Lansdowne Theatre
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue,
Lansdowne Borough,
PA
19050
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue,
Lansdowne Borough,
PA
19050
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 56 comments
The original marquee lasted only 4 or 5 years. We have located photographs from the early 30s that show the current marquee in place. We suspect that the original was removed because it did not allow for the name of the films to be displayed.
Looking for your Lansdowne Theater Stories
The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation is looking for your Lansdowne Theater story. Share memories of meeting friends at the theater. Was there a movie that you saw at the theater that changed your life? Did you work at the theater? Did you patronize or work at one of the businesses that occupied the retail or office spaces? If you have photographs of the theater we would love to see them. The best stories and photos will appear on the soon to be expanded www.LansdowneTheater.org
Send your stories to
Look for updates on the theater later this fall.
This is another expanded view of a thumbnail posted on 11/10/04. Photo is from the Irvin Glazer theater collection:
http://tinyurl.com/pcz5qd
Good things are happening! The Regency Cafe just moved into one theater storefront, and an independent video store, with a screening room, will open soon in the other!
http://www.regencycafe.com/
http://www.cinema169.com/
http://www.lansdownetheater.org/
I loved this theater as a kid I remember seeing snow white here when was about 4 or 5 in 1984 or 85.
Today’s exterior photo by Rob Bender:
View link
June, 2008
Dear Friends of Film in Lansdowne:
At long last, after more than 20 years, movies have come back to Lansdowne! Our wonderful arts community now has its own intimate, 30-seat microcinema/screening room right in the heart of the central business district. You are invited to join us for the Lansdowne Sofa Cinema Premiere this Saturday, 6/14 as follows:
6:45: Cry of the Snow Lionâ€"a breathtakingly beautiful and engaging film about Tibet and its people, featuring the Dalai Lama.
8:45: Reception with Tsering Wangdi, President of the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia who is working on the July appearance of the Dalai Lama in Philadelphia;
9:115 Cry of the Snow Lion, 2nd showing.
For one $ 5 fee, you may attend either screening and head Mr. Wangdi. Refreshments are also available.
The showing will take place at our first home, the Lansdowne Baptist Church, corner of Lansdowne and LaCrosse. There is free parking in the church lot.
We are delighted to present Lansdowne’s first film venture in two decades in a fun and engaging way. Advance tickets may be purchased this Saturday at the Sofa Cinema booth at the Lansdowne Farmers Market or at the door. For further information, please call: (215) 601-1138. For future features, please visit our website at: lansdownesofacinema.com. If you or your organization would like to work with the Sofa Cinema Committee or sponsor a particular film for your group, we would be happy to work with you.
Come and support film and fun in Lansdowne! See you at the movies!!
Gary Chilutti, Manager
Main Street Lansdowne
Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation
Lansdowne Sofa Cinema is a project of the Lansdowne Main Street Program under sponsorship of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit corporation under Section 501 c 3 of the IRS Code. The LEDC receives support from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the Borough of Lansdowne and numerous local businesses, philanthropic foundations and corporations. For more information, visit our website at: www.lansdownesfuture.com
Thanks to Barry Goodkin for sharing his exterior photo of June 23, 1985 during run of “Witness” (filmed in Philadelphia area)during annual Conclave visit to Philadelphia area by Theatre Historical Society of America:
View link
A web site. Very little info so far, but stay tuned!
http://www.lansdownetheater.org/
Here are a couple of photos. The first is undated, maye circa 1920s. The second is an expansion of a thumbnail posted by Lost Memory on 11/10/04:
http://tinyurl.com/35dqee
http://tinyurl.com/2qftzh
here is info on the LEDC:
http://www.lansdownesfuture.org/ledc/history/
From the Lansdowne Borough Council minutes, June 6 2007:
“Mr. Lee mentioned that the Lansdowne Theater sign is in disrepair and action is necessary. Mr. Travers stated that several citations have been issued and the building has been sold to the LEDC/GLCA partnership.”
The mayor of Lansdowne told me!
Where is this “fact” from?
It is a fact that it has been sold, but I still have not heard any concrete plans or info about next steps! I had the chance to enter the theater a few months ago (I noticed that the front door was open,so I went inside.) The place is absolutely beautiful, but totally trashed. There is mouldy carpet, and bits of fallen plaster everywhere. It will take enormous work to bring it back to life.
I went religiously to this theater and the Waverly in Drexel Hill as a kid and a young adult….very fond memories…
Hopefully this will be reopened for it’s original purpose….
Closed as the Intro says, no current use pending consideration of how to reopen. That’s been the status since closure.
The entry at Cinematour.com indicates the the theatre is open – even lists a phone number. No info on what it’s current use is.
Moi did you hear anything more?
I heard this weekend that the theater has been sold. Does anyone have any information— who, what are the plans, etc.?
oh yeah, those fun “blue laws”. You also couldn’t buy some types of food, like pizza and hand-made sandwiches.
lol
how did the vote go
This link will give you the history and pictures of the Lansdowne Theater Organ
View link
It is my understanding the original 3 manual 8 rank Kimball organ was broken up for parts. We heard the organ played by the late Lowell Ayers at the 1976 ATOS Convention. Gads, that’s 30 years ago!