Loew's Penn Theater, 1940s

For Further Reading: 1927-1981

[Penn Theater Opens.]

[Note: The Penn opened 6 September 1927. It was supposed to open on Labor Day but Marcus Loew, owner of the chain of theaters, died on that day and the opening was postponed. The opening film--a silent film--was "Adam and Evil" with Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle.]

Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph 6 September 1927.

"Penn Theater Title Passes

Local Stockholders Take Over Complete Control, Will Operate It."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 4 July 1936.

"Penn Theater:

A Shift Credits a Lucrative Recoup."

Bulletin-Index 9 July 1936.

"Ah, the Dear Old Days Aren't Beyond Recall

As Penn Goes Back into Stage Business."

Lee McInerney.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 25 January 1963.

"Penn Theater Closes, Operating Costs Blamed:

From 1927 to 1964."

Alvin Rosensweet.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 9 September 1964, 1, 4.

"Ornateness That Was at the 'Penn.'"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 10 September 1964.

"The Penn Closes."

The Pittsburgh Press 11 September 1964.

"Taste Change Closed Penn Council Says:

Dead Downtown, Not Taxes, Blamed for Theater's End."

Bryant Artis.

The Pittsburgh Press 16 September 1964.

"Penn Theater Goes into Receivership: Hearing Jan. 18."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 25 December 1964.

"Penn Theater Hearing Set for Jan. 18:

Creditors Force Film Company into Receivership."

The Pittsburgh Press 27 December 1964.

"Penn Theater Group Granted Liquidation:

Receiver Appointed.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 19 January 1965.

"Penn Theater Set to Reopen Soon:

As All-Purpose Playhouse."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 19 February 1966, 22.

"$850,000 Offered for Penn Theater:

Mellon Bank Acts As Agent."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2 February 1967.

"Penn Theater's Destiny Still Uncertain:

Mellon Confirms Purchase Offer."

The Pittsburgh Press 2 February 1967.

"Penn Theater May Be Sold."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 28 February 1967.

"Penn Theater Sold; Home for Symphony?

Heinz Purchases Structure for $850,000."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 29 March 1967, 1, 4.

"Symphony Gets $800,000 Grant to Buy Theater."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 21 June 1967.

"Penn Theater Bright Prospect:

Shows Promise As Hall for Performing Arts."

Carol Apone.

The Pittsburgh Press 16 November 1969.

"Concert Audience Sounds Off on Penn As 'Home.'"

Carol Apone.

The Pittsburgh Press 13 December 1969, 2.

"Penn Theater Dark; Waiting for Symphony:

Roosevelt [Hotel] Tuning In."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2 March 1970.

"Old Penn Theater 'Phantom of Opera'--

Reconstruction Under Way."

Carol Apone.

The Pittsburgh Press 26 July 1970, 1, 5 (Section 8).

"Reflections on First Heinz Hall Decade."

Marylynn Uricchio.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 11 September 1981, 15, 21.

Last updated: 11 March 1999.