Since the turn of the 20th Century the Medina Theatre has been the center of entertainment for the Village of Medina and surrounding area. Beginning as a silent movie house in circa 1903, then known as the Cook Theatre this fabulous venue provided a center for family entertainment, public meeting, and a multitude of events. As the years progressed the theatre went through several tranformation, introducing “talkie” movies, newer projectors and sound equipment. In 1923 the Theatre was purchased by Nakitas Dipson who at one time owned as many as 150 theatres on the east coast of America. He was so fond of Medina’s theatre he renamed it after his daughter and this venue became known as the Dipson Diana. Dipson continued to operate the theatre until 1932 when he leased his chain of theatres to the Warner Brothers. The Warner Brothers began a massive reconstruction of the theatre raising the ceiling to a level of 30 feet, installing state of the art projection and sound equipment, installing a balcony, new theatre seating and most importantly designing the room with accoustic walls that transformed the Medina theatre to the prototype of the todays most modern theatres. Watching first run movies at the Dipson Diana was an experience for an entire family during a time went there weren’t many other forms of entertainment. Saturday matinees for children became a weekly event. Families would come to the theatre to watch news reels from the War hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved one.

Warner Brothers operated the theatre until about 1945 when the Supreme Court of the United States in a landmark decision determined that Warner Brothers were violating anti-trust laws in both producing movies and operating the theatres. Warner Brother were forced to divest themselves of the theatre and operations reverted back to the Dipson Corporation. Dipson continued to operate the theatre until 1974 when it was sold to a local attorney and real estate developer Vincent Cardone. Unfortunately at that time local small town movie houses became unprofitable and the theatre was converted by the Cardone family to a multi-event venue.

In recent years improvements were once again made to the interior of the theatre and new sound and projection equipment has replaced the old making the theatre capable of hosting all kinds of events. Please contact us for your next event and we promise you an unforgettable and memorable experience.