Warner Theatre
147 High Street,
Morgantown,
WV
26505
147 High Street,
Morgantown,
WV
26505
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Sep 7, 2010 — Warner Theatre in Morgantown to Close
Located in downtown Morgantown, West Virginia, this Art Deco style theatre was opened by Warner Brothers Circuit Management Corp. on June 12, 1931 with George Arliss in “Millionaire”. This grand theatre was built with exquisite architectural design and with the interests of the guests in mind, and originally had 1,300 seats. In the mid-1970’s it was tripled, with a wall in the middle of the main floor (orchestra) seating dividing it into two auditoriums, and the former balcony is the third auditorium.
Round Table Corporation purchased the theatre in 2004 with the intention of restoring it to its original condition and ensuring that a trip to the Warner Theatre remains “A Timeless Experience”.
Sadly, the Warner Theatre was closed on September 5, 2010, screening “The Kids Are Alright” in screen 1, “The Wonderful Whites of WV” in screen 2, and “Dinner for Schmucks” in screen 3. As of March 2012, the theatre remains in very good condition and could be reopened. It was for sale or lease and was purchased in December 2021 for possible refurbishment & use as a movie theatre once again?
Contributed by
Kara Gardner, Howard B. Haas
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Recent comments (view all 50 comments)
Oh, how sad. I discovered this one a couple of years ago on a return visit to the home town of my mother’s side of the family. I hadn’t been to Morgantown in years, and the presence of the Warner made an exploration of the old downtown area all the better. Didn’t have a chance to get inside, though. Really sorry to hear this.
Nice photos Mint.
“A wall in the middle of the main floor (Orchestra) seating divides it into two auditoriums. The former balcony is the third auditorium.” This answers my question regarding this Warner being “twinned”, but after reading this I realize it has been twinned plus one! Hope this Warner returns to a single screen venue.
And who is responsible for “twinning” this theatre and then making the balcony a third auditorium??
My older brother lived on and off in Morgantown in the 80’s and early 90’s. He had a wholesale store just a block or 2 down from the warner theatre. I remember in the summer of 1990 going to see “Bird on a Wire” and “Back to the Future III” there, if memory serves, “Total Recall” was also playing there at the time. Morgantown was always an interesting town. There were (I doubt now) a lot of businesses in that one small area in 1990 and ‘91. There was a huge record store, don’t remember the name, at the top of the street where I bought Beatles cd’s and some of my very first dvd’s!
The tri-plexing of the Warner took place between 1973 and 1977. Does anyone have a more precise date?
The Warner sign can be seen waaay down the street in this 1965 photo on The Hemmings Daily link.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/07/11/morgantown-west-virginia-1960s/?refer=news
The Warner Theatre opened on June 12, 1931 with the George Arliss film “Millionaire.”
The marquee has recently been changed from a “For Sale” sign to a message indicating renovation or something may be happening. I don’t have further information but I will try to get a picture of the marquee.
In today’s Morgantown paper, 12-29-2021, an article appeared that two men have purchased (?) the theatre and wish to restore. Apparently, Dan Coffey, architect who has worked on theatre restorations in Chicago has already visited. This is terrific news and I hope the theatre may be saved. It has had several problems since closing in 2010, including water and vandalism.