Harwan Theatre
7 N. Black Horse Pike,
Mt. Ephraim,
NJ
08059
7 N. Black Horse Pike,
Mt. Ephraim,
NJ
08059
7 people
favorited this theater
Opened on Thanksgiving Day 1930, this theatre was a big part of Mount Ephraim —
A great place for the kids to go to refrain from trouble and loitering around the 7-11.
The theatre is a brick building containing only one screen. The inside isn’t that pleasing to the eye nor is it that attractive, but it served its purpose. It was renamed Harwan Theatre in 1970 after the family that had built and operated it.
Recently renovated and restored, the theater was unfortunately closed in August of 2006 and was demolished in 2007.
Contributed by
Jade Szymanski, Dave Amodei
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Recent comments (view all 50 comments)
It seems to me that someone financed a bunch of kids to run around and “attempt” to restore the building. Were there any adult involved in those “renovation”. I mean I do love rainbow upholstery and black walls as much as the next person but….Yeah, no I dont.
Yikes! The last time I was in the Harwan was 1999, for a showing of the original “Halloween” and the theater had that 1970’s vibe with the old gold wallls. I could imagine watching “The Posideon Adventure” or “The Towering Inferno” there. But after seeing the pictures from the link above, I’d feel like I walked into a community production of “Godspell” The kids hearts may have been in the right place, but the seats look like they were upholsted in old bed sheets.
Oh, this is so so sad. I just found out about the demolition of the Harwan.
We moved out of NJ last year, back to Philly…but while we lived in NJ I was active in helping keep the Broadway in Pitman open, and was concerned about the Harwan, too.
This is so depressing. Thank G-d someone was able to take some pics of the theater before demolition; I was so involved in moving I never got the chance.
The only way to stop the loss of these vulnerable buildings is to boycott the businesses who prey on them. I suggest everyone do as I and write emails or letters to the Walgreen’s and Eckards ( They took down the Century then abandoned their building less then a year later ) and let them know that this practice will not be tolerated and they will not get business from us or our friends and family. Also residents of these cities should write or call elected officials and let them know that actions such as these will cost them votes in the next election. I have never seen anyone get angry because a building was saved, but the opposite is very true…..
To add insult to injury, the new Walgreens building being built on the site isn’t anywhere near where the Harwan stood. I appears it was demolished to either allow the Walgreens to be viewed better from the BHP or simply for more parking lot space. Either way it was a loss that should not be taken sitting down. I hope that everyone will participate in boycotting them and hopefully they will start closing stores instead of tearing down landmarks to build more eyesores.
I remember seeing the Dark Crystal here in the early 80s. This is very sad news. I live in Delaware now, but, was looking forward to visiting this theater again soon. It only makes us treasure the theaters we still have even more.
I’m a member of the Three Stooges Fan Club in Pennsylvania. The Club is presently trying to document personal appearances of the Three Stooges. In today’s (May 9. 2009) Philadelphia Daily News, Jason Nark ( ) wrote a great article (pp 6 & 13) called “Curtains”, referring to attempts to restore South Jersey movie houses.
In the article, the Harwan in Mount Ephriam was mentioned as a former vaudeville house where Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges performed. We would like to document the Three Stooges appearances, as far as dates goes. Obviously, any other Three Stooges personal appearances anywhere would be welcome news.
As you can well imagine, the documenting of the personal appearances is a daunting task, to say the least. But, with help from people like yourself, it can be done.
I’m a member of the Three Stooges Fan Club in Pennsylvania. The Club is presently trying to document personal appearances of the Three Stooges. In today’s Philadelphia Daily News, Jason Nark ( ) wrote a great article (pp 6 & 13) called “Curtains”, referring to attempts to restore South Jersey movie houses.
In the article, the Harwan in Mount Ephriam was mentioned as a former vaudeville house where Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges performed. We would like to document the Three Stooges appearances, as far as dates goes. Obviously, any other Three Stooges personal appearances anywhere would be welcome news.
Frank Reighter
Larry Fine used to do local TV commercials for Three Stooges memorabilia in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, in the very early seventies as I recall. He had had a stroke by that time, so his speech was difficult to understand. I think he died a few years later.
Moe Howard, individually, appeared at the Harwin November 15 to 17, 1973, according to Gary Lassin, President of the Three Stooges Fan Club. Gary hasn’t, as yet, found any record of any appearances by the Three Stooges, at the Harwin.
Anybody ahve any additional information? Please email me at:
Thanks,
Frank Reighter
Hi my name is Steven Pettit i am a magician who performed in this wonderful theater before the movies . for amount seven months it was one of my most enjoyable memories i have of performing and being aloud to perform in that wonderful old time theater. Its is a shame the torn down to make walgreen parking lot. Theres not a lot of the old theater around any more and it was a kick to perform in a vaultaville theater .