Strand Theater

This website for PhaseOne Marketing claims that "PhaseOne expanded into the old Strand Theatre on Market Street and handled the print management needs of local businesses".

The address for PhaseOne Marketing is 315 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801.

The Strand theater had a Moller organ opus 5214 size 3/7 installed in 1928.

I was involved with the Strand for a period of almost two years in the late 1970's. What most people know of the Strand is the massive marquee that extended for 120 feet around two sides of the building (try changing that on a January night,hey Jeff) and the 40 foot waterfall chasing neon upright sign with 3 foot tall STRAND letters stacked vertically all adorned in stainless steel trim. This marquee and the expansive lobby with etched plate glass doors were added to the front of the theater in 1952 as a modernization. When built the Strand had only 20 feet of street frontage at the inside corner of the square. The entrance lobby when built was only 15 x 15 feet and the mezzanine served as public space. The auditorium was less than 45 feet wide and 250 feet long, so deep that in the 60's the screen was moved forward 100 feet. The Strand was theestablished first-run movie venue for 30 miles and did well until Fox Theaters opened a four screen shoe box deal in the new mall across the river and the rest was academic. The Strand was sold to a subrun operation out of Phila. who closed it a year later. I will supply pictures and more historical data later.

Here's an outside shot from early 1978 (sorry about the quality)

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd260/jtiffany1977/tioga2sunb003.jpg

In 1970 the Strand was part of ABC Theaters of Pennsylvania.

I just had a "Tour" of the Strand with Movietime and a friend from Sunbury. Phase One Marketing who owns the building have expanded several times including the buildings on either side of the Strand building in October. It was interesting to see what they'd done with the theatre; unfortunately, there isn't much semblance to the theatre anymore. The balcony is still intact; it is now used as meeting space. The lobby has been partitioned into offices and cubicles; the old manager's office is now a Men's Room ! The old Ladies Room is now a pass-thru to the building next door which was The "Steinhaus" years ago. They do have a "Wall of Fame" which has TONS of old photos going back all the way to the early 1900's. We may get some copies; if so I will post them. If any members of Cinema Treasures are curious and want to see the photos I took, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Wondering is anyone has information regarding the disposition of the organ's pipework. I am the current owner of the console OPUS 5214 from this theatre which has been totally rebuilt and playing a Moller OPUS 6226 pipework in addition to digital voices. Would like to see pictures of the orginial install and location of the pipework if possible - thanks

I think the last movie I saw here was Star Wars premier in 1977, truth being told after the mall theater (Fox) opened that was it for The Strand. I recall the theater being in disrepair, seats were old and the plaster was falling from the ceiling.

After it closed, the new owners turned it into a concert venue. I think The Plasmatics was the first, say controversial concert. Saw a few acts there up to 1986, at that time it was starting to show disrepair and under the loud concerts, plaster was falling off even more. Sad to say looking back now, it was a shame to see it decline.

There are some vintage shots of The Strand on a couple of videos made by Penn Valley Pictures.

1979 photo of the Strand Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=29647

The Strand was extensively remodeled by United Paramount Theatres in 1951. The project included the demolition of a building next door to provide space for a greatly expanded facade and lobby. Boxoffice Magazine of March 3, 1951, says that Michael J. DeAngelis was the architect for the remodeling.

I forget the year, but i went to the Strand one night with a date and right after reel 2 the screen went white. After a few minutes I went and told the manager, and offered to help. I said I was a projectionist, he & I wewnt up to the booth to find the projectionist had died. I ran the rest of the show and they did'nt bother to run the 9 oclock show. I don't recall but I think his name was Harry.was a great little theatre.

norelco, the Internets can help jog your memory of the date. The story of the Strand projectionist who died in the booth appeared in the November 2, 1970, issue of Boxoffice, and it said the event had taken place on Monday, October 9.

The scan of the magazine online is a bit fuzzy, but it looks like it says the unfortunate projectionist's name was Clermont M. Zimmerman. If my given name were Clermont, I think I'd prefer to be called Harry, too.

I can't remember what happened yesterday, so 1970 is another story. I do mremember it though.Years ago I worked for a funeral home so when I was in the union everytime someone passed in the booth I was always the first one the business agent would call. I just happened to be at the Strand that night, but was glad I could help.