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Movie Theaters of Allentown, Pennsylvania

Silent Theaters

Nickelodeons were early small silent film theaters that were set up in a converted storefronts which offered limited seating and few luxuries. Admission was usually Five Cents. This type of theater closed in the 1920s in favor of the custom-built cinema theaters which were much more elegant and larger.

• Victor Theater (1906, 1907-1911, 1911-1935) 716 Hamilton Street, 634 Hamilton Street

The Victor Theater was the first motion picture theater in Allentown. Originally the theater was opened as the Majestic Amusement Parlor at 716 Hamilton Street. It began playing motion pictures at its opening on April 14, 1906 and claiming to be the first full-time motion picture theater in Allentown. The building was first erected shortly after the Civil War in 1867, being owned by Jonas George who operated the Young & George restaurant and ice cream parlor in it for many years. It later became Freddie Allen’s Saloon and Palace Cafe. In April 1906, the property was purchased and it became the Majestic Amusement Center and Theater. The Majestic Theater was under the Joseph Kuntz Circuit which had similar locations in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Reading. It likely had a one-year lease. However, the theater did not make money and it closed in May 1906, and the motion picture equipment sold to satisfy debts, For nearly a year, the theater was vacant, however in early 1907, the theater got a new owner in Dave Cohen who renamed it the Nickelet Theater and reopened it on May 4, 1907.

On May 2, 1910, the Victor Theater opened in March, 1910 at 634 Hamilton Street. During November 1910, the owner of the Victor purchased the Nicolet. The original Victor's property was purchased in May 1911, with the property being torn down and rebuilt, eventually becoming Tallman's Restaurant.

With the closure of the original Victor, the Nicolet at 716 Hamilton Street was closed on June 6, 1911, renamed as the Victor Theater, and re-opened on June 7, 1911. The New Victor continued to show silent films, and was later converted to sound films. It closed in July 1935 when the property was purchased as part of the building of the Lehigh-Portland Cement building. It was torn down in March, 1938.

• Pergola Theater (1908) 903 Hamilton Street

Opened as a bowling alley in December 1906. Moving pictures began to be shown in February 1908, when a hallway was converted into a small theater and by July a series of short films was shown every night for Five cents. In October 1908 a theater was developed that showed both moving pictures as well has a stage for vaudeville acts. It became primarily a motion picture theater in 1910. Closed in 1925 for PPL Tower Construction. Reopened at Ninth and Court in Dec 1926 as New Pergola. Eventually became the Boyd Theater.

• Hippodrome Theater (1911) 608-610 Hamilton Street

The Hippodrome Theater opened in 1911 with a capacity of 600 seats. It was closed in 1922 and renovated into the Crystal Restaurant. Reopened in 1935 as Midway Theater.

• Noflaw Theater (1911) 943-947 Hamilton Street

The Noflaw Theater was built in 1911 on the site of a skating rink. In August 1912, the theater was transferred to a group of new owners. The new owners renamed the theater as the Lyceum and it opened under the new name on 2 September 1912.

Lyceum Theater (1912) 943-947 Hamilton Street

Derivative of the Noflaw Theater after it was sold in 1912. Operated successfully as primarily a stage theater. Purchased the Regent Theater (1914) at 925 Hamilton Street to show silent films. Suffered a massive fire in May 1916 and subsequently closed. Sold afterwards, rebuilt and reopened as Rialto in 1921 under new ownership. Regent subsequently closed upon Rialto's opening.

Cinemas

Second-generation cinemas in Allentown. These replaced the First-generation nickelodeon-type cinemas which were converted storefronts. The cinemas in the Central Business and Shopping District were large, with roomy seating, usually had both balcony and floor seating and had very exquisite interiors. They showed primarily first run features, with newsreels, shorts and cartoons. Second-run films were shown occasionally as second features.

In addition to the main theater and shopping district, neighborhood cinemas were located in various areas of Allentown. These were generally smaller venues which presented features that had completed their initial run on Hamilton Street and were shown on their second-run at reduced prices. These theaters also showed movie serials during the day along with the standard newsreels and shorts. Neighborhood theaters also frequently offered promotions such as glassware and china give-aways to attract families during the week.

• State Theater (1906/1926) Sixth and Linden Streets, Closed 1951

Torn down 1953 for parking lot. Redeveloped for Strata Symphony Apartments, 2017

• Franklin/Jeanette Theater (1913) 425-429 Tilghman Street, Closed 2008

Currently vacant.

• Madison Theater (1914) 1333-1335 Chew Street, Closed 1931

Became Civic Little Theater stage theater. After 1957 has been home to various businesses.

• Nedsen/Allen Theater (1914) 608-610 New Street, Closed 1989

Neighborhood parking lot.

• Hamilton Theater (1915) 205-207 Hamilton Street, Closed 1938

Closed due to fire. Was dry cleaner store until 1965. Torn down now a parking lot.

• Strand/Cinema Theater (1918) Eighth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1953

Used as storage warehouse. Auditorium torn down 1993, lobby became office building.

• Colonial Theater (1920) 513-17 Hamilton Street, Closed 1982

Torn down, now City Center Five office building

• Lotus/Towne Theater (1921) Sixth and Gorden Streets. Closed 1979

Now Apartment Building

• Rialto Theater (1921) 947 Hamilton Street, Closed 1979

Auditorium torn down 1980 for parking deck; Lobby converted to business offices.

• Southern/Park Theater (1925) 813 St John Street, Closed 1944

Now Zandy's Restaurant

• Capri Theater (1927) 535 Hamilton Street, Closed 1981

Now Capri office building

• Boyd Theater (1928) 28 North Ninth Street, Closed 1970

Torn down replaced by PPL expansion.

• Earle Theater (1928) 20 North Eighth Street, Closed 1961

Torn down for parking lot.

• Nineteenth Street Theater (1928) 527 North 19th Street

Oldest (and only) operating cinema in city. Also known as Civic Theater (1957) when used for theater stage productions by Civil Theater of Allentown

• Astor Theater (1929) 1721 Hanover Avenue, Closed 1943

Now Bingo Hall.

• Midway Theater (1935) 608-610 Hamilton Street, Closed 1955

Destroyed by fire. Rebuilt and became office/retail building. Torn down 2017 for Tower Six building.

• Americus Cinema One (1975) North Sixth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1975

Short-lived cinema inside Americus Hotel, operated May-Oct 1975.

Multiplexes

• Eric Theater (1969) Fourth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1999

Now Social Security Administration offices.

• Plaza Theater (1966)

• Lehigh Valley Mall Theater (1976)

Drive-Ins

• 7th Street Drive-In Theater (1940-1951) Mickleys

• Airport Drive-In Theater (1949-1956) Route 22 at Airport Road Exit, about 500 car capacity.

• Boulevard Drive-In Theater (1949-1985) 556 Union Boulevard

Capacity about 600 cars. Had a full concession stand and a children's play area. Closed in September, 1985. After closure, the property was abandoned until 1990 when the main structures including the box office and concession stand were torn down, and the speaker posts removed. Abandoned until the 2010s, the property was redeveloped into a race car test track/museum.

• West End Drive-in Theater (1954-1975) Route 22 at 15th Street Exit

capacity of about 1,200 cars. Construction delayed by some construction issues and strikes, the theater opened in early November with a ribbon cutting by Mayor Brighton C. Diefenderfer. Managed by the Loews Theatres. Along with a full concession stand and a children's play area. The screen at the Drive-In was 122 x 72 feet in size, which Loews believed was the largest in the United States at that time. Drive-in operated for decades and sold in late 1974 to Bruce L. Rothrock. Rothrock intended to turn the theater into a Datsan automobile and truck franchise. He operated the Drive-In for one season (1975) until it permanently closed at the end of September while he assembled construction permits. Torn down in 1977, opened in November 1977 as Rothrock Datsun. Remains as Rothrock Nissan today

• Super Skyway Drive-In Theater (1954-1977) Crackersport and Blue Barn Roads, Kuhnsville

capacity about 1,000 cars. Was equipped with both stereophonic sound as well as capability to project widescreen films on 2.35:1 wide projection screen for CinemaScope. Served far West End of Allentown along Route 22, where its screen was visible to passing vehicles. Showed primarily second-run films at reduced admission. Had a full concession stand as well as children's play area. The theater closed in September 1977. After closure sat vacant for decades. A fire burned down the concession stand and projection booth in 2003. It finally sold in 2004 and in 2005 the property was torn down. Today it is an empty field