Some History on the Castle Theatre: The Castle Theatre opened in 1935, and is the only theater in Delaware County.
In 2009 a group of concerned citizens received word that their local movie theater was soon closing. After many meetings, research was done in other community run theaters, a Board was formed, the non-profit status was established, theater assets were purchased, teams of volunteers were organized, movie contracts were signed, operating plans were developed, two part-time managers were hired to run the day-to-day operations, a website was created and the funds were raised to cover the initial start up costs.
The Board consists of nine local citizens and two area high school students. There are a handful of committee members who also have assisted the Board in other projects.
Since taking over ownership from Fridley Theatres of Des Moines in early September 2009, Friends of Castle Theatre members and other individuals have spent hundreds of hours working on the Castle Theatre. The project included a much needed and thorough cleaning of the lobby, concession area and auditorium. Necessary repairs and improvements continue to be made throughout the building.
The lobby and concession area received a new facelift featuring new paint and wallpaper. During this time, the theatre’s projection equipment was also refurbished, repaired and upgraded. An ongoing restoration of the familiar downtown Manchester icon – the Castle Theatre’s marquee – included the replacement of the neon sign, a new roof and a fresh paint job. The outdoor poster boxes were also repaired.
The theatre reopened October 23, 2009 with a fresh new look and a first-run movie showing every night at 7 p.m.
Volunteers continue to staff the theater’s the theater’s ticket booth, concessions and projector.
Having a viable movie theater is important to the overall health of Manchester and Delaware County in giving it’s citizens a choice of entertainment for all ages.
Grand Re-Opening was held on November 13-15, 2009
website
This is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. It is called the Sierra Community Theatre and is operated on a volunteer basis by the Community. They don’t have a website they use facebook.
The Mertropolitan Opera House has been independently operated since 2013. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They now go by The Metropolitan Opera House. Theyt show first run attractions. Website
Since its inception in 1986, the community-owned Center Theatre has been providing affordable, quality entertainment to patrons of all ages and from numerous communities. In 2003, a second auditorium was constructed to offer a broader variety of quality movies each week. Both auditoriums, totaling over 500 seats, are equipped with Dolby Digital Surround Sound for exceptional movie presentation. The 2003 expansion project also provided for new, enlarged handicapped accessible restrooms, lobby, and concession area. The concession stand offers a wide variety of refreshment selections at reasonable prices.
The Center Theatre prides itself on quality, modern movie sound presentation, digital projection with 3D capabilities in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere at discounted prices.
28 ft. wide x 12 ft. tall screen and Dolby digital sound.
Seating Capacity: 203 seats, with 4 additional spaces for persons with wheelchairs. Digital projection with 3D capabilities. $1.00 more on admission for 3D movies.
The Garden Theatre, at 615 Locust, was one of the more attractive showplaces downtown, and had a long run, surviving floods and the Depression, from 1917 through 1951. As with the RKO Orpheum’s later transformation into the Galaxy, it was thought that a modern name change might keep patrons away from their new televisions, but the new monicker Rocket must not have worked well—it lasted about a year until the theater closed forever in 1952.
I found this small article on the DeWit Opera House:
The DeWitt Opera House built in 1876. This large building had a sizable stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a long balcony above the main floor audience and a lobby as the front entrance. This large theater is called a “stand-alone” opera house because the entire building was devoted to the theater and did not include space for another business.
There is another on Hwy 2 before you get to 60th that also resembles the outline of a drive-in. The Motion Pictuer Yearbook listed the driv-in’s location as Hwy 2 & 65 which makes sense with the name of the drive-in being the 2 & 65
This theatre is still open according to their faccebook page.
Header needs to be changed to closed..
Some History on the Castle Theatre: The Castle Theatre opened in 1935, and is the only theater in Delaware County. In 2009 a group of concerned citizens received word that their local movie theater was soon closing. After many meetings, research was done in other community run theaters, a Board was formed, the non-profit status was established, theater assets were purchased, teams of volunteers were organized, movie contracts were signed, operating plans were developed, two part-time managers were hired to run the day-to-day operations, a website was created and the funds were raised to cover the initial start up costs.
The Board consists of nine local citizens and two area high school students. There are a handful of committee members who also have assisted the Board in other projects. Since taking over ownership from Fridley Theatres of Des Moines in early September 2009, Friends of Castle Theatre members and other individuals have spent hundreds of hours working on the Castle Theatre. The project included a much needed and thorough cleaning of the lobby, concession area and auditorium. Necessary repairs and improvements continue to be made throughout the building.
The lobby and concession area received a new facelift featuring new paint and wallpaper. During this time, the theatre’s projection equipment was also refurbished, repaired and upgraded. An ongoing restoration of the familiar downtown Manchester icon – the Castle Theatre’s marquee – included the replacement of the neon sign, a new roof and a fresh paint job. The outdoor poster boxes were also repaired. The theatre reopened October 23, 2009 with a fresh new look and a first-run movie showing every night at 7 p.m. Volunteers continue to staff the theater’s the theater’s ticket booth, concessions and projector. Having a viable movie theater is important to the overall health of Manchester and Delaware County in giving it’s citizens a choice of entertainment for all ages. Grand Re-Opening was held on November 13-15, 2009 website
Main St. & Highway 218 are one in the same.
This is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. It is called the Sierra Community Theatre and is operated on a volunteer basis by the Community. They don’t have a website they use facebook.
The Mertropolitan Opera House has been independently operated since 2013. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They now go by The Metropolitan Opera House. Theyt show first run attractions. Website
The Varsity opened as the Garden and was later known as the Astro before being known as the Varsity.
Highway 2 and Avenue O are one in the same.
Ken, how were you able to determine that was the location of the drive-in
Featuring digital sound & projection on all 4 screens and small-town prices.
Since its inception in 1986, the community-owned Center Theatre has been providing affordable, quality entertainment to patrons of all ages and from numerous communities. In 2003, a second auditorium was constructed to offer a broader variety of quality movies each week. Both auditoriums, totaling over 500 seats, are equipped with Dolby Digital Surround Sound for exceptional movie presentation. The 2003 expansion project also provided for new, enlarged handicapped accessible restrooms, lobby, and concession area. The concession stand offers a wide variety of refreshment selections at reasonable prices. The Center Theatre prides itself on quality, modern movie sound presentation, digital projection with 3D capabilities in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere at discounted prices.
Digital projection with 7.1 Dolby surround sound.
This drive-in is closed. The phone has been disconnected. Nothing current on their website.
28 ft. wide x 12 ft. tall screen and Dolby digital sound. Seating Capacity: 203 seats, with 4 additional spaces for persons with wheelchairs. Digital projection with 3D capabilities. $1.00 more on admission for 3D movies.
Looking at the photo of the current Forest Theatre I would say it was a rebuild after the fire in 1950.
The Forest Theatre is open showing current attractions. website
This should be listeed as closed as far as a theatre is concerned.
Side note: before being called the Moulin Rouge it was the Mistinguett Music Hall.
This theatre should be listed as closed.
The Garden Theatre, at 615 Locust, was one of the more attractive showplaces downtown, and had a long run, surviving floods and the Depression, from 1917 through 1951. As with the RKO Orpheum’s later transformation into the Galaxy, it was thought that a modern name change might keep patrons away from their new televisions, but the new monicker Rocket must not have worked well—it lasted about a year until the theater closed forever in 1952.
The Beaver started its career as the Gem in 1936, then took its neighborhood namesake in 1936, running as such until its closure in 1957
I found this small article on the DeWit Opera House: The DeWitt Opera House built in 1876. This large building had a sizable stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a long balcony above the main floor audience and a lobby as the front entrance. This large theater is called a “stand-alone” opera house because the entire building was devoted to the theater and did not include space for another business.
Bel Vista Dr. runs between BUS 150 aand Rosary Road, the drive-in was located on US 150.
The King Theatre is still open showing current attractions according to the recording when you call the theatre.
There is another on Hwy 2 before you get to 60th that also resembles the outline of a drive-in. The Motion Pictuer Yearbook listed the driv-in’s location as Hwy 2 & 65 which makes sense with the name of the drive-in being the 2 & 65