tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post1949253151788668095..comments2024-03-29T06:06:25.280-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Bethlehem Boyd BlightedBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6098862099609388862016-01-18T14:03:29.020-05:002016-01-18T14:03:29.020-05:00Oh, yes, I remember walking down to the old souths...Oh, yes, I remember walking down to the old southside theater with my mom from our apartment on West Third Street, in the old Wilbur mansion. We saw Bambi there, and I think The Ten Commandments, and Charley's Aunt...What a great life it was, when people could walk to the movie theater, the library, the drug store, the butcher shop, the grocery store, the post office, the fish monger -- that place with eels in a barrel -- and to school and to church, and to grandma's house, and a zillion other places. No traffic, no gas stations, no sitting on our butts all day in the car. What we have now is anything BUT progress, at least in my opinion. Crazy Old LadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11281877532150177652016-01-17T07:03:08.885-05:002016-01-17T07:03:08.885-05:00Bethlehem had several large theaters in the 1930s
...Bethlehem had several large theaters in the 1930s<br /><br />The College Theater<br />The Boyd Theater (was originally called The Colonial)<br />The Globe Theater<br />The Palace Theater<br />The Nile Theater (was originally called the Savoy)<br /><br />All of these had large auditoriums, with a capacity of over 1,000 people each. The Boyd was around 1,500 - 1,700 people.<br /><br />The Boyd is the last one left<br />Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61972159199899820572016-01-17T06:52:20.843-05:002016-01-17T06:52:20.843-05:00Does the Boyd look like the old Allentown Colonial...Does the Boyd look like the old Allentown Colonial theater inside?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79874917085999894612016-01-16T18:43:40.838-05:002016-01-16T18:43:40.838-05:00If Blighting means the city can buy it then the ci...If Blighting means the city can buy it then the city should buy Martin Tower before the wrecking ball comes. Ronca blighted that building by pulling the plug on the heat and AC and gets rewarded with our tax money from the State to tear it down---what a joke!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-77793428278588051172016-01-16T16:35:55.397-05:002016-01-16T16:35:55.397-05:00fred@3:28, i actually had done a post on the thea...fred@3:28, i actually had done a post on the theaters of allentown, perhaps i'll repost it soon. i recently told o'hare that my time as a <i>dour and misguided</i> political blogger is ending, now that the targets of my scrutiny are being indicted. although, it was my intention to follow a certain family of ducks on their journey through the little lehigh, i may instead ramp up the history department. michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41320350228598742482016-01-16T15:28:50.677-05:002016-01-16T15:28:50.677-05:0011:21 PM
I went to both theaters frequently, also...11:21 PM<br /><br />I went to both theaters frequently, also the Nile Theater. The Nile was just a few doors west of the Bethlehem Boyd. But, the local granddaddy of them all back then (to me) was Allentown's Colonial.<br /><br />For my fellow geezer, Mike Molovinsky . . . perhaps you will remember Allentown's Towne Theater at 6th & Gordon. As a boy, I went there on Saturdays. They showed 3 full features (usually horror flicks) plus cartoons for 20 cents! They even had a rotating hot dog machine. Each dog was 25 cents. I never had the money for both, but was amazed that one damn dog actually cost more than seeing 3 movies! If I remember correctly, the Towne was owned/managed by the late Al Moffa (Americus Hotel). The line outside stretched around the corner and down Gordon Street about 50 yards.<br /><br />Such innocent times! <br /><br />Fred WindishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-71618838834896267912016-01-15T23:21:07.538-05:002016-01-15T23:21:07.538-05:00I remember the Globe fondly...and the Collage Thea...I remember the Globe fondly...and the Collage Theater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15873800416329364222016-01-15T22:41:14.707-05:002016-01-15T22:41:14.707-05:00Wonder if the Boyd was ever considered as the new ...Wonder if the Boyd was ever considered as the new home for PA Playhouse. If the refit is possible would be a nice addition to downtown.Guy Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45952643355698613022016-01-15T18:50:32.075-05:002016-01-15T18:50:32.075-05:00bernie, i do not believe that they were. it was a...bernie, i do not believe that they were. it was a unique building, in that it contained apartments, as well as the theater. although my uncle rented the apartments, for years he tried to talk lehigh into partnering on the restoration of the theater. michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-12453759389780170302016-01-15T18:06:24.374-05:002016-01-15T18:06:24.374-05:00MM, I had never even known about the other Boyd un...MM, I had never even known about the other Boyd until you posted your very interesting comment. Were the arsonists ever caught? Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58073043489487230952016-01-15T18:03:56.984-05:002016-01-15T18:03:56.984-05:00Listen, stop wasting everyone's time with thes...Listen, stop wasting everyone's time with these Gregory comments. Thdey stopped being funny some time ago. His car was repossessed long ago, and the Pa State inmate locator tells me he is still in Pittsburgh. He does not need you to make a fool of him.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-9350803615024971572016-01-15T17:55:54.603-05:002016-01-15T17:55:54.603-05:00Bernie, Bernie "MANSLAB" alert!!!!
Reli...Bernie, Bernie "MANSLAB" alert!!!!<br /><br />Reliable sources have stated they have seen the ruby red Camaro of one James Gregory at a local fast food joint. Word is he is out on the street. Maybe a few weeks early release. Please, please verify.<br /><br />Men and women alike must know the truth. The salvation of not only Bethlehem but the entire Lehigh Valley is at stake.<br /><br />Has our political and religious savior returned???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-60543249575308438502016-01-15T17:29:30.950-05:002016-01-15T17:29:30.950-05:00one of the most incredible theaters in the valley ...one of the most incredible theaters in the valley was the former globe, in south bethlehem. it's possible that i'm one of the few people still around who was ever in it, for two reasons. the first being that the theater was closed for decades before it burned down in the early 80's, and secondly, my uncle owned it, giving me access. he had captured a famous escaped convict who was hiding in the vast former vaudeville theater, and it's generally believed that his associates on the "outside", burned the theater down in retaliation.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-66228628246756214612016-01-15T17:21:07.488-05:002016-01-15T17:21:07.488-05:00Word on the street is that the Green Door on Pembr...Word on the street is that the Green Door on Pembroke Rd has been looking to expand and has it's sights set on the Boyd. As a member of the local swinger community this development has me very excited, the Green Door has been a vital social hub for me after the death of my giant schnauzer Adolf. Stumpynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68009373004889935032016-01-15T16:40:02.684-05:002016-01-15T16:40:02.684-05:00Also unlike Steelstacks these theaters generally h...Also unlike Steelstacks these theaters generally have ticket prices lower than the multiplex and draw people across income lines.<br /><br />BKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-30650344847889429962016-01-15T16:37:31.410-05:002016-01-15T16:37:31.410-05:00Big Sigh!!! Frank, apparently you have never visit...Big Sigh!!! Frank, apparently you have never visited the Roxy theater in Northampton, or visited Austin, Lansdowne, Albany, etc. The idea of niche theaters are far from a "retirement community" concept but rather has become a popular trend. If your argument had merit, why would people hassle with parking and high prices to go to Main Street, Bethlehem? It is called "atmosphere".<br /><br />Many people go and will continue to go to the multiplex for many. many reasons. Also many folks will continue to hate going due to lines, indifferent service, crowds and noise. The example put forth by the poster at 1:22 has validity. Small single screen multi-purpose theaters can and do succeed and are self-sustaining. The former owner of the Boyd was batshit crazy and ran first run top tier movies. The Roxy and other theaters run new releases but after their first go around at tremendously reduced prices. They are popular for the same reason that "quaint" downtowns are popular. They also complement areas like downtown Bethlehem with its numerous eateries. Bay-boomer and disenchanted millennials and their children are enjoying these smaller, nicer theaters.<br /><br />So if you want to get out of the,"mindset of the 1970's" you should never go downtown; however, if you are forward thinking it is something to consider. Also no one has suggested the new owner(s) should run the theater, just lease out the space if someone is interested. The "Boyd" is a huge property with multiple uses, a theater is merely one use of a part of the entire building.<br /><br />Bill KeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-89627428955174011752016-01-15T16:13:14.524-05:002016-01-15T16:13:14.524-05:003:35,
Still the apologist for the failed mayor an...3:35,<br /><br />Still the apologist for the failed mayor and council. Yes you should have a bowel movement frank.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-32063033385336927382016-01-15T15:35:31.301-05:002016-01-15T15:35:31.301-05:00It’s no wonder that the Boyd Theater sat empty for...It’s no wonder that the Boyd Theater sat empty for so long. It didn’t generate ticket sales. People prefer visiting multi-screen complexes that offer variety. A family can split up, with the adults going to one movie and the kids going to another. At the Boyd, you had no choice. Either you saw the film you wanted to see or you stayed home. This sort of thing might work at SteelStacks, which caters to an upscale clientele. But within a general population, profits for single-screen theaters are rare. In any event, the movie theater in general is a mature industry, with medium to low growth prospects in the long run. Cable, satellite TV and other online platforms are cutting into the industry’s business. Bethlehem has to get out of this mindset of living in the 1970s. Times change. Maybe we baby-boomers ought to move to retirement communities rather than try to relive our early adulthood.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286719721002324507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-75390030551943474122016-01-15T14:35:55.155-05:002016-01-15T14:35:55.155-05:0012:04, 1:57,
It's call economic and community ...12:04, 1:57,<br />It's call economic and community development. Obviously you don't understand the concept any more than donchez or karner do. I can explain it to you but I can't make you understand it. Your loss as well as the city's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51133034994332230692016-01-15T14:11:29.451-05:002016-01-15T14:11:29.451-05:00The Boyd will never be a theatre again. It will co...The Boyd will never be a theatre again. It will cost millions to restore it. $5 tickets and $4 tubs of popcorn will never repay that debt. Have great memories of the Boyd as well as the other three movie theaters in Bedlum while growing up there. But it is history.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27809510374026113422016-01-15T13:57:37.550-05:002016-01-15T13:57:37.550-05:0012:04 I agree with u. These people who think they...12:04 I agree with u. These people who think they have the right to get involved with private sales are out of their minds. They would never want or allow the city involved in the sale of their own private property. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6206736265206572092016-01-15T12:04:11.153-05:002016-01-15T12:04:11.153-05:00What does the Mayor or City Council have to do wit...What does the Mayor or City Council have to do with a PRIVATE REALESTATE matter? I do not understand the bashing of a group of people, why not bash the last owner who closed it and never made repairs, or do you think city taxpayer money should be used to fix all distressed properties? I for one dont think that we should do that.<br /><br />1:22am you really need to stay on your MedsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11482226472039735912016-01-15T11:10:58.992-05:002016-01-15T11:10:58.992-05:00Bob is a good guy, and that's totally besides ...Bob is a good guy, and that's totally besides the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65605286388300154562016-01-15T10:24:33.196-05:002016-01-15T10:24:33.196-05:00I hope whoever purchased the Boyd makes it a great...I hope whoever purchased the Boyd makes it a great family place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42714010703812026342016-01-15T10:10:57.351-05:002016-01-15T10:10:57.351-05:00BREAKING NEWS: Main St. merchants upset that they ...BREAKING NEWS: Main St. merchants upset that they were not consulted about the sale and kept out of the loop. LOL. <br /><br />I don't know who or what is buying this place, but THANK YOU! It used to be a amazing place to go and I am sure it will be once it's fixed up again. The renovation of the Boyd is long over due and will bring new life to that end of Broad St. and the surrounding businesses. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com