Vince McMahon leased the space in November 1999. The merchandise store opened on the first floor and the club and restaurant opened below it. The venue was Hard Rock-esque, with WWF memorabilia displayed with entrance music of various stars playing throughout the space. WWF New York would show pay-per-views as well as the company’s weekly programs and even held two concerts by The Misfits and another by Prince. The venue was also featured on “Monday Night Raw” and “Sunday Night Heat” and hosted special events, including various appearance by stars.
When the WWF was renamed to WWE in May 2002, WWF New York was simply renamed to “The World.” It still sold WWE merchandise at the store and hosted special WWE events and appearances. In February 2003, Linda McMahon made the decision to close the restaurant and club, and the store closed two months later. The building would become a Hard Rock Cafe in 2005.
Full article- https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1982245/wwe-restaurant-wwf-new-york-why-fans-miss-it/
The Gardena is still going well
on 10/4 & 5 it’s their 2nd annual Universal Monster-Thon
.
On 10/5 Antonia Carlotta (the niece of Carl Laemmele) will be introducing The Wolf Man & House of Frankenstein.
Philadelphia Inquirer calls this the hottest ‘new’ movie theatre this summer.
But it’s 2 hours from Philly…
https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/wind-gap-movie-theater-northampton-county-20250814.html
Apple Cinemas plans to renovate the former Regal multiplex on Columbus Boulevard. It will have the only IMAX screen in the city. Opening date in 2026. No firm date given.
At the theater in South Philly, an IMAX spokesperson said the company plans to install a new screen with a laser projector, an IMAX sound system and a seating deck.
The South Philly project will become a “marquee” theater in the IMAX portfolio.
Link to Philly Voice article
https://www.phillyvoice.com/imax-theater-south-philly-riverview-plaza-columbus-boulevard-apple/
please change to open. Looks like they’ll be mainly running live events, but hope they can get some movies in as well.
Updated Website. - https://thelansdownetheater.com/
Reopening “attraction” A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri
‘The entire venue was restored to its original 1927 condition and look from top to bottom,’ an executive says.
Article from PhillyVoice.com
https://www.phillyvoice.com/delco-lansdowne-theater-reopen-restoration/
Rialto Report on Lowell Pickett and Arlene Elster, the owners of the Sutter Cinema. This includes interviews with them, as well as history and some photos- even a cameo shot in “Freebie and the Bean”
Public Affairs program on WPVI (6ABC) called FYI Philly, had their 10/11/25 show recorded in the renovated lobby & shows inside.
https://6abc.com/post/fyi-philly-october-11-2025/17978634/
APM has a website featuring historical images of the venue, as well as a theatre history which might help bump up the above.
They are in need of donations for renovations to Teatro Puerto Rico.
https://apmphila.org/get-involved/teatro-puerto-rico/
Hoping this historic venue reopens soon, helping the development of the neighborhood.
From PhillyVoice about the re-opening (including lobby photos)
https://www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia-film-society-center-theater-reopening/
Vince McMahon leased the space in November 1999. The merchandise store opened on the first floor and the club and restaurant opened below it. The venue was Hard Rock-esque, with WWF memorabilia displayed with entrance music of various stars playing throughout the space. WWF New York would show pay-per-views as well as the company’s weekly programs and even held two concerts by The Misfits and another by Prince. The venue was also featured on “Monday Night Raw” and “Sunday Night Heat” and hosted special events, including various appearance by stars.
When the WWF was renamed to WWE in May 2002, WWF New York was simply renamed to “The World.” It still sold WWE merchandise at the store and hosted special WWE events and appearances. In February 2003, Linda McMahon made the decision to close the restaurant and club, and the store closed two months later. The building would become a Hard Rock Cafe in 2005.
Full article- https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1982245/wwe-restaurant-wwf-new-york-why-fans-miss-it/
The Gardena is still going well on 10/4 & 5 it’s their 2nd annual Universal Monster-Thon . On 10/5 Antonia Carlotta (the niece of Carl Laemmele) will be introducing The Wolf Man & House of Frankenstein.
The Film Society Center will re-open in time for the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival. The festival commences October 16, 2025.
The back of the building (along Sansom St) seeing a brand new mural by artist Marian Bailey called “ Films shaped by a City”
https://muralarts.org/artworks/philadelphia-film-project-mural/
The Castro re-opens Tuesday Feb 10, 2026 with an 8 show residency of singer Sam Smith.
Dates of the shows 2/10 2/11, 2/13, 2/14, 2/17, 2/18, 2/20 and 2/21
Tickets go on sale Monday 10/06
Updated website www.thecastro.com
the second smaller screening room runs “classics” mainly from Video Archives.
One Battle After Another’s screening this afternoon had a slight problem. The film caught fire.
If anyone was there or can find out more please share. I just saw a very brief clip on social media.
This will be one of the three theatres in the world that will be showing “One Battle After Another” in VistaVision.
This will be one of the three theatres in the world that will be showing “One Battle After Another” in VistaVision.
wonderful video on the Uptown theatre
https://youtu.be/t3oG3SeFWMI?si=Sy9jvffwUIujuMou
Philadelphia Inquirer calls this the hottest ‘new’ movie theatre this summer. But it’s 2 hours from Philly… https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/wind-gap-movie-theater-northampton-county-20250814.html
News story about the closing. https://www.kfvs12.com/2025/08/07/marion-movie-theater-closing-after-three-decades-memories/
screenings for NYU students at Tisch School of the Arts, rehearsal spaces. There is also “Faye’s Cafe” named for Iris' Mother.
As of now it’s not available for public screenings.
an internet search uncovered when this venue became the Cantor Film Center, video on the renovations as well it’s current uses
https://cantorfoundation.org/iris-cantor-theater-opens-at-nyu-tisch-school-of-the-arts/
There’s a bit more history about this theatre (including films that played) located at
https://losangelestheatres.blogspot.com/2020/08/cinemaland.html
Apple Cinemas plans to renovate the former Regal multiplex on Columbus Boulevard. It will have the only IMAX screen in the city. Opening date in 2026. No firm date given.
At the theater in South Philly, an IMAX spokesperson said the company plans to install a new screen with a laser projector, an IMAX sound system and a seating deck.
The South Philly project will become a “marquee” theater in the IMAX portfolio.
Link to Philly Voice article https://www.phillyvoice.com/imax-theater-south-philly-riverview-plaza-columbus-boulevard-apple/
please change to open. Looks like they’ll be mainly running live events, but hope they can get some movies in as well. Updated Website. - https://thelansdownetheater.com/
Reopening “attraction” A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri
‘The entire venue was restored to its original 1927 condition and look from top to bottom,’ an executive says.
Article from PhillyVoice.com https://www.phillyvoice.com/delco-lansdowne-theater-reopen-restoration/
Enjoy that above footage. AMC Hamilton 24 has been purchased by CHOP( Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
https://wpst.com/chop-amc-hamilton-sold/
the outside is still boarded up for “ lobby renovations” no ETA on it’s re-opening.
https://www.primetimer.com/features/the-odyssey-70mm-imax-theater-list
(online searches are wonderful)
the Boston Market here is closed, back to a Pizza Hut.
Rialto Report on Lowell Pickett and Arlene Elster, the owners of the Sutter Cinema. This includes interviews with them, as well as history and some photos- even a cameo shot in “Freebie and the Bean”
https://www.therialtoreport.com/2023/02/12/arlene-elster/
Great article from Rialto Report about the closing.
https://www.therialtoreport.com/2019/03/17/beverley/
TCM aired a story about the history of this great venue, and also how Lin-Manuel Miranda helped bring it back.
Caught it this morning as a interstitial between “Mad Youth” and “Plan Nine from Outer Space” Thankfully it’s been uploaded onto YouTube
https://youtu.be/b9Qta7_MnxY?si=ETz8NGpTID4kBOWX