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 John Eberson, Architect

by Karen Colizzi Noonan, Schine Theater Historian

His early designs were reminiscent of the grand palatial opera houses of his homeland. Symmetry was very important in these early designs; delicate rosette strewn urns and elaborate cartouches were crafted out of fine plaster in exact duplicate on each side of the house. Prosceniums of unusual beauty and detail framed his stage presentations, again crafted in delicate plasterwork. His later designs took the French inspired - but uniquely Americanized - Art Deco themes to new and, at times, outrageous heights. At the top of his game, Eberson was sought out by the Schine brothers to work on not only their biggest but at times their smaller theaters.

Eberson felt there was a need for creating an environment of illusion for Americans to distract them from life's problems and provide them with an atmosphere of rest and beauty. Eberson was aware of the extravagance of the standard of "hard-top" school of theatre architecture begun in opera and vaudeville houses and continuing with movie palaces. The architect Thomas W. Lamb was the principal proponent of the "standard" style.

Eberson either built or redesigned the interiors of many Schine theaters. Documentation exists to verify his work on the Schine circuit’s theaters in Ashland Ohio, Norwalk, Ohio, Lockport NY, Auburn NY, Norwich NY, Glens Falls, NY and the home office Glove Theater in Gloversville, NY. The style and design of many other Schine theaters certainly suggest his influence, if not outright direction.

Classic movie theaters that belonged to the Schine Theaters chain