Shea's Theatre
18-24 W. 10th Street,
Erie,
PA
16501
18-24 W. 10th Street,
Erie,
PA
16501
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Originally opened in 1907 as the Majestic Theatre, by 1941, it had been renamed Shea’s Theatre.
This theater was a casualty of 1960s “urban renewal”. Those who have lived in Erie since at least the 1950’s or 1960’s will recall that this theater was disgracefully torn down with the Lawrence Hotel and a popular candy company at 926 State Street.
Contributed by
David Stear
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
I will check out the 926 State Street area this summer. I don’t recall the Lawrence Hotel, but today there is a popular candy company called Pulakos which may have had a location at the 926 State Street address?
“This theatre was a casualty of the 1960s "urban renewal” and “This theatre was disgracefully torn down” is a sad commentary on what should not have been allowed to happen! Thank goodness the City of Erie still has the Warner Theatre on State Street which has been beautifully restored!
This theatre was across from the Strand (now Erie Playhouse) on 10th Street. I would love to see photos of this former Erie cinema treasure! I’m told that it was small, but ornate.
Does anyone have information on the Majestic Theatre that was in Erie PA dating back to 1907? I have found a Cinema Tour photo, but not much else. It was a beautiful building and one that I would like to locate IF it still exists! Thanks.
Mystery Solved! The Shea’s was originally the Majestic Theatre and as mentioned above… a photo of such is on www.cinematour.com A postcard of this theatre is also for sale on eBay!
What was really neat about Shea’s Theatre was that it had both a balcony and a mezzanine.
KeithJohnson: Long time between my post and yours, but “better late than never” as they say. So the Shea’s had both a balcony and a mezzanine! I’m sure my Erie friends will recall this feature, too. It’s a shame the Avalon Hotel now sits on that land, but at least the City of Erie has the Warner Theatre which was recently visited by Cass Warner Sperling, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner. Ms. Warner wrote the book on the Warner dynasty, Hollywood Be Thy Name.
I remember the Shea as having a small lobby and projection booth so high that “keystoning” was a problem. Cinemascope made it’s Erie debut at Shea’s. As a nine year old kid in 1954, I saw The Robe and was impressed with the big screen, which was curved and tilted to minimize the keystone effect. When this block was demolished in the 60’s, it also removed the site of the original Strand Theater which was next to Pulako’s. That theater was removed years before. Pulako’s was indeed located at 926 State Street.
Google “Erie County Historical Society” and click on “Photo Archives”. Pictures #2 and #16 on page 2 are of Shea’s. Picture #7 is of 10th St and on the far left is Shea’s which was then known as the Perry.