Franklin Theatre
429 W. Tilghman Street,
Allentown,
PA
18102
429 W. Tilghman Street,
Allentown,
PA
18102
2 people
favorited this theater
Opened as the Franklin Theatre in 1913, this neighborhood theatre was renamed the Jennette Theatre in the 1950’s for then-owner Al Moffa’s wife. Moffa is perhaps best known for his motion picture projector repair service. As the Jeanette Theatre it played art films and later for more than two decades was Allentown’s porno house.
After the demise of the porn films the Jeannette Theatre sat empty for a couple of years until Moffa redid the theatre and reopened it again under the name of the Franklin Theatre.
It was operating weekends only, but in summer-2008, was closed temporarily. It never reopened, and in December 2011, it was announced the building was ‘For Sale’, with a view converted into offices.
Contributed by
Jonathan M. Crist
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
A Marr & Colton organ was installed in this theater in 1926.
Owner names a theater after his wife and then shows porn for 20 years?! Wonder if he is still married :)
A Page theater organ was installed in the Franklin Theater in Allentown, PA in 1927.
This is a close-up view of the Franklin Theater.
Does anyone know why the Franklin is ‘temporarily closed’? They have no movie listings, and when you call the theater the recording says they’re ‘closed for repairs’.
You can see more of the building in this photo.
The Franklin is currently closed due to the fact the owners full time job now requires him to work hours that conflick with the theatres operating hours. He was his own manager/projectionist, and the theatre can not support paying staff to fill those positions. Therefore, until such time as his shift is returned to non-conflicking hours, the theatre will have to remain closed.
1986 photo of the Jeanette Theatre AKA Franklin.
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1979 Photo
I CURRENTLY involved in the community and would like to get in contact whit the owners of Franklin Theater i have a program i would like to see if he wants to or is willing to get involved also
i would think it would be in his best interest instead of having that old theater little by little sitting there collapsing we will give it a new life we will preserve the history…and help the children in our local community get in touch whit me if interested and if anyone can give me the info is really a great project and a lot off poeple will enjoy it…cross my fingers hope someone will read this…
Very old school looking theatre.