Warner Theatre

If you want to compare the marquees, there are some older photos of the theater on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/gw9lh

Sorry the site is www.warnertheater.com

Somehow I don’t think the marquee is original, but the front facade above the marquee IS original……….looks like it needs a bit of pressure cleaning though. Do we have photos of the interior which according to the CT information given has been TRIPLEX!

The Film Daily Yearbook;1941, 1943 & 1950 editions give a seating capacity of 1,300.

And does it still hold 700 seats?

If you as a theatre lover, loves your multiplexed Warner then that is all that matters. The main thing is that the theatre was not demolished to make room for another unused parking lot in the name of urban renewal that has happened in so many communities across the country. And I agree….LONG LIVE THE WARNER and all other Warner Theatre as the name Warner equals film legacy!

It’s a shame, imo, that this art deco John Eberson Warner has been multiplexed.

The fact that the architect, John Eberson built this one makes it even more wonderful to know that this theatre still stands as one in Butler PA was torn down to build a bank! Interesting to read that some feel the theatre balcony is haunted like some old houses as there will always be folks who believe the stories for whatever reason(s).

I was in Morgantown, WV this afternoon and walked past this theatre. I was on the sidwalk trying to look into the lobby when a woman who was outside smoking a cigarette asked if she could help me. I said I was a long time movie palace fan and it turns out she was the manager talking a break before opening the theatre for the 5:00 show. She invited my roommate and me into the theatre to look around. We talked for a few minutes and she gave us a brief history of the theatre and she talked about the trials of running a movie palace when most moviegoers are going the the new multiplex on the outskirts of town.

She said that since the new multiplex opened up their business has fallen off alot. They had done a survery of their customers both in person and on line to find out what they could do to improve their business. She was happy that they had gotten over 500 replies.

As of today they instituted a new lower price of $4.00 for all shows at all times to help drum up more customers. They are also applying for a beer and liquor license since they think the college students (Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University) will be attracted to the theatre by the chance to drink beer while watching a movie. Apparently the former owners has tried the beer and wine policy but only allowed drinking in the lobby. The current owners are hoping to be able to serve drinks that the customers can take into the auditoriums.

The theatre is actually only a triplex. The main floor was divided in half and a third screen was added in the closed off balcony. The balcony uses the old projection booth and since the “throw” from the projector to the screen is very short, the manager admitted that sometimes it is hard to watch a movie up there. She also said that some people believe the theatre is haunted, specifically the balcony. She herself had never seen anything unusual but some people believe the stories.

I had just gotten a new digital camera two days ago and took some pictures but I’m still trying out the different features and some of the pictures came out a bit blurry. Oh well, considering that I just was hoping to get a peak of the lobby from the sidewalk and ended up in the theatre and a change to take with the manager about the history of the Warner Theatre it was pleasant surprise for the day.

Sad to read that this Eberson art deco Warner was converted into a multiplex venue. I hope that the community has or will band together to bring back this important theatre that is connected with the famous theatre name of EBERSON! BTW, I didn’t get a chance to visit this theatre, in person last spring, but hope to in the near future!

Firstly, Mr. Sucker, oddly enough does have a point. Roundtable corporation’s main problem is their failure to realize that the Warner’s only realiable lifeblood are the college community, and the largely middle-aged liberal towny population that goes to the movies about once a week. They’ve recently gotten greedy with the short-term success of some of their mainstream fare, but are likely to be less than enthusiastic when those films start being shipped out to the newly rennovated Carmike(which has its own problems), and the new multiplex. The Warner’s charm and identity are its true assets, and unless it again finds its footing with the offbeat films its audience expects, Roundtable is going to find it hard to gain any momentum when the popcornplexes are in full swing. Until then, however, I intend to make the best out of a building that continues to represent Morgantown and our identity.

Too bad the grand ‘ole Warner Theatre has been cut up into 4ths. to make a theatre complex of 4 small-theatres..I saw “PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” Sunday matinee 2-27-05 in the right side upstaires balcony theatre. AND-Be sure you go early and grab a seat in the seats of 7-rows that go the length of the screen..in the top row..in the center on the center aisle. Or you will be watching from a side-angle.But, that is the cramped lay-out of so -called modern “theatres"of today. I would have really enjoyed seeing"PHANTOM” on a full large movie screen of the 40’s-50’s—it is a wonderful musical that captures the great stage musical, but with young stars to try and bring in the young crowd. I saw “Phanton of the Opera” 4-times on Broadway-NYC..a stupendous show that you must see at least 2-times before the un-forgettable music sinks in. The film’s rich production sets and camera work is beautiful! Some things changed from the stage production. They had to. But, the leading stars bring it all to life. Too bad the movie cridits slammed it. After all Andrew Lloyd Weber is too succesful with his plays..Hollywood can’t stand that. The fans love the play—and the movie.I was a theatre circuit owner and film booker for Warner Brothers many-many years ago. I witness Sunday a wonderfulksuprise..when “The Phantom” ended, the audience burst into an applause. Some stood up and waited until all the credits rolled by as the great soundtrack of the music played. Now-“that’s going to the Movies!!

Morgantown is the home of the University of West Virginia so I’m not surprised that this theatre was purchased by a group that will restore it to its original condition!