But will it fit on the marquee?
Just saw PETULIA and THE MUSIC LOVERS there on Saturday night. Richard Chamberlain also appeared to discuss the films.
MUSIC LOVERS was a gorgeous Panavision print!
Hello John – My e-mail is
Thanks! I’ll look forward to reading it.
We did not attend the Paxtang very often and so my memories are spotty. So I really enjoyed your piece. Many of my Central Dauphin H.S. friends lived in Paxtang and Lenker (sp?) Manor.
I have a collection of film material from the days when it was affordable to collect. I remember once the editor of Cinefantastique (for which I used to write) sold a bunch of original Disney material very cheap. I also used to find stuff in the Lancaster flea markets, Renninger’s, etc. Like a lot of movie magazines.
Was there a York theater called the Hi-Way (or something?)
I’d like to read it. Could it be e-mailed or linked?
Later in life my mother lived in an apartment to the left of the Paxtang. I used to park on the back lot and on one visit noticed a pile of trash behind the theater. Much to my mom’s mortification I immediately started rooting through it. A prize discovery, among other items, was a poster for MGM’s “Sweet Bird of Youth” starring Geraldine Page and Paul Newman.
I still have it. But can’t help but wonder many posters, stills, and lobby cards were thrown out in a similar fashion? Sad.
I also remember that when I was a small child Paxtang Park (in the same general area as the theater, through an underpass at the intersection near the theater) seemed very natural, woodsy, and beautiful. I have vague memories of an old stone mill-type structure with a millpond of sparkling clear water. It was like something out of a fairy tale.
I think now one of the Harrisburg bypasses runs over or along the park.
Foureyes – Yes, I remember neighbors named the Hibners and Flossie.
My parents were also friends with a couple named John and Addie down the street. I always thought Addie was an odd name, probably a nickname.
Our backyard faced some of the backyards on 17th St. We also used to visit neighbors who lived on 17th, about two or three houses down from Liberty. I remember they had rather large front porches.
My relatives, the Kings, lived on Miller St., a small street, almost an alley, about half a block over from State and a half block down from the Penway.
I write a lot about film music and composers. I’d be interested in who Natalie married?
Also in more photos of any Harrisburg theaters.
I’d really be interested in an interior shot of the Penway. These are rare or impossible I know. I remember large mural-type illustrations on the inside wall of the auditorium.
It was a great neighborhood. State St. was rather elegant.
But I remember many neighborhoods in the city being very nice when I was growing up and in elementary school.
Before the malls took over there were several shopping districts beyond downtown, 13th & Market, and around the Broad St. market uptown. Most had neighborhood movie theaters.
I was back in Harrisburg some years ago and my old house on Liberty looked very much the same. It seemed to be a middle-class African American neighborhood then and well-maintained.
Actually I felt like I was back in 1948! Don’t know what it’s like now.
But most (all?) of the theaters I knew, both neighborhood and downtown, are now gone.
I lived at 1624 Liberty St. It was the last house in a row but not quite on the corner of 17th. There was a church with a big lawn almost across the street (at 17th & State).
It was my first home in Harrisburg until (before I was in 1st grade) we moved across State to Hoerner St. So I was still able to walk to the Penway. I also used to ride my bike up State to see the lobby cards and posters in the two display windows under the marquee.
I assume Peffer’s was the drug store. I remember the round tables. Didn’t they have glass tops? There was also a great soda fountain and magazine rack.
I had relatives named King. They lived on that small street, almost an alley, that ran up from Liberty (actually 17th) to the side of the theater.
See above: on the third comment down there is a link to a photo my dad took of the Penway.
I contributed the entry on the Penway, the first theater I attended (and loved). My mother and I are at the end of the line in the photo.
Gfradar – Do you remember an attractive red-haired lady who sold tickets at the Penway, probably late 1940s?
I used to watch parades on State when I lived on Liberty St. (one block down from the Penway).
It was the first theater I attended and one of my all-time favorites. Did you see the photo on my blog?
No, DennisZ, I very much agree about the Eric.
I lived on the 2nd block of North Queen for a short period and saw all of these great theaters torn down around me. It was like living in a war zone!
I was the last one in my apartment building, “The Last of the Mobile Hot Shots”…. :)
I also remember the nights the wrecking ball hit the Brunswick. It was a sturdy old building and did not go down easily.
I had a second floor apartment right down from the Grand and remember seeing several Preminger films, “The Cardinal,” “In Harm’s Way,” there. Also some of the Corman/Poe films. I remember it had a good wide screen.
I was only able to attend all of those theaters for a short time after moving to Lancaster, then came the blitz! What an incredible waste.
Do you know when the Hamilton closed? I remember the entrance, a kind of shadowy exterior vestibule, and it always fascinated me. I never got to see the interior.
I’d like to add some of these theaters to CT but I don’t have a lot of details.
Thank you. I thought I remembered a Philly Goody’s store from the early and later ‘60s and I do also remember the Randolph. I also recall a smaller record store on Chestnut St. somewhere around the Viking, maybe down from Rittenhouse Square.
I just found a CT entry for the Studio on Market St. It had quite a history.
This is a GREAT site and I’m learning (and remembering) a lot. I grew up in Harrisburg but got to know Philadelphia while I was in college.
I remember when I used to come into Philly in the ‘70s I would park my car somewhere down and over from South St., one of the few places you could leave it overnight.
Thus I used to walk by the Royal quite often and always noted the letters gradually falling off the “Last of the Mobile Hot Shots” title, apparently (and appropriately) the Royal’s final film attraction.
It seemed incredibly symbolic and poignant to me at the time.
Also especially meaningful because I had seen the original Tennessee Williams play, “The Seven Descents of Myrtle” with Estelle Parsons, during its Philadelphia try-out. It played a few blocks over from the Royal at that legit theater right next to the Academy of Music. (I think that theater was later turned into a restaurant. I still have the theater program somewhere).
These Temple photos brought back a lot of memories.
Do these comments mean the Royal is still there, and perhaps is being restored?
When I was at West Chester U and after I graduated I remember the Studio showed great foreign film double-bills, Godard, Antonioni, Bergman, Schlesinger, all the current greats of the period.
It was a small theater sandwiched in between some of the bigger palaces on Market. I seem to remember there were lounges (restrooms) down narrow staircases right off the front lobby.
In this respect the programming in the ‘60s was like some of the old pre-Disneyfied 42nd Street theaters in New York where you could see a foreign double bill much cheaper than at first run theaters like the Paris. (I also think the Studio was similar to the 42nd Streets in more ways than one).
I specifically remember seeing “The Pumpkin Eater” with Anne Bancroft there, and probably “Darling” with Julie Christie. Maybe also really odd films like (the now forgotten) “Day the Fish Came Out”!
The World down the street showed first run foreign films.
A friend of mine who also knew Philly suggested that the theater I asked about five comments up was called the Studio. It was a small theater, sort of sandwiched in between the bigger ones. I recall there were lounges (restrooms) down a flight of narrow stairs off the front lobby.
My friend confirmed it showed great, sometimes esoteric (for the times) foreign double bills, Godard, Antonioni, etc.
The World down the street showed first run foreign films.
A great page! Also big.
I’ve only had time tonight to skim over it. (I just got back from the downtown Disney Hall).
But the ad for “Forbidden Planet” was wonderful. I only wish I could have read all the small print (the “Id” article!) and wish whoever posted it had put a newspaper date along with it.
Forgot to mention I first saw “North by Northwest” at Loew’s Regent.
I wish they would restore Loew’s State as a film theater. Apparently it has a long history of association with MGM and I’m a huge MGM buff.
I will definitely check out the CT page, thanks.
I remember seeing Abbott & Costello make a personal appearance at the Senate. This was to promote their film of “Jack and the Beanstalk” so it would have been in 1952.
There were spaces for tall rectangular posters along the alley beside the theater. In the alley behind the theater (next to a five-and-dime) there was a big billboard for a movie ad.
The only other big movie poster billboard I remember was on 3rd St. for the Colonial.
tisloews, you are probably aware there was a Loew’s State in the old downtown section of Los Angeles. I think this was the main MGM flagship theater in LA during the studio era. It’s still there with the old marquee intact but is now a church, (at least it was the last time I saw it).
There has been some attempt to restore the many vintage LA Broadway theaters still standing but the economy has slowed down that process.
An Orpheum Theatre there, one of many across the country I’m sure, was restored and I recently saw “North by Northwest” there, introduced by Eva Marie Saint and Pat Hitchcock.
PS: “Fantasia” at the Senate was the ‘50s SuperScope revival which cut off the top and bottom of the frame to make it wide-screen.
Which reminds me, I’m off to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic play Ravel and Stravinsky at the amazing Walt Disney Concert Hall this afternoon.
When I saw the first CinemaScope film, “The Robe,” I definitely remember the stereo sound, a big climax of sound coming from all around in the Palm Sunday sequence.
Part of the ad hype for ‘Scope was the new sound system: “In the Wonder of High-Fidelity Directional-Stereophonic Sound.”
Film composers even occasionally orchestrated in stereo, i.e., Bernard Herrmann’s use of brass in “Garden of Evil.”
I don’t know how long this system held up or how long it was used. I was away at college during the last days of the State and then I moved to Lancaster. It may not have been compatible with later films.
The Senate, Harrisburg’s second 'Scope theater, also had stereo sound. I mention elsewhere seeing “Fantasia” there and the church bells in “Night on Bald Mountain” coming from the back of the theater.
I’m a musician, a child of the hi-fi/stereo revolution, and was very sensitive to sound even then.
What’s happened to Foureyes?????
But will it fit on the marquee?
Just saw PETULIA and THE MUSIC LOVERS there on Saturday night. Richard Chamberlain also appeared to discuss the films.
MUSIC LOVERS was a gorgeous Panavision print!
PS Actually the Kelly Retro was March 25-28.
AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE Gene Kelly Retrospective, March 25-27, 2010
View link
Hello John – My e-mail is
Thanks! I’ll look forward to reading it.
We did not attend the Paxtang very often and so my memories are spotty. So I really enjoyed your piece. Many of my Central Dauphin H.S. friends lived in Paxtang and Lenker (sp?) Manor.
I have a collection of film material from the days when it was affordable to collect. I remember once the editor of Cinefantastique (for which I used to write) sold a bunch of original Disney material very cheap. I also used to find stuff in the Lancaster flea markets, Renninger’s, etc. Like a lot of movie magazines.
Was there a York theater called the Hi-Way (or something?)
I’d like to read it. Could it be e-mailed or linked?
Later in life my mother lived in an apartment to the left of the Paxtang. I used to park on the back lot and on one visit noticed a pile of trash behind the theater. Much to my mom’s mortification I immediately started rooting through it. A prize discovery, among other items, was a poster for MGM’s “Sweet Bird of Youth” starring Geraldine Page and Paul Newman.
I still have it. But can’t help but wonder many posters, stills, and lobby cards were thrown out in a similar fashion? Sad.
I also remember that when I was a small child Paxtang Park (in the same general area as the theater, through an underpass at the intersection near the theater) seemed very natural, woodsy, and beautiful. I have vague memories of an old stone mill-type structure with a millpond of sparkling clear water. It was like something out of a fairy tale.
I think now one of the Harrisburg bypasses runs over or along the park.
Foureyes – Yes, I remember neighbors named the Hibners and Flossie.
My parents were also friends with a couple named John and Addie down the street. I always thought Addie was an odd name, probably a nickname.
Our backyard faced some of the backyards on 17th St. We also used to visit neighbors who lived on 17th, about two or three houses down from Liberty. I remember they had rather large front porches.
My relatives, the Kings, lived on Miller St., a small street, almost an alley, about half a block over from State and a half block down from the Penway.
I write a lot about film music and composers. I’d be interested in who Natalie married?
Also in more photos of any Harrisburg theaters.
I’d really be interested in an interior shot of the Penway. These are rare or impossible I know. I remember large mural-type illustrations on the inside wall of the auditorium.
Very nice piece. I almost missed it because I’ve always considered Paxtang part of Harrisburg.
I also remember a firehouse next to the theater. You can sort of see it to the right of the photo.
John S – I’d like to read your piece on the Paxtang and anything else you’ve done. How? Please let me know.
It was a great neighborhood. State St. was rather elegant.
But I remember many neighborhoods in the city being very nice when I was growing up and in elementary school.
Before the malls took over there were several shopping districts beyond downtown, 13th & Market, and around the Broad St. market uptown. Most had neighborhood movie theaters.
I was back in Harrisburg some years ago and my old house on Liberty looked very much the same. It seemed to be a middle-class African American neighborhood then and well-maintained.
Actually I felt like I was back in 1948! Don’t know what it’s like now.
But most (all?) of the theaters I knew, both neighborhood and downtown, are now gone.
I lived at 1624 Liberty St. It was the last house in a row but not quite on the corner of 17th. There was a church with a big lawn almost across the street (at 17th & State).
It was my first home in Harrisburg until (before I was in 1st grade) we moved across State to Hoerner St. So I was still able to walk to the Penway. I also used to ride my bike up State to see the lobby cards and posters in the two display windows under the marquee.
I assume Peffer’s was the drug store. I remember the round tables. Didn’t they have glass tops? There was also a great soda fountain and magazine rack.
I had relatives named King. They lived on that small street, almost an alley, that ran up from Liberty (actually 17th) to the side of the theater.
See above: on the third comment down there is a link to a photo my dad took of the Penway.
I contributed the entry on the Penway, the first theater I attended (and loved). My mother and I are at the end of the line in the photo.
PS: Click on ads to ENLARGE.
Ads for the Harrisburg and Keystone Drive-Ins, both showing CinemaScope films: View link
Gfradar – Do you remember an attractive red-haired lady who sold tickets at the Penway, probably late 1940s?
I used to watch parades on State when I lived on Liberty St. (one block down from the Penway).
It was the first theater I attended and one of my all-time favorites. Did you see the photo on my blog?
Found my program. “Seven Descents” played at the Walnut Theatre. The play was later revised as “Kingdom of Earth”.
No, DennisZ, I very much agree about the Eric.
I lived on the 2nd block of North Queen for a short period and saw all of these great theaters torn down around me. It was like living in a war zone!
I was the last one in my apartment building, “The Last of the Mobile Hot Shots”…. :)
I also remember the nights the wrecking ball hit the Brunswick. It was a sturdy old building and did not go down easily.
I had a second floor apartment right down from the Grand and remember seeing several Preminger films, “The Cardinal,” “In Harm’s Way,” there. Also some of the Corman/Poe films. I remember it had a good wide screen.
I was only able to attend all of those theaters for a short time after moving to Lancaster, then came the blitz! What an incredible waste.
Do you know when the Hamilton closed? I remember the entrance, a kind of shadowy exterior vestibule, and it always fascinated me. I never got to see the interior.
I’d like to add some of these theaters to CT but I don’t have a lot of details.
Thank you. I thought I remembered a Philly Goody’s store from the early and later ‘60s and I do also remember the Randolph. I also recall a smaller record store on Chestnut St. somewhere around the Viking, maybe down from Rittenhouse Square.
I just found a CT entry for the Studio on Market St. It had quite a history.
This is a GREAT site and I’m learning (and remembering) a lot. I grew up in Harrisburg but got to know Philadelphia while I was in college.
I remember when I used to come into Philly in the ‘70s I would park my car somewhere down and over from South St., one of the few places you could leave it overnight.
Thus I used to walk by the Royal quite often and always noted the letters gradually falling off the “Last of the Mobile Hot Shots” title, apparently (and appropriately) the Royal’s final film attraction.
It seemed incredibly symbolic and poignant to me at the time.
Also especially meaningful because I had seen the original Tennessee Williams play, “The Seven Descents of Myrtle” with Estelle Parsons, during its Philadelphia try-out. It played a few blocks over from the Royal at that legit theater right next to the Academy of Music. (I think that theater was later turned into a restaurant. I still have the theater program somewhere).
These Temple photos brought back a lot of memories.
Do these comments mean the Royal is still there, and perhaps is being restored?
When I was at West Chester U and after I graduated I remember the Studio showed great foreign film double-bills, Godard, Antonioni, Bergman, Schlesinger, all the current greats of the period.
It was a small theater sandwiched in between some of the bigger palaces on Market. I seem to remember there were lounges (restrooms) down narrow staircases right off the front lobby.
In this respect the programming in the ‘60s was like some of the old pre-Disneyfied 42nd Street theaters in New York where you could see a foreign double bill much cheaper than at first run theaters like the Paris. (I also think the Studio was similar to the 42nd Streets in more ways than one).
I specifically remember seeing “The Pumpkin Eater” with Anne Bancroft there, and probably “Darling” with Julie Christie. Maybe also really odd films like (the now forgotten) “Day the Fish Came Out”!
The World down the street showed first run foreign films.
A friend of mine who also knew Philly suggested that the theater I asked about five comments up was called the Studio. It was a small theater, sort of sandwiched in between the bigger ones. I recall there were lounges (restrooms) down a flight of narrow stairs off the front lobby.
My friend confirmed it showed great, sometimes esoteric (for the times) foreign double bills, Godard, Antonioni, etc.
The World down the street showed first run foreign films.
A great page! Also big.
I’ve only had time tonight to skim over it. (I just got back from the downtown Disney Hall).
But the ad for “Forbidden Planet” was wonderful. I only wish I could have read all the small print (the “Id” article!) and wish whoever posted it had put a newspaper date along with it.
Forgot to mention I first saw “North by Northwest” at Loew’s Regent.
I wish they would restore Loew’s State as a film theater. Apparently it has a long history of association with MGM and I’m a huge MGM buff.
I will definitely check out the CT page, thanks.
More Senate recollections:
I remember seeing Abbott & Costello make a personal appearance at the Senate. This was to promote their film of “Jack and the Beanstalk” so it would have been in 1952.
There were spaces for tall rectangular posters along the alley beside the theater. In the alley behind the theater (next to a five-and-dime) there was a big billboard for a movie ad.
The only other big movie poster billboard I remember was on 3rd St. for the Colonial.
tisloews, you are probably aware there was a Loew’s State in the old downtown section of Los Angeles. I think this was the main MGM flagship theater in LA during the studio era. It’s still there with the old marquee intact but is now a church, (at least it was the last time I saw it).
There has been some attempt to restore the many vintage LA Broadway theaters still standing but the economy has slowed down that process.
An Orpheum Theatre there, one of many across the country I’m sure, was restored and I recently saw “North by Northwest” there, introduced by Eva Marie Saint and Pat Hitchcock.
PS: “Fantasia” at the Senate was the ‘50s SuperScope revival which cut off the top and bottom of the frame to make it wide-screen.
Which reminds me, I’m off to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic play Ravel and Stravinsky at the amazing Walt Disney Concert Hall this afternoon.
When I saw the first CinemaScope film, “The Robe,” I definitely remember the stereo sound, a big climax of sound coming from all around in the Palm Sunday sequence.
Part of the ad hype for ‘Scope was the new sound system: “In the Wonder of High-Fidelity Directional-Stereophonic Sound.”
Film composers even occasionally orchestrated in stereo, i.e., Bernard Herrmann’s use of brass in “Garden of Evil.”
I don’t know how long this system held up or how long it was used. I was away at college during the last days of the State and then I moved to Lancaster. It may not have been compatible with later films.
The Senate, Harrisburg’s second 'Scope theater, also had stereo sound. I mention elsewhere seeing “Fantasia” there and the church bells in “Night on Bald Mountain” coming from the back of the theater.
I’m a musician, a child of the hi-fi/stereo revolution, and was very sensitive to sound even then.