Refowich Theater
Centre & Main Streets,
Freeland,
PA
18224
Centre & Main Streets,
Freeland,
PA
18224
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There was a fire in the old Refowich building this week contained to one of the apartments now located in what was the auditorium. A news link is pasted below.
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The last film shown at The Refowich Theatre was Disney’s “Escape From Witch Mountain”, which puts the closing in 1975. I was at the last matinee, I think there was one last evening show later that night.
I was a ten year old Marx Brothers fanatic in 1974 when “Animal Crackers” was reissued. For a weekend, “The Ref” ran the film, and it’s the one and only time I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing The Marx Brothers on the big screen.
The Refowich was a big part of my childhood. I still have dreams about that theater from time to time.
Here is an expanded view of the PAB thumbnail posted on 7/26/05. The photo date is 1965, and comes from the Irvin Glazer theater collection:
http://tinyurl.com/399qws
On second thought, that postcard might be wrong. A history site for Freeland claims the following: “Feb.16, 1914-The REFOWICH Theatre opens on Center Street in Freeland”.
The postcard with the 1910 date is at this website:
http://home.epix.net/~captclint/local_scenes4.html
Start at the left side and count three over and five down. Thats the Refowich Theatre postcard.
Some info that I found on this theater:
“The Refowich Theatre – Built in 1914 by Jake, Ike and Moe Refowich, this building has since been converted to apartments, but it still retains a good deal of its architectural charm. The first ‘talking picture’ in Freeland was shown here in 1929. In 1974 the building was sold and remodeled for apartments”.
I’m not sure how accurate that 1914 date is since the postcard picture claims to be from 1910.
Another small image of the theater (with snow) can be seen here. Don’t click to expand the image unless you’re a member.
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An early image of the Refowich Theater can be seen here.
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