Trocadero Theatre

A photo of the theater in its burlesque days from the Library of Congress collection can be seen here.

By the '70s the Troc was showing adult movies along with its strippers, and after the burlesque operation shut down it was used to show Chinese films for a while. (Lest anyone complain that it is not quite a "cinema" treasure.)

Philadelphians of a certain age probably get a good giggle out of the idea of the ol' Troc as a historic site...but not many Victorian-era theaters like it are still around.

More photos here:

http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ho_display.cfm/91668

DON'T try to expand a picture by clicking on it without a subscription. You will freeze your browser.

Does anybody remember some of the hilarious names of the strippers? Like: "Trolley Carr," or "Lynn Oleum...she'll floor ya!" I think they would change the names on Mondays. Some of them were quite hysterical.

Carlotta Tendant...Chili Soss...Mae Lox...I think the manager/resident comic, an elderly fellow named Max something, was the one who thought up the names.

thanks, rickB

The Troc is one of my favorite live venues in Phily, although I havent lived in PA for a number of years now. The last time I saw a show there, I spent most of the time hanging out at the 21& over bar upstairs. In the mensroom, along the wall in front of the urinals was the coolest thing I've ever seen (and a nod to the former glory days of the Troc). There's a long wooden row -- like a box that runs the length of the wall in front of the urinals. When you're standing at the urinal doing your business, you'll notice that there are stars painted along the box. Some stars have tiny peepholes in them. If you look inside the peephole, there are vintage black & white burlesque photos, illumnated by lights wihtin the box. The photos are cheeky, innocent, and in my opinion -- a very artistic and creative way to pay homage to the rich history of this amazing edifice. The box/concept is difficult to describe on the web, but honestly, one of the coolest things I've ever seen while standing at a urinal, that's for sure! ;)

My grandfather was a janitor at the TROC when it was a burlesque house (1940s). LOL!

Back when I was growing up in NE Philly, going down to the Troc Theatre at least once when you turned 18 was regarded as a vital "rite of passage." And for an older brother of mine that meant going there to see Chickie Delight "perform," and for me, several years later (1972) it was Sheree DeFore (billed as "As Never Before!") I went down there with a Roman Catholic friend of mine (who was doing the driving) and though we got to see Sheree DeFore do her full "act," the moment it was over and the movies began he suddenly felt very sick and we had to head back to NE Philly once more -- even though I myself wished we could've stayed to watch the movies a bit longer, plus see the "Gala Midnight Show" the theater's announcer kept telling all the theater patrons to stick around for. So to this day I still wonder what the heck the "Gala Midnight Show" was. Anyway, such is my own memories of the Troc.Haven't ever been back since.

The "Burley" theatres in Boston during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s,all presented 2nd-run movies in between stage shows, so I assume that the Troc did also. I saw the outside of it, front and rear, a few times; and got inside it in the mid-1980s. What a gem of an old 19th Century theatre !

The Troc is the featured theatre in an article about American burlesque shows which appeared in American Heritage Magazine in the June/July 2002 issue. There is an old exterior photo of it and some history of the building and comments about the shows, including comments about one of the house comics, Billy "Cheese and Crackers" Hagen, who also appeared frequently at the Old Howard Theatre in Boston.

Thanks all... Mom (Mara Gaye) was one of the burlesque dancers at the Troc in the 1950's.

My Mom was a burlesque dancer at the TROC in the 60's and 70's. Her stage name was Jade Green. My Dad was Humble Harve Miller, a popular DJ for WIBG, WFIL and WHAT radio stations. After my Mom and Dad split up, my Mom had to take my brother and I with her when she worked at the TROC. Maxie Furman used to keep an eye us backstage while my Mom was doing her act. We used to keep an eye on the babes in the dressing room. Maxie was the stage manager and comedian back then. Maxie and Billy Hagen were very good friends of my Mother. We used to sneak up to the balcony and watch the shows. We knew every inch of that place. In my late teens I would go to the TROC to see punk rock bands. The last concert I saw there was Daryl Hall and John Oates. What a great concert that was. When my Mom retired from dancing, she worked as a bartender at the Show Bar next door. She still keeps in touch with many of the dancers that she worked with. I feel privileged to have been that close to this historical monument.

Hey budcoboy71 I ama college student from West Chester and I am giving an informative lecutre today on the history of the Trocadero, I wish I found this web-site earlier it would make my life a lot easier, but when I read your comment about the peep holes in the bathroom I got to searching and I found the web site below it has pictures of the urinals and the stars and inside the actual peep holes too. Check it out its pretty cool.

http://toiletnet.com/trocadero.htm

I'm a localite who remembers Maxie Furman and Jade Green well. I'm a member of the Three Stooges Fan Club and research supporting players who worked with the Stooges. One of them had a (West Coast) burlesque connection (Follies in LA). I'm trying to find out what happened to: Dorothy DeHaven. She played in the Stooges 1946 short "Three Little Pirates". I can send an email picture of her. Please contact Frank Reighter at 267 523-5166 or email me at: fereighter@aol.com

I went to college in Philly in the late 70s, but the frat brothers and I never made it to the Troc. Perhaps it was closed for remodeling around that time. Is the Trailways bus station and the Hardee's still on the northwest corner of 13th and Arch?

Here is a recent photo of the Trocadero Theater.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978

Arch Street Opera House *** (added 1978 - Building - #78002442)
Also known as Troc, The
1003--1005 Arch St., Philadelphia
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Durang,Edwin F., Plowman,George W.
Architectural Style: Late Victorian
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

I am looking for any old film footage or stills from the Troc Burlesque Theater in Philadelphia. I photographed there in the early 1970's and have published and exhibited images from that series. I met and have photos of many of the performers including Jade Green. I would like to communicate with any one who performed there or had contact with the dancers or managers from that time.
Thanks

Hi Rader,
See my post above re: Dorothy DeHaven and the Three Stooges. I also have suggestions and questions re: your project. Email me at fereighter@aol.com , maybe we can come up with something.
Frank Reighter

Hi I am Maxie Furman's daughter...spent many many afternoons with my dad at the Troc...just wondering if anyone could help me locate a film made with my dad and mom..Virginia Bell..etc.called Scanty Panties...any ideas....

Hi daughter, see my post above yours. I'm well aware of "Scanty Panties" Email me at fereighter@aol.com, or call me at 267 523-5166.
Who was your mother in the film, and were Maxie's archives donated to one of the local Universities? I'm getting a bunch of articles on the Troc from a collector who had 2 binders full of Burlesque articles. So many questions; so little space!
Frank Reighter

HiFrank
Just letting you know I called you and dropped an email...It would be a dream come true if one day I could watch Scanty Panties, my mom is Max's talking woman(Alma)...and they were married 30 years before my mom died at a very young age...48...and I was 9 at the time...

As I was researching some other Troc stuff, I came upon the name of the pit orchestra leader during the last years of the Troc (Before canned music). Maxie Furman must have had a close relationship with him, because he would always segue into a dancer's routine with a reference to "Strike up the band, Merrick!"

Merrick Valinote was born in New York on Feb 27, 1898. While at the Troc (And, I assume, the Globe in AC in the Summertime), he lived in Oaklyn, NJ. He was a Philadelphia resident at the time of his death in Feb, 1976.

Frank Reighter

Here is a photo circa 1917:
http://tinyurl.com/34sauq

Coolone, My uncle owned the SHOW BAR next to the Troc in the 60's and 70's. His name was Frank. His partner, before he bought him out, was his brother Casmire. Your Mother (stage name Jade Green) would have worked for Frank in the 70's. I am sure I could find some pictures of her and my uncle. contact me at mikefrompenn123@yahoo.com

Anyone else remember Frank from the Show Bar?

1969 photo of the Troc Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c2268&ProductID=33180

1986 photo of the Troc Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c2268&catpageindex=10&ProductID=33181

Theatre Historical Society of America will be visiting here sometime between July 7 to 11th 2009.

You can see the Show Bar in the 1969 photo.

When I was stationed in Fort Dix in the early 60's a bunch of the guys would venture into Philly. Some went to the Troc. My only burleque show during this period was "This Was Burlesque" with Ann Corio that was playing in New York.

Here is a photo circa 1978:
http://tinyurl.com/mku9kl

Here is a 1978 interior photo:
http://tinyurl.com/l5asce

You 1978 links don't work.

My mother worked (as a dancer) at the Troc during the mid 1970's. I'd be thrilled if anyone had photos from that era. Her stage name was Sunshine and her real name was Diana.
Erika-Harrison@cfl.rr.com

I just found out that my mom's stage name was actually Sheri DeFore when she worked at the Troc. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers her.

My grandmother in Jade Green, I was wondering if anyone had any footage of her. my Dad past away and was my only link to my past. My grandfather is Dj Humble Harve whom I also know nothing about. My Dad's post is above from 2006. If anyone has anything, I'd really appreciate the help.