Lansdale Theater
545 W. Main Street,
Lansdale,
PA
19446
545 W. Main Street,
Lansdale,
PA
19446
1 person
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Article about that deer in 1944.
Grand opening ad posted.
The Lansdale Theater opened in December 1922, but suffered fire damage in early-January 1923. It reopened later that same year.
On November 1, 1944, the interior of the theater received major damage after a four-point deer ran wild inside the theater, destroying the theater’s organ, broke their wooden grillwork, and damaged multiple seats. Police were able to catch the deer after being trapped beneath the stage.
interesting fact: the original chandelier and some other facets of this theater were relocated to Ashland, Oregon: https://oregoncabaret.com/about-us/history/
such a travesty that this was demolished. so frustrating
Friends, Ron & Roberta emailed me this about yesterday- The Garden State Theater Society had a luncheon, open console, and a mini concert by Candi Carley Roth at the Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown on Sunday. We had never heard the United States Organ, which was originally installed in the Lansdale Theater.
The 1948 IMPA lists a Music Hall Theater in Lansdale as part of the Pizer Lewen Circuit. I haven’t found any information to corroborate this, however.
No doubt for the era of scope films, 5 Sept 1953 Box Office reported installation of a new 40 feet wide movie screen
Somebody who visited the theater tells me all seating was on one floor, he recalls 3 large ceiling domes in the auditorium, and he thinks he recalls chariots in plaster on the side walls of the auditorium.
Lansdale’s Grand Old Movie Houses will be featured at the Lansdale Historical Society’s May 10th meeting. A snow storm cancelled the March 8th meeting.
Thanks, but not necessary. Hope you can make the meeting tomorrow; I can’t make it since it is a bit of a drive mid week.
TC:
No, the postcard view I have is more detailed than the drawing contained in the newsletter. And it shows the theatre as it actually was in the 1920s. It’s a really beautiful picture. However, the perspective of the two is similar. I’d be happy to email you a scan of it if you’re interested.
Film Daily Yearbooks give the seating capacity of the Lansdale Theatre as 900.
I have a very interesting color postcard view of the Lansdale from the 1920s. When we can add pictures I will post it.
Looks like a great event on March 8th:
http://www.lansdalehistory.org/
Article puts the demolition date for the Lansdale as 1979.
Architect is listed as Magaziner, Eberhard & Harris, which puts the theater being built in the 1920s.
A Picture of the theater can be seen here – Pre 1970
(Sorry for the quality – It was taken from a newspaper)
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/groundstar/