The Watson Theatre closed for the final time on September 24, 2009 with “Marley And Me” as part of a regional reading promotion “Read Across The Valley” sponsored by 14 area libraries across Susquehanna Valley. It was last owned-and-operated by the husband-and-wife team of Rick and Deb Whistler, who had been operating the Watson since 1996.
This was lastly known as the Redding Drive-In. The Starlight changed its name to the Redding in 1982, and had that name until its final closure on September 19, 1993 with “Free Willy” and “Jurassic Park”.
During its United Artists days, the Cascade had four screens, with two screens downstairs and two screens upstairs. This lasted until United Artists closed the Cascade as a first-run movie theater on September 28, 1997. The August 2004 restoration downsized the theater back to a single-screener.
The Valley Drive-In actually first opened its gates as a single-screener in February 1966. Two more screens were added in 1973 followed by another three more screens in 1980.
There are two Plaza Theatres in Appleton City. This is the second one, opening on June 17, 1937 with Gene Raymond in “There Goes My Girl” along with a few unnamed shorts, and was the replacement of an earlier Plaza Theatre.
The Plaza Theatre appears that it closed on October 5, 1980 with “The Long Riders”.
The Gallery Theatre opened its doors on June 10, 1972 with Bruce Dern in “Silent Running”. This was the first indoor movie theater to operate in Hershey since the downtown Hershey Theatre dropped first-run movies in its entirety in the first quarter of the 1970s. It was renamed the Derry Theatre in 1976.
The Derry Theatre closed for the final time on August 20, 1988 with “Bull Durham”.
The Midway Drive-In opened its gates on June 30, 1950 despite the two original operators were fined $50 over a then-Sunday law two days later. It was closed on October 12, 1968 and never reopened the following year.
The Strand Theatre closed for the final time on October 31, 1957 with Alan Freed in “Mister Rock And Roll”. It originally planned to close on September 20 of that year but management led by manager John Guers decided to keep the theater running for another month. The closure of the Strand was in connection of tax controversies with the Borough Council.
The Towne Theatre closed for the final time on June 29, 1976 with Walt Disney’s “Follow Me Boys” and “Ben And Me”, and was last operated by Fox Theatres who also operated a handful other theaters across Northeast Pennsylvania.
The Towne Theatre originally planned to reopen as a special events theater under the name “New Towne Theatre” in March 1977 featuring performing arts and classic movies, but unfortunately, four months later on June 14, 1977, the Towne Theatre and four other stores were sold to Donald Specht, who had planned to tear down the Towne Theatre for a parking lot. The Towne Theatre was demolished afterward but the Smith Family Plaza Park was instead built on the site of the former theater.
Closed on October 5, 1996 with “Jack” and “Courage Under Fire”.
Closed on October 6, 1985 with “Teen Wolf” and “Return Of The Living Dead”.
Closed with “The Great Outdoors” and “Biloxi Blues”.
Closed on September 1, 1985 with “Gremlins” and “The Goonies”.
The Watson Theatre closed for the final time on September 24, 2009 with “Marley And Me” as part of a regional reading promotion “Read Across The Valley” sponsored by 14 area libraries across Susquehanna Valley. It was last owned-and-operated by the husband-and-wife team of Rick and Deb Whistler, who had been operating the Watson since 1996.
Closed on May 9, 1981 with “The Incredible Shrinking Woman”, “The Private Eyes”, and “Fatso”.
This was lastly known as the Redding Drive-In. The Starlight changed its name to the Redding in 1982, and had that name until its final closure on September 19, 1993 with “Free Willy” and “Jurassic Park”.
During its United Artists days, the Cascade had four screens, with two screens downstairs and two screens upstairs. This lasted until United Artists closed the Cascade as a first-run movie theater on September 28, 1997. The August 2004 restoration downsized the theater back to a single-screener.
Opened with John Howard in “Tight Shoes” (unknown if extras added). It was demolished in August 1972.
Still open in 1962.
The Anton Theatre was renamed the Star Theatre on March 1, 1963. It was still open in 1971.
The projection booth and concession stand was once damaged by a fire on June 17, 1983.
Still open in 1976, but may’ve closed in the late-1970s.
Closed on March 16, 1989.
Most likely closed in late-February 1999.
The Valley Drive-In actually first opened its gates as a single-screener in February 1966. Two more screens were added in 1973 followed by another three more screens in 1980.
The State Theatre opened as early as May 1944, although I cannot find the actual opening date.
There are two Plaza Theatres in Appleton City. This is the second one, opening on June 17, 1937 with Gene Raymond in “There Goes My Girl” along with a few unnamed shorts, and was the replacement of an earlier Plaza Theatre.
The Plaza Theatre appears that it closed on October 5, 1980 with “The Long Riders”.
The Gallery Theatre opened its doors on June 10, 1972 with Bruce Dern in “Silent Running”. This was the first indoor movie theater to operate in Hershey since the downtown Hershey Theatre dropped first-run movies in its entirety in the first quarter of the 1970s. It was renamed the Derry Theatre in 1976.
The Derry Theatre closed for the final time on August 20, 1988 with “Bull Durham”.
The Midway Drive-In opened its gates on June 30, 1950 despite the two original operators were fined $50 over a then-Sunday law two days later. It was closed on October 12, 1968 and never reopened the following year.
Opened on April 3, 1974 with “Executive Action” as the Hershey Motor Lodge Cinema.
Closed on November 13, 1966 with “Fantastic Voyage”.
The Strand Theatre closed for the final time on October 31, 1957 with Alan Freed in “Mister Rock And Roll”. It originally planned to close on September 20 of that year but management led by manager John Guers decided to keep the theater running for another month. The closure of the Strand was in connection of tax controversies with the Borough Council.
The Towne Theatre closed for the final time on June 29, 1976 with Walt Disney’s “Follow Me Boys” and “Ben And Me”, and was last operated by Fox Theatres who also operated a handful other theaters across Northeast Pennsylvania.
The Towne Theatre originally planned to reopen as a special events theater under the name “New Towne Theatre” in March 1977 featuring performing arts and classic movies, but unfortunately, four months later on June 14, 1977, the Towne Theatre and four other stores were sold to Donald Specht, who had planned to tear down the Towne Theatre for a parking lot. The Towne Theatre was demolished afterward but the Smith Family Plaza Park was instead built on the site of the former theater.
Closed on October 3, 1965.