Penn Cinemas

147 North Main Street,
Butler, PA 16001

2 people favorited this theater

The Penn Cinemas closed in May, 2001—ending the long reign of Main Street’s last picture palace. The theater’s owners are asking $195,000 for the aging building. The theater is owned by Theater Management, a Florida-based company that does not see downtown theaters as a current part of its business.

Despite a $250,000 renovation, the Penn has not turned enough profit to satisfy the company, which claims that the theater has been for sale since work was completed on the renovation in 1997.

Interestingly, the company says the only reason the Penn has stayed open this long is beacuse it is a favorite of the founder of Theater Management, Chester DeMarsh, who bought the theater in 1965.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 43 comments)

Patsy on December 13, 2006 at 6:41 am

maria62: I couldn’t figure out the connection with the Polk to the Penn Cinema in Butler PA until I saw the name CASALE. The theatre in Butler that most interests me is the former Butler Theatre which was an Eberson atmopheric.

Architorture on February 3, 2007 at 12:35 pm

just saw “moon of the wolf” last night at the penn cinema- in the small screening room or ‘piggy back’ theatre

i’m not so sure someone’s information on the PNC bank is correct- that building has been there since at least the 1930’s- hardly an era of ‘urban renewal’

Patsy on February 3, 2007 at 1:45 pm

Architorture: Are you saying that the Butler Theatre is still standing? If so, please post on the Butler Theatre any information you have. I know there was some confusion at one time as to the Penn Cinema and the Butler Theatre. I recall speaking to someone connected with the Penn Cinema and thought I recall being told that the Butler had been torn down. If this is incorrect information, I welcome the correction.

Architorture on February 5, 2007 at 3:58 pm

i’m certain they are different theatres- penn cinema is still up and operational…

i just don’t think that the current PNC bank sits on the same site as the butler theatre…by looking at the site my best guess is that the butler theatre which is listed with a east jefferson address would have been located behind the PNC bank. today there is a drive thru teller area there- but i doubt the butler theatre was torn down to fulfill that specific purpose

Architorture on March 15, 2007 at 6:32 pm

i’m going for a thorough building tour on march 30th. last weekend i spoke with some people on the board and expressed interest in volunteering some time and expertise…

i might get a chance to actually do some design work at this building

kencmcintyre on December 16, 2008 at 9:18 pm

From Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:

BUTLER, Pa.-Work progresses satisfactorily on the new 1,200-seat theater here for the Pennler Theater Corp. with the roof deck occasioning special attention this week. The theater is owned by Elias Ritts, Butler County National Bank, with the Pennler corporation as lessee.

Building is 60x181 feet, of brick and stone trim, with reinforced concrete floors. There will be two stores on the first floor adjoining the theater entrance. Theater offices will occupy the secoond floor. James E. Casale of New York is the architect and C.C. Miller and C.T. Dumbaugh of Butler are the general contractors. Pennler Theater Corp. operates the Capitol here.