On the front of that sign it Looks like it says “Sun Ray Drugs,” which was a drugstore chain based in Philadelphia at that time. Possibly the drugstore took over the theatre space?
Philly.com story on downtown Westmont includes a picture of the theater. Planet Fitness has moved in, keeping the marquee but apparently changing the colors.
A 2008 Shreveport Times article says that at the center’s opening the two auditoriums were named the Grand Theater (135 seats) and the Celebrity Theater (49 seats).
Yes, the Stanley Warner theater chain was spun off from the studio by 1951. The full corporate history isn’t easy to trace, but in 1967 Stanley Warner was acquired by Glen Alden Corporation, which already owned RKO Theatres and combined the two chains as RKO-Stanley Warner. Some time later another merger created RKO Century Warner, which was acquired by Cineplex Odeon, which eventually sold its US holdings to AMC. By then I suspect that virtually all of the original Stanley Warner properties had been sold off or closed, but if The Saturday Evening Post could trace its history back to Ben Franklin’s print shop then I suppose you can say that AMC is Stanley Warner’s successor.
The picture reminds me so much of the Chicago Theatre and the Loop Theater—the little semi-storefront just to the right of the huge palace. Wonder if anybody thought to play the Schwarzenegger/Devito “Twins” in one of these.
A July 17. 1960 Philadelphia Inquirer story about the building’s demolition said that the theater showed movies until about 1955, then was converted to retail use.
The Bijou was demolished on May 25, 1967, according to a story in the Inquirer of the following day. The same story said that the theater closed in 1947. However, an April 13, 1947 Inquirer story about a sale of the building stated that the theater would continue in operation as a movie house.
Last listing I can find for this one is December 16, 1969, with a quadruple feature of “Fanny Hill,” “The Wild Angels.” “The Glory Stompers” and “Hell’s Angels on Wheels.” For a few days after that ads ran saying “Theatre Closed—Visit our 61st Street Drive-In.”
The last day of advertising for the Renel in the Inquirer looks like September 12, 1970, with “Cry of the Banshee” and “Kiss and Kill” as the features. A November 28, 1971 story about neighbors protesting the XXX policy calls the house simply the Adult Theater, while a Daily News story from February 8, 1972 about a robbery of the place calls it the Consenting Adult Theater. The adult operation does not appear to have advertised in either of those papers.
On the front of that sign it Looks like it says “Sun Ray Drugs,” which was a drugstore chain based in Philadelphia at that time. Possibly the drugstore took over the theatre space?
Hidden City Philadelphia updates the Lansdowne’s status, with current pictures and one vintage photo.
Theatre to close September 13; building sold, new owners will convert it to a commercial and residential complex. CBC story here.
New marquee has been installed; local news site on Facebook has several posts with pictures.
In memory of Adam West, here’s a shot of the premiere of the 1966 Batman movie at the Paramount.
Pretty sure the corner panel says “KID SHOW SAT 2 PM” but the other panels are just too blurry for me, even when zoomed.
Philly.com story on downtown Westmont includes a picture of the theater. Planet Fitness has moved in, keeping the marquee but apparently changing the colors.
A 2008 Shreveport Times article says that at the center’s opening the two auditoriums were named the Grand Theater (135 seats) and the Celebrity Theater (49 seats).
A change in operators here as Live Nation signs a 10-year lease; they’ll begin hosting concerts in July. Delaware Online story here.
Mazie in 1946. Identified as “Maise, Queen of the Bowery” on this page of post-WWII New York photographs, about halfway down.
March 29-April 11, 1972.
Delsea Drive runs from the DELaware River to the SEAshore.
Yes, the Stanley Warner theater chain was spun off from the studio by 1951. The full corporate history isn’t easy to trace, but in 1967 Stanley Warner was acquired by Glen Alden Corporation, which already owned RKO Theatres and combined the two chains as RKO-Stanley Warner. Some time later another merger created RKO Century Warner, which was acquired by Cineplex Odeon, which eventually sold its US holdings to AMC. By then I suspect that virtually all of the original Stanley Warner properties had been sold off or closed, but if The Saturday Evening Post could trace its history back to Ben Franklin’s print shop then I suppose you can say that AMC is Stanley Warner’s successor.
Looks like this one is now occupied by The Friendship Circle, an organization for people with special needs.
The picture reminds me so much of the Chicago Theatre and the Loop Theater—the little semi-storefront just to the right of the huge palace. Wonder if anybody thought to play the Schwarzenegger/Devito “Twins” in one of these.
Here is the story on the demolition. This piece says that the building was essentially gone by December 2016.
Signage proposals for the renovation: They’re going for a 1930s look.
Last day of operation as the Crescent was on or about January 24, 1971, with “Soldier Blue” on the screen.
Last day of operation for the theatre appears to have been June 25, 1963; the final feature was “Hud.”
A July 17. 1960 Philadelphia Inquirer story about the building’s demolition said that the theater showed movies until about 1955, then was converted to retail use.
The Bijou was demolished on May 25, 1967, according to a story in the Inquirer of the following day. The same story said that the theater closed in 1947. However, an April 13, 1947 Inquirer story about a sale of the building stated that the theater would continue in operation as a movie house.
Last listing I can find for this one is December 16, 1969, with a quadruple feature of “Fanny Hill,” “The Wild Angels.” “The Glory Stompers” and “Hell’s Angels on Wheels.” For a few days after that ads ran saying “Theatre Closed—Visit our 61st Street Drive-In.”
$6 million restoration project announced; new seating will be a highlight. Tampa Bay Times story here.
Reopening tomorrow (12/15) with Rogue One. Long story with plenty of pictures here.
The last day of advertising for the Renel in the Inquirer looks like September 12, 1970, with “Cry of the Banshee” and “Kiss and Kill” as the features. A November 28, 1971 story about neighbors protesting the XXX policy calls the house simply the Adult Theater, while a Daily News story from February 8, 1972 about a robbery of the place calls it the Consenting Adult Theater. The adult operation does not appear to have advertised in either of those papers.