Nixon Theater
28 S. 52nd Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19139
28 S. 52nd Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19139
4 people
favorited this theater
The Nixon Theater was built in 1910. The architect is listed as John D. Allen. This theater was demolished in 1985.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Interesting trivia in the Nixon Theatre’s history. When the movie Mikey And Nicky was filmed in Philadelphia in the early 70’s a scene was shot with the theatre’s marquee in the background. I’m not sure if it was dirctor Elaine May’s decision, although it wouldn’t surprise me, but the theatre’s name was changed to the Noxin. Apparently, the dislike for President Richard Nixon went pretty deep. I supose, the thinking went, the film makers didn’t want movie goers to suddenly stop being entertained at the sight of the Nixon name.
Here are expanded views of two PAB thumbnails posted by Lost Memory in 2005. The photos are from the Irvin Glazer collection:
http://tinyurl.com/335do3
http://tinyurl.com/3y5p89
Hello, I am Genaya Reid the grand daughter of Frank & Ida May Brown the last owners of the Nixon movies theater. I wanted to thank the members who posted pictures and information about the movie theater.
God Bless
This is a photo of the building at the address today. It’s indistinct in the photo, but it says “Nixon Building” at the top. Is it possible that the theater building is still standing? If so, a lot of the architectural details seen in the older photos have been removed.
http://tinyurl.com/3ntmwz
The Payless shoe store to the left of the Nixon Building is listed at 32 S. 52nd Street. I do agree that this building doesn’t resemble the theater building, though. The Nixon family was prominent in theater circles in the early part of the twentieth century, so this may be a coincidence.
Here is a 1914 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/pckxy6
My parents went on their first date at the Nixon in 1959; they saw “Blackboard Jungle” with Glen Ford, Anne Francis and a young Sidney Poitier. Must’ve been a good date they had 3 kids and remained married for over 30 years until my father passed; thanks for posting these pictures!
Presidental Election day november 1968.
Mid-day viewing of the Night of the living dead.
Great Theater! remembered.
28-30 South 52nd Street is now KICKS USA. Yes, the Nixon Theater was demolished!
This seems to be where Charlie Chaplin was performing, with the Fred Karno Music Hall, when he got his famous telegram requesting that he come to New York to meet with the lawyers who presented him with the offer to work in Hollywood. Interesting. I remember the theater from my childhood, when I lived in my first house, on 48th and Walnut.