Milford "Shorty" Parker, manager of the STRAND, Bob Bowman, manager of the WARNER, and Henry Rastatter, manager of the COLUMBIA, meet with Erie’s district manager from Warner Brothers.

Warner Brothers also appointed the world-renown Rambusch Studios in New York City to decorate the interior. Rambusch created a lavish Art Deco interior that would invite generations of theatre goers to a palace of magnificence and fantasy. Considering the quality of the design and cost of the building materials used, the theatre would be virtually impossible to replace today. It was Erie’s first and has remained Erie’s only deluxe downtown picture palace.

The Warner Theatre opened its doors April 10, 1931. Eight thousand colored lights illuminated the ten-ton marquee that announced the feature film of the opening evening, "The Millionaire" starring George Arliss with James Cagney. Excitement and wonder of the patrons over the palatial splendor of the breathtaking new showplace filled the atmosphere.

In its early history, the theatre hosted various traveling shows. As well as presenting the "pick of the major film releases," the theatre became an important link in the vaudeville circuits of the '30s. On November 8, 1931, the Warner formally initiated a vaudeville season. Bob Hope made an appearance at the theatre that November telling stories while sitting down-stage on a barrel.

The "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ that once rose out of the floor into the corner of the orchestra pit, provided music for Vaudeville shows and accompanied the early talking motion pictures. Warner Brothers donated the organ to the Western Reserve Chapter of American Theatre Organ Enthusiasts in 1969. Gray’s Armory in Cleveland, Ohio now houses the organ.

Warner organist Tony Conti plays the "Mighty Wurlitzer in 1950. The organ is currently housed at Gray Armory in Cleveland, Ohio

In 1971, Cinemette Corporation of America bought the Warner Theatre from the Stanley Warner Corporation. Cinemette operated it until 1976, when the late Mayor Louis J. Tullio heard the chain might want to sell the Warner. The mayor saw the importance of saving the Warner from planned demolition: he had a vision of a civic center complex to provide venues for sports and arts entertainment to the region. With assistance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he negotiated a successful purchase of the building from Cinemette. Critical improvements were then made including installation of a new roof, restoration of lighting fixtures and rewiring of the house front and foyer areas.

In 1977, the Erie Civic Center Authority was formed and given the physical and fiscal management of the Warner Theatre, also referred to as the "Center for the Performing Arts." With this change, the policy of the theatre once again included the production of live performances.

In 1974, the Erie Philharmonic had its first concert at the theatre. Since then, the Phil has continued to perform in the opulent theatre.

In 1981, the Broadway Theatre League began to bring in a series of top Broadway musicals performed by New York-based touring companies. Additionally, the Erie Civic Ballet Company began performing on the Warner's stage. That same year, the Warner was listed on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Inventory of Museums and Historical Places, and on April 13, 1982, the Warner Theatre was placed on the National Register for Historic Places.