Strand Theatre
315 Market Street,
Sunbury,
PA
17801
315 Market Street,
Sunbury,
PA
17801
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Comerford Theaters Inc.
Architects: Michael J. DeAngelis, Leon H. Lempert, Jr.
Functions: Storage
Styles: Spanish Renaissance
Previous Names: People's Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Strand Theatre was the larger of two Sunbury theatres, the smaller being the 612 seat; Rialto Theatre.
Originally opened in 1910 as the People’s Theatre, it was a handsome light brick building with a grand marquee that featured moving lights and provided quite a bit of life and light to Market Street. The theatre was very well kept and well managed. It was taken over by the Commerford chain in 1919 and renamed Strand Theatre. It was remodeled and enlarged in November 1928. It was remodeled again in 1951 to the plans of architect Michael J. DeAngelis. It had a large CinemaScope screen which was installed for the movie “The Robe” in 1953.
The Strand Theatre was closed June 12, 1980. I believe that like the rest of Market Street, it fell victim to nearby malls. The once thriving Market Street is now a shadow of its former self. The building is now used as an electrical supply warehouse.
Contributed by
Gary Hoy
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Recent comments (view all 49 comments)
If the sister organ at the Capitol in Rome, NY is any indication, the console may have originally been stained with gold fleck.
A message to orgnyst6226. I owned and ran the Strand for a while in the 70s. If you ever decide to sell that console please let me know.
1966 postcard link, with the Strand blade sign in red in the background on the left.
https://www.cardcow.com/421102/main-street-sunbury-pennsylvania/
The Strand doubled in size installing the Moller organ and had its Spanish architectural style when it closed and re-launched November 12, 1928.
The Strand closed June 12, 1980
This reopened on December 24th, 1950 and its last ad in The Item appeared in 1983. Grand opening ad posted from 1950.
This comment is for dallasmovietheatres. You have 2 pieces of artwork from the Strand in Sunbury, PA. Those are original artwork done by my grandfather, Walter Fuge. I would love to hear from you. Please contact me at Barbara Dukes Thank you!
I hope you can arrange to get those 2 pieces of artwork from the Strand done by your grandfather. How did you learn who had them?
Whatever happened to the Moller organ?
Michael DeAngelis designed my hometown theatre, the art deco Grand Theatre in Westfield NY. It was demolished after 40 years due to it closing and subsequent neglect. It had a curved marquee. My husband and I are hoping to have a Remembering the Grand this Fall with collected menorabilia donated by locals as there was an auction prior to demolition. The letter R was located right in the town so it will be the lighted featured piece. I found 500 tickets on eBay so a ticket will be given to attendees upon entering the exhibit. If you live in Western NYS, and are interested, my email is