Goodrich Quality Theatre Circuit will be closing up here on May 9, 2019. They posted:
“After many years of serving the community of Canton, we have made the decision to close our doors on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at GQT Canton 7 GDX. We thank everyone for your loyal business over the past 20 years, and we are happy to have had two decades of amazing moviegoers. *If you have gift cards or use FMG Rewards, these are accepted at GQT Quality 16 in Ann Arbor or any GQT theater. Thank you for the memories.”
The Streator Drive-In launched on June 10, 1949 with “Restless” starring Robert Young. The drive-in ended its operation on September 18, 1982 with a double-feature of “Slumber Party Massacre” and “Screamers.” The ozoner was demolished June 30, 1990 to make way for an industrial park.
Launched June 19, 1947 with “Salty O'Rourke” with Alan Ladd. Original not Ruthorne but Ruthorn combining owners Donald J. Ruth and R. M. Thorn’s last names.
The Colonial Theatre launched with live entertainment on September 2, 1903 on a 20-year lease. A classified ad in 1923 offering 1,000 seats for sale was the official end of the Colonial although it was only lightly used over its final five years. It became an auto repair shop.
Laurel Mall Cinema was launched by the Manos Circuit as a 350-seat mini-theatre in 1971 behind the Montgomery Ward anchor store. It opened February 26, 1974 with “There’s a Girl in My Soup.”
The Paramount Theatre launched in downtown Connellsville on July 18, 1916 with “Gloria’s Romance” and “The Heart of Nora Flynn.” R.L. Hannam was the architect. The theatre adjoined the Globe Theatre which had the Paramount film contract and ceased operations when the Paramount opened. The theatre switched to Vitaphone for talkies in 1929 which included a major interior overhaul.
On July 1, 1949, the Soisson Theatre Co. took on the Paramount and decided to change its name and held a re-naming contest. The winner was the Fayette Theatre upon relaunch on July 19, 1949 opening with “Song of Idaho” and “Highway 13.”. The theatre closed in 1952. It relaunched on January 30, 1953 as the Paramount with “My Outlaw Bride” and “It’s in the Bag.”
The Paramount closed on August 16, 1954 with “Massacre Canyon” and The Wild One.“ It was apparently padlocked. The theatre sold at a sheriff’s sale auction on January 10, 1955 for a scant $144.70. On June 29, 1956, the theatre was home to the Connellsville Revival Center which had the marquee removed in 1973.
The original Soisson Theatre was architected by C. Ender Urban launching on December 17, 1907 likely on a 20-year lease. Brick magnate Joseph Soisson opened the theatre in an apartment building and was located at 118-122 West Crawford Avenue in downtown Connellsville.
In 1927, new lessee C.A. Wagner took on the theatre likely on a 10-year lease. Wagner ceased operations on June 7, 1929 without converting to a true sound system. The theatre was dormant until 1937 when it was almost entirely removed for a new Soisson.
The New Soisson Theatre launched on November 24, 1937 with “Blonde Trouble.” Harry C. Altman was the architect of the, now, Art Deco theatre which used little of the original Soisson. The theatre plan had been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in 1937.
Though used for sporadic events thereafter, the final films at the Soisson were on August 14, 1956 with a double-feature of “Crimson Pirate” and “Animal World.” The Gallatin Bank put an end to the Soisson altogether razing the structure on April 6, 1959 and building a bank onto the property in 1960.
Post-retail, the venue became Hans Fiedler’s Hall and, in 1891, Social Hall before conversion to the Richfield Opera House. After a 20-year run as the Opera House, new operators took on the new lease converting the venue on August 15, 1927 as the Lyric Theatre. The first film as the Lyric was “Sweet Rosie O’Grady.” On September 21, 1930, the theatre switched to sound with RCA Photophone. Newer theatres relegated the Lyric to subrun double-feature status. New operator J.E. Hostettler revamped the Lyric in July of 1931.
Under Sevier Amusement Circuit, the theatre was downgraded to partial year operation closing in the Summer of 1955. The theatre closed in early 1957 at end of lease. A 1977 damaged the roof and dooming the building. The theatre was bulldozed on October 24, 1983 after standing 102 years.
The Skyline Drive-In launched May 30, 1947. It was redone by new operator Van Anderson as the Rich Drive-In rebooting on April 17, 1955. It appears to have closed at the end of a 20-year lease on August 27, 1974 with “Sleuth.”
The Orpheum Theatre opened August 8, 1914 with 465 seats and Mutual Studio films. On April 13, 1929, the theatre transitioned to sound playing, “The Banker.”
Miner Theatres Circuit rebooted the Orpheum as the new Stout Theatre on November 3, 1949 with yellow acoustic tile and acoustic wall coverings to hide the Orpheum’s dated design. The theatre closed in 1956 and sold to the Menomonie Clinic which flattened the floor and remodeled the space.
This appears to have opened as the Elite Theatre in 1912 likely on a 20-year lease. Harry Wright bought the Elite in December of 1914 changing it to the Princess Theatre. It appears to have gotten a 20-year lease with different operators sometime operating as an African American theatre and other times as a segregated theatre operated by Fred C. Allen.
This theatre opened as the Sky-Vu Drive-In. Martin Theatres took control of the theatre in 1950 relaunching it as the Fendley Drive-In Theatre. It was named in honor of the late Norman Fendley who was the Martin Manager who ran the Ritz Theatre and had died in 1949. The opening film was Jimmy Durante in “The Great Rupert.”
Martin Theatres Circuit built this theater early in 1950. A naming contest found Cordie Thompson of East Brewton the winner using the name, The Eagle Drive-In. Thompson said that since the high school team was the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles, that seemed appropriate. The Brewton and East Brewton mayors were on hand as the 315-car drive-in filled on its opening date, June 8, 1950. The opening feature was “The Big Cat” starring Preston Foster.
The long-running theatre continued into the 1970s. It was demolished and became home to Cars 4 Less at 110 Florida Street in the 21st Century.
The Archie Theatre launched July 1, 1948 with Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara in “Sitting Pretty.” The former Abbey Theatre / New Theatre closed June 28, 1948 as a result. Seating was listed at 400 on the main floor and 300 in the balcony for African American customers. Bessie Walker opened the theatre and she died in June of 1964.
Ward Bennett, manager of the Archie Theatre, decided to build a new drive-in in August of 1952. Bennett used his namesake in calling the complex the Bennett Drive-In Theatre. The theatre launched January 21, 1953 with Van Heflin in “Tomahawk.”
This venue opened as The Magnet Theatre at 304 Fairhope Avenue on August 20, 1920. Playing mostly motion pictures, the venue also has some live, local theatre and the Magnet has a tagline marketing it as the “Community Playhouse.”
From 1924 to 1937, the theatre was known as The Playhouse and the Playhouse Theatre making the transition to sound films. The theatre closed for several months in 1937 re-emerging as the Fairhope Theatre in its grand re-opening on December 2, 1937.
In February of 1938, the operators of the competing Ritz Theatre – People’s Theatres Circuit – took over the Fairhope Theatre and closed the Ritz that same month.
Opened as the Penn Hills Theatre in October of 1966. Cinemmette Corporation Circuit ran the theatre for a period. Cinema World Circuit closed the Theatre in August of 1991. It reopened as the Penn Hills Cinemas in 1992 closing in 1993.
Under new operator David Bevilacqua, it reopened on December 14, 1995 as the Cinematropolis as a sub-run discount house. It closed October 12, 2000.
The venue reopened under the name of Penn Hills Cinemas on September 27, 2002 to screen both American and Indian films. The cinema plays primarily American films continuing past its 50th Anniversary in 2016.
It uses https://www.facebook.com/PennHillsCinemas/ as its online address.
Grand opening was February 21, 1951 opening with “The Milkman”. June 29, 1987 may be the last showing with “Dragnet.” Once operated by Cinemete Corporation Circuit.
Goodrich Quality Theatre Circuit will be closing up here on May 9, 2019. They posted:
“After many years of serving the community of Canton, we have made the decision to close our doors on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at GQT Canton 7 GDX. We thank everyone for your loyal business over the past 20 years, and we are happy to have had two decades of amazing moviegoers. *If you have gift cards or use FMG Rewards, these are accepted at GQT Quality 16 in Ann Arbor or any GQT theater. Thank you for the memories.”
The Streator Drive-In launched on June 10, 1949 with “Restless” starring Robert Young. The drive-in ended its operation on September 18, 1982 with a double-feature of “Slumber Party Massacre” and “Screamers.” The ozoner was demolished June 30, 1990 to make way for an industrial park.
Opened in 1908, the Lyric Theatre closed July 5, 1930 as a silent theatre. A new tenant was in place just a month later.
Closed January 19, 1973 with a reduced-cost screening of “Pete ‘n’ Tillie” for 50 cents admission.
Launched June 19, 1947 with “Salty O'Rourke” with Alan Ladd. Original not Ruthorne but Ruthorn combining owners Donald J. Ruth and R. M. Thorn’s last names.
1923
The Colonial Theatre launched with live entertainment on September 2, 1903 on a 20-year lease. A classified ad in 1923 offering 1,000 seats for sale was the official end of the Colonial although it was only lightly used over its final five years. It became an auto repair shop.
Laurel Mall Cinema was launched by the Manos Circuit as a 350-seat mini-theatre in 1971 behind the Montgomery Ward anchor store. It opened February 26, 1974 with “There’s a Girl in My Soup.”
The Paramount Theatre launched in downtown Connellsville on July 18, 1916 with “Gloria’s Romance” and “The Heart of Nora Flynn.” R.L. Hannam was the architect. The theatre adjoined the Globe Theatre which had the Paramount film contract and ceased operations when the Paramount opened. The theatre switched to Vitaphone for talkies in 1929 which included a major interior overhaul.
On July 1, 1949, the Soisson Theatre Co. took on the Paramount and decided to change its name and held a re-naming contest. The winner was the Fayette Theatre upon relaunch on July 19, 1949 opening with “Song of Idaho” and “Highway 13.”. The theatre closed in 1952. It relaunched on January 30, 1953 as the Paramount with “My Outlaw Bride” and “It’s in the Bag.”
The Paramount closed on August 16, 1954 with “Massacre Canyon” and The Wild One.“ It was apparently padlocked. The theatre sold at a sheriff’s sale auction on January 10, 1955 for a scant $144.70. On June 29, 1956, the theatre was home to the Connellsville Revival Center which had the marquee removed in 1973.
The original Soisson Theatre was architected by C. Ender Urban launching on December 17, 1907 likely on a 20-year lease. Brick magnate Joseph Soisson opened the theatre in an apartment building and was located at 118-122 West Crawford Avenue in downtown Connellsville.
In 1927, new lessee C.A. Wagner took on the theatre likely on a 10-year lease. Wagner ceased operations on June 7, 1929 without converting to a true sound system. The theatre was dormant until 1937 when it was almost entirely removed for a new Soisson.
The New Soisson Theatre launched on November 24, 1937 with “Blonde Trouble.” Harry C. Altman was the architect of the, now, Art Deco theatre which used little of the original Soisson. The theatre plan had been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in 1937.
Though used for sporadic events thereafter, the final films at the Soisson were on August 14, 1956 with a double-feature of “Crimson Pirate” and “Animal World.” The Gallatin Bank put an end to the Soisson altogether razing the structure on April 6, 1959 and building a bank onto the property in 1960.
The Kinema opened November 3, 1920 on a 20-year lease.
Post-retail, the venue became Hans Fiedler’s Hall and, in 1891, Social Hall before conversion to the Richfield Opera House. After a 20-year run as the Opera House, new operators took on the new lease converting the venue on August 15, 1927 as the Lyric Theatre. The first film as the Lyric was “Sweet Rosie O’Grady.” On September 21, 1930, the theatre switched to sound with RCA Photophone. Newer theatres relegated the Lyric to subrun double-feature status. New operator J.E. Hostettler revamped the Lyric in July of 1931.
Under Sevier Amusement Circuit, the theatre was downgraded to partial year operation closing in the Summer of 1955. The theatre closed in early 1957 at end of lease. A 1977 damaged the roof and dooming the building. The theatre was bulldozed on October 24, 1983 after standing 102 years.
The Skyline Drive-In launched May 30, 1947. It was redone by new operator Van Anderson as the Rich Drive-In rebooting on April 17, 1955. It appears to have closed at the end of a 20-year lease on August 27, 1974 with “Sleuth.”
The Orpheum Theatre opened August 8, 1914 with 465 seats and Mutual Studio films. On April 13, 1929, the theatre transitioned to sound playing, “The Banker.”
Miner Theatres Circuit rebooted the Orpheum as the new Stout Theatre on November 3, 1949 with yellow acoustic tile and acoustic wall coverings to hide the Orpheum’s dated design. The theatre closed in 1956 and sold to the Menomonie Clinic which flattened the floor and remodeled the space.
This appears to have opened as the Elite Theatre in 1912 likely on a 20-year lease. Harry Wright bought the Elite in December of 1914 changing it to the Princess Theatre. It appears to have gotten a 20-year lease with different operators sometime operating as an African American theatre and other times as a segregated theatre operated by Fred C. Allen.
Headland is known for peanut farms or goobers as well as other types of nuts.
Closing April 11, 2019 with “The Mustang” and “Woman at War” splitting with “The Aftermath” and “Gloria Bell.”
This theatre opened as the Sky-Vu Drive-In. Martin Theatres took control of the theatre in 1950 relaunching it as the Fendley Drive-In Theatre. It was named in honor of the late Norman Fendley who was the Martin Manager who ran the Ritz Theatre and had died in 1949. The opening film was Jimmy Durante in “The Great Rupert.”
Martin Theatres Circuit built this theater early in 1950. A naming contest found Cordie Thompson of East Brewton the winner using the name, The Eagle Drive-In. Thompson said that since the high school team was the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles, that seemed appropriate. The Brewton and East Brewton mayors were on hand as the 315-car drive-in filled on its opening date, June 8, 1950. The opening feature was “The Big Cat” starring Preston Foster.
The long-running theatre continued into the 1970s. It was demolished and became home to Cars 4 Less at 110 Florida Street in the 21st Century.
The Archie Theatre launched July 1, 1948 with Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara in “Sitting Pretty.” The former Abbey Theatre / New Theatre closed June 28, 1948 as a result. Seating was listed at 400 on the main floor and 300 in the balcony for African American customers. Bessie Walker opened the theatre and she died in June of 1964.
Ward Bennett, manager of the Archie Theatre, decided to build a new drive-in in August of 1952. Bennett used his namesake in calling the complex the Bennett Drive-In Theatre. The theatre launched January 21, 1953 with Van Heflin in “Tomahawk.”
This venue opened as The Magnet Theatre at 304 Fairhope Avenue on August 20, 1920. Playing mostly motion pictures, the venue also has some live, local theatre and the Magnet has a tagline marketing it as the “Community Playhouse.”
From 1924 to 1937, the theatre was known as The Playhouse and the Playhouse Theatre making the transition to sound films. The theatre closed for several months in 1937 re-emerging as the Fairhope Theatre in its grand re-opening on December 2, 1937.
In February of 1938, the operators of the competing Ritz Theatre – People’s Theatres Circuit – took over the Fairhope Theatre and closed the Ritz that same month.
Opened as the Penn Hills Theatre in October of 1966. Cinemmette Corporation Circuit ran the theatre for a period. Cinema World Circuit closed the Theatre in August of 1991. It reopened as the Penn Hills Cinemas in 1992 closing in 1993.
Under new operator David Bevilacqua, it reopened on December 14, 1995 as the Cinematropolis as a sub-run discount house. It closed October 12, 2000.
The venue reopened under the name of Penn Hills Cinemas on September 27, 2002 to screen both American and Indian films. The cinema plays primarily American films continuing past its 50th Anniversary in 2016.
It uses https://www.facebook.com/PennHillsCinemas/ as its online address.
Grand opening was February 21, 1951 opening with “The Milkman”. June 29, 1987 may be the last showing with “Dragnet.” Once operated by Cinemete Corporation Circuit.
Launched January 1, 1951 with Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay.”