The Ritz Movie Theater, Muncy Pa, in 1938
The Movie theater first opened in 1923.
The March 12, 1921, issue of The American Contractor said that Williamsport architect F. Arthur Rianhard was designing a part 1-story and part 2-story theater, 39 x 120 feet, to be built at Muncy, Pennsylvania, for J. F. Fahnestock.
The theater opened in January of 1923, showing silent movies until 1930 when sound was added to the theater.
1934 shot of the Ritz Theatre in Muncy with a front by H.W. Larned for “The Circus Clown”
In the early 1940s the exterior of the theater was renovated.
Main Street Muncy, showing the new exterior of the Ritz on the far left, The Hotel, and H.B. Heal's Department store can also be seen.
"Two parties for area children are slated within the next week. On Dec. 18, Local 516, United Furniture Workers of America, will entertain all children of the Muncy school district at Ritz Theatre, with a movie and free gifts. Then on Dec. 22 right after the final day of school before Christmas vacation, all Muncy school district children are invited to a party at Ritz Theatre under auspices of Muncy Rotary Club." - 1965
1988
On Wednesday November 25, on the eve of Thanksgiving in 1989, a fire broke out on Main street. It began in an apartment above McKay's Hardware and Widmann's Drugs store. Both of those businesses, next door to the theater, were destroyed. Five apartments were also destroyed, leaving 6 homeless.
Some firemen battled the fire from the roof of the Ritz. There was a water shortage, resulting in a lack of water pressure, so water had to be brought from the river.
The firemen kept the fire from spreading to the Ritz theater, but the building did sustain smoke and water damage. The theater closed for 10 months after the fire.
The theater was again damaged by water, this time from a clogged pipe, in 2008.
In February 2009, The Ritz showed Everybody's Fine. 11 year old Chandler Frantz starred alongside Rober DeNiro in the movie. Franz's grandparents, Clarence and Alma, owned Frantz Plumbing and Heating Service in Muncy.
Ritz For Sale
"Bldg & Parking For Sale Rent Lease, Sorry, Churches Not Allowed By Borough"
In 2015 the 3:16 Covenant Church wanted to purchase the property, but the borough has an ordinance that does not allow churches in the business district.
In September of 2019, the Ritz re-opened as a Complex including a Cafe & Juice bar, batting cages, and event space.
The cafe closed in 2023, and the complex closed in January 2024.
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Where The Movies Played
An Index Of Old Movie Theaters
In & Around The West Branch Valley
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READ MORE
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Owners:
1934- 1967? Harold & Dorothy Lanard
1967- 1989? Don Wilt
1989 - Jay Richards
The fire began over Widmann's, not McKay’s Hardware. An unapproved dryer was being housed in the apartment over the pharmacy. As one of the daughter of Bob and Joanne McKay, proprietors of the store, I know this first hand. The 2009 article in the Luminary is faulty and was not fact checked.
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