1939: Carlisle's newest cinema, The Comerford, opened. It was one of three downtown theatres. The first feature was a Deanna Durbin film, "Three Smart Girls Grow Up" (a sequel to Three Smart Girls). It was no ordinary movie house - with its interesting art-deco decorative elements.

The ensuing years brought the end of segregation, with minorities in the balcony, the theatre's competitors closed and its name was changed to The Carlisle. However, despite these positive changes the building slowly began to deteriorate. By the middle 80's, it appeared beyond saving. Among the last first-run movies shown after the old air conditioning system expired were Witness, Indiana Jones And the Temple of Doom, and The Killing Fields. Shortly following the opening of a modern multiplex at the M. J. Mall, the Carlisle Theatre went dark.

1989: A group of citizens incorporated as the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center. Slowly and carefully, they studied the feasibility of buying and resurrecting the theatre. The board, led by Doug Marcello, convinced several authorities such as the County's Redevelopment Authority and the Carlisle Borough Council, to lend their support. Finally, after well orchestrated phases of fundraising, the theatre was purchased for $165,000. Restoration was a painstaking process, as funds were limited. Rick Rovegno (today a county commissioner) was a great motivator for the volunteers who raised money and did a lot of restoration work themselves. Marge Akin contributed artistic knowledge and plain old elbow grease in equal measure.

Aetna and the National Endowment for the Arts contributed generously toward the architects' fees. The theatre reopened as a venue appropriate for live entertainment and foreign and independent movies.

At the turn of the millennium, the restored theatre survived a devastating fire next door. But today, with group of dedicated board members and an assembly of enthusiastic volunteers lending their talents, we can expect quality entertainment for years to come.