Milford Theatre

The Schine Milford did not close until 1972--I know because I was the manager at the time. The "last picture show" was Straw Dogs, with Dustin Hoffman, and was very poorly attended. At the time, the theatre was being leased by Countrywide Theatres.

The theatre has a curious history. Built in 1948, at a time when scores of theatres were closing nationwide, it replaced the New Plaza Theatre which burned in 1946. With 3 balconies and 1,800 seats, the building always seemed too large for a town of about 5,000 (at the time). It was the largest movie house on the Eastern Shore.

I would very much like to research the history and Architect of this very unusual Late Movie Palace, and would appreciate any help or information.

PS- The Building has been a church for 30 years, and to my knowlege is NOT being renovated as a performing Arts center. While it is still largely intact, it has been slowly crumbling for some time now.

Hello everyone!

I'm Pastor David A. Shockley the president of the Jesus Love Evangelist Association which currently owns the Milford Schine Theater. I appreciate everyone's interest in this particular theater. The architect currently working on this project is W. Michael Campbell Architects out of Farmingdale, N.J. Once his final mechanical drawings are submitted to the Sussex County Fire Marshal, renovations on this building will continue. We are anticipating the grand opening of this Community Religious Cultural Center in the next months. Anyone seeking more information about our organization may contact us by e-mail: pastor@jesuslovetemple.org or by phone: (302)422-2110
Please check out the website we are building: www.jesuslovetemple.org

We are a non-profit organization and anyone wishing to give a charitable donation may do so by writing a check to Jesus Love Evangelist Association and mailing it to P.O. Box 1178, Milford, DE 19963

Thank you for your consideration and concern. May God Richly Bless You!

The address for this former theater is:
106 South Walnut St.
Milford, DE 19963

I was reading about the Milford in the 1948 theater catalog today. Seating at the outset was 1675. Architects were John & Drew Eberson.

Here are three photos from 1948:
http://tinyurl.com/2m57nv
http://tinyurl.com/2j9dc3
http://tinyurl.com/2s465d

Whenever I visit relatives in lower Delaware I always take a ride past the Milford...ken mc, any pictures of the lobby area?

No, none that I have now. I will post any that I find.

Here are some photos of the Milford taken by Seth Gaines.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1716279624&context=photostream&size=l
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1715433535&size=l
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1715435235&context=photostream&size=l
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1715436525&context=photostream&size=l
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1715439237&context=photostream&size=l
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1716287856&context=photostream&size=l

Lost Memory...Seth took some really nice shots. Whenever I visit realatives I always take a ride past the Milford to see if anything has been done to her. I wonder if he got the chance to take any pictures of the auditorium?

Hello everyone! The exterior of the Schine is now being renovated. It should be complete by Thanksgiving '07. Interior renovations are scheduled to begin January '08. I'll try to keep everyone posted on the progress. Thanks for the interest in this cinema treasure!

Pastor David A. Shockley

The church website has some interior and exterior photos of the Milford. Click on the photo gallery. No address, however. Perhaps Pastor Shockley can give us the physical address so we can update the caption.
http://tinyurl.com/29to89

Oops. I now see the 3/2/05 post by LM providing the address. My mistake.

John....I don't think Seth took interior photos. I didn't see any in the album. After the renovations are complete, maybe Pastor Shockley will take some photos and post them on the Church website.

I went through Milford recently and took a photo of the exterior, which I posted on Panoramio. I'm afraid there has been some significant alteration in the facade.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19337566

A paint job and window replacement.....I hate to see nice brick painted over...In a couple of years it will look like crap.

1980 photo of the Milford Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c8%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=25474

The rededication of Schine's Milford Theatre occurred Saturday, June 6 as Jesus Love Temple. It was with great trepidation and a rapidly beating heart that I entered the theatre/temple to see what renovations had been made to what was my "second home" as a kid of the 50s. It took me about ten minutes to calm down as I rapidly scanned the auditorium looking for the architectural design features that characterized this remarkable theater during its heyday. Much to my surprise, Reverend Shockley and his architect were fairly true to the Ebersons' original scheme. The stage has been greatly modified with a new proscenium curtain replacing the unique and beautiful design of the original. All seats were removed and replaced with a very plush stackable type chair. Carpeting throughout the interior has been replaced. The 500 seat balcony has been sealed off. Everything has been painted a brighter color. Some of the plaster trim that adorned the walls in a running stripe has been removed and replaced with a painted version. Two backlighted bird sculptures on each sidewall have been restored, with brighter lighting. A wall has been erected to seal the seating area from the inner lobby. You must now enter the auditorium through the glass doors. The doors leading from the outer lobby to the inner lobby have been removed. The original tile and marble finish of the outer lobby are intact. So is the tile on the walls of the men's room!

Kudos to those who had a hand in renovating this marvelous facility. Although it will never be used again strictly for its originally intended purpose as a movie theatre, at least it did not face the wrecker's ball.

But Schine's Milford Theatre was far more than a movie house, it was a focal point of the community, a place for social gathering. Many a lad strategically manipulated his arm around the shoulders of his first date or stole his first kiss in the darkness of the Schine's Milford. For years every high school senior walked the length of the stage to receive his diploma, civic groups presented local talent shows as fund-raising events and the local dairy for many years sponsored the annual "Back-to-School" Saturday morning cartoon festival. I was privileged to have had a hand in staging some events on the stage myself.

It has always been disconcerting to me that the movie-going era of the single screen theatre ended. It was a magnificent time. Here's a tip of the hat to Ray Sparkin who managed Schine's Milford Theatre in the late 50s, early 60s. He was quite a guy who gave me many opportunities. An equally big salute to Jack Nock who served as projectionist until the theatre closed. What a perfectionist. He was the best. May both rest in peace.