Sauconia Theatre Dedication by Morris J. Dimmick
This speech was given at the Dedication of the Theatre, but is not dated. The Sauconia Theatre opened in 1940. (Text has not been edited.) See actual typed copy below.
This is an occasion that any community welcomes. The dedication of another public building. In our modern method of living a place of amusement is an essential. Aside from our spiritual and educational life it is very necessary that we provide for recreation and amusement to take up those hours of leisure and relaxation.
Back in the pioneer days our forefathers had to provide their own amatuer forms of entertainment for the enjoyment of the neighborhood. While this served their purpose, we of the present day have witnessed a revolution in society and our people have become accustomed to social functions and entertainment undreamed of but a few generations ago.
There are many forms of relaxation, to get away from the very (every) day hum-drum of life, but I know of no more wholesome form, that so completely lets one forget, than a good motion picture. Be it travel, educational or comedy, one can lay aside the cares and worry of the moment, and replace them with enjoyment.
We in Hellertown are well provided with church and school facilities, and with the past few years we have supplied the much needed means of recreation, but up to now we lacked in entertainment.
Hellertown, like all other communities demanded that it be provided with a theatre, to satisfy a desire for entertainment on par with larger cities.
It remained for Mr. Kofler to supply that need to the community and give to us the last word in motion picture entertainment.
That he has done well remains for you to be the judge. In my opinion he has given to us a structure of which we as citizens can be justly proud. It is of the finest construction, the utmost in beauty, in architecture and comfort.
As to good taste Mr. Kofler is to be highly compliments for giving to the Borough a work of art, that is an asset, both from the material point of view as well as the educational.
This building can be dedicated as monument to the owners faith and security of the future of our community, a compliment we greatly appreciate.
This confidence I am sure our citizens will accept as such and consider it an honor in fact.
Mr. Kofler has the distinction of being the pioneer in motion picture building and the advancement of the industry in our town. This pioneering spirit merits the admiration of all of us and I feel safe in saying our citizens appreciate his progressiveness by material reward.
On behalf of the Borough I extend our sincere greetings and hope for the success of this theatre. Mr. Kofler has done his part and it remains for us.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/15694
The Sauconia Theatre was opened on September 14, 1940, under the management of John Kofler, who had previously exhibited movies at the American Legion building in Hellertown.
Saucon Source
Saucon Source Readers Remember ‘The Movies’
It’s been nearly 20 years since Hellertown’s first and only movie theater closed forever, and more than 80 years since the Sauconia showed its first motion picture, but longtime local residents still treasure memories of the cinema later called simply, “The Movies.”