O Yes, the 61 Street D-I. Built between several junk yards. This D-I was built to handle the overflow from the Airport D-I. Both operated by Budco Theaters. The screen tower was built on marsh land, need I say more. One night with a VERY strong wind the right side of the tower started to pull out of the ground. We had to FIND and then rent a crane to secure the upper right of the tower sooo it would NOT come down. This is just one of many fun nights at the 61 Street D-I. It was a great time working for Budco when D-I’s were D-I’s. rg
The theater is being remolded. Theater has a new marquee and ext. of the building has been repainter with new exit doors. Unknown what’s going on inside.
For the above post. I understand the closing, tearing down of these theatres is sad and they can never be replaced. I managed many theatres in the 60’s to mid 70’s. The good time for most of them. But sometimes the garbage you write takes the enjoyment of reading these sites. Relax and STOP with the Taliban remarks. rg
History of the County Theater
1907 22 S Main St. Hellyer’s movie house
1909 The theater moves across the street 1 S. Main Lenape building
1925 First actual movie theater is built at its current location
and called the Strand
1937 The Strand is sold Goldman & Associates
1938 The Strand is torn down for the new, modernized County theater.
Grand opening Sept. 3rd, 1938 “Little Miss Broadway” The new
The new theater is owned by Kahn who buys out Goldman.
1940 Nov. 18th, 1940 capacity crowds attend first Sunday movies.
1950 Theater is leased to C. Schlanger and Budco Theater Chain. from
Doylestown
1970 Theater runs for a time as a dollar theater.
1980 Kahn’s widow seels to local businessman J. Rudolph. The back
third is converted into apartments. The theater is divided into
two smaller aud. Hard times fall on the County. Two different
indenpents try to run the theater. It closed in 1992.
1992 Closely Watched Films (Non-ptofit) saves the theater
1993 Theater re-opens on Feb.3, 1993
1997 The non-profit buys the theater on April 1, 1997
1998 New Neon tower
1999 Marquee is removed, restored aand re-installed in May 2000
The screen tower was damaged by a strom (I beleive it was blown down) and never replaced. I’ve only been to the D-I once whenit was a theater. When we go to visit our daughter we now stop at the flea market. The old marquee is used for the flea market. rg
I beleive Pennsbury was orig. a Jerry Lewis theater. The Phila. area had several J. L. theaters. One in Lansdale, in the N.E. section of Phila. of Red Lion Rd. Oh yes the Morrisville D-I. I managed this D-I in the 60’s. It was managed by Budco Theaters from Doylestown, Pa. Budco operated most of the D-I’s in the Tri-state area.
Every so often when coming home from the station I will drive through my old neighborhood and I will stop church (theater). The folks are sooo nice and let me spend a little time remembering when I was a kid and spent a lot of time in this building. rg
Drove by the theater today and what ever work that was taking place can not be scence on the outside. The large dumpster that was next to the building is gone. The last I heard the roof needed repairs and with winter here look out. I don’t think this gem will make it, sad to say. rg
I beleive the Fox Theatre in Willingboro was owned by the Fox Family. Budco theatres of Doylestown, Pa. managed and operated the theatre in the 60’s. The two sons of Fox also were involed with their father. I was dist. manager with Budco and this was one of my hardtops. If you need more info let me know. rs
The Sablosky (Norris Amusement Co.) also operated the Ridge Pike D-I and the Valley Forge D-I theatres. In the late 50’s and early 60’s The two D-I’s and the Norris theatre were operated By Budco Theatres but still owned by N. A. Co. rs
IJY — Thanks, Would love the Renel theater as I went there as a kid. Have great memories from this and the Erlen, Rockland, Broad, Logan and this list goes ON. Thanks rg
No picture at this site
O Yes, the 61 Street D-I. Built between several junk yards. This D-I was built to handle the overflow from the Airport D-I. Both operated by Budco Theaters. The screen tower was built on marsh land, need I say more. One night with a VERY strong wind the right side of the tower started to pull out of the ground. We had to FIND and then rent a crane to secure the upper right of the tower sooo it would NOT come down. This is just one of many fun nights at the 61 Street D-I. It was a great time working for Budco when D-I’s were D-I’s. rg
I AGREE rg
All I can say is this was a great theatre. I managed this house in the 60’s to SOLD OUT, Standing Room Only crowds. It was just great. rg
The building is empty once again and for rent. A BINGO business was the last to operate out of the theater. rg
The theater is being remolded. Theater has a new marquee and ext. of the building has been repainter with new exit doors. Unknown what’s going on inside.
For the above post. I understand the closing, tearing down of these theatres is sad and they can never be replaced. I managed many theatres in the 60’s to mid 70’s. The good time for most of them. But sometimes the garbage you write takes the enjoyment of reading these sites. Relax and STOP with the Taliban remarks. rg
History of the County Theater
1907 22 S Main St. Hellyer’s movie house
1909 The theater moves across the street 1 S. Main Lenape building
1925 First actual movie theater is built at its current location
and called the Strand
1937 The Strand is sold Goldman & Associates
1938 The Strand is torn down for the new, modernized County theater.
Grand opening Sept. 3rd, 1938 “Little Miss Broadway” The new
The new theater is owned by Kahn who buys out Goldman.
1940 Nov. 18th, 1940 capacity crowds attend first Sunday movies.
1950 Theater is leased to C. Schlanger and Budco Theater Chain. from
Doylestown
1970 Theater runs for a time as a dollar theater.
1980 Kahn’s widow seels to local businessman J. Rudolph. The back
third is converted into apartments. The theater is divided into
two smaller aud. Hard times fall on the County. Two different
indenpents try to run the theater. It closed in 1992.
1992 Closely Watched Films (Non-ptofit) saves the theater
1993 Theater re-opens on Feb.3, 1993
1997 The non-profit buys the theater on April 1, 1997
1998 New Neon tower
1999 Marquee is removed, restored aand re-installed in May 2000
The screen tower was damaged by a strom (I beleive it was blown down) and never replaced. I’ve only been to the D-I once whenit was a theater. When we go to visit our daughter we now stop at the flea market. The old marquee is used for the flea market. rg
I beleive Pennsbury was orig. a Jerry Lewis theater. The Phila. area had several J. L. theaters. One in Lansdale, in the N.E. section of Phila. of Red Lion Rd. Oh yes the Morrisville D-I. I managed this D-I in the 60’s. It was managed by Budco Theaters from Doylestown, Pa. Budco operated most of the D-I’s in the Tri-state area.
This theatre is just sitting. I understand a lot items from the theatre have been stolen.
Every so often when coming home from the station I will drive through my old neighborhood and I will stop church (theater). The folks are sooo nice and let me spend a little time remembering when I was a kid and spent a lot of time in this building. rg
Drove by the theater today and what ever work that was taking place can not be scence on the outside. The large dumpster that was next to the building is gone. The last I heard the roof needed repairs and with winter here look out. I don’t think this gem will make it, sad to say. rg
All three (3) screens are up and running. Yes the third Aud. is open and restored. rg
I’ve been past several times and I see nothing going on. rg
It appears the center is closed. Web site down and front of the old theatre is empty. What’s up. rg
Looking for photos of this theater. Contact rg at
Looking for photos of this theater. Thanks rg E-mail
Looking pictures of this theater before it went to adult movies. Thanks rg You can contact me at
I beleive the Fox Theatre in Willingboro was owned by the Fox Family. Budco theatres of Doylestown, Pa. managed and operated the theatre in the 60’s. The two sons of Fox also were involed with their father. I was dist. manager with Budco and this was one of my hardtops. If you need more info let me know. rs
The Sablosky (Norris Amusement Co.) also operated the Ridge Pike D-I and the Valley Forge D-I theatres. In the late 50’s and early 60’s The two D-I’s and the Norris theatre were operated By Budco Theatres but still owned by N. A. Co. rs
Last I heard the NEW owner is remodeling the entire building and is trying to find someone to operate the theatre. rs
Do you have a web site. rg
IJY — Thanks, Would love the Renel theater as I went there as a kid. Have great memories from this and the Erlen, Rockland, Broad, Logan and this list goes ON. Thanks rg
Does anyone have any photos from these theaters.. Thanks rg