Allen Theater
6822 New Hamsphire Avenue,
Takoma Park,
MD
20912
6822 New Hamsphire Avenue,
Takoma Park,
MD
20912
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I just discovered this site and it evokes such fond memories of the mid 1950’s when I spent numerous Saturday afternoons of my childhood at the Allen theater. I recall the matinee double features, and the live vaudeville/clown acts between the films. Also, the popcorn machine that dispensed a small bag of popcorn for 10 cts. It’s a shame that modern civilization inevitably destroys the landscapes of our youth, and all we are left with is our memories.
See the photos in some of the links above.
I had three local theatres growing up in Northwest Park: the Langley, the Flower, and the Allen. The Langley was on the mainstream firstrun track, the Flower was what passed for an art house, but the Allen was fearless in running exploitation movies. I spent many a happy Saturday matinee in the Allen sticking to the floor while watching Roger Corman movies, Japanese import horror films, and independent monster releases. But the first movie I saw there was the last reissue of “The Wizard of Oz” before MGM sold it to CBS. It scared the bejesus out of me, and what made it worse was that, on the way out, I turned around and saw the mural with those two humongous masks of comedy and drama glaring down at me above the lobby. I was so rattled that I begged my parents to take me to Topps Drive-In across New Hampshire Avenue for a double-decker burger and a milk shake “so think you have to take lessons to drink it.”
My first job got a free ticket for Saturday afternoon double feature tickets, I carried a few hundred flyers to J Enos Ray office on Wednesday afternoon,and then office seperated them to each class. Each Flyer has a lucky number. I lived on Eastern Ave and on a clear night the sign was visible. Dairy Queen was blockaway with soft serve.
I remember as child going to see the chuck Norris movie GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK at the Allen.
I drove by the theater earlier in the day and sat across the street from it, where there is a Dunkin Donuts, bought some food and just took all in that destruction that is there now. Not to say that this theater was any kind of palatial jewel, it does have memories for me and many others. As the pictures show, pretty much all that is left is rubble on the inside and, the framework that was the lobby and marquee and a red brick wall to the rear.
On what was left of the front facade is a poster for the New Hampshire redevelopment project, which seems to take on the look of nearby Hyattsville, MD and its redevelopment efforts of row and apartment homes, small businesses and the like.
Fox5News Story on Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV3b22Ar6SE
I have fond childhood memories of the Allen Theater because my grandmother, Catherine Casey, worked at the candy counter there. Being an employee, she was able to get my 4 sisters and I into the Sunday matinees for free. This was a really big deal to us and made us feel very privileged. We saw movies like Dr. Doolittle, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Andromeda Strain, etc. I remember running in the dark from my seat to the back of the theater where the candy counter was to get Good n' Plentys or Junior Mints from grandma. I also remember the comedy/tragedy mask designs in the lobby and on either side of the big screen. One time in the early 70’s my parents were there seeing a movie at night without us kids when a robbery occurred as the movie was playing and suddenly the burglar ran down the aisle toward the screen and dashed out one of the exit doors. I can recall my parents talking about it the next morning with great excitement.
An additional article with pictures about the theater, its history, and the fire: View link
photos of the burnt out cinema, really sad viewing
View link
A real shame! Although the interior had been gutted, there were still in place some very distinctive vestiges of its previous incarnation as a cinema showplace. Had this been a viable community, it might have been a great spot for Landmark to construct a multiplex art house in its shell. Although the property looked tired and haggard last time I saw it, it still had that rare architectural distinction one so rarely encounters.
Yes, a Washington Post reporter telephoned me today, because I had written the introduction above. I suggested she contact Bob Headley, the author of the wonderful book “Motion Picture Exhibition in Washington D.C.”
Destroyed by fire: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1831395
Interesting picture. :)
The first and last movie I saw here was Escape From Alcatraz in 1979 when the venue was a single screen. If memory serves me correctly, they advertised this venue had the largest screen in the metro area. There was no stereo install that I recall but the seats were comfortable, if greasy.
Unfortunately, crime did its best to deter regular patrons. I remember my cousins being mugged in the parking lot, which was very poorly lit at the time. Why they didn’t have proper lighting to the left and rear is a mystery to me.
Correct spelling is Takoma Park, not Tacoma.
Here are photos from February 2008 of the former Allen Theatre: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6