Stanley Theatre
605 Market Street,
Camden,
NJ
08102
605 Market Street,
Camden,
NJ
08102
1 person
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From what my parents told me it must have been quite a place…The Stanley Theatre was opened on February 19, 1926.
Contributed by
RSecinaro
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Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
Because my mother refused to take the expressway from Jersey to Philly, we spent a lot of time getting lost in Camden when we were trying to find the Ben Franklin bridge using surface streets. I remember, vaguely, some theaters in Camden, but I think this one was gone before my time.
Ken…I have a question about the aerial photo. I don’t know if you are familiar with Camden at all, but in the photo it looks like there are two very impressive buildings just across the street from the Stanley. I assume one is City Hall. Are they both still standing or has Camden become one big barren wasteland? (With the exception of the riverfront aquarium and the Campbell Soup Headquarters).
Luis, I haven’t been in Camden for many years. I remember that tower, but I couldn’t tell you if it’s still standing. Camden has had some tough times in the past twenty five years or so.
It’s such a shame. There were many bustling small towns/cities in the 40’s and 50’s and it’s amazing to see how far some have fallen. Specifically, in New Jersey, Camden and Patterson. Other cities like Jersey City and Newark fell pretty hard too, but their geographic nearness to New York is allowing them to rebound as they share in New York’s prosperity. I’ve never been to Camden, but it doesn’t sound like there is much hope there.
The tall tower in the aerial photo is City Hall, which is still there. The building with the large dome is the old Camden County courthouse, which was torn down in the ‘50s and replaced by a Lit Brothers department store, which closed in the '70s and was renovated into office space for Camden County.
I think all the Lit brothers stores closed at the same time. There was one in Atlantic City as well as the flagship store on Market Street.
The Stanley can be seen roughly in the center of this 1957 photo, across from the distinctive building with the dome:
http://tinyurl.com/5kkc2d
This 1939 photo shows some street ads for the Stanley and the Savar:
http://tinyurl.com/mqf2wp
Prominently featured in this lecture about Camden Theatres: youtube
On Saturday 17 March 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Stanley. Currently I am conducting research on all things Lugosi; if anyone out there actually saw this show and/or has memorabilia (poster, handbill, photos) related to this show, please contact Bill at Thanks in advance for any assistance!