Medina Theatre

607 Main Street,
Medina, NY 14103

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Related Websites

Medina Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Dipson Circuit, Martina Circuit, Schine Circuit Inc., Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Functions: Live Music Venue, Live Performances, Movies, Special Events

Previous Names: Delmar Theatre, Allen Theatre, New Diana Theatre, Diana Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 585.318.5093

Nearby Theaters

Ticket Stub, Dipson's Diana Theatre, Medina, NY

Originally opened as the Dekmar Theatre. In 1921 it was renamed Allen Theatre. It was purchased by Warner Bros. in the 1930’s and rebuilt, reopening in 1938 as the New Diana Theatre. It was later operated by Schine Theatres and Dipson Theatres. Closed in the mid-1970’s, the building became a restaurant, then a nightclub, which closed around 2002.

In 2008, plans were announced to renovate and reopen the Diana Theatre as a multi-purpose entertainment center. It re-opened as the Medina Theatre in late-2013.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 10 comments)

LouB
LouB on June 6, 2008 at 9:10 pm

This theatre opened as part of the Schines chain in 1930. In 1950 it became a Warner Brothers' theatre. It was part of the Dipson chain from 1955-1975. I was in Medina in 1985 and the theatre was closed,but I was told it had been last used as a restaurant.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 27, 2009 at 10:59 am

It looks like the marquee message is “Welcome to Medina”, but there are some letters missing. It doesn’t look the building is occupied at the present time.

MWAKEFIE
MWAKEFIE on October 9, 2009 at 10:15 am

My family ran this theater for over 50 yrs. My Grandfather Edward Yarington started as an usher when it was Warner Bros. He then became the manager until he passed away in the theater after 40 yrs.at his second home. At that point my mother Janet wakefield took over until it closed. I sure got to see allot of movies free as a young boy. The theater had a large balcony. The theater held around 400 people. We used to have midnight horror movies on certain week ends. I still remember lugging those heavy movie reel containers upstairs to the projection booth. Many fond memories there. Had a huge concession stand,a pop machine, cigerette machine, and candy machine. Mens, and Ladies restrooms had a seperate smoking room. I have a picture of my grandfather as an usher back in the 40s in front of the theaterblown up on my living room wall. It was a great theater.

LouB
LouB on July 11, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Part of the “Welcome” sign is still on the marquee.

It’s too bad that this theatre closed. I think the nearest indoor theatre is the Palace in Lockport. There is also the Sunset Drive-in in Middleport.

mrdew67
mrdew67 on May 13, 2012 at 3:50 pm

We used to go to the movie theater in Medina while my mother did her shopping at Super Duper, Bell’s and JcPenney.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on May 13, 2012 at 4:23 pm

This theater will soon get new life as a multi-use community venue: View article

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on January 14, 2014 at 5:54 am

Now reopened as the Medina Theatre.

http://medinatheatre.com

tekville
tekville on March 19, 2016 at 5:29 am

Like many others, spent my childhood Saturdays there at the theater. Would get dropped off while parents went off to do other things. Didn’t matter what was on, me and brother always went. My oldest brother worked there as a janitor for abit. Seen plenty of Disney movies there, along with Jaws and Beatle movies. The history on this page states it closed in the 60’s but was open until the mid seventies. I remember Four Fathoms being in there afterwards, which highlighted rock bands on the weekends.

I have a tabloid for the movie GORGO from the theater that I am getting ready to frame. I will get pictures and post them on here.

Texas2step
Texas2step on July 27, 2018 at 4:22 pm

Prior to being the Allen Theatre, this one was known as the Delmar Theatre. Sidney Allen purchased the Delmar Theatre in 1921 and renamed it the Allen Theatre. On September 14, 1927 the Allen Theatre reopened as the Diana Theatre.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 29, 2018 at 10:38 am

This house probably had yet another name before becoming the Delmar. Reporting on a major fire at the theater, the March 26, 1915 issue of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle said: “The theater was recently purchased by Delmar Nichols, of Rochester, and redecorated.” I suppose it’s possible that Mr. Nichols bought the theater because it already bore his first name, but it doesn’t seem very likely. The Delmar Theatre was mentioned in the November 18, 1914 issue of The Medina Daily Journal, so Nichols probably bought the house sometime in the latter part of 1914.

The 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory lists three theaters at Medina: The Scenic, the Temple, and the Elco. As the Scenic was still in operation under that name in the early 1920s, and the Elco was at 539 Main Street, the house Delmar Nichols bought must have been either the Temple or a theater that wasn’t listed in that directory.

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