Ritz Theatre

547 State Street,
Baden, PA 15005

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robboehm
robboehm on April 20, 2016 at 7:22 pm

Early and mid 1960s ads show late run double bills of major pictures, e.g. The Singing Nun with The Thrill of it all.

Uploaded a 1982 picture from the American Classic Images series.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 19, 2016 at 8:30 pm

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.

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on November 10, 2014 at 12:53 pm

The 1956 business directory has this listed as the Baden Theatre.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 24, 2014 at 3:44 pm

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

RSM3853
RSM3853 on August 4, 2013 at 9:17 am

Issues of the Beaver County Times show an ad announcing the “Grand Opening” of the Ritz the week of September 5-11, 1962 with a double bill of “The Grass is Greener” and “Hell is for Heroes” and later in the week another double bill of “State Fair” and “Back Street”.

DavidAnt1
DavidAnt1 on October 27, 2012 at 8:03 pm

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.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on December 27, 2010 at 9:26 am

Well, it was getting a good start with the “LOVE-INS”.