Sadly, I found out why the website doesn’t list any classic films in film. The theater is NOT showing any 35mm or 70mm film. The theater is not paying film projectionist to show real film. This would be tragic, as the AFI has always prided itself on its classic film program. DCPs & lesser are not the same.
Anyone know how large the screen actually is here? I’ve only visited 2ce, both “flat” movies. There’s photos here of the screen set to flat. Maybe at a “scope” movie, someone can photo?
If the website goes away, here’s copied, the “About the Allen” section-
by Natalie Hope McDonald
After three years of total renovation, the Allen Theatre opened its doors in Annville on September 21, 1995.
Located in the heart of the downtown at 36 E. Main Street in Annville, PA 17003, about three and a half miles west of Lebanon and six miles east of Hershey, the Allen Theatre is one of the few single screen movie theatres in Central Pennsylvania specializing in first-run main line as well as art, and foreign films. And while this 322 seat theatre dates back to the early part of the century, little is actually known about the history of the theatre.
A Rich and Varied History
In the early 1900s, local deeds suggest that the theatre had been called the “Hippodrome” and later the “Astor,” which carried on well into more recent decades. It was while the theatre was named the Astor in the 1930s that the space was expanded to constitute what is now the present auditorium, with its expanded stage and seating area.
While the Astor had shown popular feature films of the period, establishing itself as a second-run movie house, the theatre later exchanged hands and resorted to reeling X-rated films by the 1970s. Eventually, the Astor closed in the mid 1980s after poor maintenance and a brief stint with religious productions under the guise of the “Trinity.”
From second-runs, to adult films, to religious entertainment, the theatre had garnered a diverse reputation which the present owner of the Allen Theatre had set out to combat. The first aspect targeted with change was the name of the theatre which had been jaded by illicit films and the installation of a club where live bands and audiences demolished the decor of the Astor.
And what may have seemed like an unreasonable extent of renovation and contrary to the advice not to embrace the effort, the theatre has since become a neon emblem of the community.
Audio Excellence
The theatre audio is Dolby Digital EX and has been installed by Clair Brothers Audio Systems, Inc. of Lititz, PA and RMS Service and Electronics Inc. of New York City —t wo of the most reputable leaders in the world of sound — ensuring an outstanding sound performance for all Allen Theatre screenings. Further, RMS in New York City also provided the theatrical sound technicians for director George Lucas’s New York City premier presentation of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Crystal Clear Projection
The Allen Theatre more recently installed a new projection system, including state of the art lenses for your viewing pleasure, with installation by Cardinal Sound and Motion Picture Systems of Beltsville Maryland, providing a bright sharp image for all Allen Theatre features.
Stylish Design
The Art Deco style suggests that the theatre has had a renaissance of taste popularized in the 1920’s and 1930’s. With total renovation complete, the Allen is essentially a new theatre on the site of an old one.
A Community Institution
With a staff of about twenty employees and a full-time projectionist, this family-operated establishment has drawn crowds from outlying regions of the community, including a four-county area. The intimate environment is a particularly important feature of the Allen Theatre, breaking away from contemporary trends toward major cineplexes that have sprung up alongside malls in the outskirts of suburbia. The Allen Theatre is instead a return to the downtown.
Not only does the Allen Theatre share its locale with small town eateries, but Annville is home to Lebanon Valley College, a liberal arts school with an enrollment of over 1,000. The theatre, as a result of its proximity to campus, has virtually become an off-shoot of campus life, mingling students with community patrons. The Allen has been host to the college’s Sundays at the Allen film series, as well as numerous other college-sponsored events.
Since its debut and formal dedication by Hollywood director Randal Kleiser (with credits including Grease and It’s My Party), the theatre and coffeehouse have become a premier venue for film and live entertainment.
This Lebanon County landmark, central to entertainment in the region, suggests that rather than tearing down the facade of years passed, character can be preserved and restored – flourishing with a new generation of patrons along the way.
Newer theaters & remodels by Regal (such as the Majestic Silver Spring) lack masking for all screens, a deliberate, stupid policy that ruins the moviegoing experience! Cinemark is also doing so at some or all of their theaters nationwide. No curtains, bad. Digital projection, not as beautiful as 35 or 70mm. Lack of masking, though- unacceptable. I am patronizing movie theaters that use masking, for now.
today’s Inquirer article on 2 hotels opening in Upper Darby has the following paragraph:
In 2015, Studio Movie Grill opened a $6 million state-of-the-art digital theater complex with nine theaters and 900 reclining seats. H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Fresh Grocer, Ross, and Burlington Coat Factory also have opened in the 69th Street area in recent years.
Thanks, Kevanos for the diagrams & all your documentation! I don’t know re usher room. I was a child, but recall the stage, the screen, the huge seating capacity, the popcorn machine next to the auditorium doors as there was a walk back to the lobby with concessions, and of course, lasting long after I was inside, the ticket booth and the passage with movie posters that led to the theater’s back.
Wow! in that article there is a photo of what must have been the Lobby with a sphinx that makes it look like the lobby of a grand art museum or public library.
It’s no secret we live in a world filled with endless entertainment options.
Years ago, the Newtown Theatre was the only game in town when it came to movies. Today, we must contend with two nearby chain theaters, cable TV, on-demand movies, Netflix, Redbox, and countless other options. Compounding the problem is our busy world filled with work, errands, kids’ sporting events, social engagements and other responsibilities. All of this makes it extremely challenging to run a small single-screen movie theatre.
Instead of throwing up our hands, we are adapting to today’s reality.
Beginning on Friday, January 13, we are going to limit the screening of regular feature films to Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. These are the days when 99% of our audience attends a movie. Movies will begin at 7:30 PM each of those nights, with an additional 4:00 PM screening on Sundays. This schedule change also gives us better flexibility to host special screenings, rentals, and other events on weeknights.
We have been screening movies for 110 years, and we’re not stopping now!
But we must adapt to stay relevant and solvent. Rest assured that we will continue to bring you the same type and quality of movies we have been showing over the past year. It’s our hope you will continue making us your “hometown movie house” and bring along a few friends. Thank you for your continued support.
And, that’s why we try to photograph even relatively plain looking multiplexes, for history’s sake! Not been here, but I do my bit elsewhere. Thank you!
I’m a lawyer in the States who saw one movie here. My auditorium photos are on this site & remain the only ones there. I know nothing of British law and don’t know what terms might be in the contract or deed the purchaser of the upstairs owner has, but I’d think whoever purchased it should’ve done their “due diligence” in advance to determine any noise issues. That is, the new owners should’ve inspected the upstairs space, and planned in advance to cover costs of soundproofing the upstairs space.
Anyone who wishes to see Howard’s End must do so soon as in its 2nd & last week. On opening night, director Ivory appeared.
Website states “Come What May” (2015) opens Friday Sept 9 with Director Christian Carion & actor Matthew Rhys Q & A after the 7 PM show & with Carion after the 7 PM Saturday 9-10 show.
Another movie “A Man Called Ove” starts Sept 30
Very much enjoyed very good 35mm prints of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and 1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips, both with mono sound, Chips with intermission, Friday, in aud 1, with use of red curtain, which arrived about May 2016.
Sadly, I found out why the website doesn’t list any classic films in film. The theater is NOT showing any 35mm or 70mm film. The theater is not paying film projectionist to show real film. This would be tragic, as the AFI has always prided itself on its classic film program. DCPs & lesser are not the same.
Anyone know how large the screen actually is here? I’ve only visited 2ce, both “flat” movies. There’s photos here of the screen set to flat. Maybe at a “scope” movie, someone can photo?
NO, the Boyd was the only 3 projector true Cinerama venue in the Phila area.
I don’t get it. That link doesn’t refer to any particular city. What city is the real laser IMAX? Why write in code & mystery?
If the website goes away, here’s copied, the “About the Allen” section- by Natalie Hope McDonald
After three years of total renovation, the Allen Theatre opened its doors in Annville on September 21, 1995.
Located in the heart of the downtown at 36 E. Main Street in Annville, PA 17003, about three and a half miles west of Lebanon and six miles east of Hershey, the Allen Theatre is one of the few single screen movie theatres in Central Pennsylvania specializing in first-run main line as well as art, and foreign films. And while this 322 seat theatre dates back to the early part of the century, little is actually known about the history of the theatre.
A Rich and Varied History
In the early 1900s, local deeds suggest that the theatre had been called the “Hippodrome” and later the “Astor,” which carried on well into more recent decades. It was while the theatre was named the Astor in the 1930s that the space was expanded to constitute what is now the present auditorium, with its expanded stage and seating area.
While the Astor had shown popular feature films of the period, establishing itself as a second-run movie house, the theatre later exchanged hands and resorted to reeling X-rated films by the 1970s. Eventually, the Astor closed in the mid 1980s after poor maintenance and a brief stint with religious productions under the guise of the “Trinity.”
From second-runs, to adult films, to religious entertainment, the theatre had garnered a diverse reputation which the present owner of the Allen Theatre had set out to combat. The first aspect targeted with change was the name of the theatre which had been jaded by illicit films and the installation of a club where live bands and audiences demolished the decor of the Astor.
And what may have seemed like an unreasonable extent of renovation and contrary to the advice not to embrace the effort, the theatre has since become a neon emblem of the community.
Audio Excellence
The theatre audio is Dolby Digital EX and has been installed by Clair Brothers Audio Systems, Inc. of Lititz, PA and RMS Service and Electronics Inc. of New York City —t wo of the most reputable leaders in the world of sound — ensuring an outstanding sound performance for all Allen Theatre screenings. Further, RMS in New York City also provided the theatrical sound technicians for director George Lucas’s New York City premier presentation of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Crystal Clear Projection
The Allen Theatre more recently installed a new projection system, including state of the art lenses for your viewing pleasure, with installation by Cardinal Sound and Motion Picture Systems of Beltsville Maryland, providing a bright sharp image for all Allen Theatre features.
Stylish Design
The Art Deco style suggests that the theatre has had a renaissance of taste popularized in the 1920’s and 1930’s. With total renovation complete, the Allen is essentially a new theatre on the site of an old one.
A Community Institution
With a staff of about twenty employees and a full-time projectionist, this family-operated establishment has drawn crowds from outlying regions of the community, including a four-county area. The intimate environment is a particularly important feature of the Allen Theatre, breaking away from contemporary trends toward major cineplexes that have sprung up alongside malls in the outskirts of suburbia. The Allen Theatre is instead a return to the downtown.
Not only does the Allen Theatre share its locale with small town eateries, but Annville is home to Lebanon Valley College, a liberal arts school with an enrollment of over 1,000. The theatre, as a result of its proximity to campus, has virtually become an off-shoot of campus life, mingling students with community patrons. The Allen has been host to the college’s Sundays at the Allen film series, as well as numerous other college-sponsored events.
Since its debut and formal dedication by Hollywood director Randal Kleiser (with credits including Grease and It’s My Party), the theatre and coffeehouse have become a premier venue for film and live entertainment.
This Lebanon County landmark, central to entertainment in the region, suggests that rather than tearing down the facade of years passed, character can be preserved and restored – flourishing with a new generation of patrons along the way.
Looking at the website today, it seems none of the classic movies list the format- 35mm or 70mm, DCP or lesser!
R.I.P. Mike Ilitch, who saved the Fox & restored it.
I hope dteklund can scan & share here that photo!
Newer theaters & remodels by Regal (such as the Majestic Silver Spring) lack masking for all screens, a deliberate, stupid policy that ruins the moviegoing experience! Cinemark is also doing so at some or all of their theaters nationwide. No curtains, bad. Digital projection, not as beautiful as 35 or 70mm. Lack of masking, though- unacceptable. I am patronizing movie theaters that use masking, for now.
today’s Inquirer article on 2 hotels opening in Upper Darby has the following paragraph: In 2015, Studio Movie Grill opened a $6 million state-of-the-art digital theater complex with nine theaters and 900 reclining seats. H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Fresh Grocer, Ross, and Burlington Coat Factory also have opened in the 69th Street area in recent years.
Illustrated article http://blogs.kcrw.com/dna/bringing-back-the-united-artists-theatre
Thanks, Kevanos for the diagrams & all your documentation! I don’t know re usher room. I was a child, but recall the stage, the screen, the huge seating capacity, the popcorn machine next to the auditorium doors as there was a walk back to the lobby with concessions, and of course, lasting long after I was inside, the ticket booth and the passage with movie posters that led to the theater’s back.
Wow! in that article there is a photo of what must have been the Lobby with a sphinx that makes it look like the lobby of a grand art museum or public library.
This email today from the theater-
An important message from the Newtown Theatre
It’s no secret we live in a world filled with endless entertainment options. Years ago, the Newtown Theatre was the only game in town when it came to movies. Today, we must contend with two nearby chain theaters, cable TV, on-demand movies, Netflix, Redbox, and countless other options. Compounding the problem is our busy world filled with work, errands, kids’ sporting events, social engagements and other responsibilities. All of this makes it extremely challenging to run a small single-screen movie theatre.
Instead of throwing up our hands, we are adapting to today’s reality. Beginning on Friday, January 13, we are going to limit the screening of regular feature films to Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. These are the days when 99% of our audience attends a movie. Movies will begin at 7:30 PM each of those nights, with an additional 4:00 PM screening on Sundays. This schedule change also gives us better flexibility to host special screenings, rentals, and other events on weeknights.
We have been screening movies for 110 years, and we’re not stopping now! But we must adapt to stay relevant and solvent. Rest assured that we will continue to bring you the same type and quality of movies we have been showing over the past year. It’s our hope you will continue making us your “hometown movie house” and bring along a few friends. Thank you for your continued support.
Ad didn’t appear in photo section
And, that’s why we try to photograph even relatively plain looking multiplexes, for history’s sake! Not been here, but I do my bit elsewhere. Thank you!
I’m a lawyer in the States who saw one movie here. My auditorium photos are on this site & remain the only ones there. I know nothing of British law and don’t know what terms might be in the contract or deed the purchaser of the upstairs owner has, but I’d think whoever purchased it should’ve done their “due diligence” in advance to determine any noise issues. That is, the new owners should’ve inspected the upstairs space, and planned in advance to cover costs of soundproofing the upstairs space.
Let’s hope the Curzon fights to stay in this wonderful theater!
Anyone who wishes to see Howard’s End must do so soon as in its 2nd & last week. On opening night, director Ivory appeared. Website states “Come What May” (2015) opens Friday Sept 9 with Director Christian Carion & actor Matthew Rhys Q & A after the 7 PM show & with Carion after the 7 PM Saturday 9-10 show. Another movie “A Man Called Ove” starts Sept 30
Very much enjoyed very good 35mm prints of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and 1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips, both with mono sound, Chips with intermission, Friday, in aud 1, with use of red curtain, which arrived about May 2016.
one of the 2 newer auditoriums in the expansion.
35mm print, mono sound. Great print.
my article on the 70mm film festival here http://www.in70mm.com/news/2016/new_york/index.htm
As to Ben Hur, would it have projected 2.2 aspect ratio? Would’ve lost a bit of the 2.76 aspect at left and at right?
Thank you, patryan. Were you are projectionist there?