Valley Girl Views: The Majestic, Shamokin Pa

The Majestic Theatre, Shamokin Pa
The Majestic and the Victoria Movie Theaters sat side by side.

The original Majestic in Shamokin existed prior to November 1909 - when George Hinkle resigned his position there to accept a place at Lock Haven. I could not find the Majestic on the 1907 Sanborn map.

About 1910, the Majestic was purchased by George J. Higgins, station agent for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway in Shamokin. At the time, the theater was up for Sheriff's Sale. Higgins tells the story of his son talking him into making the purchase, in a 6 page article in

American Illustrated Magazine. (1928). "Finally I made up my mind that I wasn't going to turn down the first request of the kind that my own son had ever made. If I should lose the money all right!... That afternoon I phoned the sheriff and asked him how much he had against the Majestic. He said it was nine hundred and fifty dollars on the building and equipment, the site was leased ground. When I told him I would buy it he thought I was crazy. If a regular theater man couldn't make it pay, how could I expect to do it?"

The former owner, according to George's son John, had drunk and gambled away the profits.

George purchased the theater. "it was a little frame building, seating only two hundred and ninety people..."

The theater made a profit the first two weeks. And then, one of the state inspectors stopped by and informed George he would have to close - the theater did not comply with the requirements of the law. The couldn't be fulfilled even by remodeling the building.

So, George woke up the man who owned the land, and got a lease on the adjoining lot. Then he borrowed more money, and built a new theater.

The second Majestic Theater was a modest frame building, seating fewer than 600. "But at the time, it was the finest theater in this section. That's one thing I've done. I have always given the people something better than they have had before."

Sometime after building a theater in Pottsville, Higgins went to his bank and said "I'm either going to get into the movie business right, or I'm going to get out!". The banker advised him of a lot for sale, and lent him the money to buy it.

The New Majestic was built.

The above is a VERY brief summary from part of the 6 page article. The entire article is at the bottom of the page, and is a very interesting read.

The New Majestic on the 1913 Sanborn Map
Note that the Victoria, Built in 1911, is on the opposite side of the street, a block away.

In January 1917

The Republican and Herald reported that Higgins had purchased the Croninger property and would erect a modern theater and moving picture house there.

There were a series of large fires in Shamokin in 1917. The Majestic was one of four buildings destroyed on June 1st 1917.

On January 25th 1918, the Mount Carmel Item reported that the G.J. Higgins and son of Shamokin 'who operate the two Majestic Theaters in Shamokin, and the Majestic at Pottsville"

The Majestic Theater on West Independence Street

Next to the Victoria. This is the new theater opened in 1918, described by Motion Picture Magazine.

Motion Picture World, February 2, 1918 page 705

The 1918 article mentions the white terracotta facade and lists the seating capacity as 1100 upholstered seats on the main floor and 950 wicker seats in the loges.

The owner is listed as J.F. Higgins. The organ is listed as a Barkoff Grand Organ, "a company not associated with theatre organs."

September 1919

However, a year later, the Majestic had a Malarkey Organ.

Whether there were still two Majestics in Shamokin, or the theater got a new organ, I do not know.

Inside the Majestic

Located on the corner of W. Independence & N. Anthracite

1922 map

It was originally a first run house, showing mainly MGM features into the mid-1950’s. It then started showing mainly B movies from Republic, Allied Artists, and Monarch. It had never been equipped to show large screen fare.

"The Majestic was the smallest of the three local theaters but had a beautiful triangular marquee with a big stylized neon M in front. It also had the largest poster display in town a 6 sheet poster board that would have posters literally plastered to it. The side of the

Victoria has 8 large display cases which featured three sheet posters of coming attractions. In later years after the Majestic stopped showing first run films the 6 sheet board (84" x 162 inches) was used to promote films at the Capitol. "

In March of 1916, Triebly resigned as manager

An advertisement for Oliver Twist, in 1923

"The New Majestic"

New Ventilation System at the Majestic in 1923

1925

The Majestic Theatre was equipped with a 4 manual Moller organ in 1925.

According to Bynum Petty’s book, “An Organ A Day, The Enterprising Spirit of M.P. Moller,” Moller’s Opus #3306, a four manual, 50 stop, pipe organ was installed in the Majestic Theatre around 1921. The console found its way to Maryland to the home of a theatre organ enthusiast, who in turn sold it to another enthusiast, who was to install it in his home, with Moller pipe work, not from the Majestic.

"The Great Artists Course - A Golden Age

From 1920 to 1925 , the Greater Shamokin area enjoyed what can very properly be termed a Golden Age of Music , unequaled in the community's cultural history.

During these five years, almost every great musical artist of the period appeared here. This was the era of the now -legendary Great Artists Course when , through the untiring efforts and highly capable management of Con R. Graeber and Eugene Zartman, area residents were attending concerts by such musical greats as Galli-Gurci , Kreisler, Schumann-Heinle, and de Pachmann.

Presented, primarily as a subscription series, a season's Artists Course usually consisted of four concerts . Each was an event keenly anticipated by concert-goers; each performance a rich and memorable musical experience. For two years these con certs were presented at the Victoria Theater; the last three years, at the Majestic ..." - from Shamokin's 125th Anniversary Booklet

In this 1926 photo, the event is for the Victoria Theater, to the right of the Majestic. Look close at the sign and it reads "New Majestic" . The theater was referred to as the "New Majestic" as early as 1923, for a showing of Oliver Twist.

The New Majestic in 1938

1938 Rennovations

1947 Renovations

1956

The Majestic was demolished in November 1959 to make way for a J.C. Penny department store.

Demolition of the Majestic, with Christmas Decorations hanging across the street.

July 1960

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Where The Movies Played

An Index Of Old Movie Theaters

In & Around The West Branch Valley

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/07/where-movies-played-old-movie-theaters.html

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“Monday Tickets"

Anyone attending a Saturday show would receive a "Monday Ticket" discount, which reduced the Monday matinee price for children from the normal 15 cents, to 9 cents.

"Since Monday was washday for the local moms they were happy to give up the 9 cents to get kids out of the way while they did the laundry. "

“Matinee Memories” is a book about the movie theaters of Shamokin, including some that existed before the Victoria, Capitol and Majestic.

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George Joseph Higgins, "Duke of Edgewood"

Born 1865, son of John & Margaret [Franey] Higgins, was born in Tamaqua on July 26th 1865. He married Julia Margaret Tobin in October of 1891. Was a railway agent for more than 40 years. Also a banker, theater owner, and prominent in politics. George died September 7th 1931, age 66. His obituary listed two children, Mrs. Margaret Nagle, and John Higgins.

In American Illustrated Magazine. (1928). United States: Crowell-Collier Publishing Company, there is a wonderful 6 page article on Higgins, where he talks about his time with the railroad, and his business ventures, including his purchase of the Majestic at the behest of his son John. Titled - 'I'm a rich man, but - I need my job as a station agent!"