Dante Theatre

1212 S. Broad Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19146

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dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on February 10, 2022 at 8:54 pm

The Dante Theatre appears to have closed on May 17, 1964 with a double feature of “The Victors” and “The Maniac.”

rivest266
rivest266 on October 7, 2016 at 1:22 pm

This opened on May 12th, 1937. Its small grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on February 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm

The Alan… There is a link I posted to an image from that period in the comment just above this one you just added. Click.

TheALAN
TheALAN on February 22, 2014 at 12:35 pm

Does anyone have a photo of the Dante between 1937 —– 1962? Please share. Thanks!

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on July 26, 2011 at 3:43 am

Direct link to image of the Dante Theatre in Boxoffice magazine, April 30, 1938: VIEW LINK

Herstory47
Herstory47 on July 25, 2011 at 6:02 pm

It was a nice movie theater. We went often.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on June 20, 2010 at 3:00 pm

From Boxoffice, November 7, 1936:

Lombardi “Dante” Backer
Philadelphia – Joe Lombardi, wel-known south Philadelphia theatre owner, heads the syndicate of Italian-Americans building a new theatre at Broad and Federal streets.
The theatre, which will show both foreign and domestic films, will be called the “Dante.”

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on March 4, 2009 at 4:00 am

Thanks, Joe, last year, I captured that restaurant photo but didn’t recall where I got it from. It is stunning.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 3, 2009 at 11:37 pm

Not exactly theater-related, but this web log post contains a 1935 Armstrong Linoleum ad with a picture of the stunning deco-moderne interior of a Philadelphia night club and restaurant designed by the architect of the Dante, Armand Carroll.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on February 16, 2009 at 7:39 am

If you google search EXACTLY “Boxoffice April 30, 1938” and then after the issue appears, place in the search box “Philadelphia” then after enough clicks you will eventually find an exterior photo of the Dante in its Art Moderne glory.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Here is the website for the culinary school:
http://www.culinaryarts.com/

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on July 15, 2007 at 12:39 pm

from 9-15-1937 The Exhibitor, photo of Dante Theatre’s ticket booth:
View link

and photo of glass brick standee wall at auditorium rear with text below:
View link
The standing rail of the new Dante Theatre, Philadelphia, PA Armand Carroll, Architect. Glass brick inlaid in wood panelling and topped with upholstering to match the chairs, is an unusual modern touch. Subdued reflected illumination from within serves only to guide incoming patrons.

KenLayton
KenLayton on January 24, 2006 at 6:23 am

There was a beautiful and detailed writeup (with photos) of this theater in the July 1938 issue of Architectural Record magazine. Armand Carrol is listed as the architect. The marquee was manufactured by Philadelphia Sign Company.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on November 16, 2004 at 5:33 am

Given the name, could the theatre possibly have been used for Italian-language ethnic film programs?