Ritz Theatre
Clearfield, PA
Photo courtesy Rick McOmber

Here’s the Ritz Theatre tucked into a row of old commercial buildings along Market Street in downtown Clearfield, Pennsylvania. The broad marquee, simple vertical lettering, and narrow storefront entrance give it the unmistakable look of a small-town movie house that has been around for generations. 07-08.

The Ritz opened in 1928 with a large auditorium seating more than 1,000 moviegoers. The entrance and lobby were incorporated into an older commercial storefront dating back to the 1890s, with the auditorium constructed behind it.

Like many surviving neighborhood theatres, the Ritz was divided into two screens during the 1970s. Some of the original wall light fixtures were moved onto the new center dividing wall, and an unusual decorative fireplace can still be found in the theatre’s lounge area. Bob Knepp purchased the Ritz in 1985 and kept the projectors running for nearly four decades. In November 2023, the theatre was sold to local owners Michael and Meredith Reed, beginning another chapter for this longtime Clearfield landmark.

UPDATE: The Ritz Theatre dates back to the 1890's after which the theater portion was built in 1926. The theater still shows first run movies and is open 7 days a week. The Ritz received a grant to preserve the theater and convert to digital projection. 05-20

UPDATE: The Ritz remains open as an independent two-screen theatre showing current Hollywood movies. Recent improvements have included new seating, carpeting, restrooms, a modern ticketing system, an ADA-accessible restroom, and the building’s first air-conditioning system. Restoration work has also begun on the old neon marquee, helping keep the Ritz shining along Market Street. 08-26.

Strand Theatre
Rockland, ME
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Here’s the tall blade marquee for the Strand Theatre in downtown Rockland, Maine. The big vertical STRAND letters are easy to spot while cruising along Main Street, especially when the neon is glowing. This is one of those old theatre signs that still knows how to get your attention. 09-10.

The Strand opened on February 26, 1923, with the silent comedy The Hottentot starring Douglas MacLean. It was built by Joseph and Ida Dondis, whose family kept the theatre entertaining Rockland for nearly 80 years.

After years of wear and tear, the Strand was purchased by Matt and Meredith Simmons and given a major historic restoration in 2004 and 2005. The work brought back the theatre’s original character while adding modern projection, sound, seating, and other improvements needed to keep the shows rolling.

UPDATE: The Simmons family donated the Strand to the nonprofit Friends of the Strand Theatre in 2014. It remains open for independent and classic films, concerts, stage performances, opera broadcasts, and community events. Best of all, the restored vertical sign and marquee still light up Main Street. 08-26.

Shore Theatre (Closed)
Coney Island , NY
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The Shore Theatre is a familiar Coney Island landmark standing at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, directly across from Nathan’s Famous. Even with its doors closed, the seven-story brick building and towering SHORE blade sign were hard to miss along the busy amusement strip. 09-10

Opened in 1925 as Loew’s Coney Island Theatre, the 2,472-seat house presented both motion pictures and vaudeville. Its large auditorium and elaborate interior were intended to bring entertainment to Coney Island throughout the year, not just during the summer season.

The theatre became Brandt’s Shore Theatre in 1964 and later offered burlesque shows, adult films, and bingo before closing during the 1970s. It remained boarded and vacant for decades, although its imposing exterior continued to dominate this entrance to Coney Island. The building was designated a New York City landmark in December 2010.

UPDATE: The property was purchased by PYE Properties in 2016 for conversion into a hotel, spa, and retail complex. The badly deteriorated SHORE sign was removed, with plans calling for a historically styled replacement. Renovation work has continued on the landmark building, though the hotel project has not yet been confirmed as open. 08-26

Carnegie Hall
Manhattan, NY
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here’s a look at the famous Carnegie Hall along Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The Italian Renaissance building may appear rather reserved from the street, but that familiar name carved above the entrance tells you this is no ordinary concert hall. 05-20

The hall opened on May 5, 1891, with Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky serving as guest conductor. Andrew Carnegie funded the building, while architect William Burnet Tuthill designed its unusually sturdy masonry structure without a steel framework.

Classical music made the hall famous, but its stage has welcomed just about everybody. Judy Garland recorded her celebrated 1961 concert album here, while the Beatles played two shows during their first American visit in February 1964. Then there is the old question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer, of course, is “Practice, practice, practice.”

The hall nearly met the wrecking ball after the New York Philharmonic announced its move to Lincoln Center. Violinist Isaac Stern led the campaign to save it, and New York City purchased the building in 1960.

UPDATE: Carnegie Hall remains open and continues to host classical, jazz, popular music, and special performances. The complex actually contains three separate performance spaces, including the main Isaac Stern Auditorium. 08-26