Hiway Theater
212 Old York Road,
Jenkintown,
PA
19046
212 Old York Road,
Jenkintown,
PA
19046
6 people
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Wonderful article with theater history by a researcher who I know- https://www.theprojectorjournal.com/mcgettigan.html
Facebook link to a painting of the Hiway Theatre by Michael Riley-Hill Art & Design.
https://www.facebook.com/mhillart/photos/a.1642503516010103.1073741829.1500577213536068/1878013175792468/?type=3&theater
Great cameo on The Goldbergs last night.
As they mentioned on Facebook, last Thursday eve’s DCP screening of classic “Casablanca” sold out at the Hiway!
Bradley Cooper grew up and went to this theater as a child. Sunday morning interviewed him in this theater 2 weeks ago. HE is just a good old neighborhood boy whom everybody adores.
Oops, 2013.
Don’t miss the photo gallery & video about the Hiway at that article (January 13, 2012 Philadelphia Inquirer, front page!) that RickB links. Registration is free online for the Inquirer.
Philly.com concentrates on the Hiway in a story about small cinemas making the digital conversion. The Hiway is said to have raised $50,000 so far, about half of the money it needs.
I added to this site the video of the blade sign installation, http://cinematreasures.org/video/jenkintown-pas-hiway-theatre-vertical-sign-is-installed
A replica of the original blade sign has been installed – link here
Went to this theatre for the first time ever this past Saturday afteroon to see “The Savages” and enjoyed myself very much! It has been almost a decade since I’ve been to a single screen theatre and I plan to go back whenever possible. Very clean, good sound, friendly staff and customers.
This 1940 photo is an expanded view of on the PAB thumbnails posted by TC on 1/28/05. The photo is from the Irvin Glazer collection:
http://tinyurl.com/3xe3e9
Here’s a great article about the Hiway Theatre for January 9, 2007:
View link
Soon to Be Reborn
The single-screen theater in Jenkintown has been redone almost every decade for nearly a century. Neighbors formed a nonprofit to operate it and are renovating it once again. Known again as the Hiway, it’ll reopen in January, again as an arthouse.
I wrote that listing in today’s Philadelphia Weekly:
View link
The Hiway’s website has numerous photos of the renovation, including discoveries made.
There’s also a pending sale of ornate sconces, the 1985 stained glass, and modern light fixtures.
http://www.hiwaytheatre.org/
The theatre is CLOSED> The good news is it will re-open in Jan. 2007 after a major upgrade. Check web for details. rg
My September 2005 photo of the exterior is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/73956015/
The nonprofit organization is planning renovations. Behind the concessions counter, in the foyer adjoining the auditorium is a wonderful Paramount glass mural. Moorish style sconces are on the side walls of the auditorium. Slides rather than a curtain is currently used, but maybe like the Newtown renovations can include a curtain?
Great photos on this link:
View link
Oops! I forgot to write that in 1925, after the interior redesign from William H. Lee, the building became known as the Embassy Theatre. When Irv Merlin bought it in 1985, he renamed it after himself….the Merlin Theatre.
Robert M. Harper
I am writing an article on the old Hiway for the Old York Road Historical Society. The theatre was built in 1913 and was known as the Jenkintown Auditorium and had seating for 600, with stores flanking the main floor space and offices above. Architect for the building in 1913 was Albert F. Schenck (1877-1931)The exterior at that time was dominated by a large 2 story arched entryway. Films were being presented in 1914 when the Auditorium officially opened.
In 1925, the Auditorium interior received a redesign from architect William H. Lee (1884-1971), in colaboration with the Gibelli Company, prominent theatre designers of Philadelphia. Lee is also believed to have raised the ceiling of the theatre by getting rid of the offices above and the flanking stores.
In 1936, the theatre underwent a reconstruction on the exterior and the interior from architect William E. Groben (1883-1961). Groben’s main contribution seemes to have been the elimination of Schenck’s arched entryway, the addition of a marquee and ticketbooth and a refurbishing of theinterior. The building underwent a name change in 1936 and became known as the York Road Theatre.
In 1940, the movie house changed hands and received another name change to the Hiway Theatre.
By the 1980’s the building appeared rundown and was purchased by Irvin Merlin in 1985. Four years later it changed hands again and was purchased by Charles Peruto, Jr. who named it for his son, the Chas III. In 2003, it was resold to new investors who restored the old 1940s name of the Hiway Theatre.
elimanation of Schenck’s arched entryway
UPDATE: Just passed the theatre today and thoe old CHAS III name is gone. I guess there getting ready to put up the HIWAY name.
I am a film booking agent located near this movie house.
I would be very interested in assisting with the group
involved in its revitalization. If anyone can connect me
with these folks I’d be very grateful. It’s so nice to see
this house come back to life again. Feel free to email me
anytime: