Irving Theatre
23 South Main Street,
Carbondale,
PA
18407
23 South Main Street,
Carbondale,
PA
18407
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A massive structure, it dominated Main Street for 80 years until it was demolished in the spring of 2003. Built in 1922-23 by the Comerford chain, it was a lavish movie palace. Rich in theatrical lore, Lionel Barrymore performed as did Milton Berle-although Mr. Berle’s humor was considered a little too risque and was asked to leave by the managment.
The interior was rich and lush, it walls were a relaxing salmon color and a mural of Main Street-circa 1923- above the stage. The golden years of Hollywood in the 1930’s and 40’s, were also the golden years for the Irving. The theatre, reduced to showing porn, closed in 1973. Local residents had abondoned the downtown in favor of the new malls and shopping centers of the region. Most of the balcony and private loge boxes had long since been abondoned. Years of neglect by its subsequent owners left a gaping hole in the roof where the air-conditioner was ripped out-effectivly sealing the buildings fate.
It sat vacated and rotting, like Carbondale itself, until work begin demolishing the building. The huge lot it left vacant on Main Street has created a scar that the downtown will struggle to overcome.
Contributed by
David Dottle
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Irving Theater in Carbondale PA was named by Mrs. Maude Johnson after writer Washington Irving, who — it was claimed — renamed the former “Ragged Island,” Carbondale. It was built by Breig Brothers Construction Company of Scranton PA. I knew the theater in the fifties and sixties; I would go to “the show” as often as I was allowed. I have a distinct memory of seeing “Singin' in the Rain” there, and of twirling my umbrella all the way home. The Irving was the “A” movie theater in town. Further south on Main Street was the “B” theater, the Majestic.
The Irving’s architect was Leon H. Lempert of Rochester, NY. He also designed the American Theatre in Pittston, PA which was an almost carbon copy of the Irving. I was lucky enough to tour the building in the late 80’s and it was evident what a nice theatre it had once been.
Anyone have any photos of the Irving? I’m a Forest City native and drove through C-dale at least twice a week… but I’ve since moved and can’t remember what she looked like before being torn down.
Hey Bluecat158- I have a negative of the outside of the Irving with the large marquee still there. Contact me at:
.com
I may be able to send you a copy of the picture
A few photos of this theater can be seen at this link.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/26897.html
O.K.