Belgrade Theatre
2848 Belgrade Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19134
2848 Belgrade Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19134
1 person
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The Belgrade Theatre is located on Belgrade Street at the corner of E. Auburn Street. It originally opened in 1913, with seating for around 500. In 1920, the theater was remodeled, and in 1937, the Belgrade Theatre received another facelift, this time in the Art Moderne style, by architect David Supowitz. The theatre remained in operation until 1966. Today the building houses a furniture repair store.
Contributed by
Bryan
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In its Port Richmond, Philadelphia neighborhood, the Belgrade was known by other names: Bello, Owens, Owensies,and Hero.
Remodeled in 1937, the Belgrade was one of the first theaters to use glass block sructurally and decoratively.
The Belgrade showed Polish language movies in the 1950’s to accommodate its Polish Port Richmond neighborhood. Students from St. Adalbert Catholic School(Polish) often made field trips to the Belgrade to view the Polish films.
The Belgrade temporarily suspended movie operations during World War I and became a sewing shop that manufactured uniforms for
American troops.
A Mr. Owens was the first owner of the Belgrade; hence, its name Owens Theater and Owensies a neighborhood nickname.
Bello is the neighborhood equivalent to Belgrade.
Only the top photo posted at philadelphiabuildings.org is that of the Belgrade Theater. The 2 other photos are of a beer distibutor. The Belgrade did not stand alone nor did it have parking. The theater stood directly at the sw corner of Belgrade and Auburn Streets in Philadelphia Pa. Brick row homes and businesses;namely, Spina Bakery were neighbors to the Belgrade.
This photo is from 9-15-1937 The Exhibitor article on Glass Brick
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Text: Aisleheads of the new Belgrade Theatre, Philadelphia, PA David Supowitz, Architect, uses glass brick corners inlaid in wood and lighted from within to direct patrons and promote (Howard Haas note: rest of text missing from my photocopy)
Another photo from same page of the drinking fountain:
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I remember seeing “The World of Henry Orient”, “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Giant”, among other films, at The Belgrade.
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2au577
ken mc, do you have any memories of the belgrade that you can share on this forum?
No, I don’t. I went to college in Philly, but I don’t recall this theater.
Here is the view from Google. I guess they just stuccoed over whatever was on the front.
http://tinyurl.com/r84oq7