The Campus Theater, Lewisburg Pa

 

Campus Theater, Lewisburg Pa

Originally opening in 1941, Campus Theatre reopened in August 2011 after an extensive $2.5 million, eight-month renovation. The theater, now owned by Bucknell,  seats 310 with room for 40 more in the lounge-type area in the back.

Complete Transaction  For Lewisburg Theatre 

"The Stiefel brothers of Lock Haven this week completed arrangements for the purchase of a tract of land on Market street, Lewisburg, now occupied by Dr. G. B. Faries, and W. H. Zearfoss on which they will shortly erect a new theatre. The Stiefel brothers now operate the Roxy, Lewisburg's only theatre. 

W. W. Watkins, who recently announced that he would build a theatre on the site of the present Harrison building, has secured a 30 days extension of the option on this building, which originally expired April 1. He has not completed definite plans as yet." Sunbury Daily Item, April 4th, 1940  

Note - W.W. Watkins owned the Roxy Theater location when it was torn down in 1961.  He also owned the location of the J.J. Newberry store.

   The Campus Theater, 1947

The first show, on  opening night,  January 17, 1941, was “Love Thy Neighbor.” a 1940 musical comedy staring  Jack Benny and Fred Allen.  The theatre attracted large audience numbers, being the only air-conditioned Theater in Central Pennsylvania.  

 Every Saturday, the Steifels offered free movies for the local kids and even showed double features some weeks.

"The theatre builders, the Stiefel Brothers, contributed significantly to American Theatre history in general, but most importantly, shaped the destiny of The Campus Theatre in particular.

“Nobody could walk downtown without seeing Harold [Steifel] resting atop a meter, greeting everybody, talking to everybody.”

Oscar, Harold, Barney, and Morris Stiefel emigrated from Russia to the United States in the 1920s. Oscar began with one movie theatre in Philadelphia and from there the business grew.  His three brothers and several nephews eventually joined him , and the Stiefels eventually ran eleven  theatres in Pennsylvania..

Morris’s son, Harold Stiefel, took over management of The Campus Theatre when his Uncle Barney retired in 1953.  Harold, and his wife Jacquie managed the theatre until Harold's death in 1988.

The theater, after being sold to Bucknell, and renovated.

In 2001, Jacquie Stiefel sold the theater to a Bucknell University Film Professor.  The professor started a non profit organization, the Campus Theater Ltd.  Today, Bucknell University owns the building, which is run by the non profit organization.

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1946