Midtown Theatre

Morris Fitzer either opened the Happy Hour Theatre in July of 1906 or on September 25, 1910. The theatre definitely celebrated its 15th Anniversary on July 1, 1921 so, at this point, it may as well be the 1906 opening date. Fitzer and his brother Ben would additionally operate Syracuse’s Rivoli Theatre, Empire Theatre, Savoy Theatre, Avon Theatre, Hawley Street, the Syacuse/Ritz Theatre and the Swan/Happy Hour Theatre.

In 1926, the theatre received new operators who rebranded the venue as the Swan Theatre. They upgraded the venue to sound to remain viable. In 1932, a new operator reverted its name to the Happy Hour Theatre. The Fitzer family returned to operate the venue in 1933.

In January of 1949, the venue was renamed as the Midtown Theater under new operators. The venue mixed in art and foreign titles. The Midtown Theatre converted to widescreen projection in 1954 to present CinemaScope titles. The Midtown Theatre would finally depart after more than 50 years of operation. The Midtown Theatre was slated to be demolished in 1965 to make way for a new highway in Interstate 81. But before the demolition crews could do their work, arsonists torched the Midtown Theatre on June 4, 1965. Its remains were razed in December of 1965.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.