I still remember when I saw 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” in theaters, delighting children and adults alike.
Of course, this occurred during a 2024 showing and not, uh, nearly 90 years ago.
But that is part of the power of cinema and historical preservation — it creates links in a chain that connect people from across different decades or even centuries.
We can watch “The Wizard of Oz” now and connect with what people might’ve thought and felt during its original release, whether they be complete strangers or grandparents who grew up on that story. We can better track how cinema has changed through the years, what that means for how people have changed with it, and what changes we can expect to come.
In a region as historic as the Lehigh Valley, one can find plenty of movie theaters to enjoy works new and old. Here are a few suggestions to help keep the artform and history alive.
Historic theaters
The Emmaus Theatre offers public and private film screenings as well as live events like comedy and music at 19 S. Fourth St. in Emmaus.
Operating for over a century, the theater will offer upcoming events and screenings such as the first two “Star Wars” films, a screening of “The Room” with live commentary and a Q&A from actor Greg Sestero and comedians like Julia Scotti and Raymond the Amish Comic.
Emmaus Theatre owners Butch Rossetti and Robert Audibert stand behind the concession with fresh popcorn Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Emmaus Theatre co-owner Robert Audibert fills popcorn bags Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the theater. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Emmaus Theatre owners Butch Rossetti and Robert Audibert stand behind the concession with fresh popcorn Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A look inside the Emmaus Theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Emmaus. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
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Emmaus Theatre owners Butch Rossetti and Robert Audibert stand behind the concession with fresh popcorn Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
The Gap Theatre reopened last year after closing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic at 47 S. Broadway in Wind Gap, where it offers private events and screenings that use 35 mm film.
It originally opened in 1941; upcoming screenings cq comment=” April” ] include “Twin Peaks,” “Mary Poppins,” “Hook,” “Heat” and “The Lion King.”
At over 100 years old, the Roxy Theatre is still kicking with film screenings and live shows at 2004 Main St. in Northampton.
The theater first opened as the Lyric in 1921 and featured artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, John Belushi and Gilda Radner.
Another classic is the Civic Theatre of Allentown at 527 N. 19th St. in Allentown, located at the historic 19th Street Theatre that was built in 1928.
It is primarily known for its live performances but also offers film screenings and will host the fourth-annual Allentown Film Festival April 9-12.
The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas operates in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Its upcoming screenings and events include “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” a costume design seminar and the Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival.
See you at the drive-in
Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre is the country’s oldest operating drive-in theater, not only featured last year in ABC’s “Good Morning America” but also named as one of the best drive-in theaters in the country last year by USA Today.
Located at 4540 Shankweiler Road in North Whitehall Township, the drive-in theater opened in 1934 and features rentable party spaces, upcoming screenings for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and upcoming events like “The Farm & Food Spring Market” and “Funnel Cake’s Animal Pal Jamboree.”
Becky’s Drive-In Theatre, which opened in 1945, operates at 4548 Lehigh Drive in Lehigh Township. It opened in 1945.
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater screens 35 mm films only at 635 Seneca Road in Mahoning Township.
The theater opened in 1949 and will host upcoming events and screenings such as adaptations of Stephen King’s work, “Pink Floyd – The Wall,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Blazing Saddles.”
Lehigh Valley Insider’s Guide is an occasional series on places to go and things to do and see. Have an idea for a topic or a place that we missed? Email us at goguide@mcall.com.