Comments from robharp1

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robharp1
robharp1 commented about Mayfair Theatre on Dec 23, 2009 at 4:30 am

I saw a postcard of the Continental Hotel in Asbury Park online and there appears to be a theater next to the building. Does anyone know the name of the theater?

robharp1
robharp1 commented about Hiway Theater on Apr 8, 2004 at 1:29 am

Oops! I forgot to write that in 1925, after the interior redesign from William H. Lee, the building became known as the Embassy Theatre. When Irv Merlin bought it in 1985, he renamed it after himself….the Merlin Theatre.

Robert M. Harper

robharp1
robharp1 commented about Hiway Theater on Apr 8, 2004 at 1:16 am

I am writing an article on the old Hiway for the Old York Road Historical Society. The theatre was built in 1913 and was known as the Jenkintown Auditorium and had seating for 600, with stores flanking the main floor space and offices above. Architect for the building in 1913 was Albert F. Schenck (1877-1931)The exterior at that time was dominated by a large 2 story arched entryway. Films were being presented in 1914 when the Auditorium officially opened.
In 1925, the Auditorium interior received a redesign from architect William H. Lee (1884-1971), in colaboration with the Gibelli Company, prominent theatre designers of Philadelphia. Lee is also believed to have raised the ceiling of the theatre by getting rid of the offices above and the flanking stores.
In 1936, the theatre underwent a reconstruction on the exterior and the interior from architect William E. Groben (1883-1961). Groben’s main contribution seemes to have been the elimination of Schenck’s arched entryway, the addition of a marquee and ticketbooth and a refurbishing of theinterior. The building underwent a name change in 1936 and became known as the York Road Theatre.
In 1940, the movie house changed hands and received another name change to the Hiway Theatre.
By the 1980’s the building appeared rundown and was purchased by Irvin Merlin in 1985. Four years later it changed hands again and was purchased by Charles Peruto, Jr. who named it for his son, the Chas III. In 2003, it was resold to new investors who restored the old 1940s name of the Hiway Theatre.
elimanation of Schenck’s arched entryway