According to a June 29, 2004 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, it said that the theater was “set to open June 30, 2004”. So I don’t know why it said “Coming Soon” on what appears to be its “would’ve been” opening date. This is also the Pittsburgh area’s first Cinemark.
The 624-seat Michigan Theatre reopened its doors after almost a whole year of closure on October 2, 1963 with John Wayne in “The Longest Day”. Charles E. Schuvier was the one who reopened it, who was also the same manager of the nearby Delft Theatre. Delft Theatres held ownership of the Michigan Theatre until 1975, while Melcorp Theaters took over afterward and operated the Michigan until 1985. The Michigan Theatre was still open as a movie theater in 1990, most likely under independent ownership.
Both the Delft and the Michigan Theatres most likely closed as movie theaters in 1994 when the Willow Creek Cinema 8 opened. The former Michigan Theatre then operated as a church and then a clothing store before becoming derelict sitting empty. It wasn’t until 2018 when renovations and restorations took place.
The Michigan Theatre reopened its doors in July 2024 back as a movie theater under the name “Old Michigan Theatre”, screening classic movies as well as a vintage arcade. It now housed around 300 seats.
The Willow Creek Cinema 8 opened its doors in the Fall of 1994 by the husband-and-wife team of James and Kristina Andes who had been with the theater business since 1979. They are also the ones who also built the Tri-City Cinema 8 in Quinnesec, and opened that same year in 1994.
After the original building got destroyed by a fire on January 30, 1990, it was rebuilt back as a showplace called the Main Street Theatre. Private citizens immediately saved the building from the flames. After being planned as an arts center in July 1993, a multi-year renovation took place throughout most of the 1990s with an estimate $50,000.
Mary Lynn Welshko of Freeland was the last ever moviegoer that entered the Refowich Theatre. It was last managed by John Urishin, alongside its last projectionist John Komishock.
The Ritz Theatre closed for the final time on March 28, 1964 with Walt Disney’s “The Sword In The Stone” and James Stewart in “Take Her, She’s Mine”. It originally closed for the summer season, but never reopened afterward.
The Capitol Theatre closed as a movie theater on April 27, 1959 with Russ Tamblyn in “Tom Thumb” because of poor attendance, and the former Capitol became a warehouse afterward. It wasn’t until December 1976 when the former Mauch Chunk building relaunched as the Mauch Chunk Opera House.
The Palm Theatre was once the last operating indoor movie theater operating in Carbon County until a fire destroyed the Palm Theatre caused by arson on July 6, 1978. The Palm Theatre closed with “The Greek Tycoon” which the movie had ended a couple of hours before the fire. Despite no injuries being reported, the fire left Carbon County without an indoor movie theater for almost 20 years.
Built on the site of the former Lehighton Opera House, which operated from March 1888 until 1925 and became a Palace Cabaret, the Classic Theatre opened its doors on February 7, 1942 with Sterling Hayden in “Bahama Passage” (unknown if extras added) and was first operated by Mrs. Andrew Bayer. A special performance of the Star-Spangled Banner as well as a grand opening deliverance by William H. Bayer, son of A.E. Bayer, was also presented. The first ever ticket that was given on grand opening day is Elizabeth Balliett of Route 3 Lehighton.
A little bit of the theater building’s information contain special emphasis placed on a paled-off rose terra cotta combined with a soft beige and a strong blue color tone. There are also separate entrance and exit doors, as well as the lobby being artistically faced with a terra cotta or ceramic tile in combinations of old gold, peach, cream, and blue colors.
The Classic Theatre closed for the final time on July 24, 1967 with Walt Disney’s “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs”, leaving the Palm Theater and Mahoning Drive-In as the only movie theaters in the area.
Opened as the Family Open-Air Theatre on August 6, 1948. It originally scheduled to be opened earlier that week but was postponed because of heavy rainfall.
Opened on May 29, 1985.
It was actually renamed the State Theatre on September 16, 1940.
The Farmville Drive-In actually opened in 1947.
Opened on April 14, 1948 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner” (unknown if extras added).
Actual opening date is September 6, 1947.
Opened on July 1, 1949 with “The Babe Ruth Story” (unknown if extras added).
The Liberty Theatre most likely closed when the Vista Theatre opened nearby in 1936.
According to a June 29, 2004 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, it said that the theater was “set to open June 30, 2004”. So I don’t know why it said “Coming Soon” on what appears to be its “would’ve been” opening date. This is also the Pittsburgh area’s first Cinemark.
Its already reopened. The status needs to be changed to open and showing movies.
The 624-seat Michigan Theatre reopened its doors after almost a whole year of closure on October 2, 1963 with John Wayne in “The Longest Day”. Charles E. Schuvier was the one who reopened it, who was also the same manager of the nearby Delft Theatre. Delft Theatres held ownership of the Michigan Theatre until 1975, while Melcorp Theaters took over afterward and operated the Michigan until 1985. The Michigan Theatre was still open as a movie theater in 1990, most likely under independent ownership.
Both the Delft and the Michigan Theatres most likely closed as movie theaters in 1994 when the Willow Creek Cinema 8 opened. The former Michigan Theatre then operated as a church and then a clothing store before becoming derelict sitting empty. It wasn’t until 2018 when renovations and restorations took place.
The Michigan Theatre reopened its doors in July 2024 back as a movie theater under the name “Old Michigan Theatre”, screening classic movies as well as a vintage arcade. It now housed around 300 seats.
The Willow Creek Cinema 8 opened its doors in the Fall of 1994 by the husband-and-wife team of James and Kristina Andes who had been with the theater business since 1979. They are also the ones who also built the Tri-City Cinema 8 in Quinnesec, and opened that same year in 1994.
After the original building got destroyed by a fire on January 30, 1990, it was rebuilt back as a showplace called the Main Street Theatre. Private citizens immediately saved the building from the flames. After being planned as an arts center in July 1993, a multi-year renovation took place throughout most of the 1990s with an estimate $50,000.
Mary Lynn Welshko of Freeland was the last ever moviegoer that entered the Refowich Theatre. It was last managed by John Urishin, alongside its last projectionist John Komishock.
Opened in 1927, still open in the mid-1950s.
Closed after the 1983 season.
Closed on July 15, 1984 with “Conan The Destroyer”.
Closed on September 2, 1978 with “Star Wars”.
The Ritz Theatre closed for the final time on March 28, 1964 with Walt Disney’s “The Sword In The Stone” and James Stewart in “Take Her, She’s Mine”. It originally closed for the summer season, but never reopened afterward.
The Capitol Theatre closed as a movie theater on April 27, 1959 with Russ Tamblyn in “Tom Thumb” because of poor attendance, and the former Capitol became a warehouse afterward. It wasn’t until December 1976 when the former Mauch Chunk building relaunched as the Mauch Chunk Opera House.
This is the first indoor theater to operate in Palmerton since the July 1978 closure of the Palm Theatre.
The Palm Theatre was once the last operating indoor movie theater operating in Carbon County until a fire destroyed the Palm Theatre caused by arson on July 6, 1978. The Palm Theatre closed with “The Greek Tycoon” which the movie had ended a couple of hours before the fire. Despite no injuries being reported, the fire left Carbon County without an indoor movie theater for almost 20 years.
Built on the site of the former Lehighton Opera House, which operated from March 1888 until 1925 and became a Palace Cabaret, the Classic Theatre opened its doors on February 7, 1942 with Sterling Hayden in “Bahama Passage” (unknown if extras added) and was first operated by Mrs. Andrew Bayer. A special performance of the Star-Spangled Banner as well as a grand opening deliverance by William H. Bayer, son of A.E. Bayer, was also presented. The first ever ticket that was given on grand opening day is Elizabeth Balliett of Route 3 Lehighton.
A little bit of the theater building’s information contain special emphasis placed on a paled-off rose terra cotta combined with a soft beige and a strong blue color tone. There are also separate entrance and exit doors, as well as the lobby being artistically faced with a terra cotta or ceramic tile in combinations of old gold, peach, cream, and blue colors.
The Classic Theatre closed for the final time on July 24, 1967 with Walt Disney’s “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs”, leaving the Palm Theater and Mahoning Drive-In as the only movie theaters in the area.
Please excuse my drawing, I tried my best on the layout.
First operated by Storey Theatres.
Opened as the Family Open-Air Theatre on August 6, 1948. It originally scheduled to be opened earlier that week but was postponed because of heavy rainfall.