Manos Theater
It seems that when you talk about movie theaters in Ellwood City, almost everyone remembers the Majestic movie theater but the other less recalled theater was known as the Manos. Originally named the Liberty Theatre, the 1,047 seat theater opened January 1923. The Manos family purchased the Liberty Theatre and renamed it the Manos Theatre. The Liberty had the exclusive rights in Ellwood City to show all Warner Brothers Vitaphone pictures that were released.
Jack Manos, who was associated with his brothers in the Monessen Amusement Company which owned a chain of theaters in Western Pennsylvania, came to Ellwood City in 1936 to run the Manos. On May 14, 1949 the theater held a grand re-opening after being closed one month for a little more than $70,000 worth of renovations. The theater had Herculite glass doors installed leading to the beautiful lobby and blending with the elaborate confectionary shop on the right. Mahogany was installed throughout the lobby including the counters, ceiling and banister. New restrooms located on the main floor were added to the building along with a manager’s office, a florist shop and a new large concession stand in the left front of the lobby. Inside the auditorium, a new concrete floor and slide back chairs were installed with bold colors.
After Mr. Manos died of heart attack in lobby of the Manos in 1956. Pete Samios, born Panayiotis Haralambos Dimitropoulo became manager of the Manos. The Manos continued in Ellwood City until May 24, 1972 when the company closed the theater. The building was torn down to make way for a Health Mart Drug Store August 17, 1987. Today the Ellwood City Public Library sits where the Liberty Theatre began construction October of 1922.
In the darker picture from the 1940′s, the movie showing at the Manos was “To Have and Have Not” starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
If you would like to share your memories of the Manos Theatre or the “standing room only” wedding that took place on the stage of the auditorium, please leave a comment below or you can email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com
I Think it was at the Manos Theater that I went to my first concert with Tommy Cash and Jennie C. Riley. Does anyone remember this concert? Jim Ed Brown might have been there too.
I remember the Manos Theater very well. It was right down from my Dad’s barber shop (Turner’s). They used to change the marquee every Wednesday and Saturday nights unless a big movie was playing. I practically lived there; talking to the ticket girls and the girls at the candy/popcorn counter. I remember when you could use the balcony. There was a very pretty sitting area in balcony.
I remember when they got the soda machine that first put the cup down and then the soda. I think it cost 25 or 50 cents.
Every Saturday afternnon I’d be there to see the “cowboys”; Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy and pay my 10cents. I have very found memories of the Manos.
Linda
I worked at the Manos from 1956-57. The thing I remember most about the Manos
is the price of a movie on Saturday afternoon. Just 25 cents. Popcorn was 5 cents.
Okay, and remember the Bazoka bubble gum contest on Saturday afternoons. So fun.
Memories of the Manos Theater in no special order. Bob LaCava was the Manager for many
years. Gene Constantino ( high school basketball star) changed the Marquee for a time.The
Manos got all the big name movies, such as OKLAHOMA THE ROBE QUO VADIS REBEL WITHOUT A
CAUSE etc. They had weekday matinee’s and saturday cartoon festivals. Jack Manos always
wore a suit and tie. He was usually walking around with a small cigar sweeping with a small
broom and dustpan. When he would see us kids hanging around out front…he would chase us
and say “Go way I break your legs” They had midnight horror shows with magicians and
hypnotist’s, every now and then. I remember when a movie called “FRANCIS THE TALKING MULE”
with Donald O’Connor…they had a live mule tied up in the front of the parking lot.I lived
in a 2nd floor apartment above the theater from mid 1940′s until 1959. We had ways of
sneaking into the balcony any time we wanted.
My most favorite memories of the Manos (mid-1960′s) were first, -There was a hosted Christmas stocking party for the kids right in the lobby there- Now I don’t know of this happening at Lincoln auditorium, as someone said. I think it may have been hosted by the Kiwani’s club or US Steel?? Now 2nd memory, spending a full afternoon for double/feature of hit’ James Bond movies, Either it was Goldfinger//You Only Live Twice……or it was From Russia with Love///and Thunderball together. what fun. Larry Risko /NYC Lincoln class of 1978
I saw “The Good ,Bad and the Ugly there …..Planet of the Apes and many others.
Thunderball with my good buddy NICK TOMEO.
Lynn, I remember those movies with you, too. Great fun.
Great memories of the Manos Theatre. I used to carry the films from the entranceway upstairs to the projectionist. Old Mike was his name. I don’t remember his last name. I used to get two passes a week for doing this! And I remember when Harry Milnes lived up there. They had about three apartments as I remember. When they tore it down, you wouldn’t have believed the amount of old stills and posters they had in the dressing rooms at the side of the stage.