Atlas Theatre
2603 Perrysville Avenue,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15214
2603 Perrysville Avenue,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15214
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Perrysville Theatre, New Atlas Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Perrysville Theatre was opened in 1913. It was renamed Atlas Theatre in November 1915. In 1938 the façade of the building was given a Streamline Moderne style makeover and renamed New Atlas Theatre. The Atlas Theatre was closed on April 11, 1953 with Yvonne De Carlo in “Hurricane Smith” & Maureen O'Sullivan in “Bonzo Goes to College”.
My grandmother pointed this building out once. She told me it was a theatre called the Atlas. I’ve also seen it listed in old newspaper. The building stood vacant in 2019.
Contributed by
John Schmude
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
There may have been an earlier Atlas at 3603 Perrysville Avenue, or that was a typographical error in some sources. The address at 2603 Perrysville Avenue is correct for an Atlas that existed from 1916-53 with 400 to 450 seats. At one point it was being advertised as the New Atlas, which could mean there was an earlier Atlas a bloc away on the same side of the avenue.
Ed, any recollection or information on an Art Cinema in Pittsburgh? It was mentioned in this July 1951 newspaper article:
http://tinyurl.com/5w49j6
Yes, Ken. The Art Cinema in Pittsburgh now is called the Harris. It’s at 809 Liberty Avenue, and there is a Cinema Treasurees entry for it.
Great. Thanks.
Postscript: The Pittsburgh theater known for decades as the (John P.) Harris Theater, originally called the Alvin and finally called the Gateway), also was Downtown.
When the non-profit Pittsburgh Filmmakers took over the Art Cinema and renovated it, they renamed it the Harris because the original Harris no longer was a moviehouse. THAT Harris is lised under Gateway.
Interesting looking building. I can see why the style is listed as unknown.
Renewing link.
Here is the Atlas as seen on Google:
http://tinyurl.com/ckv58r
The Perrysville Theatre appears to have opened in 1913 and was offered for sale a year later. Dr. Stybr took on the venue changing its name to the Atlas Theatre in November of 1915. It was operated officially by the Atlas Theatre Company the next month. G.J. Schweitzer of the Century-Family Theatre, Samuel M. Gould of Gould Amusements, Joan Weiner, and Max and Joseph Rand also operated the venue in its silent era. Max and Joseph Rand would equip the venue for sound to remain viable. In 1938, the theatre’s front received a streamline moderne makeover.
In the 1940s, Anthony Latella and Aaron “Twig” Rozenzweig were among the new owners of the Atlas. Atlas shrugged closing April 11, 1953 with a double feature of Yvonne De Carlo in “Hurricane Smith” and Maureen O'Sullivan in “Bonzo Goes to College.” Just weeks later in 1953, the venue was offered for sale for $26,500 ending its theatrical run and becoming a retail operation. The building was still standing although vacant in the 21st Century.
Zip code is 15214