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Entertaining Audiences Since 1915

 

Massillon, Ohio may well be the best-known small town in America.    Known for its high school football team it is a very traditional town.

That may be why the town has rallied around its historic movie theatre. 1982 brought the wrecking ball to the last remaining theatre in the city. The Lions Club of Massillon purchased the building and began a huge restoration project. 27 years, more than a million dollars and thousands of volunteer hours later the “Grand Old Dame on Lincoln Way” has returned to her storied past to preserve her future.   

Current Picture of the Lincoln Theatre

Lincoln Theatre

 
Built in 1915 by noted architect, Guy Tilden, for The Triangle Film Co, the first audiences were treated to the most expensive theatre in Ohio.   With a price tag of $100,000, it set the record.   Built with mahogany, marble and stadium seating - the theatre boasts innovations it would take another 80 years for Hollywood to rediscover.

The summer of 2008 saw the theatre change its format to a totally classic film schedule.    The crowds have returned and the future looks bright. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday you will find your favorite movies and the Stars that made those movies great back on the Silver Screen where they belong.

 
Having survived demolition, 6 wars, 1 Great Depression and countless economic downturns the theatre has made many friends.  These friends have come to her aid. You can join them in keeping her big screen bright.
 

The Lincoln Theatre opened Tuesday, November 23, 1915 as Massillon’s new 900-seat playhouse with a Hillgreen-Lane "straight" pipe organ for accompaniment, built by Massillonian John McLain and Canton architect Guy Tilden. It was considered the finest moving picture house in Ohio. The theatre was managed by F. C. Kelly and showcased the films of the Triangular Film Corporation.

 

The Schine Bros. took over the theatre in 1927 added a full rectangular marquee and installed a Style EX Opus 1560 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

 

In 1931, the theatre management changed to the Warner Brothers; the marquee changed again to a triangular format and the Wurlitzer theatre organ was removed in 1938.

 

Closed as a movie house in 1975, it was later purchased by the Massillon Industrial Development Foundation and the Ten Star Theatre in 1977. The Lions Club of Massillon purchased the dilapidated theatre in 1982 to save it from demolition. Major renovations by the Lions have helped to restore the entire building and preserve this historic landmark. The seating was downsized over the years to 684 seats to allow for a larger stage. Recently in 2006 the marquee was reconditioned to offer "digital" advertisement for events while maintaining the historical triangular format marquee structure built in 1931.

 

Every year on the last weekend in Sept the theater hosts the "Fall Cinesation", a cinephile convention during which classic films from the '10s, '20s, '30s and '40s are screened. In most cases these are newly restored archival prints from LOC and Eastman House, and the silents have live accompaniment.

 

Weekly movies and community events are presented and the theatre is staffed by Lions Club volunteers. Please check the community calendar for weekend movie listings.

 

 

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