Allen Theatre

This is a true gem in Central Penna. Have traveled there many times from Lancaster, Pa since it's restoration. The sound system is better than any other theatre in the area. The screen is one of the largest. Would rather drive the 25 miles to see certain films - "Star Wars", "Titanic", "Chicago","The Patriot", "Cold Mountain" Etc. - at this theatre than drive 2 miles to the local multiplex of shoebox theatres! A member of the staff, many times the owner, actually stands in front of the auditorium to welcome everyone and to kindly let them know if your enjoyment of the film is hampered in any way! This is what movie-going is all about!

I, too, would rather travel miles to see any movie at The Allen
Theater then see it on a screen where I live (Wernersville). I took a friend to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding. During the movie the audience laughed long and loud. I took my husband to the same movie in Reading and barely a chuckle - from him or the audience. The "right" kind of movie - goers end up at The Allen Theater.
Kelly 8/15/04

Skip Hicks and his staff do a fantastic job here. Definitely worth driving a few extra miles to see films presented the way they should be. I have never had a bad experience at the Allen. Even bad movies are enjoyable here.

My wife and I recently attended a showing of "Proof" at the Allen Theatre the other Saturday night. What a class evening! No on screen advertisements. Fact is, there was a violinist playing before the showing. It was just so relaxing. And once the movie started, no one continued talking! This is what moviegoing should be like everywhere. A few Saturday nights before that, I told two women to "shut up" as they continued talking long after the film had started at our local multiplex. The look on their faces you would have thought I had asked them to stand up and dance naked in front of the screen in stead of being considerate for other patrons! I will still travel the miles to the Allen from my home if they are showing a movie we want to see! Long may the Allen prosper!

The website doesn't pictures of the interior. Any links to what it looks like now with all the improvements?

Wonder if Skip Hicks and his staff would like to start a small town theatre chain? There are a few still standing theatres in Lancaster Co. that could certainly use his expertise and perhaps become as succesful as the Allen. The State Theatre in Columbia, Pa, The Joy Theatre in Mt. Joy, Pa, and the Etown Theatre in Elizabethtown, Pa would be possibilities. And, perhaps, the Historic Board in Marietta, Pa is looking for someone to operate the Historic Marietta Theatre! I do not know what the condition of any of these theatres are at the present time, but from reading what he went through to bring the Allen back to life, it could not be any worse! Just food for thought!!!!!

Looking forward to driving to the Allen to see the new "Pirates" film! It has been a while since I made the "trek" from Lancaster to the Allen.

Skip Hicks and the staff at the Allen Theatre and MJ's Coffeehouse are a definate class act. It is the best place in Central PA to see a movie (voted so for many years running by Central PA Magazine and numerous other publications) or to meet friends for coffee and a sandwich or to take in some live music or play a game of chess. It offers free WiFi and a warm welcome from Skip and staff every time you visit. If you haven't made the trip to Annville yet, make it a desitantion this summer!

Here is a recent view of the Allen Theater marquee.

This is another photo of the Allen Theater.

1979 photo of the Allen Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c132&ProductID=32821

The Allen Theatre has been rescued twice. The first time was in 1968, when 19-year-old Richard Wolfe and his friend Paul Angstadt rented the vacant Astor, and after some restoration work reopened it on September 6 that year.

Within a couple of years, Wolfe and Angstadt had added the Strand Theatre at Kutztown and the Roxy Theatre at Northampton to their holdings.

They eventually sold the Astor and the Strand in order to concentrate their efforts on the restoration of the Roxy, which Wolfe still operates today. Wolfe also spent some time as director of the Theatre Historical Society of America.

Renewing my link. Still is THE BEST theatre in Central Pa. to see a film.

Was this theater also known as the Trinity? The building in this photo looks similar to the building in the photo linked to on Apr 17, 2009 at 9:46pm.

Looks the same to me... Nice looking marquee. Glad they moved the electrical service from the front of the building. Wonder who's idea was that in the first place?

This is a nice photo of the Allen Theater.

LM you are correct, they need to add AKA Trinity to the header.

Looks like the name Trinity was between Astor and Allen.

I'm sure that's the same building with the Trinity name.

Yes Lost Memory it is the same building with the Trinity name superimposed.

After the Astor quit showing films and closed, the theatre at some point was acquired by a group that sought to present Christian programs and religious themed films. This effort at religious fare did not last very long.

Also at some time in the era between the being Astor and the Allen the theatres was also used briefly for concerts by local rock bands. The concert thing was sporadic and also did not last very long.

Thanks for the information Jonathan. The Trinity name has been added as an aka name above.