Home Theater

New York Avenue,
Rochester, PA 15074

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GrandkidNo5
GrandkidNo5 on July 19, 2017 at 11:06 pm

S,A. Nesbitt first opened The Home Theatre in 1897 in a storefront on the east side of lower New York Avenue. Films shown were limited to 3-reeler programs and the theater first operated as a nickelodeon. In July 1910 a two-story building was constructed across the street adjacent to the Hotel Lincoln, that became the Home’s new location. An upright piano was purchased at this time. Admission was 10 cents in 1910. Silent pictures eventually became a thing of the past. Installing costly sound equipment, along with the Great Depression, forced the Home to close by 1930.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 8, 2017 at 10:54 pm

Here is a movie review by manager A. R. Rosenbloom of the Home Theatre, Rochester, Pennsylvania, from the March 13, 1926, issue of The Moving Picture World

“LIMITED MAIL. (7,144 feet). Star, Monte Blue. A box-office knockout. Picture is well directed and is filled with many laughs, thrills, and good suspense. Monte Blue very convincing in his part. One great picture. Tone, okay. Appeal, ninety-five percent.

“Mixed class town of 7,000. Admission 10-25. A. M. Rosenbloom. Home Theatre (350) seats), Rochester, Pa.”

There were a few other reviews from Mr. Rosenbloom published in 1926. The Home was also mentioned in the July 20, 1918, issue of Exhibitors Herald, where it was listed as a member of the United Picture Theatres of America, a booking agency. But every other reference to Rochester I’ve found in the trade publications during the silent era is to the Majestic.