Victor Theater

524 Fifth Avenue,
McKeesport, PA 15132

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: H.J. Lehman, Victor A. Rigaumont

Previous Names: Avenue Theater

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The Victor Theater was built on the site of the Avenue Theater in late-1916. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. In the mid-1940’s it was remodeled to the plans of architect Victor A. Rigaumont. By 1983 the site of this former theater was being used as a municipal parking lot.

Contributed by Ed Blank

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

edblank
edblank on May 29, 2008 at 8:52 pm

No doubt the organ was used to accompany silent films. Any idea if it survived into the Victor’s sound era.

Jack Oberleitner
Jack Oberleitner on June 14, 2008 at 1:05 pm

David Victor originally operated the Victor McKeesport. The Victor and mammoth, 3100 seat Memorial were the leading McKeesport first-runs. Warner’s bought both theatres in the 30’s. David Victor moved to New Castle, PA which was an industrial boom town at the time. He leased the Nixon Theatre, remodeled it and renamed it the Victor. The tiny (400 seats?) New Castle Victor survived as a first run until the late 40’s when it closed for seven years.
During the late 40’s Leo Mickey was the Victor McKeesport manager. In 1951 he was moved to New Castle to manage the Penn and, ironically, the Victor, amongst others. He served the community well for nearly 40 years.
Jack Oberleitner

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 22, 2013 at 12:40 pm

A catalog of copyrights from 1944 and 1945 lists a copyright granted to architect Victor A. Rigaumont for the design of alterations to the Victor Theatre in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 22, 2013 at 1:28 pm

Here is an item about the Victor Theatre from the October 7, 1916, issue of Motography:

“Rapid progress has been made upon the construction of the new Victor Theater, formerly the Avenue, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, which has been announced to be opened for personal inspection and business on October 5. The Victor will be one of the finest photoplay houses in the State of Pennsylvania. The Victor Amusement Company, of which H.A. Victor is president, and Isaac Victor, treasurer, has spared no expense to make this theater the crowning triumph of its long career in successfully catering to the entertainment of the better class of McKeesport people.

“In their announcement sent out recently to the trade, they stated that they were confident that their new house and the new policy which they will pursue in conducting this playhouse, will undoubtedly meet with the cordial approval and appreciation of their many thousands of friends and patrons in their community, as they are endeavoring to have the structure represent their highest expression of sincere appreciation of the favor and friendship that the public has shown them by their patronage during the past year.

“Their plans for the Victor embody the best of all the modern ideas in photoplay construction. They have made careful provision to safeguard the health and insure the comfort and convenience of all their patrons.

“The theater management has arranged for the exclusive showing of Paramount Pictures in this district, including the four short reel subjects.”

After the theater opened, another brief item about it appeared in the November 25 issue of the same publication:
“Almost an entire new structure has been erected on the site of the former Avenue Theater to make an amusement center of the character Mr. Victor wants for McKeesport. He has spent a good sum of money making his new theater comfortable and cozy. The theater will be known as the Victor and seats nine hundred people. With all the latest appointments and a fine program of pictures the Victor is assured liberal patronage.”

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 9, 2014 at 11:35 am

The June 24, 1916, issue of The American Contractor said that work had begun on the rebuilding of the Avenue Theatre in McKeesport for the new lessee, H. A. Victor. The architect for the project was H. J. Lehman of McKeesport.

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