pale green, gold, and old rose. The projection booth was a "model of fire proof construction (containing) the latest model simplex projector, absolutely the latest thing in moving picture machines, operator either by hand or with a motor. This machine carries reels on which are three separate and distinct pictures, doing away with the necessity of changing the film after each picture" Besides movies, the Alhambra was also designed for live entertainment, particularly "the best vaudeville obtainable." Three dressing rooms were located beneath the stage, and the stage itself was "fully equipped with scenery, drops and the latest electrical appliances." Rest rooms," were