Allen Theater (Allentown, Pennsylvania): Difference between revisions
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| address = 608 North New Street |
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| city = Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18102 |
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The Allen Theater is a former cinema in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It closed in 1989. |
The Allen Theater is a former cinema in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It closed in 1989. |
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==History== |
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Opened during the age of silent films in 1915 with a seating capacity listed at 489<ref name="CT">[http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/28136 Cinema Treasures, Allen Theater]</ref>, the Allen was originally named as the Nedson Theater. During the 1920s, it was owned by a James Bowen, a well-known local businessman. It was renovated in 1934, adding a sound capability.<ref name="LCHS"> Hellerich, Mahlon H, and Pennsylvania) Lehigh County Historical Society Allentown. Allentown, 1762-1987 : a 225-year history. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Lehigh County Historical Society, 1987</ref><ref name="MC">Microfilm reels, Allentown Public Library of "The Morning Call" Newspsper</ref> |
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On 12 October 1934, the local newspaper ran an article saying the "New Allen Theater" would open the next day.<ref name="MC"/> Its new owners were Robert L. Plarr, owner of Dorney Park amusement park, and John T. Dodd, who had been the park's general manager to that point for eight years. The first feature film shown in the newly renovated theater was "Baby Takes a Bow" with child star Shirley Temple, James Dunn and Claire Trevor.<ref name="MC"/> In 1938, air conditioning was added.<ref name="LCHS"/> |
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Throughout its existence, the Allen was a local, second-run theater which, unlike its contemporaries in downtown Allentown, played popular films in a local neighborhood after they ended their first run at the larger theaters. Prices were considerably less, during the Depression of the 1930s, admission was 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.<ref name="MC"/> |
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The theater had a number of owners over the decades, and was moderately successful even during the age of television in the 1960s. Primarily due to its low prices, it had a reputation as a place to go to see movies a little later but at a cheaper admission. As late as the 1980s, a film could be seen at the Allen for $1 admission. "Wait until it comes to the Allen," was its slogan. |
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Rising film rental costs and other overhead, however, could not be ignored, and it did not draw the crowds it once did. The Allen Theater, however was built at a time when Allentown was a pedestrian city. Built in a neighborhood of row homes, there was little or no place for people to park their cars nearby, and in the age of mall multi-cinemas in the suburbs, the charm of a small-single screen theater showing second-run films built in a neighborhood that was in decline led to its closure in 1989. |
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The building stood vacant for just over a decade, being demolished in 2000.<ref name="CT"/> Today, the land is used as an asphalt parking lot. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* [http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/28136 Allen Theater] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 04:15, 30 July 2013
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| Address | 608-610 North New Street Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18102 United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°36′33″N 075°28′51″W / 40.60917°N 75.48083°W |
| Type | Theater |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1915 |
| Demolished | 1990 |
The Allen Theater is a former cinema in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It closed in 1989.
History
Opened during the age of silent films in 1915 with a seating capacity listed at 489[1], the Allen was originally named as the Nedson Theater. During the 1920s, it was owned by a James Bowen, a well-known local businessman. It was renovated in 1934, adding a sound capability.[2][3]
On 12 October 1934, the local newspaper ran an article saying the "New Allen Theater" would open the next day.[3] Its new owners were Robert L. Plarr, owner of Dorney Park amusement park, and John T. Dodd, who had been the park's general manager to that point for eight years. The first feature film shown in the newly renovated theater was "Baby Takes a Bow" with child star Shirley Temple, James Dunn and Claire Trevor.[3] In 1938, air conditioning was added.[2]
Throughout its existence, the Allen was a local, second-run theater which, unlike its contemporaries in downtown Allentown, played popular films in a local neighborhood after they ended their first run at the larger theaters. Prices were considerably less, during the Depression of the 1930s, admission was 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.[3]
The theater had a number of owners over the decades, and was moderately successful even during the age of television in the 1960s. Primarily due to its low prices, it had a reputation as a place to go to see movies a little later but at a cheaper admission. As late as the 1980s, a film could be seen at the Allen for $1 admission. "Wait until it comes to the Allen," was its slogan.
Rising film rental costs and other overhead, however, could not be ignored, and it did not draw the crowds it once did. The Allen Theater, however was built at a time when Allentown was a pedestrian city. Built in a neighborhood of row homes, there was little or no place for people to park their cars nearby, and in the age of mall multi-cinemas in the suburbs, the charm of a small-single screen theater showing second-run films built in a neighborhood that was in decline led to its closure in 1989.
The building stood vacant for just over a decade, being demolished in 2000.[1] Today, the land is used as an asphalt parking lot.
References
- ^ a b Cinema Treasures, Allen Theater
- ^ a b Hellerich, Mahlon H, and Pennsylvania) Lehigh County Historical Society Allentown. Allentown, 1762-1987 : a 225-year history. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Lehigh County Historical Society, 1987
- ^ a b c d Microfilm reels, Allentown Public Library of "The Morning Call" Newspsper
