Menlo Theater

523 Fallowfield Avenue,
Charleroi, PA 15022

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 9, 2022 at 8:01 am

The Menlo Theatre, then owned by Leon Reichblum, was mentioned in the July 1, 1940 issue of Film Daily, in an item about the opening of Reichblum’s new State Theatre in Charleroi. Reichblum also operated houses in Wilkinsburg and Castle Shannon, though the item didn’t give their names. However, the June 7, 1939 issue of Variety said that Reichblum’s house in Wilkinsburg was called the State. The Variety item also mentioned the Menlo.

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on December 9, 2016 at 1:08 am

Correct number is 523, not 528.

HankDevigne
HankDevigne on October 27, 2015 at 6:48 pm

from Rueben Fear : yes indeed, became the Menlo when the Moody-Dickinson chain bought it. The first floor theater was totally ripped out to make storerooms. It had a rising floor (the screen backwards on the front of the room). The local kids nick-named it the “Ranch House”. It largely showed B movies and serials. The lion head awning supports are still in place and the white brick points to the original location… HankDevigne

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 13, 2012 at 10:20 pm

The April 10, 1915, issue of The Moving Picture World had an item about the Majestic Theatre, which was probably opened before the issue’s date:

“CHARLEROI HOUSE TO OPEN.

“Work is rapidly nearing completion on the new Majestic theater in Charleroi, Pa., which is being erected by H. C. Hepler and C. J. Matthews. It is expected to have it completed about April 1. J. H. Megown, a well known Pittsburgh film man and a former exhibitor, will manage this house. It will have a capacity of 500. The building is two stories. The order for equipment has been placed with the Feature Film & Calcium Light company, which included two Powers 6-A motor-driven machines and a mirroroide screen.”

w3syt
w3syt on April 21, 2006 at 4:29 pm

This theater was originally the Majestic. I am assumming it became the Menlo when the Moody-Dickinson chain bought it. I am interested in scale modelling the Charleroi Theaters. If anyone has a pix of the Menlo, State, or last version Palace, I would appreciate it in an email (any quality fine).
The Menlo building still has the marquee anchors in place. The first floor theater was totally ripped out to make storerooms. It had a rising floor (the screen backwards on the front of the room).
The local kids nick-named it the “Ranch House”. It largely showed B movies, serials, etc.