Before it closed, I visited the main screen. Though I understand the affection for the large modern screens of yesteryear, this one wouldn’t be deemed legally historic. It isn’t going to be reopened for movies because of mainstream movie competition & because its huge auditorium is inconsistent with arthouse economics.
Article about City Cinemas taking over, after 12 years from Jeffrey Jacobs who booked the films and managed the theater after Sony (Loews) departed: View link
Also, JodarMovieFan, I agree with you that the smaller auditoriums of the Wisconsin Ave Cinemas were nice. Many movie auditoriums that were built earlier in that decade (1980s) were too small, but Cineplex Odeon did a very good job with the Wisconsin Ave Cinemas.
JodarMovieFan,
I haven’t been inside the MacArthur since they drugstored it (using that as a verb)but from what I’ve heard, the drugstore does go into the auditorium. CVS stores are huge, way bigger than the lobby. The loss of that theater was a sad loss.
The impression that I got from reading this website was that Fannie Mae wasn’t keeping the small auditoriums but reconfiguring those spaces. They were only keeping the 2 large, very nice auditoriums.
Jonathan, that’s great! Are there other Philadelphia theaters on slides there, too? If so, please link them to the appropriate pages, and feel free to email me directly (found after clicking my name).
View link
Much of the development of Wynnefield after the 1960s is due to the influence of the late Katie B. Jackson, born 1929. Known by the African-American community as “Queen of Wynnefield,” Jackson founded the Wynnefield Academy, a private, co-educational PK-4 elementary school in 1975. The Katie B. Jackson Development Corporation and Katie B. Jackson Senior Citizens Complex bear her name.
from April 2007 Wynnefield Residents Association newsletter
“Local Wynnefield Institutions”
The Wynne Plaza Ballroom: The Wynne or Wynne Plaza Ballroom at 54th and Arlington streets was an integral part of the 54th street business sector. It was a movie theater, then became an up-scale catering and banquet hall, and later a bingo parlor. In 1981 the Wynne was sold again to successful Wynnefield entrepreneur Mrs. Katie B. Jackson, who reopened it as a successful banquet and catering facility. It continued as a successful enterprise until after Mrs. Jackson’s death in 1993.
Different using the 600 seat Egyptian main auditorium and the smaller auditorium for classics and filling up huge Chinese and the 6 plex. American Cinemateque can’t operate the Chinese.
I’m confused. You implied above that City Cinemas is run by Jacobs. So, if Jacobs was already booking & managing these 2 theaters, what difference will happen now?
These theaters were previously leased to other movie chain operators, as the Introductions make clear. The owner always made sure they operated as he saw appropriate. I assume there’s only one “Jacobs” so if same man who was already doing the film booking, there may not be any changes for customers.
I like the Paris popcorn, and hope that doesn’t change.
Before it closed, I visited the main screen. Though I understand the affection for the large modern screens of yesteryear, this one wouldn’t be deemed legally historic. It isn’t going to be reopened for movies because of mainstream movie competition & because its huge auditorium is inconsistent with arthouse economics.
Article about City Cinemas taking over, after 12 years from Jeffrey Jacobs who booked the films and managed the theater after Sony (Loews) departed:
View link
Article about City Cinemas becoming new movie operator:
View link
ah, the link to the article:
View link
Another article. Endowment is sought. Also a problem is attendence was down 50%. Classic film fans need attend!
Also, JodarMovieFan, I agree with you that the smaller auditoriums of the Wisconsin Ave Cinemas were nice. Many movie auditoriums that were built earlier in that decade (1980s) were too small, but Cineplex Odeon did a very good job with the Wisconsin Ave Cinemas.
Oops, I meant to write “Wisconsin Avenue Cinemas” in that 2nd paragraph above.
JodarMovieFan,
I haven’t been inside the MacArthur since they drugstored it (using that as a verb)but from what I’ve heard, the drugstore does go into the auditorium. CVS stores are huge, way bigger than the lobby. The loss of that theater was a sad loss.
The impression that I got from reading this website was that Fannie Mae wasn’t keeping the small auditoriums but reconfiguring those spaces. They were only keeping the 2 large, very nice auditoriums.
as Jack Coursey has recently reported on the Foundry theater page, it is gone, site reused.
Jonathan, that’s great! Are there other Philadelphia theaters on slides there, too? If so, please link them to the appropriate pages, and feel free to email me directly (found after clicking my name).
More on Katie Jackson, see above post-
View link
Much of the development of Wynnefield after the 1960s is due to the influence of the late Katie B. Jackson, born 1929. Known by the African-American community as “Queen of Wynnefield,” Jackson founded the Wynnefield Academy, a private, co-educational PK-4 elementary school in 1975. The Katie B. Jackson Development Corporation and Katie B. Jackson Senior Citizens Complex bear her name.
Story about directors upset about possible loss of films at Bing, and their own experiences:
View link
from April 2007 Wynnefield Residents Association newsletter
“Local Wynnefield Institutions”
The Wynne Plaza Ballroom: The Wynne or Wynne Plaza Ballroom at 54th and Arlington streets was an integral part of the 54th street business sector. It was a movie theater, then became an up-scale catering and banquet hall, and later a bingo parlor. In 1981 the Wynne was sold again to successful Wynnefield entrepreneur Mrs. Katie B. Jackson, who reopened it as a successful banquet and catering facility. It continued as a successful enterprise until after Mrs. Jackson’s death in 1993.
More recent photos at this website:
View link
Photo & text in book, Jewish Community of West Philadelphia:
View link
I keep posing news articles on that theater’s page but almost nobody comments.
/theaters/21865/
The latest news as reported in the New York Times about the controversy reported in the posts above:
View link
This was the press announcement of its opening:
View link
Saved by generous donations, at least until June.
View link
Drawing of an auditorium here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaf/3082123540/
An exterior photo is seen in the official website. Here’s another photo, taken at night, in January 2009:
View link
this theater, right?
/theaters/11749/
Different using the 600 seat Egyptian main auditorium and the smaller auditorium for classics and filling up huge Chinese and the 6 plex. American Cinemateque can’t operate the Chinese.
I’m confused. You implied above that City Cinemas is run by Jacobs. So, if Jacobs was already booking & managing these 2 theaters, what difference will happen now?
These theaters were previously leased to other movie chain operators, as the Introductions make clear. The owner always made sure they operated as he saw appropriate. I assume there’s only one “Jacobs” so if same man who was already doing the film booking, there may not be any changes for customers.
I like the Paris popcorn, and hope that doesn’t change.