Dell Theatre
4024 W. Girard Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19104
4024 W. Girard Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19104
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The grand opening film was actually Hubert Bosworth in “A Thousand to One” on January 14, 1921 with Irving Cohen at the Moller organ. Philip Green launched the venue at 4022 West Girard which was more precisely located at 4022-4026 West Girard. It was converted from an auto garage and, prior to that, a grocery store launching on a ten-year leasing agreement.
In March of 1931, Warner Bros. Circuit took on the venue from the Cohen family on a 20-year lease. It closed in 1951. It was assumed by independent operation in 1951 relaunching as the Dell Theatre on a 10-year lease. The theatre closed in 1961 but was reopened by Harry and Leon Cohen as an African American movie house. It is not known when the theatre closed as African American theatre ads were not carried in the local newspaper.
Was this the grand opening in 1922? On the marquee —– WILLIAM FOX PRESENTS JOHN GILBERT IN “GLEAM O'DAWN.” John Gilbert (1897-1936) and Barbara Bedford (1903-1981) starred and the film, in b&w and silent, was released by Fox Film Corp. on Sunday, January 8, 1922. Does anyone know if this was, in fact, the opening?
According to PAB, this theater was built in 1922 and renovated in 1951. It did not close in 1955. It was closed in the early 1960’s according to Bryan.
The Dell closed later than 1955, perhaps as late as 1961.