The Belvedere opened in 1916. It was known as the Chestnut Hill Theatre by 1919. The Chestnut Hill went into a receivership auction in 1930 complete with its Moller Opus 2410 Pipe Organ and 500 seats unable to convert to sound. It found new operators in 1932 reopening and closing as the Hill Theatre. It reopened as the Hill Theatre under new operator William H. Wold in 1933. It closed and reopened under a new operator in 1935.
Under a new operator, the theatre was renovated in 1940 to the plans of David Supowitz bringing air conditioning, new seating and a streamlined look. (The Lee remodel reference as occurring in 1936 seems odd given the short period of time between refreshes. Especially, a Lee refresh which would likely have been extensive.) Meanwhile a brand new theatre was proposed by Goldman Circuit to the plans of William H. Lee seating 750 just three blocks away - and could be the reference above. I’m assuming that Lee theatre got off of the drawing board but was not built. Meanwhile, the Hill Theatre closed April 5, 1973 with “A Clockwork Orange.”
The rebranded Vernon Theatre launched for Warner on October 25, 1940 with “Brigham Young Frontiersman.” Stanley Warner closed it on May 27, 1951 with Doris Day in “Lullaby of Broadway.” A salvage sale occurred in June and July of 1951 prior to and as the theatre was being razed.
P.J. Kileullen built and launched the Cayuga Theatre in 1911. The building was technically 4367-4371 Germantown taking up three addresses. It was sold to a new operator in 1913. The Cayuga closed in December of 1957. It appears to have been a house of worship for two years likely losing its attractor.
A classified ad next appeared offering the venue for lease and operator Max Raab took on the venue as the Aardvark Theatre on October 20, 1961 with “Henry V.” The Aardvark tried art, repertory and exploitation for the next two plus years before closing permanently on January 16, 1964 with “The Shameless Sex” and “Cover Girl Killer.” Another classified ad looking for a new operator appears to have gone unheeded.
Frank Migone launched the Alhambra with a 2,500 seats capacity on September 11, 1911. But he sold it quickly to William W. Miller of the Wm. Penn Theatre within two months. The Alhambra exited with “I"ll See You In My Dreams” and “Pals of the Golden West” on March 9, 1952.
It was subleased on a ten-year basis as an event center featuring wrestling and boxing as well as a skating rink. The building became vacant in 1960 and was damaged by a fire on May 11, 1962 leading it to be razed soon thereafter for a parking lot.
The architect referred to it as Adam Style architecture complete with a marble and gold interior and terra cotta and granite front at open. Harvey C. Hodgens' exterior architectural sketch is in photos and was created for operators Samuel and George Felt of the Aldine. John A. Queen was at the organ for the grand opening.
The Ambassador initially closed on December 4, 1956 as a second-run, discount operation with “Safari” and “Miami Expose.” Albert M. Greenfield subleased the venue to Samuel Gross on a one-year basis. The theatre tested its rebranding as the remodeled Ambassador Art Theatre from October 14, 1958 with “The Gold Rush” and closing permanently on October 13, 1959 with “The Truth About Women” and “Secrets of the Reef.”
The Andrews Theatre was an African American movie theatre on Mulberry Street in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930.
The Star Theatre / Starr Theatre was an African American movie theatre in Sherman Pecan Street near or in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930. Dates of operation are pretty challenging to track down but was open at least by 1915.
The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”
As noted elsewhere, Emma Cassidy and her sister Ms. G.H. Hammond opened the Lyric Theater in the summer of 1914. A.V. Wade of Wade-Tex Theatres took on the venue giving it a streamline moderne makeover and new name when it relaunched on March 18, 1936 with Wallace Ford in “Another Face.”
Kirkeby and Erickson opened the Scenic Drive-In in September of 1950. Wondering if this isn’t the same location as the Sky-Lite Drive-In that had opened on May 20, 1948 with Anthony Quinn in “Black Gold” and just updated by the pair with individual car speakers and other more modern amenities. I would guess so.
This location closed along with the other Alamo Drafthouse locations on March 16, 2020. I’d classify it as closed having not yet reopened. But we’ll call it a non-permanent closure as it still has both website and phone though has scrubbed Facebook posts - not too encouraging. When they reopen, we will let you know.
The Rogers Drive-In reportedly launched May 31, 1950 with “The Plunderers” by Calvin Council and the Griffith Circuit and named for the late actor Will Rogers.
Griffith Bros. Circuit launched its new Cadet Theatre on July 3, 1942 with “Torpedo Boat” supported by an Our Gang short. It appears to have closed on March 15, 1956 with “The Fighting Seabees.” Griffith Amusement sold the building to an operator who converted the space to a bowling alley.
The Belvedere opened in 1916. It was known as the Chestnut Hill Theatre by 1919. The Chestnut Hill went into a receivership auction in 1930 complete with its Moller Opus 2410 Pipe Organ and 500 seats unable to convert to sound. It found new operators in 1932 reopening and closing as the Hill Theatre. It reopened as the Hill Theatre under new operator William H. Wold in 1933. It closed and reopened under a new operator in 1935.
Under a new operator, the theatre was renovated in 1940 to the plans of David Supowitz bringing air conditioning, new seating and a streamlined look. (The Lee remodel reference as occurring in 1936 seems odd given the short period of time between refreshes. Especially, a Lee refresh which would likely have been extensive.) Meanwhile a brand new theatre was proposed by Goldman Circuit to the plans of William H. Lee seating 750 just three blocks away - and could be the reference above. I’m assuming that Lee theatre got off of the drawing board but was not built. Meanwhile, the Hill Theatre closed April 5, 1973 with “A Clockwork Orange.”
The rebranded Vernon Theatre launched for Warner on October 25, 1940 with “Brigham Young Frontiersman.” Stanley Warner closed it on May 27, 1951 with Doris Day in “Lullaby of Broadway.” A salvage sale occurred in June and July of 1951 prior to and as the theatre was being razed.
P.J. Kileullen built and launched the Cayuga Theatre in 1911. The building was technically 4367-4371 Germantown taking up three addresses. It was sold to a new operator in 1913. The Cayuga closed in December of 1957. It appears to have been a house of worship for two years likely losing its attractor.
A classified ad next appeared offering the venue for lease and operator Max Raab took on the venue as the Aardvark Theatre on October 20, 1961 with “Henry V.” The Aardvark tried art, repertory and exploitation for the next two plus years before closing permanently on January 16, 1964 with “The Shameless Sex” and “Cover Girl Killer.” Another classified ad looking for a new operator appears to have gone unheeded.
The Benn Theatre closed permanently on February 6, 1977 with “In Search of Noah’s Ark.”
Frank Migone launched the Alhambra with a 2,500 seats capacity on September 11, 1911. But he sold it quickly to William W. Miller of the Wm. Penn Theatre within two months. The Alhambra exited with “I"ll See You In My Dreams” and “Pals of the Golden West” on March 9, 1952.
It was subleased on a ten-year basis as an event center featuring wrestling and boxing as well as a skating rink. The building became vacant in 1960 and was damaged by a fire on May 11, 1962 leading it to be razed soon thereafter for a parking lot.
The architect referred to it as Adam Style architecture complete with a marble and gold interior and terra cotta and granite front at open. Harvey C. Hodgens' exterior architectural sketch is in photos and was created for operators Samuel and George Felt of the Aldine. John A. Queen was at the organ for the grand opening.
The Ambassador initially closed on December 4, 1956 as a second-run, discount operation with “Safari” and “Miami Expose.” Albert M. Greenfield subleased the venue to Samuel Gross on a one-year basis. The theatre tested its rebranding as the remodeled Ambassador Art Theatre from October 14, 1958 with “The Gold Rush” and closing permanently on October 13, 1959 with “The Truth About Women” and “Secrets of the Reef.”
Closed August 1, 1920 and replaced by JC Penney.
The Andrews Theatre was an African American movie theatre on Mulberry Street in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930.
The Star Theatre / Starr Theatre was an African American movie theatre in Sherman Pecan Street near or in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930. Dates of operation are pretty challenging to track down but was open at least by 1915.
John Tullock of Sherman, Texas was the architect.
Look Cinemas says it’s renovating this venue for an opening later in 2022.
Theater website info: https://www.lookcinemas.com/our-locations/x0tfk-colleyville-tx-look-dine-in-cinema
The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
City Lights Weatherford opened on November 16, 2012 with ten films including “Skyfall,” “Wreck it Ralph” in 2D and 3D and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn.”
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”
Ad for June 19, 1936 reboot as the Texan Theatre with Tom Tyler in “Silent Valley.”
June 19, 1936 reboot as the Texan Theatre with Tom Tyler in “Silent Valley.”
As noted elsewhere, Emma Cassidy and her sister Ms. G.H. Hammond opened the Lyric Theater in the summer of 1914. A.V. Wade of Wade-Tex Theatres took on the venue giving it a streamline moderne makeover and new name when it relaunched on March 18, 1936 with Wallace Ford in “Another Face.”
Final day of operation was January 17, 2022
Kirkeby and Erickson opened the Scenic Drive-In in September of 1950. Wondering if this isn’t the same location as the Sky-Lite Drive-In that had opened on May 20, 1948 with Anthony Quinn in “Black Gold” and just updated by the pair with individual car speakers and other more modern amenities. I would guess so.
This location closed along with the other Alamo Drafthouse locations on March 16, 2020. I’d classify it as closed having not yet reopened. But we’ll call it a non-permanent closure as it still has both website and phone though has scrubbed Facebook posts - not too encouraging. When they reopen, we will let you know.
Trade ad spotlights Jack Corgan and Bill J. Moore architectural work on the Elk Theatre in Elk City.
The Rogers Drive-In reportedly launched May 31, 1950 with “The Plunderers” by Calvin Council and the Griffith Circuit and named for the late actor Will Rogers.
Griffith Bros. Circuit launched its new Cadet Theatre on July 3, 1942 with “Torpedo Boat” supported by an Our Gang short. It appears to have closed on March 15, 1956 with “The Fighting Seabees.” Griffith Amusement sold the building to an operator who converted the space to a bowling alley.
Opened in November of 1917