Kings Court Theater
3807 Forbes Avenue,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15213
3807 Forbes Avenue,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15213
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 33 comments
An article in the October 27, 1979, issue of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentioned in passing that the King’s Court Theatre had been designed by architect Edgar A. Kwalwasser.
August 11th, 1965 grand opening ad in photo section.
My father made the sign (RK Neon) and we came to watch the first movie screened (Camelot, I think). Decades later I watched the sign being dismantled as the building became a cellphone company, I think.
I went to this theater in the 1960’s and saw the movie “Camelot” the perfect venue for that film.
There are a couple of Facebook pages that ex-King’s Court and ex-Manor/Squirrel Hill Theater folks might want to visit, with discussion about “the old days” and lots of information, newspaper clippings, etc.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knights-of-the-Kings-Court/56709306700
http://www.facebook.com/groups/71314204775/
It is sad to see the Kings Court as a storefront. In it’s day, it was an elegant roadshow theatre under the direction of Tom Bryant. Tom was one of the handful of Associated Theatres managers that was a true professional and showman. He managed his theatres with pride. Tom was later promoted to run the Associated downtown Pittsburgh theatres, Fulton, Gateway, Fiesta, etc. A true management star.
One of the projectionists was a friend of mine, and I got the grand tour of the place in 1981. I learned how the films ran, (I never knew), and got to see all the little nooks and crannies of the place. It was really cool. (And now… it’s just another Oakland store that T-Mobile occupies). Blech.
I was an usher (in full tux and bowtie) for midnight showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show at this theater from 1980 to 1982 while I was attending Pitt. It was a cool little theater and we ushers, the other staff and the “shadow” actors all had a great time. As an usher, I was a full participant in the RHPS participation madness, including carrying an umbrella, toast, rice and other stuff. The cleanup afterwards was a true mess, but it was worth it for all the great fun that we had!
I drove through Oakland last visit to Pgh and was sad to see the Old English font missing from the marquee, BUT if they turned this old police station into a movie theater in 1965, then they can always turn a T-Mobile store back into one in the future.
I also remember an item in George Anderson’s Post-Gazette column from August ‘72 when Woody Allen’s “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex” premiered at the Kings Court: Anderson commented on huge lines around the block on opening day. “Sex” wound up playing a little more than three months at the KC until it was replaced with “Play It As It Lays.”
I remember driving to Pittsburgh with my parents to see “The Last Picture Show” in March 1972. It was the first time I’d ever seen a movie outside of my (Youngstown) hometown, and the KC felt inordinately sophisticated and “big-city” to me. Loved the whole experience! Over the years, I went back there a few times and saw movies like “The Little Prince” (Xmas ‘74), “Hearts and Minds” (May '75) and “Next Stop, Greenwich Village” (Apr. '76). A wonderful theater that played some of the best movies of the “New Hollywood” era. Like so many other shuttered/demolished old Pittsburgh movie theaters, it’s greatly missed.
I remember when I was 16 or 17 seeing the movie “Clerks” here (a Generation-X moive if there ever was one). By then it was the Beehive and yes, the Beehive made a mess of it trying to look “eclectic”.
Cool looking theatre and a great name to go with it.
establish/renew link
Photo from May 1979:
View link
Grand opening ad is on this newspaper page, which can be seen at View link
you may have to drag it to bring it into view.
The Kings Court is now in the process of becoming a T-Mobile store. It looks like the dream is over.
I’m a student studying interior architecture and I have chosen this site to do my senior project on. My project consists of renovating Kings Court back into a theater. I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of this building when it was a theater or a coffee shop. Any pictures of the interior would be great. Let me know!
The Kings Court is still for rent, the theater section at least. It’s still possible for anyone to take it over. That said, I’m the president of the newly re-formed JCCP (the Rocky Horror cast that performed there all those years ago) and we’d love to return to the theater. So Nicolette, or anyone else that’s looking to purchase that theater, throw me an email at and hopefully we can talk.
Thanks and take care,
~ Jordan
Looks like the KC is being remodeled. Not sure to what now. Sadly I think it wil be retail.
Shame on the Beehive owners!!! Oakland needed a theater. Now what!?!?!? (Don’t tell me about the Melwood Screening Room either! No thank you!)
I was just in Oakland today. Something is going in that space (not sure what) and the “For Lease” sign is down. The American Outfitters store is open in the little spot that housed the candy (or was it ice cream?) shop.
I would hate to see the KC used in the wrong manner such as that. There are empty storefronts down the street that AO can use. Besides, Pgh Filmakers should be using the KC instead of the Melwood Screening Room.
I have a phone number for leasing info.
The phone number is (412) 621-2742
The phone number is shown on the picture to the link (you’ll have to enlargen it to make out the phone number, but it is the King’s Court!)
View link
nicolette- anymore info on american outfitters renting out kings court? like jason myers, i was interested if it was possible to book the theatre for a 1 day event. if anyone has info, please post!
thanks!
Horrible news everyone. I just learned that Kings Court was rented out by American Outfitters. When I get more information I’ll post it, but as for now I believe that they are keeping the outside the same (probably removing the marquis), but gutting the entire inside and getting rid of the slanted floor. I was very upset to hear this, as I assume everyone else is too. I feel that they are totally destroying the integrity of the building by turning it into something that isnt a theater. I’ll keep everyone updated if I learn more.
:(
Nicolette
Nicolette
Can anyone tell me who to contact, if possible, to book a one day music festival at this amazing location?
Thank you,
Jason Myers