The reason why the Allen Theatre closed on August 10, 1989 with “The Karate Kid Part III” is because of a legal dispute over a November 1988 sales agreement that has kept The Morning Call editor Paul A. Willistein and estate administrator A. Albert Restum in court throughout both 1988 and 1989.
Under the agreement, Willistein wanted to buy the Allen Theatre for $159,000 from Restum shortly after one of its later theater owners, George Willistein, died in October 1988 in his Allentown home. Restum’s attorney, James Keller, replied that they will continue to seek the full sale amount from Willistein, but however, Willistein’s attorney, Samuel Feldman, says his client does not own the theater. Feldman stated that Willistein was unable to get free and clear title to the property because Restum hasn’t filed an inheritance tax return and an inventory and appraisal for the restate by the required date, which the sale did not go through by the July 18, 1989 settlement date.
Following this situation, both were taken to court, with Restum asking for enforcement of the November 1988 agreement and Willistein asking for its recision and the return of his $10,000 deposit. Earlier that month, Lehigh County Judge Carol K. McGinley consolidated three actions filed by both parties and has denied all relief requested. Alan Lucas, one of the Allen patrons replied that “Everybody would rather go to the Lehigh Valley Mall”. The main issue during its final months is the parking, which residents have a hard time finding parking. Restum said in a statement that Shane Fillman, a 17-year-old from Allentown, worked for his older brother during its final years of operation. His older brother had been operating the theater since 1981, and Shane voluntarily operated during its final year of operation in 1989 shortly after George’s death.
The Lyric Theatre closed as a 895-seat single-screener on February 18, 1990 with Richard Dreyfuss in “Always”, and the theater received major remodeling. GKC Theatres was its operator at the time, who quadrupled the Lyric and downgraded its seating capacity from 895 seats to 500 seats during the remodel, and the Lyric Theatre reopened its doors with four screens as the Lyric Cinemas on April 26, 1990.
The reason why the Allen Theatre closed on August 10, 1989 with “The Karate Kid Part III” is because of a legal dispute over a November 1988 sales agreement that has kept The Morning Call editor Paul A. Willistein and estate administrator A. Albert Restum in court throughout both 1988 and 1989.
Under the agreement, Willistein wanted to buy the Allen Theatre for $159,000 from Restum shortly after one of its later theater owners, George Willistein, died in October 1988 in his Allentown home. Restum’s attorney, James Keller, replied that they will continue to seek the full sale amount from Willistein, but however, Willistein’s attorney, Samuel Feldman, says his client does not own the theater. Feldman stated that Willistein was unable to get free and clear title to the property because Restum hasn’t filed an inheritance tax return and an inventory and appraisal for the restate by the required date, which the sale did not go through by the July 18, 1989 settlement date.
Following this situation, both were taken to court, with Restum asking for enforcement of the November 1988 agreement and Willistein asking for its recision and the return of his $10,000 deposit. Earlier that month, Lehigh County Judge Carol K. McGinley consolidated three actions filed by both parties and has denied all relief requested. Alan Lucas, one of the Allen patrons replied that “Everybody would rather go to the Lehigh Valley Mall”. The main issue during its final months is the parking, which residents have a hard time finding parking. Restum said in a statement that Shane Fillman, a 17-year-old from Allentown, worked for his older brother during its final years of operation. His older brother had been operating the theater since 1981, and Shane voluntarily operated during its final year of operation in 1989 shortly after George’s death.
Closed on June 19, 1960 with Robert Mitchum in “Home From The Hill” (unknown if extras added).
Closed on April 7, 1997.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Kendall GDX.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Charlestowne 18 XQ.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Meadowview XQ.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Paramount Theatre.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Carpentersville XQ.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Sandwich XQ.
Now known as Classic Cinemas York Theatre.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Woodstock XQ.
Now known as Classic Cinemas Fox Lake XQ.
GKC Theatres opened the GKC Harbor Cinemas on October 21, 2004. Carmike took the theater over a few years later.
Closed after the 1983 season, and demolished on May 9, 1987.
The Lyric Theatre closed as a 895-seat single-screener on February 18, 1990 with Richard Dreyfuss in “Always”, and the theater received major remodeling. GKC Theatres was its operator at the time, who quadrupled the Lyric and downgraded its seating capacity from 895 seats to 500 seats during the remodel, and the Lyric Theatre reopened its doors with four screens as the Lyric Cinemas on April 26, 1990.
Closed on September 19, 1985.
Closed on September 18, 1983.
Actual closing date is March 12, 1998.
Closed on July 27, 1999.
Last operated by National Amusements, closed on September 10, 2006.
Closed on March 17, 1996 with “The American President”.
Closed in 2007.
Most likely closed on March 9, 1995. It last operated as a second-run discount house.
Closed on September 3, 1990 with “Mirror, Mirror” and “The Exorcist III”.