West Erie Plaza Cinemas
800 W. Erie Plaza,
Erie,
PA
16505
800 W. Erie Plaza,
Erie,
PA
16505
3 people
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The Dipson’s Plaza theatre opened on December 15th, 1950 featuring free parking, TV lounge, Push-back seats etc. It reopened with 4 smaller screens on December 25th, 1981. 1950 grand opening ad posted.
Tmatthewthecinemaguy, this was never the Cinema world.
List of Owners I found at the local library about this theater. This theater used to go by the name Cinema World I, II, III, IV. 1950-1969 Dipson Circuit 1975-1988 Cinemette Corporation of America 1988-1994 Cinema World 1994-1998 Carmike Cinemas The theater closed down in 2008 and was demolished in 2015.
Only the fountation/floor remains now.
I think next to the Warner in downtown Erie this was the best movie palace. I just loved the seats. This theater ran first run movies. I didn’t see it after they converted to a movie plex. I am glad because I want to remember it as it was.
Joe: Great post! American Seating Company provided seats for many theatres including my hometown theatre!
Two views of the auditorium of the Dipson Plaza Theatre were featured in an ad for the American Seating Company in the December 8, 1951, issue of Boxoffice
I don’t know of any old movie theaters in Erie still open though there have been many over the years. The Warner isn’t a movie theater, but thank goodness Erie didn’t demolish it as it is the jewel of downtown, imo. There is an original theater in Wellsville and in Brockport NY. A more complete CT search will help you locate others.
Are any movie theaters open in or near Erie?
That would be great as it has set unused for quite some time.
There is a possibility that this theater might reopen as a brew-and-view: View link
Chuck: Thanks so much for the information. I have sent an email and do hope to hear from someone.
Rob T: Do you have a contact number for the last theatre operator, Mark Comi?
On December 23rd the doors closed on the Plaza Theater for the last time. It died due to conditions of the building as well as increasing lease fees. The last movie shown was “Yes Man” starring Jim Carrey.
This theater was originally called Dipson’s Plaza, Dipson’s being a chain out of New York state. It was built in 1950 as a part of the West Erie Plaza Shopping Center right on the city limits line. It was the first theater built outside the downtown. It was a large theater seating at least 1000, I think. May have been more or less. It did have a small balcony that did not extend over the main floor. The grand staircase leading to the balcony is still there, but it now leads to the new projection room which is built in the balcony. The original projection room is still there but unused. The architecture and decor is Deco. Inside the entrance was a small room where patrons waiting for the next show could watch television. This theater served as a roadshow house for Around the World in 80 Days which was shown in a 35mm reduction print. This theater never had 70mm equiptment. Sometime in the 90’s after it had been closed for a while, It was converted into four theaters. The last time I was in the theater, which was some time ago, I talked to the manager/projectionist, and he told me that the Art Deco auditorium is still intact. This was indeed a very beautiful theater. The website for this theater showing some interior shots is wepcinemas.com.