Allendale Theater
203 Allen Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
203 Allen Street,
Buffalo,
NY
14201
5 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Allendale Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: Leon H. Lempert, Jr.
Functions: Live Theater
Styles: Neo-Classical
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
716.884.4400
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A beautifully restored gem in Buffalo’s Allentown District. It was opened on September 23, 1913 with 900 seats. The Allendale Theater was closed as a movie theater in 1958. It reopened on September 24, 1965 screening two naturist movies:Brigette Baum in “Around the World with Nothing On” & “Batchelor Peeping Tom”(aka Batchelor Tom and His Bikini Playmates). It closed as an adult cinema in 1975. It was reopened on April 7, 1976.
It reopened in 2000 after a long restoration. Now home to the Theatre of Youth Company.
Contributed by
Peter Davis
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Recent comments (view all 38 comments)
CSWalczak: Thanks!
Going to see the musical Charlotte’s Web on June 2. Can’t wait to see this restored theatre in the heart of the Allentown area of Buffalo.
1978 photo added via D Raphael Failla.
In his memoir “Dear America – The Odyssey of an American Communist Youth,” (1979), author Thomas Sgovio reflected on his early years in Buffalo. Here he speaks of going to the movies in the city: “On many a Sunday afternoon after a hearty spaghetti or ravioli dinner, our family walked to the Marlowe or the Allendale. For a dime we reveled as we watched two full length silent movies, a couple of thrilling serials, two comedies and a Pathe newsreel. The movie house was always crowded during those Sunday matinees. Half the kids read the titles on the screen aloud, making it possible for those parents who could not read English to follow the gist of the movie. In the pit below the screen,the feeble glow of an electric light silhouetted the head and shoulders of the piano player. He kept on pounding the musical accompaniment despite the din which at times surely should have torn the ceiling off the theatre, especially during the exciting parts.”
Grand opening ad posted.
Closed in 1958 after the listings ended.
Reopened on September 24th, 1965, with “Around the World with Nature” and “Peeping Tom” as an adult cinema. Ad posted.
Closed as an adult cinema in 1975 and reopened on April 7th, 1976. Another ad posted.
Closed in October 1982 when a local owner announced plans to sell the Allendale, but the Allentown Association received high hopes for a $400,000 funding to purchase and completely renovate the theater in August 1983. The Allendale received trouble in May 1984 after the Buffalo Department of Inspections and Licenses posted a notice on the theater’s doors stating that an emergency demolition hearing will take place on May 17, 1984, but the Allentown Association immediately saved the theater from happening, including the 98-year-old Buffalo Life Underwriters Association who joined forces with the Allentown Association in an attempt to save the Allendale Theater, and both forces entered into a joint venture in an attempt to raise $600,000 to save the theater.
On February 11, 1985, heavy snow caused the Allendale’s marquee to collapse. Two other structures also received damage at the time. On October 2, 1986, the Theatre of Youth Company (TOY) has agreed to renovate the theater and lease it for the next 25 years. Unfortunately, efforts to restore it died out on December 27, 1988. Masten Council Member David Collins replied that it is a great project but after praising it, other members wanted to do the opposite. It went to the Common Council where voting took place. On May 30, 1989, the bill to renovate the theater was defeated 7-3.
This defeat didn’t last long, because one month later on June 26, 1989, the Allentown Association turned the deed for the historic Allendale Theater over to the city. The event ended months of controversy and seems to assure restoration of the 75-year-old theater. Niagara Council Member Joel A. Giambra replied that the war is over, but all the shouting gives him in the nerves. With the city as owner, it means that $475,000 in city bond funds go towards the restoration of the building, as well as receiving $500,000 in state environmental money, and the state grant made it a condition that the city own the property by July 31, 1989, ending with a green light to renovate the theater.
Thank you for the detailed post. Buffalo and the surrounding area has many beautiful theatres. The 2026 Conclave visited many cinema gems.