Hi Tim, thanks for the info. Yes, downtown Allentown is a ghost of its former self. There is a new 16 screen multiplex in Allentown on Airport Road – – – the Carmike. And the already old AMC Tilghman 8 with no stadium seats on the West End. The 19th street Theater still exists showing foreign and independent films mixed with live stage productions. Bethlehem is doing much better in revitalizing its downtown – – both on the North and South sides. The former Bethlehem Steel property is going to be changed into an entertainment complex with theaters, restaurants, shops and hotels within the next 5 – 10 years (they say) with the hopes of also getting slot machine gambling. If that happens, it’ll really take off. Bethlehem also has a 10 multiplex theater – – the Regal Cinemas over South Mountain near Black River Road. Forgot to mention that Northampton has its beautiful art deco theater – – the Roxy – – but it is a second-run movie house. Do you remember the drive-in movie theaters? All are gone except for the Shankweiler’s D.I. (the oldest in the USA) above Allentown and Becky’s D.I. near Allentown. People still go out to see a movie, but videos and DVDs have definitely taken over. We’re in the era of the COUCH POTATO. Pete Hawke
I grew up attending the Colonial Theater. It was the most beautiful theater in the Lehigh Valley. Two of the first movies I remember seeing there was PARRISH and SUSAN SLADE. Then in 1962 WEST SIDE STORY played there for almost 6 months on a reserved seat basis. After its run, the theater closed for renovations and reopened near Christmas with Natalie Wood in GYPSY. The following year LAWRENCE OF ARABIA graced its huge screen. It always showcased the best movies in town. Seeing it razed is heart-breaking. I’m sure its owner only used it as a tax write-off. Do you remember the other theaters in Allentown?
RIALTO near 10th & Hamilton
TRANSIT also near 10th & Hamilton
BOYD 9th St opposite Hess’s (now gone also)
EARLE on 8th St
MIDWAY near 6th & Hamilton
CAPRI near 6th & Hamilton
ERIC multiplex at 4th & Hamilton
PARK on St. John St
TOWNE at 6th & Gordon Sts
ALLEN at New & Allen Sts.
PLAZA at the Whitehall Mall
LEHIGH VALLEY CINEMAS Multiplex at the Lehigh Valley Mall
They are all gone.
And what about Bethlehem?
GLOBE, COLLEGE, PALACE, NILE, LEHIGH (the bug house)
and recently THE MOVIES THEATER in Hellertown. I was the theater manager there for four years (1990 – 1994). Its owner Elle Koffler died a couple of years ago.
No nostalgia left except the BOYD Theater in Bethlehem which is still going strong.
Does anybody have any comments on these particular theaters?
Pete Hawke
Hi Tim, thanks for the info. Yes, downtown Allentown is a ghost of its former self. There is a new 16 screen multiplex in Allentown on Airport Road – – – the Carmike. And the already old AMC Tilghman 8 with no stadium seats on the West End. The 19th street Theater still exists showing foreign and independent films mixed with live stage productions. Bethlehem is doing much better in revitalizing its downtown – – both on the North and South sides. The former Bethlehem Steel property is going to be changed into an entertainment complex with theaters, restaurants, shops and hotels within the next 5 – 10 years (they say) with the hopes of also getting slot machine gambling. If that happens, it’ll really take off. Bethlehem also has a 10 multiplex theater – – the Regal Cinemas over South Mountain near Black River Road. Forgot to mention that Northampton has its beautiful art deco theater – – the Roxy – – but it is a second-run movie house. Do you remember the drive-in movie theaters? All are gone except for the Shankweiler’s D.I. (the oldest in the USA) above Allentown and Becky’s D.I. near Allentown. People still go out to see a movie, but videos and DVDs have definitely taken over. We’re in the era of the COUCH POTATO. Pete Hawke
I grew up attending the Colonial Theater. It was the most beautiful theater in the Lehigh Valley. Two of the first movies I remember seeing there was PARRISH and SUSAN SLADE. Then in 1962 WEST SIDE STORY played there for almost 6 months on a reserved seat basis. After its run, the theater closed for renovations and reopened near Christmas with Natalie Wood in GYPSY. The following year LAWRENCE OF ARABIA graced its huge screen. It always showcased the best movies in town. Seeing it razed is heart-breaking. I’m sure its owner only used it as a tax write-off. Do you remember the other theaters in Allentown?
RIALTO near 10th & Hamilton
TRANSIT also near 10th & Hamilton
BOYD 9th St opposite Hess’s (now gone also)
EARLE on 8th St
MIDWAY near 6th & Hamilton
CAPRI near 6th & Hamilton
ERIC multiplex at 4th & Hamilton
PARK on St. John St
TOWNE at 6th & Gordon Sts
ALLEN at New & Allen Sts.
PLAZA at the Whitehall Mall
LEHIGH VALLEY CINEMAS Multiplex at the Lehigh Valley Mall
They are all gone.
And what about Bethlehem?
GLOBE, COLLEGE, PALACE, NILE, LEHIGH (the bug house)
and recently THE MOVIES THEATER in Hellertown. I was the theater manager there for four years (1990 – 1994). Its owner Elle Koffler died a couple of years ago.
No nostalgia left except the BOYD Theater in Bethlehem which is still going strong.
Does anybody have any comments on these particular theaters?
Pete Hawke