Elton Theatre

The Elton Theatre was a new-build, post-War suburban movie theatre built as the 11th location for the Chetco Theatre Circuit in Steelton just minutes from downtown Harrisburg along the Susquehanna River. The theatre opened in 1947 and had a sister theater in the Hill Theatre just across the River in Camp Hill. Like the Hill Theatre, William Lynch Murray designed the theatre.

For decades, Steelton moviegoers were served by the long-standing Standard and Strand theatres. In 1936, Harry Chertcoff took on both of the theatres. But in the Fall of 1945, two elements changed the movie marketplace. World War II ended in September and a November election permitted Sunday moviegoing in Steelton.

With people moving out of the Harrisburg city center, there was an opportunity for a new suburban theatre. Chertcoff decided the Standard Theatre would not be a viable long-term venue. He announced in the Fall of 1945 his purchase of two lots on Front Street to build his new movie house.

The Elton Theatre was beaten by the Hill Theatre which opened in February of 1947. Both opened with 30-year leases. The Elton Theatre launched on May 2, 1947 with James Cagney in “13 Rue Madeleine". A parade with the VFW band snarled traffic that night. The Elton Theatre had replaced the nearby Standard Theatre which was closed three days previously on April 30, 1947 with Bela Lugosi in “The Devil Bat”. An early hit show for the Elton was Zavar’s MidSpook Show in May of 1947 which featured the disappearing Tetina and Zavar’s amazing hypnotist’s spells.

The theatre was closed then gutted when it was repurposed as a factory location for the Osage Piping & Fabricating company. Osage moved to a newer facility in the 21st Century. Little of the theatre is recognizable other than its poster frames on the front of the building. As of 2020, it was offered for sale for $295,000.

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