Bandbox Theatre
20 E. Armat Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19144
20 E. Armat Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19144
3 people
favorited this theater
A small side street theater that outlasted its larger rivals around Germantown and Chelten Avenues. In the late ‘60s and early '70s it was operated by Art Carduner as one of Philadelphia’s very few venues for art and foreign films. Last I heard it had become warehouse space for a candy company.
“Bandbox” or “Band Box”? In the ‘70s the ads and newspaper stories made it one word, but the theater’s signage made it look like two and I think I’ve seen older ads that made it two words.
Contributed by
RickB
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
I remember the lounge. They sold cheese, wine, and other drinks and food. Does anyone recall the summer when the Band Box had a Beatles marathon? They showed “A Hard Day’s Night” multiple times over one summer. On a different note, does anyone remember “Hecate’s Circle” Coffee House on Chelten ave.? It would be fun to hear from you!
I remember the Band Box, the basement cafe, and Hecate’s Circle all very well. My girlfriend at the time, Helen Lynch, ran the cafe, and I was one of the owners of Hecate’s Circle, along with Ken Moore and Michael (“Smokey”) Blair. My favorite double feature listing for the Band Box was “2001 – A Space Odyssey and Barbarella – A Space Goddessey”. Another favorite was a double feature of King of Hearts and A Thousand Clowns. My least favorite was Fellini Satyricon (spelling?) – I sat thru it hearing the soundtrack from the basement for what seemed like weeks!
Former Bandbox owner Art Carduner died last Friday at age 88. A colorful Philadelphia Daily News obituary may be found here.
My parents met at the Band Box in 1957 ish. (My mom worked there) They are celebrating 50 years married this weekend. I so wish I could get a photo of this place…if anyone has a lead please post here and THANKS MUCH!
My parents met at the Band Box in 1957 ish. (My mom worked there) They are celebrating 50 years married this weekend. I so wish I could get a photo of this place…if anyone has a lead please post here and THANKS MUCH!
Here is a link to a photo of the Bandbox Theatre
View link
Here is a link to how the Bandbox looked in 2004
View link
Here is link to a photo of the basement lounge of the bandbox:
View link
Thanks Renel-fan for that great description of the Bandbox Theatre
WOW!!! Thank you ever so Dennis!!!
I loved going to the Bandbox when I was a teen in Philly in the late 1960s. Art Carduner was a culture hero of mine for his programming and the great program notes he wrote. Much of my early movie education took place in this theater – from “Citizen Kane” to “Morgan!” to “Pierrot le Fou.” It was an adventure to get to from the Northeast (via public transportation) but you knew you were going to see something very special!
I remember Hecate’s Circle very well. Danny Starobin turned me on to the place and I saw Sweet Stavin Chain play dozens of times there. Danny and I got to know each other while I was caddying for his pop at Ashbourne C.C. Danny showed up to talk to his dad and got the worst treatment from his pop…made me sick. I dropped the golf bag and told him I don’t work for assholes. We became friends . I miss him. RIP Danny.