Category:Cinemas in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Second-generation cinemas in Allentown began to be built in the 1910s. These replaced the First-generation nickelodeon-type cinemas which were converted storefronts. The cinemas in the Central Business and Shopping District were large, with roomy seating, usually had both balcony and floor seating and had very exquisite interiors. They showed primarily first run features, with newsreels, shorts and cartoons. Second-run films were shown occasionally as second features.

Cinemas in the Central Business and Shopping District were::

• Americus Cinema One (1975) North Sixth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1975

Short-lived cinema inside Americus Hotel, operated May-Oct 1975.

• Boyd Theater (1928) 28 North Ninth Street, Closed 1970

Torn down replaced by PPL expansion.

• Capri Theater (1927) 535 Hamilton Street, Closed 1981

Now Capri office building

• Colonial Theater (1920) 513-17 Hamilton Street, Closed 1982

Torn down, now City Center Five office building

• Earle Theater (1928) 20 North Eighth Street, Closed 1961

Torn down for parking lot.

• Eric Theater (1969) Fourth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1999

Now Social Security Administration offices.

• Midway Theater (1935) 608-610 Hamilton Street, Closed 1955

Destroyed by fire. Rebuilt and became office/retail building. Torn down 2017 for Tower Six building.

• Rialto Theater (1920) 947 Hamilton Street, Closed 1979

Auditorium torn down 1980 for parking deck; Lobby converted to business offices.

• State Theater (1906/1926) Sixth and Linden Streets, Closed 1951

Torn down 1953 for parking lot. Redeveloped for Strata Symphony Apartments, 2017

• Strand/Cinema Theater (1918) Eighth and Hamilton Streets, Closed 1953

Used as storage warehouse. Auditorium torn down 1993, lobby became office building.

In addition to the main theater and shopping district, neighborhood cinemas were located in various areas of Allentown. These were generally smaller venues which presented features that had completed their initial run on Hamilton Street and were shown on their second-run at reduced prices. These theaters also showed movie serials during the day along with the standard newsreels and shorts. Neighborhood theaters also frequently offered promotions such as glassware and china give-aways to attract families during the week. Neighborhood cinemas in Allentown were:

• Nedsen/Allen Theater (1914) 608-610 New Street, Closed 1989

Neighborhood parking lot.

• Astor Theater (1929) 1721 Hanover Avenue, Closed 1943

Now Bingo Hall.

• FranklinJeanette Theater (1913) 425-429 Tilghman Street, Closed 2008

Currently vacant.

• Hamilton Theater (1915) 205-207 Hamilton Street, Closed 1938

Closed due to fire. Was dry cleaner store until 1965. Torn down now a parking lot.

• Madison Theater (1914) 1333-1335 Chew Street, Closed 1931

Became Civic Little Theater stage theater. After 1957 has been home to various businesses.

• Nineteenth Street Theater (1928) 527 North 19th Street

Oldest (and only) operating cinema in city. Also known as Civic Theater (1957) when used for theater stage productions by Civil Theater of Allentown

• Southern/Park Theater (1925) 813 St John Street, Closed 1944

Now Zandy's Restaurant

• Lotus/Towne Theater (1921) Sixth and Gorden Streets. Closed 1979

Now Apartment Building