According to the “Wilkes Barre Record,” the Kingston Theatre opened on June 9, 1925. After “first run” showings across the river in Wilkes Barre, PA movies would move to Pittston, PA for a week and then to the Kingston, which was always the premiere showcase for the west (suburban) side of the Susquehanna River. After the run at the Kingston, movies would then play the Forty Fort, Luzerne and other small town west side theaters.
It’s important to note that this is a picture of the wrong theater. The Capitol (this theater) was opened in 1920 and was RE-NAMED the Comerford in 1949 when the original Comerford (pictured, which opened in 1938 and located across the street from the Capitol) was sold and re-named the PARAMOUNT. The original Comerford/Paramount still stands and is in operation as the Kirby Center.
This was the theater of my youth! It was located directly opposite the end our street and I saw my first movie here at the age of four in 1971 (a reissue of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio.) Walking up to the movies was a great treat and I have really fond memories of this place. Beautiful red seats and curtain (ALWAYS closed between shows) and wonderful art deco accents everywhere. I got permission from Tom Alexander to post some of his personal photos here, but many more can be found in the facebook group dedicated to the theater here:
According to the “Wilkes Barre Record,” the Kingston Theatre opened on June 9, 1925. After “first run” showings across the river in Wilkes Barre, PA movies would move to Pittston, PA for a week and then to the Kingston, which was always the premiere showcase for the west (suburban) side of the Susquehanna River. After the run at the Kingston, movies would then play the Forty Fort, Luzerne and other small town west side theaters.
The theater pictured (across the street from the demolished Capitol/Comerford) still stands and is open as the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
It’s important to note that this is a picture of the wrong theater. The Capitol (this theater) was opened in 1920 and was RE-NAMED the Comerford in 1949 when the original Comerford (pictured, which opened in 1938 and located across the street from the Capitol) was sold and re-named the PARAMOUNT. The original Comerford/Paramount still stands and is in operation as the Kirby Center.
This was the theater of my youth! It was located directly opposite the end our street and I saw my first movie here at the age of four in 1971 (a reissue of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio.) Walking up to the movies was a great treat and I have really fond memories of this place. Beautiful red seats and curtain (ALWAYS closed between shows) and wonderful art deco accents everywhere. I got permission from Tom Alexander to post some of his personal photos here, but many more can be found in the facebook group dedicated to the theater here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/291938078665/