Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theater closed after its January 10, 1984 showing of “Return Of The Jedi” before the fire the following morning. The fire also destroyed a stereo shop, two jewelry stores, and two other businesses.

The Majestic was enlarged and remodeled in late 1936, as described in this item from the January 2, 1937, issue of The Film Daily:

“Ellwood City, Pa. — Andy and Frank Biordi have remodeled their Majestic at a cost of more than $25,000. A complete new interior and a new marquee have been erected. A five-room apartment atop the theater has been dismantled and a balcony added. The auditorium was also reseated for increased capacity. Installations include new lighting fixtures, projection equipment and a sound system. W. Naidenoff of Pittsburgh was the decorator.”

An October 15, 1949, Boxoffice item about a remodeling of the Majestic said the house had originally opened in 1917. Through most of its history, the Majestic was operated by members of the Biordi family. The web site Ellwood City Memories says that Frank Biordi operated the Majestic from either 1918 or 1921 (the page has contradictory information) until selling it in 1924, then repurchased the theater in 1936.

Andy Biordi is mentioned as operator of the Majestic in many issues of Boxoffice from the 1930s into the 1960s. Mrs. Frank Biordi was mentioned as owner of the Majestic in Boxoffice Magazine as late as 1977. Frank Biordi died on October 29, 1974, according to a notice in Boxoffice of December 16.