Ritz 5 Theatres
214 Walnut Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19106
214 Walnut Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19106
6 people
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Made my return to this venue for the first time since that July trip and yes, this theatre is really showing its age.
During what was becoming an insufferable string of commericals, a smell began to eminate from the street festival out on Walnut.
Turns out that yes, we had a gas leak. Unfortunately it delayed me from seeing “Win Win” today. However to the credit of the management, the situation was handled great. We were offered attending the later screening in a different theatre, in addition to getting a refund and pass.
I opted to just get refund and pass. It was a great day weather wise in Philadelphia.
Im inclined to agree. The Ritz is really showing its 34 years. I was there a few weeks ago to see the Joan Rivers “docu-drama” and yeah, the years haven’t been that good.
Center City Philly, especially that area should have a better art house theater, digital would be great.
Thanks Mike.
From Boxoffice to Ritz Theatre lovers.The Silver screen society started by Joe Tommassello, rents the RITZ 5 Cinemas on the first sunday of the month to play timeless classics. “THE MALTSE FALCON” and “ON THE BEACH”,Membership is $50.00 for one $85.00 for two. A single month admission is Ten dollars,Just a little more history for you guys.
I believe it is time for Landmark to put more money into this theater. The theater is 34 years old. Broken steats that don’t face the screen, projection could be better new digital should come, sight lines should be improved. We have better art cinemas than they do in New York.
You want to base the name of a theater on a Google search? According to the Landmark Theatres website, the name is Ritz Five.
Here is another exterior photo. It seems like the name should be Ritz 5, which is how I searched for it initially.
http://tinyurl.com/nnfl2r
I saw Abel Gance’s “Napoleon” at the Ritz Three. I believe it had a new soundtrack by Carmine Coppola. Very long silent film, but interesting.
I know that temperatures get warmer the farther south you go (that is, here in the northern hemisphere), but from the northeast portion of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia’s Center City — where this theater is located — I didn’t realize the distance between Northeast Philadelphia and Center City Philadelphia is so great that when it’s cold winter up here it’s very summer like down there. But photos don’t lie, do they?
Feb 2008 photo of exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquistbe/2431919383/
The June 1999 Philadelphia Magazine rated the Ritz Five a “3.8” on a 1 to 5 scale, with comment “Screening rooms are small and tight, with thin walls, but this is still the best art-house choice downtown.” The highest possible rating was achieved in the Seating category, and a very high rating in the Cleanliness category.
Ah yes, I’d know those three egg cartons in the sky anywhere! Very third world-ish. The Ritz 5 provides a saving grace to the landscape though.
March 20, 2007 outside photo of Halle Barry arrival for Perfect Stranger:
View link
exterior photo showing the Ritz 5 and the Society Hill Towers which were designed by I.M. Pei
http://www.flickr.com/photos/penoppi/437190900/
More photos:
View link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmac/5083846/
At least it’s A theater in a city where there once were many. Meantime, has anyone noticed that Michael Moore’s SICKO, which should be being exhibited at EVERY Philadelphia theater right now, is being only shown at certain Philadelphia area theaters selectively? That’s pretty creepy if you ask me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billyqiu/90350970/
That’s a January 2006 photo
This and the two other Center City Philadelphia Ritz Theatres are being acquired by indy chain Landmark Theatres. The full story can be read at the following Philadelphia Inquirer link:
View link
According to the Glazer book Philadelphia Theatres, the theatre opened in 1976, the architects were Dock & Walnut, Geddef Associates.
The Ritz Three was the best place to see foreign films in the early 1980s. The TLA was more inclined to show Pink Flamingos and Plan Nine from Outer Space.
According to my notes, The Ritz 3 Theatre opened in 1976. Each theatre had 450 seats. The Ritz 2 and 3 Theatres closed on Sunday, May 19, 1985 to each be divided into two theatres. They reopened on July 3, 1985 as the Ritz 5 Theatres. Ritz 2 – 250 seats. Ritz 3 – 225 seats, Ritz 4 – 225 seats, and Ritz 5 200 seats.
Opened around 1975 as the Ritz Three; two more screens were added later. The theater’s owner, Ramon Posel, died on June 23.