Studded in bright lights, the Strand Theatre marquee heralded first-run showings of such movie classics as "From Here to Eternity" and "The sound of Music." For almost seventy years the Strand was the grand dame of motion picture entertainment in Hastings. The Strand's conception began August 27, 1915, when William Brach commissioned famed Hastings architect C.W. Way to draw up the plans for a two story, moving picture theatre and office building. The exterior was finished in white enameled terra cotta, and the lobby exuded a luminescent white emanating from beautifully tiled floors and richly veined marble walls. The spacious interior was highlighted in old ivory and French gray. The adornment of blue velvet stage curtains and carpeting accented the warm oak woodwork. Seating capacity in the auditorium was seven hundred. The Strand turned down its movie hall lights for the last time on March 30, 1984.