Eric Allentown
45 N. 4th Street,
Allentown,
PA
18102
45 N. 4th Street,
Allentown,
PA
18102
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Sameric Corporation, United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Functions: Office Space
Nearby Theaters
The Sameric Corp of Philadelphia built the Eric Allentown as a single screen. As the photo originally saved by the Sameric Corp shows “Oliver” on the marquee, that 1968 movie likely opened the theatre on June 25, 1969. Eventually, there were additions to the building. On June 28, 1974 there were a total of 2 auditoriums. From March 6, 1979 three screens, and from May 6, 1983 4 screens and finally from May 13, 1983 5 screens.
United Artists operated the theatre after acquiring all the Eric theatres from Sameric Corp. The theatre closed on July 18, 1999 after the Carmike Cinemas Allentown-16 opened in that year, but the original and newer Eric buildings have since been reused for government office space.
Contributed by
Howard B. Haas
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
It’s about time this theater got an entry in the database! I pointed out it needed a page over three years ago in my “Empire” retrospective. Anyway, it’s nice to see it get a page, but I’d like to make a request to those who create pages: Please stop generalizing/approximating the grand-opening and screen-expansion timeline. Why not conduct actual research from a primary source and obtain accurate and comprehensive information the first time around?
M Coate, we (Friends of the Boyd) purchased 22 Eric theater photos. I’ve gone to a lot of time & effort to identify all but one & post them on this site (since only one -this one- had its name on the back of the photos) and I’ve added a few theater pages when needed such as this one. I do prefer as accurate details as I can find, but have no time to research primary sources for most theaters. However, if anybody puts detail info as Comments, I do take the time to revise the Introduction. Coming soon: a night time photo! We purchased the remaining photos from the series.
This opened up as the Eric Twin in 1969. “On Her Majesties Secret Service” was shown there in 70mm. At the time it was the only theater in Allentown capable of showing the widescreen print.
All the other theaters at the time downtown could only show 35mm with a “Scope” lens
Some of my fondest memories are of my dad taking me to movies at this theater. I’m sure there were more than I remember but Star Trek VI and Goldeneye are two I recall. I know economics claim old movie theaters and that’s just part of the business, but man do I wish I could go back there.
This was to open on March 16th, 1969 but its opening was postponed until June 25th, 1969. Grand opening ads in the photo section.
2 screens on June 28th, 1974 Ad in photo section.
Today it is the Allentown Office of Vocational Rehabilitation using an address of 45 N 4th St, Allentown, PA 18102
Closed on July 18, 1999.
Expanded to three screens on March 6, 1979, four screens on May 6, 1983, and five screens on May 13, 1983.
the entire building is now state and federal government offices the larger half using the old theater address is OVRa unit of PA department of Labor and Industry the old lobby half is the Allentown SSA office.it’s now across from the county jail