Shea's Theatre
18 W. 10th Street,
Erie,
PA
16501
18 W. 10th Street,
Erie,
PA
16501
2 people
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Here is a 1921 item about the renaming of the Majestic, but it gives no reason why the particular name was requested: “At the request of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, James B. Clark, of the Rowland & Clark theatres will change the name of the Majestic Theatre, Erie, a house recently taken over by the Rowland & Clark interests, to the Perry Theatre.
“It is hoped to have the opening about October 1.”
Reopened as Perry on October 11th, 1921 and Holiday on October 11th, 1967 and closed in 1968. Grand opening ads posted.
The Majestic theatre opened on January 28th, 1904. Grand opening ad posted.
List of Owners:
1935-1940 Shea Theatres
1940-1950 Jamestown Amusement Co.
1950-1961 Shea Theatres
1961-1964 RKO Stanley Warner
This post at Old Time Erie says that Shea’s was also known as the Perry Theatre. The December 3, 1921, issue of Exhibitors Trade Review had an announcement that Rowland & Clark had recently opened their Perry Theatre in Erie. I haven’t yet discovered when it became Shea’s.
I’ve been doing a Google image search for theaters designed by J. B. McElfatrick to see if there are others resembling the Majestic, but I’ve found none that are very close. It’s remarkable how varied his designs were.
Thanks Joe. Photo uploaded!
A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania, by J. Miller, says that the Majestic Theatre was dedicated on January 28, 1904. It was designed by architect J. B. McElfatrick.
In 1907 the house was sold to Moses Reis, who continued the original policy of legitimate stage productions. By 1912, the theater had been transferred to the Shuberts.
The earliest mention of movies at the Majestic I’ve found is from the September 16, 1916, issue of The Moving Picture World, which said the house had been reopened by O. A. Potter with a policy of vaudeville and moving pictures.
DesR: to add a photo to Cinema Treasures click on the “Photos” button (between “Overview” and “Comments”) above; on the photo page, scroll down and click the “Add New Photo” button; on the next page, click the “choose” button and select from the menu that appears the file of your photo wherever you have it stored on your computer. The file’s name should automatically appear in the adjacent box when you click on it. Adding a title and description are optional. Then click the “Upload Photo” button. License will default to “Creative Commons (Attribution)” but if you want a different one select it from the drop-down menu.
The Shea’s was torn down before I was born, but it does live on! I have the interior marque that my father pulled out before it was demolished. I can add a picture, if someone can tell me how to get it on here.
This was a beautiful theater it should have never been torn down. I remember when John F Kennedy came to Erie in 1960. He stayed at the Lawrence Hotel next to the Shea’s. I can still see him in front of Lawrence Hotel and The Shea’s Theater all gone for ever.
Google “Erie County Historical Society” and click on “Photo Archives”. Pictures #2 and #16 on page 2 are of Shea’s. Picture #7 is of 10th St and on the far left is Shea’s which was then known as the Perry.
I remember the Shea as having a small lobby and projection booth so high that “keystoning” was a problem. Cinemascope made it’s Erie debut at Shea’s. As a nine year old kid in 1954, I saw The Robe and was impressed with the big screen, which was curved and tilted to minimize the keystone effect. When this block was demolished in the 60’s, it also removed the site of the original Strand Theater which was next to Pulako’s. That theater was removed years before. Pulako’s was indeed located at 926 State Street.
KeithJohnson: Long time between my post and yours, but “better late than never” as they say. So the Shea’s had both a balcony and a mezzanine! I’m sure my Erie friends will recall this feature, too. It’s a shame the Avalon Hotel now sits on that land, but at least the City of Erie has the Warner Theatre which was recently visited by Cass Warner Sperling, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner. Ms. Warner wrote the book on the Warner dynasty, Hollywood Be Thy Name.
What was really neat about Shea’s Theatre was that it had both a balcony and a mezzanine.
Mystery Solved! The Shea’s was originally the Majestic Theatre and as mentioned above… a photo of such is on www.cinematour.com A postcard of this theatre is also for sale on eBay!
Does anyone have information on the Majestic Theatre that was in Erie PA dating back to 1907? I have found a Cinema Tour photo, but not much else. It was a beautiful building and one that I would like to locate IF it still exists! Thanks.
This theatre was across from the Strand (now Erie Playhouse) on 10th Street. I would love to see photos of this former Erie cinema treasure! I’m told that it was small, but ornate.
“This theatre was a casualty of the 1960s "urban renewal” and “This theatre was disgracefully torn down” is a sad commentary on what should not have been allowed to happen! Thank goodness the City of Erie still has the Warner Theatre on State Street which has been beautifully restored!
I will check out the 926 State Street area this summer. I don’t recall the Lawrence Hotel, but today there is a popular candy company called Pulakos which may have had a location at the 926 State Street address?