Warner Theatre, Former movie palace in Downtown Pittsburgh, United States.
The Warner Theatre at 332 Fifth Avenue was a former movie palace with beige walls, red carpeting, and red curtains, plus a large marquee. The building later transformed into a two-story shopping complex while preserving sections of the original lobby.
The building opened in 1918 as the Grand Theatre, showing early silent films with Douglas Fairbanks, before becoming Warner Theatre in 1930. This transition reflected Hollywood's shift in studio control and the evolving entertainment industry of that era.
The venue served as Pittsburgh's exclusive location for Cinerama screenings during the 1960s, showing major blockbusters in reserved-seat arrangements. Viewers came here to experience large-format productions unavailable elsewhere in the city.
The building sits downtown on Fifth Avenue and now operates as a shopping center. Visitors should note that the space no longer hosts performances but functions as a retail destination.
The theater was designed by architect C. Howard Crane and concluded its film history with a special premiere of the Pittsburgh-made movie 'Flashdance'. This connection to a locally produced film marked a notable ending to its cinema era.
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