Alden Theater
3641 Midvale Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19129
3641 Midvale Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19129
3 people
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Appears to have closed at the end of a 30-year lease in January 1969. Designed in 1938.
Thank’s to RJR for sharing! I don’t know why Walt placed the demolition of the Alden in the 1980’s.
The Alden was demolished around 1968. I watched it being torn down. A Gino’s was then built there, then a bank. I do not know the architect.
Walt Price says the Alden Theater was demolished in the 1980’s. That covers an entire decade. Does anyone know the exact year? Also, who was the architect of the Alden Theater? Please share, and thanks!
For those who think Cinema Treasures is a social site to talk about old school mates, teachers and principles, it is not. I’m sure Mifflin School has a page. This site is about old movie theaters. Please stay on-topic!
I am not sure if anyone still reads this page. We never had the money to go in the cinama, back then. I do remember the area well. Until a few minutes ago, I thought that the first school I attended was J.L Kinsey. But I went to Mifflin for kindergarten back in 69'. Also lived in the Abbottsford housing projects off Henry ave. I remember Mrs Powdermaker and Ms. Johnson. Wow.. Thanks for the replacement of long forgotten memories
Copy & paste this link from East Falls Historical Society, then click on photo to make it larger: http://eastfallshistoricalsociety.com/?p=763
rjr:
If you are still reading this page I also would love a photo of the Alden Theatre. I recall my grandmother taking me there to see Babes in Toyland. I also remember seeing the 13 Ghosts, The Mark of the Devil and Bonnie and Clyde. I spent my first 11 or 12 years growing up on Weightman Street. We then moved to the 3500 block of Ainslie Street. My folks still live there. My email is
There is a dedicated page to East Falls on Facebook if you are not already aware of that.
rjr,
Can you please send me the photo you have of the Alden. The Alden was a big part of my life. I have been looking forever for a photo of the Alden. Thank you for being so kind to offer the photo, Walt
rjr,
Could you send me your picture of the Alden? I only have one viewed from the direction of the railroad bridge, which I will be happy to send to you. Thanks!
Adam
rjr,
Can you please send me the pic? I attended Mifflin and used to enjoy the Alden. Great matinees! I lived in the Abbottsford housing project off of Henry ave. Mr. Rudolph was my principle. He was a teacher of my mothers in a South Philly school when she was a kid. I was born in 1956.
I have a picture of the Alden (circa 1954). Not the best, but the only one I could ever find. If anyone wants me to e-mail it, just let me know. After Dr. Galter, the principal at Mifflin was Samuel Rudolph. I remember Mrs. Powdermaker. She was my 7th grade science teacher. Her room was at the end of the hall on the second floor. Enjoyed the rock garden after a movie at the Alden.
I went to Miflin and graduated in 1966. I went to the Alden Theatre and saw alot of movies and after the movies I would jumped the wall into the Rock Garden. I would scaled the wall and over the fence and into Mifflin School school yard. Does anyone remember Doctor Galter who was the principal at Thomas Mifflin. Also does anyone remember Mrs. Powdermaker. Would anyone who class picture from 1966?
Hi all. I’m researching the Alden and the older Falls Theater on Midvale for an article for the East Falls paper, The Fallser, with the help of the EF Historical Society. I would like to include stories and facts about the theater beyond what is shown at Cinema Treasures website. If you would like to contribute stories or info, please get in touch at Thank you.
Adam Eyring, Philadelphia, PA
jimr—-you Must have been in my classes at Mifflin—i too graduated in 1970—born in 1956—-went to mifflin from 1962 to 1970—contact me at
The Alden was torn down in 1967-68 when i started 6th grade at Mifflin & they put up a “Gino’s” Kentucky Fried Chicken
The Alden was the best!!! My parents would give me 50 cents every Saturday to go see King Kong, Godzilla, The Seven Gladiators,etc—-25 cents to get in, 10 cents for popcorn, 10 cents for a soda & a nickel for a candy bar. After the movie we’d run across Midvale Av & jump up the wall into the “Rock Garden” & re-inact the movie we just saw. PLEASE— If ANYONE reads this & has any PHOTOS of the ALDEN that you would be as so kind to let me make copies of so that i could re-live my youth i would be ever so grateful—compensation could be considered
I don’t know how that happened. I was trying to say that my mom lived over by 22nd and Lehigh, near Connie Mack Stadium, and went to Olney High.
My mom lived went to Olney High. My grandparents moved into an apartment on Queen Lane after they retired.
The Alden Theater closed in December 1968 and the last film there was called “Alaskan Wilderness”.I too was from East Falls and went to the matinees every Saturday afternoon.I attended Mifflin School and graduated 8th grade in 1970.Played in the rockgarden quite a bit as a kid.It was one of the ways to go home from school.The manager of the theater was Rube Shapiro.Great memories!
Ken, yes your Grandmother lived in East Falls. Did your Mom also live in East Falls? If so how old is she? I am 49 and used to go to Thomas Mifflin school on Midvale and Conrad.
My grandmother lived on West Queen Lane. Was that near East Falls? I know that Midvale Avenue was close by. Her apartment building was near a train station.
PS. The Alden was open well after 1965. Probably until the late 1970s.
The Alden was also a big part of my life. It looks like Walt Price and I are about the same age (48). We used to play in Mifflin’s rock garden after the matinee. My email is if anyone wants to talk about the Alden and old East Falls.
Tony