Ritz Theatre

My dad had the Ritz Theatre for a short time around 1964. I believe there was a period of time when it was a church. The reason I know this was my dad and grandfather were up on ladders painting over the painted crosses. Dad was still managing the Ambridge Theatre for Warner Brothers I think knowing that Warner Brothers were preparing to pull out of the Pittsburgh area. I remember this since I wasn’t in first grade until 1965 in Ambridge. My dad opened the Ambridge theatre in 1973. The Ritz was a tough nut. We’d have the Marquee lights on, and it was dark with no people around up and down State Street. It was a nice theatre that featured a cry room. Then later it reopened in the late 60’s playing normal family type movies until the competition got going with the Oriental and Family up the river, Sewickley was still around, Dad opened Ambridge in 1973, and the Beaver Valley Mall Cinemas open around that time as well. At that point the Ritz found a nitch with the adult movies. I understand Deep Throat did really well. The Ritz building is still there but no sign of activity. It might be a warehouse now.

September 5th, 1962 grand opening ad in photo section.

The February 26, 1949, issue of Boxoffice noted that the Baden Theatre was operated by Martin Rothenstein. Rothenstein’s father, Sam, was preparing to open the Evens Theatre at Evans City.