The Williamsburg Theatre started life as the “RKO Williamsburg Theatre” when it opened its doors by the RKO chain on January 12, 1933 with Richard Dix in “The Conquerors” along with a few short subjects. The RKO name was dropped two years later in 1935, and its name was updated to simply “Williamsburg Theatre”.
Throughout most of its life, the Williamsburg Theatre ran first-run features (with a little mix of classic matinees in rare occasions). Unfortunately, this lasted until January 12, 1990 when the Williamsburg Theatre dropped its mainstream fare and began showing mostly art and foreign features (however, first-run films are also added only in rare occasions throughout time). When the late-1990s rolled along, some performing arts and classic movies are presented.
Movies are dropped soon afterward, and in late-2001, it was renamed the Kimball Theatre.
Opened with “Flame Of Araby” (unclear if any short subjects added).
The Parkade Drive-In closed for the final time on October 30, 1960 with “Man Without A Star” and “The Way To The Gold” along with a cartoon, and was demolished the following year to make way for the Parkade Plaza Shopping Center (which began construction following major original plans to the shopping center itself in January 1962).
The Silver Moon Drive-In actually opened on May 28, 1952 with Betty Grable in “Meet Me After The Show” along with a few unnamed short subjects.
It was expecting to open earlier but delayed due to weather conditions. The Silver Moon originally had an original capacity of 660 cars and a 55x62ft screen withstanding a wind force of 70 MPH. It was first managed by Robert Cassidy.
However, there was picketing by union laborers outside the drive-in right before grand opening happened, protesting non-union conditions in the construction site of the theater under contractor W.A. Albertson of Bloomsburg. This was due to the representatives of the IATSE Local 403 of Sunbury reported that they had been completely unsuccessful in getting a contract to hire union projectionists at the nearby Nu-Way Drive-In in Sellingsgrove, but successfully added in getting a contract for both the Silver Moon in Lewisburg and the Modern Open-Air Drive-In between Danville and Northumberland. The Central Union voted to have the secretary wrote a letter to inform the owners nearby of the organization’s interest and concern in the matter, and they also voted to have the secretary do the same thing to the Gulf Corporation of Philadelphia asking co-operation in not selling oil through local retailer to the Milton Hosiery Mills Inc.
General Cinema opened the Forest Mall Cinema I & II on August 1, 1973 with “Scarecrow” at Screen 1 and “Cahill” at Screen 2. GCC operated the Forest Mall Cinema until Marcus Theatres took it over in 1987.
During construction on December 9, 1927, one of the construction workers (who was identified as Newton Bottomley) fell off a scaffold and suffered a broken shoulder.
The Plaza Theatre opened its doors on February 15, 1928 with George K. Arthur in “The Gingham Girl” along with the short comedy “Oui Oui Heidelberg”, a newsreel, a special local attraction “A Trip Through Burlington”, and special performances by the theater’s orchestra named after the theater itself conducted by assistant manager Harold York (who also plays violin), and Ms. Gladys Krueger on the Brilliantone Barton organ (who also plays the piano in the orchestra). The organ performance was also used in the special local attraction.
On opening day, 6-year-old Charlotte Oberg (the daughter of the theater’s original constructor Mr. F.L. Oberg and his wife), parted the original rich velvet curtains and introduced to Burlington’s mayor at the time, L.A. Forge, who congratulate the owners and managers of the theater, including C.W. Nebel Sr. who was the resident manager, and H.B. Mortimer of Milwaukee who was the secretary-treasurer of Community Theaters Incorporated.
Taken between July 13 and 15, 1947.
Judging by the shape of the drive-in, its a small one. I’ll say between 150 and 200 cars.
Opened on April 22, 1965 with “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and “The Disorderly Orderly”.
December 21, 1973 Grand Opening
The Williamsburg Theatre started life as the “RKO Williamsburg Theatre” when it opened its doors by the RKO chain on January 12, 1933 with Richard Dix in “The Conquerors” along with a few short subjects. The RKO name was dropped two years later in 1935, and its name was updated to simply “Williamsburg Theatre”.
Throughout most of its life, the Williamsburg Theatre ran first-run features (with a little mix of classic matinees in rare occasions). Unfortunately, this lasted until January 12, 1990 when the Williamsburg Theatre dropped its mainstream fare and began showing mostly art and foreign features (however, first-run films are also added only in rare occasions throughout time). When the late-1990s rolled along, some performing arts and classic movies are presented.
Movies are dropped soon afterward, and in late-2001, it was renamed the Kimball Theatre.
Opened with Walt Disney’s “Robin Hood” at Screen 1 and Elizabeth Taylor’s “Ash Wednesday” at Screen 2.
The Coliseum Mall Cinema I & II closed on March 26, 1989 with “New York Stories” at Screen 1 and “Three Fugitives” at Screen 2.
Opened with “The Return Of October” along with two cartoons and a sportlight.
Closed on September 22, 1974 with “Easy Rider”, “The Last Detail”, and “Bullitt”.
Opened with “Flame Of Araby” (unclear if any short subjects added).
The Parkade Drive-In closed for the final time on October 30, 1960 with “Man Without A Star” and “The Way To The Gold” along with a cartoon, and was demolished the following year to make way for the Parkade Plaza Shopping Center (which began construction following major original plans to the shopping center itself in January 1962).
Opened in mid-1973.
It appears that the North Drive-In is still open as late as the mid-1980s, but the screen was gone by 1991.
The Silver Moon Drive-In actually opened on May 28, 1952 with Betty Grable in “Meet Me After The Show” along with a few unnamed short subjects.
It was expecting to open earlier but delayed due to weather conditions. The Silver Moon originally had an original capacity of 660 cars and a 55x62ft screen withstanding a wind force of 70 MPH. It was first managed by Robert Cassidy.
However, there was picketing by union laborers outside the drive-in right before grand opening happened, protesting non-union conditions in the construction site of the theater under contractor W.A. Albertson of Bloomsburg. This was due to the representatives of the IATSE Local 403 of Sunbury reported that they had been completely unsuccessful in getting a contract to hire union projectionists at the nearby Nu-Way Drive-In in Sellingsgrove, but successfully added in getting a contract for both the Silver Moon in Lewisburg and the Modern Open-Air Drive-In between Danville and Northumberland. The Central Union voted to have the secretary wrote a letter to inform the owners nearby of the organization’s interest and concern in the matter, and they also voted to have the secretary do the same thing to the Gulf Corporation of Philadelphia asking co-operation in not selling oil through local retailer to the Milton Hosiery Mills Inc.
Closed on October 2, 1982.
Closed on September 3, 1962.
Closed on June 17, 1990 with “Firebird” and “Miami Blues” (possibly due to low attendance and property issues).
The Retlaw became a triplex in 1983, and two more screens were added in December 1985.
General Cinema opened the Forest Mall Cinema I & II on August 1, 1973 with “Scarecrow” at Screen 1 and “Cahill” at Screen 2. GCC operated the Forest Mall Cinema until Marcus Theatres took it over in 1987.
Functions Update: Classics films are also presented.
The Plaza Theatre’s current marquee was erected in September 1953.
During construction on December 9, 1927, one of the construction workers (who was identified as Newton Bottomley) fell off a scaffold and suffered a broken shoulder.
The Plaza Theatre opened its doors on February 15, 1928 with George K. Arthur in “The Gingham Girl” along with the short comedy “Oui Oui Heidelberg”, a newsreel, a special local attraction “A Trip Through Burlington”, and special performances by the theater’s orchestra named after the theater itself conducted by assistant manager Harold York (who also plays violin), and Ms. Gladys Krueger on the Brilliantone Barton organ (who also plays the piano in the orchestra). The organ performance was also used in the special local attraction.
First known as the Marcus Twin Cinemas.
June 7, 1984, I think.
Closed on September 4, 1986 with “Bullies”.
Closed on January 18, 2001.
Closed on October 7, 1984 with “Private School” and “Conan The Destroyer”.
Opened as Gem in October 1917, renamed Traill in October 1941. Still operating in the mid-1960s, but closing date has not been found yet.