Comments from dennisczimmerman

Showing 76 - 100 of 238 comments

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Lititz Theatre on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:14 am

Renewing my link. Thanks Mr.Coffee

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Hill Theatre on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:11 am

John Messick and John S in York – wondering if we might still ever get together and have a chat about the “old days.” Time keeps marching on.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about State Theater on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:10 am

Renewing my link.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Hershey Theatre on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:07 am

Renewing my link.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Southside Cinema on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:06 am

Renewing my link.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Centre on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:05 am

Just renewing my notification.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:02 am

This is a duplicate listing. See #22599. The lobby of the Joy Theatre is being used for a real estate office. The actual auditorium is in tack except for the seats. The Pharmacy is a few doors down the street. See the other listing for more information.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Centre on Mar 14, 2009 at 8:45 am

I would like to correct the Spectrum Oct. 17, 2007 comment. The Capitol Theatre is on the corner and the Strand Theatre is to the left of the Capitol. I lived in York in the mid 1960’s as I was going to college there at the time. The theatres were operated by Stanley Warner at the time. The Strand was a one floor with a long lobby. The Capitol had a balcony. The marquee’s at the time were connected as one by neon in between. It was a long marquee with each theatre having a face and one end. Until I attended movies there I also thought the Capitol was bigger than the Strand as it was larger from the view from the street and I also knew it had a balcony. I am so glad they did save the theatres. Lancaster, about 25 miles East of York, where I live, had four movie theatres downtown and they were all demolished in 1966-67.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Theaters wanted on Sep 12, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Cyndi – Maybe she no longer works there. The office is still listed in the latest phone book. It is Main Street Mount Joy, 15 Marietta Ave., Mount Joy, PA 17552. The Phone number is (717) 6534227. They have an internet site www.msmj.org I am going to check that out as soon as I submit this. Thanks for trying. Once again, just call me determined!!!!!
Dennis

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Theaters wanted on Sep 3, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Hi CyNdi, I had emailed you two pictures of the Joy Theatre in Mt. Joy, Pa. It has been closed since the late 1960’s, but the building has been maintained. Mt. Joy, Pa. is located in Lancaster County midway between Lancaster and Harrisburg. I know a while ago I was talking to Stacy Rutherford in the Main Street Mount Joy office and they were really willing to work with anyone to get the theatre reopened. Her email address is Also the Marietta Theatre in Marietta, Pa. which is about 10 miles West of Mt. Joy is currently being restored by the local Marietta Restoration association. I know the last time I had read about the progress they were looking for someone to take over the theatre when the work was done. I can send you more pictures of the Joy Theatre. I would really like to see either one of these two theatres reopened. Both theatres are listed on this website. The Joy Theatre has two businesses in the building and I believe seven apartments on the 2nd floor. The real estate office is located in what was the theatre lobby and foyer. As I said I can send additional pictures.
Call me determined!!!!! Thanks

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Southside Cinema on Aug 25, 2008 at 4:56 pm

This is amazing. In 1967 to 1970 I was stationed at Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda. What is now called the Southside Cinema was the base movie theatre operated by the Army/Air Force Motion Picture Service. We, I had a part-time job as theatre manager, used to show movies before they were shown at the two Bermuda “civilian” theatres at the time. The two theatres were the Rosemont and Island (?) both in downtown Hamilton, Bermuda. The Southside looks exactly the same as it did 40 years ago. In fact the glass front was being added when I first arrived there in 1967. There were two carbon arc 35mm projectors in the theatre booth. I had heard that when the Navy took over the base and theatre in 1970 they used 16mm projectors set up in the auditorium. Does that picture bring back memories!

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Main Twin Theatre on Aug 23, 2008 at 11:08 am

Thanks Lost Memory. My original purpose in listing this theatre was the original theatre and it’s history. Adding what had become of some of the furnishings in the original was an afterthought. In my mind Cinema Treasures are the movie palaces of yester years. The multiplexes of today will never be Cinema Treasures in my eyes. They are showboxes with a white wall on one end. Although the Main Twin Theatres are a modern treasure by incorporating the decor of the original theatre.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Hershey Theatre on Aug 23, 2008 at 11:03 am

Patsy – The Hershey Theatre is magnificent. Yes it is an atmospheric theatre. Check their website. I know there are some stage shows coming. I, myself, want to get tickets to see “Avenue Q” when it plays there in February. However, individual show tickets have not gone on sale yet. I stand in the lobby everytime my wife and I go there and am just awed by the splendor. Only someone on the economic scale of Milton Hershey could have built a place like this. The auditorium is equally as gorgeous. I look forward to perhaps some Saturday getting there to see a movie. I believe it is one Saturday a month over the Fall and Winter and early Spring they show a classic movie. Don’t miss a chance to see this theatre!!!!!
Dennis

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Theaters wanted on Aug 23, 2008 at 7:22 am

Cyndi-lauper: I attempted to email you some pictures, but received a failure notice as the file was too large. I think I included about four pictures. So I will try it again with just two.
Dennis

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Main Twin Theatre on Aug 23, 2008 at 7:15 am

Lost Memory – The original theatre was demolished. The theatre that was opened in 1938 is gone. I was the one to submit this theatre to Cinema Treasures. I was the one that wrote the above history. And as stated in that the theatre was purchased by the Denver and Ephrata Telephone company. The building was too deteriorated to be saved. The twin theatre operating there now is a new complex incorporated into the new office building that was built on the site of the original theatre. As I wrote above, they salvaged parts of the original theatre. The marquee is in use at the street entrance and the entrance to the parking garage. The box office is used at the inside entrance to the theatre. The original wall lights are used in both theatres.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Theaters wanted on Aug 22, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Check Out the Joy Theatre in Mt. Joy, Lancaster County, PA and the Marietta Theatre in Marietta, Lancaster County, PA. Both are listed on this website. The Joy Theatre is for sale. It is in fairly decent shape considering it has not been used in over 40 years. The seats are gone, but the building has been maintained. Even the murals are still on the auditorium walls. I have pictures of the outside and inside of this theatre. The Marietta Theatre is currently being restored by the Historic Marietta Restoration Association. I know now that they are in the midst of that project, they still have no plans what they are going to do with the theatre when it is ready for use. Lancaster County is about 60 miles West of Philadelphia and only about 25 miles East of Harrisburg, the state capital. Either one would be an ideal candidate for operation.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on Aug 4, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Many many comments ago I mentioned it would be nice if someone put together a book of the Boyd Theatre. Detailing the history of the theatre and including as many pictures as possible. I know it would not raise enough money to restore the theatre, but I would certainly think there is enough interest in this theatre that the book would sell and at least help raise funds. I have bought enough “books” from the Theatre Historical organization which, in size comparison, would be similar to the souvenier programs that were sold during the roadshow film days. I am so glad I took the pictures I took back in the 1960’s of the Philadelphia theatres. However, I only have exterior pictures. It would be nice to have some history of the interiors as well. Since the Boyd is the only one left standing, this an opportunity worth pursuing. I am also still amazed at the number of people who attend rallies, meetings, etc. With the population of Philadelphia, you would certainly think more than a handful to a hundred would participate. I know the wheels of progress turn slow, but I keep thinking if the citizens of Philadelphia really cared, there would be an outpouring of support to save this masterpiece. There have been other theatres in a lot worse condition that have been brought back to life across this country. Do you suppose by the time the “touring revival of ‘The Lion King’ travels the country the Boyd could be one of its stops??

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on Jun 5, 2008 at 6:02 pm

I read the article in the Inquirer Sunday entertainment section about the “troubles” at the Kimmel Center. Both with design flaws and debt financing. I wondered at the time when the Center opened for one heck of a lot less money they could have taken over the Boyd and made a marvelous performing arts center and used it for films during “off times.” Because if the Kimmel Center is six years old that, if my memory serves, opened the end of 2002 which was after the Boyd closed. Granted the Boyd was still an operating movie theatre when the design, construction, etc was arranged for the Kimmel Center. Granted the size of the Kimmel Center is much different that the Boyd, however is the seating any higher than the Boyd could have offered?? Even in two “theatres” at the Kimmel. Oh well, it’s too late now. I guess with the close proximity of the Great White Way, Broadway touring versions do not need to have such extended engagements, but it would be nice. I see the “road grosses” of touring shows and see all the cities that have saved at least one of their theatres. They can spend 300 million on the Kimmel Center, but 50 million to restore a movie palace is out of reach!!!!!!!???????

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on May 19, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Theatre Buff1 – Don’t think Philadelphia is the only area subject to all these changes. The farmlands of Lancaster County are disappearing faster with each “blooming” shopping center or housing development built. I drive 7 miles to work and it takes me usually 30 to 35 minutes each way!!! Downtown Lancaster was destroyed years ago in the name of urban redevelopment. Four movie palaces, innumberable businesses, a hotel, and other things were demolished. Now they want to demolish what was built in its place and bring back a part of what was there. Developers from Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties seem to have set their sights on Lancaster County as the next area to bastardize. It will soon be to the point one area will look the same as another. Wal-Marts, K-Marts, Lowe’s, Target etal will abound and you will not think you left home. I still say, if you could find out how the box office of a movie in Imax compares to a “regular” shoebox theatre box office. To me I look at Imax as the new version of 70mm6 Track Stereo sound from the 60’s-80’s. However, it will still never replace the movie palaces and those traveler curtains opening on that large 70mm screen. At least it offers you more than the “postage stamp” size screens in most of the megaplexes. They advertise wall to wall screens, but a theatre with 150-250 seats, the walls are not exactly that far apart!
If I had a vast amount of money, I would restore the Boyd or any theatre I could purchase. Even if I was the only one patronizing it. However, I keep thinking about the movie “Field of Dreams.” “Build It and They will come.” Restore it and they will come as well.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on May 18, 2008 at 10:09 am

Theatre Buff1 – I would love to attend both functions. However, when I write that I would be making plans to travel into Center City, that travel originates in Lancaster, PA. And when you are still working full time, taking time off means a vacation day. And as much as I would like to attend, vacation days to me need to be saved for a vacation. I cannot believe that in a city the size of Philadelphia, there is not enough support to get this theatre restored and reopened. If only they could come up with a way for the flyers, Sixers, Eagles, or Phillies to play there, the support I would think would be overwhelming. They, the city and its citizens, could comee up with a humongous amount of money to build two new stadiums, but the money to restore its last movie palace – a much smaller amount of money – cannot be found. I guess it is all where your priorities lie. There is just as many people who would spend their money in Center City dining and attending an event at the Boyd, just like some people shell out their hard earned money to see a sport team in Philly. When there were many movie palaces in Center City, my wife and I – and on occasion friends – would make a weekend of it. Arriving Saturday and spend the day shopping. Then dinner out and a movie at the Boyd – Stanley – Fox – Midtown, etc. Then stay over night and have breakfast out in the morning before heading back to Lancaster. It was a nice break “mini vacation.”

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on May 17, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I see the TV ads, newspaper ads, and publicity for the new “Indiana Jones” movie opening in a few days. It makes me think back to the first three “Indy” films. I would make plans to travel to Center City to see the film in “70MM Six Track Stereo Sound” at the Boyd/Sameric Theatre. Now we no longer have that choice. Worse yet, even if there were still some “70mm” theatres around, films are not being released with 70mm prints anylonger. It is sort of a catch 22. If there were still theatres, would they make 70mm prints? If there were 70mm prints, would there still be theatres to show them. Anyone who has not seen a film presented in 70mm six track stereo sound has not seen a great presentation. And those of us who have, will miss those days and times. Even now, just hearing the music from “HTWWW”, “Lawrence”,“My Fair Lady”, “Camelot” and all the others brings back so many pleasant movie going memories. I can still picture those red curtains opening on the curved Cinerama screen at the BOYD and would love to see that again. Oh well, at least some of us had that experience to remember.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Fulton Theatre on May 3, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Yes that is the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster. The theatre looked like that until it was “restored/remodeled” I believe sometime in the 1980’s if I am not mistaken. I remember seeing a lot of the Agatha Christie Margaret Rutherford movies at the Fulton back in the 1960’s. They generally did not show “main stream” movies. And at one time they changed the name to the “Fulton Art Theatre.” They also showed a lot of the English “Carry On” movies back during that time as well. At one time with the Urban Renewal projects tearing down the four movie palace theatres a few blocks away, the Fulton was the only movie theatre in downtown for quite a while. During that time they did some main stream Hollywood movies as there was no competition and they could book whatever they wanted. However, when the suburban shopping center theatres started being built, the Fulton’s days as a first run theatre came to an end. Now even the theatres built in the 1960’s and 70’s in the suburbs are gone as well. None missed as much as the movie palaces demolished before them.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Boyd Theatre on Jan 26, 2008 at 7:43 pm

I just saw in the Friday paper that Live Nation has sold their theatres. I was wondering whether the Boyd was included in that sale. The article was in the New York Times and they did not mention the Boyd.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about State Theater on Jan 26, 2008 at 7:07 pm

The State Theatre is still standing. It is currently being used as a church. At least that was what was on the sign the other week when I drove through Columbia. It is/was a nice large one floor theatre. As a child growing up, my parents would take us there to see a movie we missed when it was playing in the Lancaster first run theatres. In those days, movies would be shown first at the downtown Lancaster theatre palaces. Then would move out to the smaller town theatres in the area. I think the State Theatre would be ripe for a reconversion to a movie theatre. Downtown Columbia has a lot to offer. There are some nice shops, a very busy Hinkle’s Pharmacy and restaurant, a number of antique shops, and the Susquehanna Glass factory has a retail store just blocks from the main street.

dennisczimmerman
dennisczimmerman commented about Hill Theatre on Jan 7, 2008 at 6:29 pm

JOhn – Was the Hill Theatre part of the Chertcoff circuit headquartered in Lancaster? I thought they operated a number of theatre in communities outlying Harrisburg. I know they operated the theatre in Steelton, which I think eventually became a “machine shop.” And I thought they had two theatres across the river from Harrisburg. One of these days, we must make arrangements to meet so I can give you my scrap books to peruse.